Ideal Weight? How do you know?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2004
Ideal Weight? How do you know?
14
Wed, 04-28-2004 - 7:15am
Hi guys, I was reading someone else post, and how they were trying to get down to their goal weight. They mentioned their height and so on, and that got me thinking, what should my goal weight be?

I am 6 feet tall, and people tell me I am muscular, all my life I've been referred to as Sheerah, or Amazon, whatever, I take it in stride, but to me, I just feel big. According to those height and weight charts, I am totally obese. I was told my BMI and fat ratio should be below 25, which right now, on a good day, it is between 27 and 29.

My goal for the past 10 years, have been to get down to what I was 5 years prior to that, but I've only been able to lose 10 pounds at the most. Even when I lost those 10 pounds, I am still not near what the numbers should be, BMI and height and weight an all that. Although, I would be able to fit into size 8 jeans, which for me, is super skinny. ( I bounce between size 8 and 14, 8 being my goal I guess)

So my question is this. How do you know when to shut out what the numbers say, (you are fat!!) and not be kidding yourself. How am I really suppose to know if I AM really lean and muscular, and that it is OK to be "obese" on the height and weight scale.

Any suggestions?

I am kind of torn. A part of me likes myself a little bigger, (I look awesome in boob tops, but hate my belly) but then, a part of me wants to be skinny, (when I am down to my skinny jeans, (which I can not seem to keep fitting in) I feel good skinny, but then, my I have no boobs. Cant win. I am not only up and down emotionally, but physically, my weight fluctuates A LOT! ( I am still trying to get a handle on that)

What is healthy? What measurements are considered a size 8 anyway. maybe that should be my measuring stick.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-28-2004 - 8:02am
I think you are better off going on how you feel rather than a magical number. I'm 5'4 according to the chart at WW when I was in high school they said I should weigh between 108 and 129 the HEAVIEST being 129. If I weighed 108 I'd look horrible. Now because I'm old...LOL They say between 135 and 149 I think it was.

I make mini goals, right now my goal is to get below 200. I'm sitting at 206, have been sitting at 206 for the last 3 weeks. Want to talk to me about frustration?? LOL

6 more lbs and I meet my goal and I can make a new one. I think in 20 lbs incriments are best, it seems like less and you meet them quicker than saying I'd like to lose 80 lbs, it would never happen, if I do 4 rounds of "20" lb losses I'll have victories and be less to drop it altogether.

I think you shouldn't look for a magic number on the scale, I think the "height/weight/BMI" charts are great but I have one of those scales that supposedly shoots a current into your body and measures your Body Fat Percentage. However, you still put in your height, and weight so I'm not sure how accurate it is. Its been at 49% body fat, YIKES I can't believe I'm admitting that and I'm so darn cute too. LOL anyhow, I've been working out 2 times a day, lost 22 lbs and 28 inches and I know I'm toning up and gaining more muscle yet the body fat % hasn't gone anywhere, doesn't that seem wrong?

*sigh* just more things to make you feel frustrated.

I think you should decide where you feel comfortable. Is it in a size 10?? 12?? 14??? If it is then be the healthiest food wise and exercise wise you can be at the size you are most comfortable. Don't go by some magical number someone out in the world says you should be. The charts say I'm obese, but to look at me, nobody believes I weight what I do. In fact I get most of the time they think I weigh about 160. When I did weigh 160 people estimated I weighed around 130. So who the heck knows, apparently I carry all my fat well. LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 2:52am

You know those

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 7:46am

I myself have been wondering the same things as you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2004
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 8:35am
I really appreciate your responses. And as for the shrinkage question, that should be a topic in and of itself!!!!!!So far, the way I've dealt with it, have been to do more anarobic activity vs aerobic. You can still get skinny, and look muscular and toned, and KEEP YOUR BOOBS!!!!! I remember when I used to jog everyday, I was at my leanest, but my flattest.

And as far as the ideal weight thing, I agree with not looking at all these stupid numbers. It is so discouraging though. Like, I have a fat percentage thing on my scale. I do not think that thing knows how to tell the truth, so why in the world do they put things on scales that are inaccurate anyway!!!

I was concerned at one point at the BMI thing, because I have every known ailment to run in my family, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and in addition, I was blessed with asthma!! Doctors are always telling me to get my numbers in line, or pay the price. Sometimes, I really dislike doctors.

I think I will try to go for measurements, and have that be the yardstick.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 8:58am
I agree 100%. My main goal is to get out of the 200's and go more than one day eating well and working out. The charts are insane for a while my range was 95 - 105. That is not healthy or realistic. I want to be fit – to be able to run up a flight of stairs without needing CPR when I get to the top. I want my knees and back to stop hurting. And I want to be able to shop in a regular size store and not be stuck in the large women’s polyester pavilions. This is a little off the point by why is 90% stock in plus size stores polyester? As if that material is comfortable. But I digress.

We need to find our individual ideal weights and not go by the charts.

Best wishes everyone.

Robyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 11:37am

What a great question!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 11:39am

I just wanted to add. I think the numbers game is horrible. I mean, who puts these thigns out there? lol. I have no idea what my BMI is/was, but I do know at my ob/gyn a few years back, I saw the chart and according to it, I was "obese". But, It's not like I looked it. Like a few others, I carry my weight well.


Therefore. At your height. I would do what the other poster said, find a SIZE that you feel good in. It could be where your breasts are a bit smaller, but then again, so is your tummy. Also, you could always get your boobs done. Just thought I'd throw that out there.


I know when I lose weight, I'm goign to lose mine. Come on, in HS, I was like a 32A for like FOReVER. but than again, I weighed like 100lbs. At my height, 5'1" they say I should weigh anywhere between 106 and 140 depending on my frame. Okay. So, I'm probably medium frame, so I should be in the range of 115-129. I know 129 would be too high for me, but 115 may be too low. I'm aiming for 115, but in reality, I just want to be a size 6 comfy again. I don't care if I"m muscular and weigh 129 in my 6's, as long as I get into them.


BTW. in case your curious. this chart says, for a women who's 6'0" tall.


small frame: 138 - 151


medium frame: 148-162


large frame: 158-176


I say, see where your range is, but aim for the top. And if you feel good at that weight, great! if it's too hard to keep your weight down that low, then let it go. I heard that your body will stop losing when it should. or you'll gain weight back when you should. assuming you're being healthy.


good luck. i too hate the numbers game.

~Cher




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 11:44am

ohmigod. i'm dying LOL here about the hips/t.... bit. lol. THAT WAS WAYYYY TOO FUNNY!


I never thought about hanging upside down. maybe that will work. you think?





my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2004
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 12:02pm
Thanks for your response, but in all seriousness, I have to ignore that small med large frame thing. I would need an extra large frame to even think about ever getting to that!! But after this discussion, at least I am not depressed about it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2004
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 12:44pm
Hiya Sediqua! I just had a few minutes to check in and saw your post. I too, am tall (5'10 - 5'11 - it's been awhile since I measured it) and can soooo identify! I've always felt a lot "bigger" than everyone else, partly because of my larger bone structure I guess....According to the doctor's "healthy" weight for me, I should be around 160-170 pounds. I'm more comfy in my skin between 150-155 so eventually that's what I'll shoot for. And yes, my BMI is up there too (30% when I checked it many months ago). Personally, I think you can take what the doctor's "healthy" weight is and find your own comfort zone somewhere around it. Just my two cents .... :)

Kelly

P.S. I used to get the "how's the weather up there?!" stuff ...

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