Do you ever feel the 'ideal weight' is too small?

Guitarjon

Going from the famous south park quote by Carmen...
"I'm not fat I'm big boned"

My ideal weight according so some chart I saw in the doctors should be around 12 and a half stone. According to my height and weight. However, I, personally, would be very happy at around 14 stone. When I looked slim in the past ( at school) I was around 14 stone then and no less. I gain muscle pretty easily.

Should I aim for 12.5 stone or 14? Really I'd be happy with around 16%. Body fat so I guess what ever weight I am at that point.

jillyt85

My "ideal" weight for my height according to the charts is between 123 pounds and 164 pounds. That's a HUGE difference. I'm going for the middle. Just because a chart says it, doesn't make it right. Doctor's still have BMI charts up and that is something lately that has been proven to not be accurate because it doesn't take into account your bones, muscles, organs etc.

melsinct

I am 5'7" and according to various calculators, my ideal weight is between 118-159. I was around 118 in high school and I was scrawny and around a size 2. That was my natural weight at the time but I would not want to go back there again. I have stopped at 145 because that is where I am healthy and happy with how I look. Body composition has a lot to do with it. I have a friend and we look to be the same height and weight but she actually weighs 15 pounds less than me. It all depends on how you carry your weight, body structure, etc. There is no one right number for everyone.

Sidesteal

My ideal weight according so some chart I saw in the doctors should be around 12 and a half stone. According to my height and weight. However, I, personally, would be very happy at around 14 stone. When I looked slim in the past ( at school) I was around 14 stone then and no less. I gain muscle pretty easily.

Should I aim for 12.5 stone or 14? Really I'd be happy with around 16%. Body fat so I guess what ever weight I am at that point.

Just two comments:

1) Most of those charts suck.
2) However, most people who are even just slightly overweight, often miss the mark entirely when it comes to their perceptions of what they will look like at a given weight. Generally speaking, you'll need to lose more fat than you think in order to look the way you think you will look.

Helloitsdan

You can base your ideal weight off of your lean mass.
So if you are 5'10 and the chart says 144lbs is perfect but your lean mass is 135....15% body fat takes you into 150s.
I wouldnt stress.

psuLemon

My weight according to charts should be 160-185. I will never be that as I have too much muscle (I am 200 lbs and 12% body fat). I think it's better for men to concentrate on body fat rather than weight. Also, ignore BMI as athletic men have very high BMI. I think mine is 28 and I am classified as overweight. So i ignore both and concentrate on BF %

elg1982

Yes, go with Body Fat Percentage.

I have to get down to 149 to have a "healthy" BMI, but once I get to 155 - 160 I have a very difficult time losing more weight.

BAMFMeredith

Absolutely. "Ideal weight" is total bullsh*t in my opinion. What is more important is your body fat percentage. Everyone's body is different, I have the same body fat % as another person who is 20 lbs smaller than I am. She just has a smaller frame than I do, and my body puts on muscle very easily. I'm only 5'3" so ideal weight for me could be anywhere from 110-140. When I had my body fat % checked last I was 109 lbs of lean body mass, so if I weight 110 I would be basically 0% body fat---not possible OR healthy!

I'm shooting for a body fat percentage of around 20 (18 or 19 would be AWESOME, but happy with 20) and a weight of somewhere in the 130s. I'm not too picky about that part. As long as my body fat is good and my clothes fit well, I'm happy!

BAMFMeredith

My "ideal" weight for my height according to the charts is between 123 pounds and 164 pounds. That's a HUGE difference. I'm going for the middle. Just because a chart says it, doesn't make it right. Doctor's still have BMI charts up and that is something lately that has been proven to not be accurate because it doesn't take into account your bones, muscles, organs etc.

BMI is total crap too, professional athletes have crazy high BMIs, and obviously it's not because they're overweight. They're in amazing physical condition and have a lot of lean muscle mass, but because the number on the scale is high, it would appear they are "unhealthy." Total crap.

MrDude_1

My ideal weight according so some chart I saw in the doctors should be around 12 and a half stone. According to my height and weight. However, I, personally, would be very happy at around 14 stone. When I looked slim in the past ( at school) I was around 14 stone then and no less. I gain muscle pretty easily.

Should I aim for 12.5 stone or 14? Really I'd be happy with around 16%. Body fat so I guess what ever weight I am at that point.

Just two comments:

1) Most of those charts suck.
2) However, most people who are even just slightly overweight, often miss the mark entirely when it comes to their perceptions of what they will look like at a given weight. Generally speaking, you'll need to lose more fat than you think in order to look the way you think you will look.

exactly.

another part is, bodyfat percentage, is a percentage... not a weight.
often (for men) to look like you THINK you will look, you also need to gain some muscle when you cut fat.