Healthy weight depending on build?

Congratulations on your 60+ loss

I'd aim for the healthy BMI range and see how you feel once you get there. Some people find they actually want to lose a bit more and others are happy there, some want to regain a 1lb or 2.

I think it's a good starting goal. You can adjust as necessary as you get closer to it.

For frame size, what's your wrist circumference? http://www.timigustafson.com/2009/what-is-your-frame-size-s-m-l-xl/

Mine is 7" and my goal weight is still in the Overweight section of the BMI, but I'll see what happens when I get there.

Before BMI we had height/weight charts and those provided a similar weight range for my height. So when you don't have much else to go on, BMI ranges are a great place to start. Body fat % is a great metric, but getting an accurate body fat measurement requires access to a bodpod or hydrotank, both of which are impractical and expensive to do on a regular basis. Once or twice a year for those makes more sense. Body fat scales, calipers, etc are generally considered unreliable and inaccurate methods, so what's the point?

I know I have no idea what my ideal weight will be. I just know that I will know it when I get there. Until I get there I am going to enjoy getting healthier.

Congrats on your loss so far! The healthy BMI range is pretty big, my first goal was just to get there in the first place! Now that I am here I am realizing that I am a lot more petite in body frame than I ever thought. I shouldn't be surprised, several of the women in my family are petite. So I realized that I will probably want to be on the lower side (although not the lowest) of my BMI to be completely happy. Although just being healthy makes me happy enough!

I think it is important to not have a specific number to start and then adjust later.

lasciate wrote: »

BMI/frame charts kill me. I have a "large male" frame and at my height of 5'8" supposedly should weigh 154lbs at most. I couldn't get that low without being skeletal, I was skinny at 170lbs. My goal is 200lbs which is still 'obese' by BMI, but will be merely 'overweight' for me personally. After that we'll see what happens.

I'm one inch shorter than you at 155 still with fat to lose. Unless you are super tall, short, or a major body builder (probably wouldn't be here if you were) it's really acurate. Expecially for people like us at the middle of the chart. If you are happy ar 170 that's your choice but don't discredit BMI or use the OMG I'd be a skeleton. On top of that even if you are "super muscled" and not obese at 200 somehow by bf% it's still more weight than is intended for your body wich can lead to stress and health problems. If you want to talk about it more let me know. Our changing bodies can be weird.

All in all yes BMI isn't meant for individuals once they have gotten into or around a healthy weight to pick a number. But it gives an acurate range for most individuals to set healthy goals. It is also the metric health risks are associated with so it's good not to throw it away.

OP BMI is a good baseline once you get into or close to a healthy weight you can reasses your goals from there.

I'm a 6'4" male, and in my adult life i have weighed everywhere from 165 lbs (way too skinny) to around 260-270 (freshman year of college before i decided to get healthy). i'm 32 years old and still can't tell you what my ideal weight is. i've decided to set different goals. I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in april (i haven't run that distance in awhile, and never in a timed/race type event. longest i'd done before was a 10K). i want to do another 1/2 marathon later in the year to make sure i keep up my cardio. I also want to be able to regularly do sets of 225 lb on bench press. right now i start my workout at 195 and work my way up to 215. i can get 225 up a few times, but i want to be at a place where i'm doing my last two sets of 6-8 reps at 225 lbs. I also want to be able to work out squats 1.5x my body weight, again at the 6-8 rep range. i think when i can achieve these three goals i will like the way i look. if not, i will adjust from there.

I feel most comfortable right around the bottom of the healthy BMI range. I think it depends on your frame, your body composition, and personal preference. Just stop when you feel happy.

There are different definitions of "ideal weight". One is a weight for optimal health; one is a weight for optimal appearance; one is a weight for optimal physical performance; one is a weight that you feel comfortable and happy with, and feel you can maintain. The "ideal" or "acceptable" weight for good health is usually higher than the one for optimal appearance, so that's usually a good initial goal. Achieve that, and the decision then becomes more personal.

Ideally you want to base weight "targets" on your goal body fat percentage and lean body mass. As others have said, getting a reliable number can be problematic (I have a lot of confidence in my measuring tools and ability, but there is only one of me ;-) And most online tools and calculators, wrist measurements, etc, are pretty bogus.

I would caution against getting too attached to a specific scale number, since the scale weighs everything--"good","bad", and "neutral". Ultimately, the best guide will be what you see in the mirror and how you feel. Don't set any limits in advance!