Silly but serious question

Ok, so I spent the majority of my "adult" life at 5'8". I had a back surgery 2 years ago that left me at 5'7"... Now I know 5'7" and 5'8" is not THAT different in height... but I've always wondered when trying to figure out my "ideal" weight am I 5'7" or 5'8"

(I promise I'm not trolling it really is something I wonder haha)

Replies

  • coe28
    coe28 Posts: 715 Member
    I would say that if you're measuring at 5'7" then go by that number. Aside from your surgery, some people "settle" as they get older and lose an inch or two. Chances are you're not going to get an inch taller so just consider yourself 5'7".
  • IRollC30
    IRollC30 Posts: 54 Member
    I'm not a doctor but I'd say that we'd look at it from the reverse. For children, I assume their BMI is calculated on their current height and weight and not what their height will eventually be. The calculation would change as they grow. So, following that notion I would say that you should recalculate based on the fact that you're now 5'7".
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Your ideal weight is somewhere between the two. We all have enough minor differences in our build and composition that I can't imagine there's an actual "ideal" weight which precisely correlates with height.

    Your ideal weight is the weight at which you feel optimally confident, beautiful and healthy.
  • tyresank
    tyresank Posts: 174 Member
    Well I used to be 5'10" and then age shrinkage occurred so I am 5'9" and that is what I go by now. Why would you not?
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    I would go with your new height.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I think 1" of difference probably won't make that much of a difference, really. Throw both numbers into some calculators - you'll probably find the answers are within 5 lbs each other.
  • Camille0502
    Camille0502 Posts: 311 Member
    I'd say you are 5'7". When I was pregnant, my shoe size went from size 7 to size 7 1/2. No question, I now have to claim being size 7 1/2! I can't say I 'm 7 just because I used to be size 7! KWIM?

    Although, after I had my second (and last ) daughter, I started doing WW. I had always claimed to be 5' 2" tall. So my weight goals were related to that height. Early in the process, I was measured and it turns out that I am actually 5' 3"! So for me, it was a bonus because I could be slightly heavier!
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    Get off your "Ideal" weight mindset.
    BMI is crap.

    Focus on overall health and BODY FAT %.


    /end thread
  • Keiras_Mom
    Keiras_Mom Posts: 844 Member
    I lost an inch in height with my weightloss (how fat were my feet??!) and I now claim the shorter height (5'9"). You are as tall as you are, not as tall as you were at one point.
  • spade117
    spade117 Posts: 2,466 Member
    Are you measuring in lbs or kgs?
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    5 7... People naturally get shorter with age. Best to be honest with yourself.

    Zara
  • shining_light
    shining_light Posts: 384 Member
    Get off your "Ideal" weight mindset.
    BMI is crap.

    Focus on overall health and BODY FAT %.


    /end thread

    This person. Wise advice. :)
  • SnicciFit
    SnicciFit Posts: 967 Member
    Get off your "Ideal" weight mindset.
    BMI is crap.

    Focus on overall health and BODY FAT %.


    /end thread

    What you said!
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    i use the following formula

    100 lbs for the first 5 ft and then 5 lbs for each additional inch.

    5'7" = 135 lbs.

    add 5 pounds if you are muscular (meaning you can actually see muscle definition)
  • strikerjb007
    strikerjb007 Posts: 443 Member
    Get off your "Ideal" weight mindset.
    BMI is crap.

    Focus on overall health and BODY FAT %.


    /end thread

    Yep, he's 100% correct on my book.

    By the way, the last person I would ask about my weight is my fat doctor.
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    i use the following formula

    100 lbs for the first 5 ft and then 5 lbs for each additional inch.

    5'7" = 135 lbs.

    add 5 pounds if you are muscular (meaning you can actually see muscle definition)

    OH how I truly wish that math worked for me...alas it would have me sitting at 155, and yet my LBM is almost 150.
  • jesspi68
    jesspi68 Posts: 292
    i use the following formula

    100 lbs for the first 5 ft and then 5 lbs for each additional inch.

    5'7" = 135 lbs.

    add 5 pounds if you are muscular (meaning you can actually see muscle definition)

    This isn't even close for me. With my current body fat % and weight my target weight is 160lbs, at 5'4"

    The best way to set a goal is with body fat % as was mentioned previously. BMI is garbage if you have any muscle or bone density, or a larger frame etc.
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
    i use the following formula

    100 lbs for the first 5 ft and then 5 lbs for each additional inch.

    5'7" = 135 lbs.

    add 5 pounds if you are muscular (meaning you can actually see muscle definition)

    OH how I truly wish that math worked for me...alas it would have me sitting at 155, and yet my LBM is almost 150.

    Exactly! I'm 5'7'' and my LBM is 126 (give or take 4 pounds). If I followed this, I would be shooting for 5% body fat which is extremely unhealthy!

    On the topic, I think that your "ideal weight" would be somewhere between the two. Your arms are still half inch longer than they normally would be etc...

    I shoot for BF% rather than 'ideal weight.'
  • hehe it was just one of those silly things that popped into my head.

    I don't mess with BMI...
    and I said "ideal" weight for a reason.

    I'm currently shooting for 185 and will go from there... The only doctor who I've really trusted to discuss weight (the first one who ever actually took notice that when I'm exercising I have very muscular legs and tend to gain muscle quickly, and said anything other than you're too heavy, you need to lose weight AND he himself modeled a healthy lifestyle) suggested for me to get around 185 then from there go by how I feel and look, told me I'd probably always be "overweight" by the charts just because I carry so much muscle... and as he put it, carrying 10 pounds of muscle around is a lot different than carrying 10 pounds of fat. To this day this is the doctor I listen to, BUT the biggest difference is this time I'm REALLY ready to do it.

    it's just funny to think you can go in one day at 5'8" and come out at 5'7" in a matter of a couple hours.
  • sunforme3
    sunforme3 Posts: 57 Member
    Your new height, for sure!!
  • flatblade
    flatblade Posts: 224 Member
    Two parts to this for me: 1) You are what you are. If you are currently 5'7", then you are 5'7". 2) Don't worry about BMi except as a measuring stick.

    Incidentally, I've lost over an inch to advancing age and I hate being 5'9.25" and that 100 lbs. + 5 lb. per inch is insane for adult men.
  • The best way to set a goal is with body fat % as was mentioned previously. BMI is garbage if you have any muscle or bone density, or a larger frame etc.

    I'm large framed, and after just a month and a half of working out the muscle definition is coming back in my legs, and I noticed muscle definition in my arms this morning! Now to get rid of the fat that's covering some of it so I can really see what I've got going on!
  • LaDonnaF
    LaDonnaF Posts: 53 Member
    LOLOLOOL'd at the fat doctor comment... still chuckling