Who is telling you what you "should" weigh?

RissaRoo007
RissaRoo007 Posts: 42
in Health and Weight Loss
How much should I weigh anyways? I've always used BMI charts for answering "what I should weigh", but I also know BMI doesn't account for muscle mass. So what do you use to determine what you "should" weigh?.....And for that matter, should I even have a weight goal or just focus on inches lost? I'm 20 years old, 5'4" and about 148 lbs right now. My goal weight is 130 right now, but I've always been pretty muscular (especially the thunder thighs :) So is 130 too much? too little? I've seen other 5'4" women on here with goal weights from 115-150, so how should I determine what's right for me? ugh..... thoughts?

Replies

  • Richie2shoes
    Richie2shoes Posts: 411 Member
    I have a goal weight set (above what the BMI charts recommend) but it's only a ball park. My goal is to lose weight until I like the way I feel and look regardless of my goal weight.
  • ModoVincere
    ModoVincere Posts: 530 Member
    personally, I'm going by body fat % as measured using my electrical impedence scale.
  • emmabeckemeyer1
    emmabeckemeyer1 Posts: 298 Member
    It really depends on you and what you want to look like. If you just want to be skinny you will weight A LOT less than an individual that wants to be fit!
    I am 5'3 and my goal weight is a FIT 135lb
  • pawoodhull
    pawoodhull Posts: 1,759 Member
    When I was in High School I weighed 160 at 5'8" and was told I was overweight by 20 pounds. I'm now 56 and 5'7" (yep, I shrank an inch) and have been told by my bariatric surgeon that for my age, height and bone structure I should weigh 160. Personally I just want to be a healthy weight, so I am aiming to get below 200. If I get to 160, great, if not that's OK too as long as I'm below 200. So if you want a range, ask your doctor but I think most people know what weight they need to be based on where they are comfortable.
  • mfoy94
    mfoy94 Posts: 228 Member
    Set a goal weight where sources tell you that you should be, and if you hit it and still arent 100% satisfied, adjust your plan and go from there.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    If you're actively working out, lifting, etc...BMI doesn't mean a whole lot. You'd want to focus more on measurements and BF%. My goal is about 5 Lbs above what BMI indicates is healthy because at that point I plan to get off the deficit and focus on muscle building while continuing to burn fat.
  • drojen
    drojen Posts: 203 Member
    I find the BMI # unrealistic for me. I was at that "healthy"weight years ago (at the top end of the healthy weight too) and I was exercising 2 hours a day, seven days a week. No matter what I did, I couldn't lose any more and found maintaining that weight difficult. Jump forward 20 years or so. I don't have 2 hours a day to work out anymore so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get to that magic BMI number again and I'm ok with that.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    It's personal preference. For me, the fat guy in the mirror dictates what I do.
  • Annieapple12
    Annieapple12 Posts: 122 Member
    I'm 5 foot 4 and my first goal is 150 pounds. I am currently 170 so its enough to make a difference to my health and appearance. Once I am there I will see how I feel.
    I have no desire to be skinny but I want to be healthy.
  • swingsintherain
    swingsintherain Posts: 121 Member
    For me, BMI is just the tip of the iceberg - it's decent at giving you a weight range to shoot for, but crap at telling you anything more. There are some calculators online where you can figure out 'ideal' weight, but mostly these are based off of BMI and frame size.

    My plan is to shoot for somewhere at the top of the BMI range (especially as I think I have a larger frame), and see how that weight feels when I get there.
  • earthymom
    earthymom Posts: 52 Member
    I've had the same question. Ideal weight searches on the internet vary. some give a range that is quite wide. I think it's important to consider is your frame size. You can search the internet for ways to measure your frame size if you are not sure if you are small, medium or large framed. Then you can either choose the upper, mid or lower end of the range as it applies to your frame size. I've also found sites that will break down ideal weight by frame size. I think muscle mass should only be a consideration if you do a lot of weight training and maintain a significant amount of muscle.
  • sunflowerhippi
    sunflowerhippi Posts: 1,099 Member
    I found a formula that takes you current weight and BF% and you can use those numbers to figure out at about what weight will you BF% be around that.

    In my case 160-165 my BF will be around 20% and that is my goal.
  • Erisad
    Erisad Posts: 1,580
    I used the fat2fitradio website's body fat % calculator and used that as a way to find my ideal weight, which is higher than BMI would lead me to believe.
  • like_milk
    like_milk Posts: 79 Member
    I listen to BMI as a warning. I started losing weight because my weight was 1lb off having a BMI indicating overweight. For me that was a wake up call. My goal wasn't large, I just didn't want to go beyond that point. It is only a guide and isn't accurate but according to the medical profession being above a healthy weight can increase risk of certain diseases. I also did a tape measure test around the waist and I was also on the cusp of 'being at risk'. It wasn't anything to do with vanity, and BMI is not about vanity, it was just about health.

    But indeed, BMI isn't accurate. But unless you're really REALLY muscular (especially if you're a woman as it's harder to put on muscle) it's unlikely you're one of those people whom BMI is totally wrong. But I also hear it's pretty inaccurate for very tall people too.

    At the end of the day only you really know your body which is why it's actually that look in the mirror that is really dictating my weight. Also, how well my clothes fit.

    I think it's best to test body fat. It's harder to get tested than just working out your BMI but it really is the best indicator of health. I really wish I had got mine tested at the start so I could really see how much fat I've lost!

    Also, I like to have a fitness goal too as I think that's just as important.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I use BMI because the people that tell me to lose weight use BMI. I'll see what happens when I hit goal.
  • corneredbycorn
    corneredbycorn Posts: 267 Member
    My goal weight is 110lbs. I am 5'0.

    I was 100 all throughout high school and felt that was too thin (still "healthy" according to BMI, but I looked sickly and you could see bones everywhere).

    I was 120 through most of college and felt that was too heavy (still "healthy" according to BMI, but you could definitely tell I had fattened up).

    So, I split it down the middle and am aiming for 110.
  • dnscal123
    dnscal123 Posts: 46 Member
    My doctor told me what I should weigh. I'm 6' and the doctor said ideally I should be 188 lbs and at least 210 lbs.
  • jaztoderan
    jaztoderan Posts: 71 Member
    BMI is unrealistic. I am considered underweight by BMI but it's just my natural size, I don't skip periods or have bone pain or any other symptoms you expect from having a low BMI. and I have some FAT. I'm using the scale to make sure I'm not dropping any pounds (trying to gain muscle, not fade away) but once I know what I'm doing is good I'm going to stop stepping on the scale and go by pictures and how I feel.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I set my goal at 145lbs, which is right in the middle of the "Normal" BMI range for my height (5'8"). I'm 5lbs away from that right now and I still feel pretty confident it will be a good weight to be at, or maybe 140lbs. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow morning and I'll ask for her opinion.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    Below is how I determine my weight. It allows you to understand your body composition. I don't listen to BMI or weight as I have more muscle than the average person my weight and I will end up over weight according to both even if I am 6-8% body fat. With this method, I also ensure I minimize muscle loss, which is what makes body tight and lean.



    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/684493-how-to-determine-weight-goal?hl=how+to:+determine&page=1#posts-10001020
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    My body will tell me when I am healthy. If you feel run down and crappy you need to change things. If you can't walk up stairs without being winded you're not healthy. If you're not hungry, you're not healthy. If you crave sugar you are not healthy. Stuff needs to change..

    We need to get away from the i need to weigh a certain number mentality. It's about health not weight. I am healthier then a lot of my friends who weigh less then me. There are people who weigh more then me who are healthier then I am.

    It's about overall health and making healthy lifestyle choices.

    To simply have a goal to reach a certain weight, IMO, sets you up for failure. Simply because what happens when you reach that weight? Goal met? and we go off the diet and back to unhealthy choices? no.. need to make maintaining health, not weight, your goal and then it will be real changes and you'll make a real difference.

    Plus if you make overall health your goal, the weight will fall off without you trying. It's win/win.
  • rllewell
    rllewell Posts: 234
    Personally the guy in the mirror will determine what my weight will end up being. For me the max healthy weight in the BMI chart gave me a good goal weight to strive for. I’ll rely more on body fat % when I get much closer to my goal.
  • erinpooh
    erinpooh Posts: 90
    I don't have a real weight target. Maybe 150 but I think I could lose more and be really fit at the same time. In high school, I started in the 140s and gained to about 155 over the course of several years, but wasn't in all that great of shape. I would mind being 140 again.

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