4 Methods of Finding Your Healthy Weight

Through the years we've been given charts, estimates, and unrealistic measurements for a 'healthy weight.' But finding your healthy weight isn't just about charts; it's about figuring out the best weight for your lifestyle, body type, and height. Because there is more than one way to find your healthy weight, here are four methods to try. It would be best to figure them all out and see what the average weight is.

BMI

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to calculate whether your weight and height ratio is within healthy limits. If your BMI is less than 18.5 than you are considered underweight, if it is between 18.5 and 24.9 than you are 'normal', 25.0-29.9 is the overweight category, and anything over 30.0 is obese. These categories are meant to show you at what levels you are at more risk for heart disease and other harmful conditions. To calculate your BMI use this formula: ((Weight (pounds) \ height (inches squared)). Take this number and multiply it by 703. This number is your BMI.

For example, if you are 150 and 5'0" (60 inches), than your BMI would be around 29-in the overweight, at risk category. Although there are other indicators of health, the BMI is used the most to comprise weight charts according to height. It doesn't take in consideration your percentage of body fat, however, which is also a factor in those that might have more muscle than others.

Addition Method

This method doesn't seem that scientific, but it gives a fairly good estimate. In this model you will see that frame also matters, as well as being male or female. For women, you should start with 100 pounds for five feet and add five pounds for every inch you are over this (likewise subtracting about five pounds for every inch you are under that height). Once you achieve this number, than you subtract 10 percent for a small body frame and add 10 percent for a large body frame. For example, if you are 5'4" and a small frame, than your healthy weight should be around 108, and for a large frame at this same weight you should be in the 132-pound range. Average frames should be left at the first estimate calculated.

For men, you should start with 106 pounds at 5 feet and add 6 pounds for every inch over five feet. Subtract or add 10 percent for a small or large body frame as for the calculation for women. You can figure out a range by finding the small to large frame numbers and making sure your weight is within these numbers.

Waist

Another measurement for a healthy body weight has to do with one tape measurement-your waist. Measure your waist at the top of your hipbones. If this tape measurement is higher than 35" than you are at a greater risk for diabetes and heart disease. Figure out what weight you are when your waist measures this or less, and you should be in a healthy range.

Experience

If you experience joint pain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or any other similar conditions, it may be because your weight is not healthy. If you have been at a weight that you could maintain for longer than six months, and your energy levels were greater, than this could be your personal healthy weight. You should monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight as a way of finding out what weight you feel your best at. Having a few extra pounds might not be bad for someone who lives a healthy lifestyle of high-fiber and exercise. Likewise, if you know that having extra weight is really bringing your health down, than set a goal by using one of the above methods and strive for it.