We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
ideal weight...?

Alexa1471
Posts: 52
How do you work out what your ideal weight is? I'm 5 ft 6 and currently weigh 9lbs 12 (138 lbs). My initial aim was to get from 10 stone (140lbs) to 9lbs 6 (132lb) but should I be going lighter?
Should i be aiming for 126lbs?
I understand that if i'm toning I may not lose a lot of weight, but I want to be sure that what I'm aiming for isn't too easy or I should be trying to be better?
Thanks guys! xx
Should i be aiming for 126lbs?
I understand that if i'm toning I may not lose a lot of weight, but I want to be sure that what I'm aiming for isn't too easy or I should be trying to be better?
Thanks guys! xx
0
Replies
-
I'm 5'6'' and I'm aiming for 133 pounds.....exaclty middle of a healthy BMI. I do expect this weight be differ depending on what toning I do but personally I have no intention of aiming for anything lighter
(started at 151 pounds, currently at 138)0 -
From my understanding, although this does ignore muscles mass, ideal weight for a medium framed woman is 100 lbs at 5' tall and add 5 lbs for every inch. For small frame -10% for large frame add 10%. So at 5'6" the ideal would be 130 (100+5*6) for a medium frame, 117 (0.9*130) for a small frame, and 143 (1.1*130) for a large frame.
The calculation for a man is slightly different 106 lbs at 5' and add 6 lbs per inch.0 -
You can lose more if you would like to. You're well within a healthy BMI right now, but you can lose more weight.
Just don't drop below about 115 lbs (8 st. 3lb) or you would be underweight.0 -
This is a very personal decision for each individual. I thought my ideal weight would be 135lbs, like you I am 5'6". I got to 135 and knew that I wasn't where I wanted to be. I went to 130, and finally 125. I would still love to tighten up a bit, but I no longer want to lose. So for me, me only, my ideal weight is 125, right now at this point in my life.
And the # on the scale right now doesn't matter to me so much as how I feel, look and fit into my clothes. You can also take a look at your bone structure to get an idea of your ideal weight. My bone structure is small so that's in my mind as I look at myself in the mirror and see the numbers on the scale.
I just keep telling myself that I'm capable of so much more than I ever thought.0 -
From my understanding, although this does ignore muscles mass, ideal weight for a medium framed woman is 100 lbs at 5' tall and add 5 lbs for every inch. For small frame -10% for large frame add 10%. So at 5'6" the ideal would be 130 (100+5*6) for a medium frame, 117 (0.9*130) for a small frame, and 143 (1.1*130) for a large frame.
The calculation for a man is slightly different 106 lbs at 5' and add 6 lbs per inch.
Ugh, I've heard this before and I think it's ridiculous. I'm 5'0, weigh around 120, and I'm a size 2! I can't imagine losing any more! Who came up with these ideal weights? Darn them! ha!0 -
You could go by this chart: http://commonsensehealth.com/Womens-Health/Healthy_Weight_Height_Chart_for_Women.shtml
According to this chart you should be 118-155, but it also depends on your frame.
Or you can go by BMI and calculate it here: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/0 -
Cool so 132 is about right. I guess I'll see how I feel when I get there and keep going if i want to.
I'm struggling with the loss, don't know why, I seem to be eating ok and i exercise well but its taken me 15 days to lose 2lbs....
I do have an incentive though, my wedding next year, perhaps when i've actually got my dress it will seem more real!! x0 -
Alexa, I can sympathize with the slow progress. I am so impressed on some of the stats I see for others, but my own still seems so daunting!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.4K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 440 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions