Goal weight question

CassidyScaglione
CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What is the best way to determine how much I Should weigh given my height/frame? I tried a few websites that all gave me different answers...

I'm medium build, 5'7, and currently about 180 lbs.

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Set your first goal at the top of the healthy range for your height. Once you get there look in the mirror and decide if you're happy with what you see and, if not, decide whether or not to keep losing or not.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    But what's a reliable site for determining that? I've gotten different answers from different sites about what that range is... Also confused about "ideal weight" which is higher than any BMI range I've seen...
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I use the top of the BMI range.
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    For me, there's two options.

    A. Research the latest evidence on disease indicators etc. and attempt to hit what they recommend.

    B. Personal preference.

    I'd forget BMI, it's great as a general correlation tool for recognizing population trends, but is not pertinent to individuals with any great reliability.
  • HutchA12
    HutchA12 Posts: 279 Member
    cityruss wrote: »
    I'd forget BMI, it's great as a general correlation tool for recognizing population trends, but is not pertinent to individuals with any great reliability.

    Just go for the top of the healthy BMI range for now. It won't give you an exact # for an end goal but once you've entered that range it will be easier to figure out fitness/visual goals.

    This not pertinent to individuals is pretty misleading. At 5'7" and not a body builder the chart will be really accurate for you. In fact once you get to the healthy BMI I would recomend looking at bodyfat %s. This will give you a better place for health as you can be normal weight but over fat due to body composition.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    BMI says 160lb is the upper end of healthy, if you really are medium frame, then 132–147 is also a good target range. Ultimately, if you don't have a reference weight to aim for (college weight for example), then the upper end of BMI is a great starting point. No one is going to have to sacrifice lean muscle mass to hit that number unless they are an elite athlete, and you will know it if you are.

    Also, there is no reason that you have to hit any specific weight just because you had a goal. If you find 160lb is too skinny (unlikely), then you can stop at 165lb. If you find 160lb is too fat, then change your goal down 5lb and see how you like it then. As you get closer to goal reevaluate with additional measures, like waist circumference, BF%, how you look in the mirror, etc...
  • erinc5
    erinc5 Posts: 329 Member
    I am 5'7" female. I started my journey at 185. I am around 165 now. Anything under 159 for us is in the BMI "healthy" range. My next goal is to get to around 155 and then I'm gonna drop to ".5 lbs per week" and focus a lot more on body fat and body composition/measurements and drop to probably 145 or so slowly.

    I say ignore frame size - I feel like that is a bunch of bunk anyways. In order to determine your frame size, you have to measure your wrist - how can that be 100% accurate if you're overweight?

    Anyways - a good goal for you is probably around 160 and then reevaluate once you get there.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    But what's a reliable site for determining that? I've gotten different answers from different sites about what that range is... Also confused about "ideal weight" which is higher than any BMI range I've seen...

    There will be no overall correct answer because women with a high percentage of lean muscle are going to look better at a higher weight, than women with a higher percentage of fat.

    This is why you pick a number towards the top end. You may look great at the top end, or not. You will have a better idea as you get closer.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    hmm. Alright, thanks everyone.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,226 Member
    +1 to the idea of picking a provisional goal, then changing it to be more realistic as you get close to it. It can be pretty arbitrary; don't stress about it. You can even plan a series of mini-goals, like 10 pounds at a time, and re-evaluate periodically. Your "ultimate goal weight" can change over and over, if necessary, and it's independent of your weight loss rate (in terms of what MFP does with the data).

    I used an early-adulthood weight, but decided when I got within about 5 pounds of it that I should go a little lower. I knew the initial goal was provisional, and planned all along to re-evaluate. I'm now working on maintaining at about 8-10 pounds below that initial goal. (I'm not even particularly excited about whether it's 8 or 10!)

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