How do I find out my ideal weight?

Most of us have a preconceived idea of what our "correct" weight should be, but there are actually several different ways to evaluate body weight. We can measure our ratio of lean mass to fat mass, our height to weight ratio or our total weight.

The best measurement is the ratio of lean mass to fat mass in your body, which is your body fat percentage. Women over 18 should aim for 18 to 25 percent body fat with 22 percent being ideal. Most gyms or YMCAs have tools to take this simple measurement.

Calculating your height to weight ratio, or Body Mass Index (BMI), is also a good measurement. Your BMI will not be accurate if you are very muscled and very lean, but for most of us, BMI works just fine. (Calculate your BMI now.)

The bathroom scale, which measures your total weight, also has some value. However, it doesn't show how your body composition is changing as you exercise and strengthen your muscles. You could reduce your body fat and increase your muscle, and not see any change on the scale.

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