Weight is a touchy subject among church members, singles, and people in general. What is the ideal weight? Depends on how you look at it. Some sides of modern society and the media promote self-acceptance of weight and body image, whatever the weight. Such approaches to weight approach the issue from a personal self-esteem and self-worth angle (i.e., a psychological and emotional perspective).
From a different dating perspective, getting into better shape is usually a bonus to attract a new partner since an important element of attraction is visual and physical. However, you can decide for yourself if there is a need to get into better shape. In other words, you don’t “need to”, it is up to you. So if you feel getting into better shape would help your dating efforts--as well as increase your health, energy, mood, esteem, etc.-- then figuring out your ideal weight and working towards lowering your weight down to that level over time can be a good goal.
Calculating Your Ideal Weight
From a medical/health perspective, there are certain measures that can be utilized to give a rough measure a healthy ideal weight. These estimations use research-supported measurements to define one’s healthy weight in relation to factors like height and what weight level will lessen concerns with health issues (like heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.). Here are several methods to figure your ideal weight and other important health numbers, borrowed from the highly recommended research-based books, The New Abs Diet and The New Abs Diet for Women, both by David Zinczenko (editor of Men’s Health magazine):
A) Body Mass Index: Your Body Mass Index (or “BMI”) is a medically-backed weight statistic identifying how much you should weigh in proportion to your height for what would ideally support your heart’s blood pressure, your circulation, and you overall organ health. Your BMI number doesn’t address details like your body fat percentage or how much of your weight is muscle. So, taken alone, BMI is a limited number. However, it is still a decent number to look to as you estimate your ideal weight range/goal. And it can be especially useful when combined with the other 2 health measurements given hereafter.
A BMI under 18.0 is considered very underweight, possibly anorexic, 18.0-19.9 is considered underweight, 20.0-24.9 is considered healthy, 25.0-29.9 is considered overweight, and 30.0+ is considered obese. A reasonable target weight goal could be created by calculating out what weight would result in a BMI just under 25.0, and then working to achieve and maintain that weight.
To calculate your current BMI, take your current weight in pounds, times it by 703, and then divide that number by your height in inches, squared (in other words, times itself). So, the formula = weight x 703 / height squared. Then, to find your “ideal” weight, keep putting lower weight numbers into the BMI formula until you find a weight that results in a BMI just under 25.0, or even a little lower than that. Now you know how many pounds you need to lose and your target weight goal to eventually achieve.
B) Waist-to Hip Ratio: Another important indicator of your health and weight is to consider your waist-to-hip ratio. The smaller your waist is in relation to your hip size, the healthier you are regarding dangerous “visceral fat” (abdominal fat). Ideally you want a waist-to-hip ratio of .92 or less as a goal. To calculate your hip-to-waist ratio, take a measuring tape and measure it around the widest part of your belly (your “waist”), generally around your belly button. Then, measure yourself around the widest part of your buttocks (your “hips”). For example, if you measure yourself as having a 32-inch waist and 35-inch hips, you have a healthy .91 waist-to-hip ratio (32 / 35). Simply put, the goal is to get your waist smaller than your hips.
C) Body Fat Percentage: Finally, your body fat percentage is an important indicator of your overall health as well. This is a general measurement of how much body fat exists in your body in contrast to your proportion of muscle, etc. What your healthy and ideal body fat percentage is varies, and is determined by gender and age. To identify your ideal/target body fat percentage, refer to these charts and aim to get your body fat somewhere into the “ideal” range.
There are numerous ways to regularly calculate and track your body fat percentage. A simple, economical, and decently accurate measurement of body fat is the body fat calculating hand held device. You simply hold it with both hands, arms locked and extended out from yourself with your fingers and palms on the metal readers (on the left and right-side handles). A common, effective hand held body fat measuring device looks like this, and usually costs about $19.99:
Final Thoughts:
Figuring out your ideal numbers in all 3 areas/categories and working to get your body down to those numbers is a healthy, positive goal--both physically, psychologically, and relationally. It will help boost your physical attraction for your dating prospects, as well as your increase overall health, energy, esteem, and mood. It is worth the effort to improve, and is really a good lifelong goal to track and maintain. I suggest giving yourself every advantage, and remember that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:11
Dr. G
P.S. If you can questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2019-04-07 | Randy Gilchrist | Health and fitness |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).