Eat fat to get skinny: is it true?

This week I am embarking on a new journey!

I had my body fat measured at the East Bank Club using their BodPod.  This machine is purported to be the most accurate measure of body fat next to hydrostatic weighing(that is, getting weighed in a cage while it is lowered into a giant tank of water).

First, a little history: I’ve been using a cheap handheld device that tells me on a daily basis that my body fat percentage is between 27 and 30.  I wanted to face the music and do an accurate test.  So I did, and my number is 40.9 %.  Very high! According to their charts, 40% for a female is the cutoff for “too fat”.  As many of you no doubt already know, 50% body fat is considered obese.  Too close for comfort!   My personal belief is that I don’t look as fat as I really am for three reasons: first, very small frame, yet taller than average; secondly, large breasts that make the rest of my body seem smaller; and thirdly a very large head.

30-40%, according to the Bodpod chart, is still a little fat, but not considered problematic.  Therefore, my goal is to get down to 30%.

To shave 10% off my body fat number, I figure I will need to lose about 10-12 pounds.  Not sure really, but that’s my guess.  And here’s the thing: I don’t want to lose lean body mass.  So I’m going to be more stringent about three things: first, to work out (at least a little=30 minutes or more) at least three times a week; secondly, to keep with the intermittent fasting at least 5 days a week(i.e. no breakfast, no lunch); thirdly to keep myself in ketosis by eating low carb at least five days a week. I anticipate that if I’m compulsive enough about this I can reach my goal of 30% or less body fat in 3 months.

Next: why BMI calculation is worthless