Ideal bodyfat percentage

I know that it depends on your goals, yadda, yadda, but I'm trying to figure out what bodyfat percentage to aim for. My original goal as to just not go up in bodyfat, but I'm starting to think that I may want to bring it down.

I'm a woman, so I know a higher body fat percentage is acceptable. Currently, I'm somewhere between 21-23% bodyfat, according to tape measurements and bodyfat scale. I'd like to be a bit lower, but I'm not sure how low I should aim for. Any suggestions?

YMMV, but I've never cared a great deal for measuring body fat %. A good goal to set is one that is both realistic, and easy to measure. Performance in the weight room is very easy to measure, and performance in endurance exercise is also fairly easy to measure. I've found it better to focus on these. % Body fat is not at all easy to accurately measure. Better goals (IMO) would involve improving fitness, especially strength as percentage of body weight, and performance in endurance exercise like cycling and running.

If you're a complete beginner, a good goal to start with is simply maintaining a consistent training schedule, and recording everything in a training diary.

Depends on your goals.

There's a couple silly charts at the bottom of this site: http://www.am-i-fat.com/body_fat_percentage.html

Healthy is in the 'Fitness' range they describe (21%-24%).

It sure does!

but I'm trying to

21-23% is certainly in healthy range for a woman. So if you want to go lower, that will all depend on what it is you want to see in the mirror. So, only you can answer that question.

Nora (who started at 25% and still not happy at 16%.)

Silicon inserts definitely sounds very robotic, illiterate jewess.

What was the event? Social? Contest? Athletic?

Partly just curious, partly what motivates you? What did you care enough about to get started in the first place?

dogsbody

Motorcycles were my motivation. Firstly, to be able to lift my bike if I dropped it (I haven't tested this exactly, but I can maneuver my bike with ease when it's not running). Secondly, motorcycle racing. Last season, I'd come back from a track day hurting everywhere (especially in my calves). My first track day was a success, barely felt anything the next day.

I knew it was a short term goal, but thought that just it would help me get started. It did, and I still workout, but I think I'd push more if I had a specific goal. In the fall, I will train specifically for snowboarding.

I'm still waiting for pics from the track day, I'll share with the group when I get them. For pics from last season, check out the following link:
http://photos.yahoo.com/misty_mc

Shannonville pics were my first time ever on a track, and Cayuga my second.

Thanks. Blush...

My ultimate goal up to date has been to become stronger and build muscle. I think I would like to keep the goal the same, maybe bodyfat is not the proper focus, just because I'm ok with the way I look, now that I've put on *some* muscle. I just need to find a passtime other than weightlifting that requires strength. Or maybe I can look into making weightlifting my passtime, powerlifting competitions and stuff. Not that I'm anywhere near ready for that, but it would be a goal...

Thanks for the input.

Maybe you should go for a weight goal. (Weight on the bar, that is.) I agree with the rest that you don't need a looks goal.

My first goal was to look like something other than the stooge in a Charles Atlas ad. Now I'm going for a 200-pound squat.

dogsbody