I know that the doctors have some chart that tells them what is "healthy weight" for someones height, but they always seem to be so different from dr to dr. Is there a way to take into acount muscle mass, big boned, small boned, etc..? Does anyone know of a reliable way to know how much I "should weigh"? I usually go by how my clothes fit, but I want to know my ideal weight.

My doctor has a charge that shows a weight range based on small, medium and large build. When I first started to lose weight and asked her what weight she would recommend for me, she said that it would be hard to determine my build until I was less overweight. When I saw her in February (I think I was around 140 or 145 at the time), she said I was a medium build and for 5' 3" my ideal weight would be 125-135. She also said I would be perfectly fine if I stayed at the weight I was then.

I'm 42 and may never get down as low as I was during college (around 125) but I'm lots closer now. I also look at how I look and feel in determining when I am at a good weight. My body is pretty toned with a decent amount of muscle and I can wear a smaller size now that I could 20 years ago. I also have much more strength and energy. I am happy with myself just the way I am.

That is very encouraging!! Thanks Barb & congrats on your success!

You are really inspirational to me! I love seeing your monthly stats. I was neck and neck with you last year. But alas.........I went nutsy and it took nearly 5 months for me to crawl back to the beach in a serious mode.

Anyway, you are my hero, kept plugging along. Not too many months were earthshaking, but added together WOW !!!

When I grow up I want to be like you!

Barb~I just want to tell you how proud and inspired I am of you!!!! I have been watching your weight loss for months now and today I saw your latest pic in the gallery. YOU ROCK, GIRL

When I was a practicing hospital pharmacist we used a complicated formula for calculating a patient nutritional needs. These were always based on "ideal body weight". Some medicines are also dosed based on ideal body weight, also sometimes called "lean body weight". There was another complicated formula for calulating IBW. The "shortcut" version of the IBW formula (used just for estimates) was (for women) 100 lbs for the first 5 feet and 5 lbs per inch over 5 feet. This would be middle of the road weight. You would add or subtract up to 10% based of frame size. These numbers tend to be a little skewed for shorter people. This is just a guideline. A healthy weight for a given height can be more that this "ideal" weight.

Here's an example in case I didn't make sense: If you're 5'6" (that 66 inches). That 100 lbs + (5 lbs X 6 in) = 100 + 30 = 130 lbs for medium frame. 130 - 13 lbs (that's 10%) = 117 for small frame. 130 + 13 = 143 for large frame. So 117-143 lbs is the range.

I would recommend NOT getting too caught up in numbers. When you get down to a weight that you feel energized and healthy, and your cholesterol and blood sugars are making your doctor happy, that's what your goal should be - not the number that a chart says is "ideal".

Hope this helps!

yeah, Barb, I would be happy with myself if I were the way you are, too. Thanks for not leavining us fat chicks now. you are my idol.

Thanks everyone!! & WTG Barb!!

You guys are going to embarrass me! I love being here. It really helps me to eat healthier. And for me, being healthy is the important part. My cholesterol is now normal and I am really determined that I will get off the one remaining blood pressure medicine (used to be on three). I am doing this so that I will be here to see my son grow up. And I do REALLY love the food!

Do you think the weight comes off faster the heavier you are? I know men lose faster than women. Also, do you think age has anything to do with the amount of time it takes to lose weight?

No one answered my last question. Come one ya'll.

I know the weight came off faster when I was heavier. I know for me it is harder to lose weight in my 40's than it was when I was younger. But it can be very different from person to person. If you follow the plan and are persistent you will lose even if it is at a slow rate.

I only lost 4 pounds in phase 1 but that was probably because I had been on a diuretic and didn't have any water weight to lose. Just fat.

Y'all? Kyemom, are you a southern chick like me??

Yes, I am from Virginia. Where are u from?

Born in Arkansas, lived here for a year, then lived in iowa for about 7 years, and i've stayed here since (I'm 18). My dad was raised in the north and my mom and stepmom in the south so it's an interesting mix.