Your ideal weight

According to the charts I should weigh between 120 - 150. I can't even imagine the time and dedication it would take for me to maintain at 150 - let alone go any lower.

I don't think you need to decide until you get to a weight somewhere higher in your range and then see how it feels/looks/etc and go from there.

I didn't...I wanted to be at a healthy BF% and figured 15% BF would be good and easily maintainable...so I cut until I was about 15% BF...had no idea what the weight would be. "Weight" is kind of an arbitrary target as it is comprised of many things other than fat.

NadNight wrote: »

I think the best indicator you have is your previous weights. Is there a time in your life that you look back on and wish you were that weight again? If there is then aim for that, if not then aim for the highest weight in your BMI healthy range as a start if you are starting in the overweight category. Your own judgement of whether you look and feel good is more reliable than a number generated by bmi- apparently at 5 ft 6 I should be between 115 and 154. 115 is my highest I would go though however muscle weight will change this over time probably though as I intend to gain muscle and getting up to 115 in muscle is my aim. As I am in my muscle lacking state, anything over 120 looks big on me.

I was thinking similarly, but be careful going back too far, to be sure it's realistic and healthy. When I was 18, I weighed 118, and that was very healthy for me at that time. When I was 25, 135 was what looked really good on me (and I'd had a breast reduction in between, very little weight lifting). My current goal range is 135-140, but I'm not dead set on it, and will reevaluate as I get closer.

ETA: I'm 5' 2.75" with a large frame, and unusually high lean mass (proportionate to height) for a female.

For me, I had to determine a weight that I could maintain. I've been yo-yo dieting my entire adult life: I want off this crazy train. If I were to try to be the 115-145 the charts say I'm supposed to be for my height-- I'd lose my mind: I could absolutely never maintain that. I've been some years back175 and that looked really good on me, so once I get closer to that number, I'll determine the weight that looks best on me. The key is: you have to be able to maintain that weight (if you're focusing on weight loss now). Sure I could diet myself to 140# but I know that it would be impossible for me to maintain that weight. I have not seen the low to mid 100s since grade school. We have to be realistic with what we can maintain.

Jessamine wrote: »

How did you pick your ideal weight? I'm indecisive on this one. The normal weight range for my height (5'5") is about 114-149 and I have a small frame.

Pay no attention to that chart on the wall! The original height/weight charts were developed in 1943 by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and many people still refer to these exact same numbers (or similar). The criteria was that "desirable weights" were those weights at which the lowest number of deaths occurred based on data from the 1930's and 40's. While these numbers still may be desirable weights for some people they never factored in normal weight changes due to aging or ever really defined what frame size meant. And what about body shape? Some people carry weight differently and that is not considered either. There are now many other weight charts out there, but this was the original and a lot of people still go by it.

For myself, as a 5'5" medium-framed woman the ideal weight according to that chart is 127-141. Yes, I did weigh within that range when I was 20-something. At 57, I'm really very happy to be hovering around the 150 mark with an ultimate goal of 145 (still more than the "ideal"). Clothing size means nothing as I can wear anywhere from an 8 to a 12, depending on brand. Strength, stamina, blood pressure, cholesterol and continued good health are my major criteria but of course I still weigh and watch for my goal number on the scale.

I think the best determination for ideal weight is where YOU feel good about YOU. Set some goals and then re-assess when you reach them. When you get to the point where you think "I'm fit, I'm strong, and I look d@mn fine" then that's the right weight for you.

I picked my goal weight based on what my mom weighs, and I think she looks stunning at that weight. It also feels like something I can maintain reasonably.

With that said, I wouldn't know until I get there. My ideal weight is the weight that I will be able to maintain, keeps me at a healthy or close to healthy state, and I feel reasonably happy with. My ideal weight can be a little bit higher or lower than I'd like, but as long as I can maintain it without bending over backwards and be healthy at it I'll be happy with it.

Muscle makes a big difference

For me I want to lose the 100 lbs I gained when I got clean and sober 2 1/2 yrs ago. That's what I'm striving for and to do it naturally. I hope thru having friends thru this app I'll be able to do that. There's no way I'm going back to using drugs to accomplish it cause that's just to easy. No pain no gain!

I'm also 5'5. I'm trying to be in the 140s again, because I felt my best and healthiest in that range. I lost 7lb and have about 25 more pounds to go.

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Mine keeps changing. Was originally 165 (5'9). Then moved it to 158 - that was too low. Been lifting heavy for about three years and started my first bulk cycle - 181.4 this morning, but still wearing the same clothes I was wearing at 163.

I'm shooting for a certain look, not a certain number.

I love this! I'm 5ft and always wanted to be around 105 (having read somewhere as a teenager that this was Britney Spears weight), but realistically I've only ever been healthy at 115 minimum. I'm currently 120 (well, 124 this morning thanks to a weekend blow out, but I have a week to repair the damage) and have been lifting for about 6 months. I'm giving up on the scales little by little and going by how I look/feel. I never thought I'd be happy at 120, but here I am!!

I don't have a number, I do have a look and feel. Whenever I'm happy with my look and feel, that's where I'll stay.

I didn't have number in mind but since MFP wanted me to enter something I chose a number in the healthy BMI range but not the highest because I like to have a little wiggle room without moving back to overweight.

I'm 5'6". A few years ago I would have said ~140# because that's when I felt and looked best. Now after lifting weights consistently and changing my body shape/composition, I'd say more like 150-155#. I have about 10-15# to lose to get back there, so I'll reevaluate once I feel comfortable.