What now??

[Carlos Daniel]

This picture is of you at your current bodyweight, is it not?

And yet you seem to think that you're above 12% bodyfat. I would have to disagree.

That is most certainly above 12%.

[Mr.City]

Fuck it. If you're having issues with weight gain, just go with an intermediate program.

[drewcarroll2]

I must have a really skewed view of what body fat percentage looks like on a person then. What would you all call him in the photo? One person says definitely 12 and Carlos says certainly above 12. I would be over joyed to have abzorzzzzzzzz like that guy, but I have a tub of fat instead. What should the BF% goal be for that kind of look? I just want those goober lines that point at my shlong, lulzzzzzz!!

[JStrong]

That guy in the pic is dieting? Lord have mercy. I recommend you grow some body hair and quit worrying about it.

[JAM]

Shit Fuck Piss. EAT!!! Once I saw that picture, I went back into the kitchen and ate another helping of Brisket. For spite.

You're not fat. Eat big, lift big, skip the ice cream and you'll be fine.

[Carlos Daniel]

Shit Fuck Piss. EAT!!! Once I saw that picture, I went back into the kitchen and ate another helping of Brisket. For spite.

You're not fat. Eat big, lift big, skip the ice cream and you'll be fine.

In case anyone is wondering, I didn't say he was fat, I just said he is not skinny.

[msingh]

If someone from startingstrength calls you big or strong or both, believe them. If someone says you're not fat, get a second opinion, preferably from someone in the real world.

[Paul Sousa]

Hey confuzz, if you want to get stronger now at a slower pace while trying to stay lean by all means go for it. You worked damn hard to get where you are now by eating big and lifting hard, and then eating smart while still training hard. The program I've enjoyed the most is 5/3/1 and you may want to check it out. The thing I like the most is that it isn't as rigid as SS (that isn't a knock on SS). You can modify it a ton to meet your goals. Gains will come slower than they would with SS, but depending on how you program it you won't need the same calorie intake to recover.

[blowdpanis]

That is most certainly above 12%.

Nah, 12% is not a bad estimate actually, imho.

Actually looking at that again, he might even be a little lower, hard to say. Since guys tend to preferentially store bodyfat in their midsection, when you can see somebody's abs in a semi-relaxed state like that, along with the "V," you're pretty safely ~< 12% bodyfat, as a fair rule of thumb.

[Carlos Daniel]

I'm basing my guesses around what I looked like when I had 12% bf, when measured by someone who may or may not be proficient on the matter but would probably not be very off.

It depends on lighting if you are trying to see abs. I am able to see the faintest contour of my abs if the light is above me and I sure as fuck am not at 12% bf.