"ideal body weight"

leighdiane91
leighdiane91 Posts: 225 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
You can calculate your "ideal weight" based on just height and age, or you can calculate it using height and body frame size... which would be better? one says 130 is my ideal weight, the other says 152-167.... kind of confused?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Just curious why you're going by some calculation... lose weight until you don't want to anymore, build muscle until you don't want to anymore, rinse and repeat. My "ideal weight" has changed several times because I never look the way I think I'll look when I get there.
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    I go by what I weighed before and was comfortable with. I know anything under 120 is not a good look for me.
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I would go with the one with your body frame. It matters. As you get closer to that weight, or even before, go see a sports or performing arts physician. They have the whole body frame to level of fitness you desire thing down. They help retiring atheletes set their right weight/nutrition expercise routine as well as gear up people for peak performance.

    And yes, charts are confusing. no doubt.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Just curious why you're going by some calculation... lose weight until you don't want to anymore, build muscle until you don't want to anymore, rinse and repeat. My "ideal weight" has changed several times because I never look the way I think I'll look when I get there.

    I agree.

    I know after having two children that 120-130 will never be attainable, nor a look that I would want. However, I have found that 150-160 works best for me, is attainable and in line with my BF% (25%). I would suggest the same as this person and re-evaluate once you've reached your goal weight of 160lbs.
  • leighdiane91
    leighdiane91 Posts: 225 Member
    I go by what I weighed before and was comfortable with. I know anything under 120 is not a good look for me.

    I haven't ever weighed less than 160, and I remember thinking I was fat (probably wasn't really fat, but I had a boyfriend that made some comments and they stuck with me) So I do not know what I would look like at a smaller weight. especially since I work out a fair amount and I never worked out when I weighed 160 before.
  • TheCaren
    TheCaren Posts: 894 Member
    Just curious why you're going by some calculation... lose weight until you don't want to anymore, build muscle until you don't want to anymore, rinse and repeat. My "ideal weight" has changed several times because I never look the way I think I'll look when I get there.

    I can't speak for the OP, but I've learned that for me the mirror is a liar and what I see isn't real. So I'd be losing weight forever if I waited until things looked like I thought they should. I have to find an indeal weight and use the scale to monitor it or I could easily get out of control.
  • TomjsAj
    TomjsAj Posts: 45 Member
    I can only go by when I liked the way I looked the most and the weight I was. To many variables because I was most fit and in shape at 116 lbs but for a lady 5'6 that seems like a very low weight on average but I most of my life I have been a size 2 and around 115-120 (well until now! LOL) so I am just a small person with a wrist of only 5.5 inches around so my ideal weight won't be the same as all ladies 5'6.
  • gpizzy
    gpizzy Posts: 171
    i tend to think lose weight until you feel fit, strong and healthy.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I go by what I weighed before and was comfortable with. I know anything under 120 is not a good look for me.

    I haven't ever weighed less than 160, and I remember thinking I was fat (probably wasn't really fat, but I had a boyfriend that made some comments and they stuck with me) So I do not know what I would look like at a smaller weight. especially since I work out a fair amount and I never worked out when I weighed 160 before.

    Reach your goal of 160 first, then re-evaluate. I would also suggest, do some strength training if you aren't already cause that really helps to get rid of body fat and strengthen your body. I experienced being the same weight I am now being "skinny fat" and now being more toned and fit.
  • leighdiane91
    leighdiane91 Posts: 225 Member
    Just curious why you're going by some calculation... lose weight until you don't want to anymore, build muscle until you don't want to anymore, rinse and repeat. My "ideal weight" has changed several times because I never look the way I think I'll look when I get there.

    Ok this is my problem with the "when you like your body then stop".... I already like my body. I liked my body at 207 lbs. Had and have no issue with the way I look. Sure I could be more toned, definitely. but on the whole I like my body. I am losing weight because I had high blood pressure, which is now gone, and because I have VERY bad genetics and being overweight is something I have control over when it comes to my health/future health.

    so do I just stop when I DONT like my body because of how skinny it is? lol
  • nwilson91
    nwilson91 Posts: 70
    From the calculator's I'm using (http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm and http://www.pennmedicine.org/health_info/wellness/ideal_weight_results.html), I go with the former (Age/height).

    It gives me a range of 111-146, with a "people's ideal" of 139, which is about where I think I should be based on a formula of my favorite weight/look + 1 lb/yr. BTW, that's 6 lbs from where I am.

    The other gives me 120-134, which is what I weighed in my teens and early twenties - WAY to skinny for my 40yr old body. But again, if I add 1 lb/yr, I get back to the same: ~140, about what I'm shooting for now.
  • Weebs628
    Weebs628 Posts: 574 Member
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/ibw/

    ^^ This is my favorite calculator. If you're already happy with your body, maybe start tracking your body fat percentage.
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/ibw/

    ^^ This is my favorite calculator. If you're already happy with your body, maybe start tracking your body fat percentage.

    Agreed.
  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member
    I can't speak for the OP, but I've learned that for me the mirror is a liar and what I see isn't real. So I'd be losing weight forever if I waited until things looked like I thought they should. I have to find an indeal weight and use the scale to monitor it or I could easily get out of control.

    I agree that the mirror is a liar, but it lies to me from the opposite viewpoint. I look in the mirror and think "not too bad" - and then I see photos of myself from the same day and think "oh crap." I might have to be like Alicia Silverstone's character in Clueless and start to only trust polaroids, lol!
  • jess6741
    jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
    Be careful with the online calculators. I've gotten results anywhere from 95 to 116 lbs. This is the smallest that I've ever been so I have a hard time setting a goal. I have nothing in the past to base an ideal weight off of. And I too can't go by the mirror because I always think that I am bigger than what I am. But it's good to know your numbers health-wise. Aim for a healthy body fat percentage, bmi, and blood work. In the end it's all about how happy and healthy you are.
  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member
    Be careful with the online calculators. I've gotten results anywhere from 95 to 116 lbs. This is the smallest that I've ever been so I have a hard time setting a goal. I have nothing in the past to base an ideal weight off of. And I too can't go by the mirror because I always think that I am bigger than what I am. But it's good to know your numbers health-wise. Aim for a healthy body fat percentage, bmi, and blood work. In the end it's all about how happy and healthy you are.

    And bodyweight is a little arbitrary - I'd rather aim for a body fat percentage as it's a better of lean body mass vs. fat.

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