Women's Weight Guide Homepage

Getting Started -
What Should I Weight?

First, be reasonable. Don't choose a desired weight because it sounds good, you may be trying to attain an unhealthy weight that is not right for your height, body size and level of physical activity.

Generally women should weigh 100 pounds for the first 5 feet of height and an additional 5 pounds for each additional inch in height. There are body size adjustments to this formula that are covered below.

For example:
A woman 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

100 pounds for the first 5 feet
25 pounds for the other 5 inches.
For a TOTAL of 125 pounds.

We're not done yet. You're biological parents do have some influence over your weight. Not only did they influence your height, they helped determine your FRAME SIZE. Generally, the human skeleton, (frame) is either small, medium or large in proportion to your height. Your frame size is used to adjust the total weight a bit.

If you have a small frame,
you subtract 10% from your Ideal Weight calculated above.
If you have a medium frame,
you don't need to adjust your Ideal Weight calulated above.
If you have a large frame
you get to add 10% to your Ideal Weight calculated above..

What's my Frame Size?

Small Skeleton Frame

Large Skeleton Frame

The simplest way to determine your frame size is to put one hand around the opposite wrist and try to touch your thumb to your pointer finger.
If your thumb and finger over lap, you have a small frame.
If your thumb and finger touch comfortably, you have a medium frame.
If your thumb and finger cannot touch, you have a large frame.

So for our example of 125 pounds,
A small frame would subtract 10% or 12 pounds, for an adjusted Ideal Weight of 113 pounds (rounded).
A large framed person would add 10%, or 12 pounds, for an adjusted ideal weight of 137 pounds (rounded).

Determine your height, check you frame size and you have an ideal weight. Check with your doctor to verify that this is a suitable and healthy weight target for you before undertaking ANY weight loss or gain program. With an Ideal Weight approved by your doctor, you have a reasonable goal to achieve.

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