On Wed, 3 Nov 1999, Robert McGlohon wrote:

> Todd,
>
> If I remember correctly, you've got a lean body mass of 180 lbs. and 18
> percent body fat, which I interpret as you weigh 220 lbs. and would like to
> weigh 200 lbs.  I really don't think that most people would consider 20
> pounds overweight as "fat."  Indeed, from my perspective, that's downright
> skinny :)  But to borrow from your post above, isn't 18 percent bodyfat "an
> adequate body composition for someone like yourself?"

That's about right.  Since I've been restricting protein and
adding veggies, I'm down to about 220.  I don't weigh myself
regularly, but before starting my current experiment I did weigh
in at 227, which was in fact close to 21% fat.  Indeed, I seem to
have a "setpoint" at about 230 lbs.  I can get below that with
effort, but ad libitum eating of *any* foods generally causes me
to drift back to that weight.

> If you want to get beyond adequate, it might take a little more effort.
> Me, I'm shooting for adequate and will be jumping for joy when I reach 18
> percent.

I understand.  At my heaviest, I was 255 lbs., which was heavy
enough but does not compare with the problem that many people
have to deal with.  A case could be made that at this point I am
dealing mainly with male midlife vanity.  Like Kevin Spacey in
"American Beauty", I want to "look good naked" at least once
before such a goal becomes ridiculous.

There may be health benefits, too.

Todd Moody
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