Finding The Ideal Body Weight – Part 2

Most of the body mass index charts are based on individuals who have a small frame. For instance, a woman who is 5’4″ tall should weigh between 108 and 132 pounds based on body mass index charts. However using a calculator that also incorporates body frame size her ideal body weight ranges between 115 and 146 pounds.

Thus, using straightforward body mass index charts men and women who are either medium framed or large frame can add five to 10 pounds to their ideal body weight in order to find one that is more appropriate for their size.

Body mass index considers the amount of bone, muscle and fat in the composition of your body and insurance companies use it as an indicator of how healthy you are. You should remember though that an ideal body weight is a general reference to use when you are setting goals. The healthy range for body mass index ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. Individuals at the higher range of normal should have more muscle and bone and not carry more fat. Those who are at higher ranges will also have higher risk for developing health problems.

While an ideal body weight would be “ideal” it may not be functional or achievable at this time. Individuals who must lose upwards of 15 pounds or more may find their ideal body weight is more negative reinforcement instead of a motivating factor. This means that individuals may perceive that they have so much weight to lose that it doesn’t matter if they don’t lose anything.

Instead, it is important to remember that even a 5% loss of weight can make a large difference in your health risk. It is important to ascertain your exact ideal body weight and set it as a goal to achieve without becoming overly distracted or disheartened by the amount of weight you may have to lose.