Optimum Weight

mdmurrell2007

How do you determine your optimum weight and body fat?

AdahPotatah2024

I think I am going to go w/ the smart BMI that takes age into account and mostly my waist size..keeping it less than half my height.

ninerbuff

Males normal body fat % for good health is 15%-20%
Females 20%-25%

If you know what your lean body mass is there's a formula that can be used to determine approximate weight at the bodyfat % you desire.

So if your goal is 15% bodyfat and you have a lean body mass of 120lbs:

lean body mass divided by (1 minus bodyfat% desired) will equal the approximate weight at the bodyfat%

120 divided by .85 equals 141lbs

So at 141lbs you'd be 15% with your current lean mass


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AnnPT77

I'm a fan of "lose weight and add useful exercise: You'll see the right weight and body fat when you get there, or recognize when you're close".

Note: MFP asks you for a goal weight. It only uses that for some progress/motivational messaging. It has zero impact on your calorie goal, so you can put in pretty much anything you want.

The only essential role of a goal weight during weight loss is knowing when to stop losing weight. Unless you have a seriously distorted body image, you'll know when you're getting close, and can pin it down then.

(Another note: Many of us who lose a material amount of weight have some degree of mild body image distortion, because it takes the brain some time to catch up with the body changes. If in doubt, try using photos - sometimes that makes appearance more obvious for some reason - or ask your doctor.)

I kept revising my goal weight as I went along, finally literally woke up one morning, took inventory, and decided it was time to go to maintenance calories.

Best wishes!

springlering62

I had several goal weights I never ever thought I’d reach, and surprised myself by surpassing each. So I had the bright idea of shooting for the weight I was on my wedding day.

I got within two pounds, and realized I was a mess. I’d lost muscle, I was stick thin, and just tired all the time.

Weight sits a lot different on your body at different ages. Muscle does, too, especially if (like me) you’ve never had muscle before. It’s gotta go somewhere. 🤦🏻‍♀️

The things you learn along this path!

I learned that I needed to add weight back. Lemme tell you, after the fight to lose 97, that was a shock to the system.

I am hanging out around 145 right now, having put 17 back on. I’ve recognized that I’m happy here. I get more food, I’m carrying quite a bit of muscle, and I have a lot of energy. I’m still comfortably wearing all the clothes I bought at the lower weight, except a few I had to jettison as I built biceps and quads. I can easily fit in the 38 year old (!!!!) wedding dress again, btw.

Have a goal. A goal gives something to work towards, an end point. But also have the flexibility and wisdom to accept that that goal may just not have been a good goal, and to change it up if you need to.

Don’t be “wedded” to a weight. 🥰

Corina1143

How close are you?
My goal for the first year was 164.4 pounds = 24.99 bmi = just barely healthy weight.
It was a really good goal. But now that I'm very close to that, my goal is to look good in size 10 jeans.
I agree totally with Springerling. If you're still pretty far away, just set a goal that means something to you.
If you're close, start thinking about YOU and about real possibilities for you and your lifestyle today.
Calculator.net has calculators for ideal weight, body fat, etc.