Measuring by immersion is a good way to determine BF%. (but no measurement is 100% accurate)
I reckon you looked pretty impressive, 195lbs and 5.something BF
I'm 200lbs at 14.something, aiming for sub10% with dieting and running. (I still work out too)
Women generally need 12-13% BF to be healthy, so if your GF at the time was close to ten, I'm not surprised her body started to protest.