Body Fat – When Average Isn’t Good Enough

I have some bad news.

In order to look better than most people, you have to do things differently than most people.

You’ll have to eat less and exercise more than most people – because most people just don’t do the job well enough.

Look at this shocking example:

You can learn three things from looking at these statistics:

1. The North American population has a fairly evenly distributed percentage of body fat.

2. A man’s average body fat percentage is around 25, while a woman’s body fat percentage is around 40.

3. If you want to have less than 12% body fat (for men) or less than 22% body fat (for women), you’re going to have to be an “outlier.”

What is an outlier?

out•li•er – A value that is far from the average or mean.

The statistics shown above were compiled from about 13,000 men and women between the ages of 20 and 80 using DXA.

If the thought of being “average” isn’t good enough for you, then you’ll have to commit to being different – very different.

Be your own outlier.

Take note of what everyone else is doing. Then do things just a little differently.

These statistics show that eating more than we need to eat while we obsess over healthy eating habits isn’t giving people the results they want.

Watching TV shows about other people who are losing weight isn’t giving people the results they want.

Having the desire to lose weight is much different than taking the action that is needed to make weight loss happen.

Do things differently.

Be your own outlier.

While others talk about losing weight, read books about losing weight, and watch TV shows about losing weight, you need to be the one to take action.

That’s what will make you different.

In the words of the famous Nike slogan – Just do it. No more talking. No more reading. No more thinking.

Eat less, move more – and be your own outlier.

**Am J Clin Nutr 2009;90:1457–65.