Figuring final goal weight?
 

So now that I think I'm nearing my final goal for weight loss, how do I go about figuring out what is the "right" weight? There's got to be some way to do it other than trial and error. Suggestions?

There are medically based guidelines based on body frame size online. Also, speak to your doctor, who will be able to provide medically the best answer.

Current weight x (current bodyfat percentage/100) = total weight of bodyfat

Current weight - total weight of bodyfat = 100% lean weight

100% lean weight + 12% = reasonably healthy weight

current weight - reasonably healthy weight = pounds left to lose

At least, assuming you are as strong as you hope to get. If you are planning to increase muscle mass you may well need to add a few percent to that. A caliper test, while not so accurate, is close enough to get you a target within a few pounds of right.

I'm battling a health insurance increase. Need to get down to 249. That's about what I weighed in high school. It's rough. 285 now.

There are accurate testing procedures and equipment, but you really need to follow the instructions. I can do caliper tests and compare to hand held digital body fat machines and be very close to the same.

If you want accurate, you need to get into the tub of water to do it correctly. Are they called underwater weighing, or DEXA or something like that. The closest one that I know of is about 30 minutes from me and not cheap.

This is more complicated than loosing weight! I'll just shoot for 150 and figure that's close enough. That's 10 more pounds.

Glad to see you got my PM. Good job and good luck.

So Joel -back in the day -non-biking day I always figured for women -the ideal was 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet+100.So me Ia m 5 feet 7 = goal of 135 lbs...but heck I'll settle for 150 -140; Somayeb for a man it'sore.But for biking - the road bikers tend to be lighter weight...Maybe post on the road biking forum for more insights- depends what your goal is. Heath? Biking? Looking goiod?? All depends my friend.

One factor the uber-clydes among us should keep in mind is loose skin. There can be up to 20 pounds of that hanging around.

I believe your lean/fat ratio changes with your age and goals. Lean muscle plus 12% fat seems low to me unless you are a competitive athlete or model. Remember some fat protects you during physical stress such as disease and infection. I second that suggestion that you receive guidance from your physician for your "magic number".

Me? I am still a Clyde with ample protection for the upcoming famine! :)

12% is definitely on the lower end of the scale unless you're competing. I remember back in my racing days I'd stay between 6 - 8%, because if I went lower than that I found myself suffering for endurance events.
Personally I'd settle with 15% for myself right now.

As The Historian mentioned, excess skin will add excess weight. So take the calculations I posted with a grain of salt. There's no magic guidline for everyone, and you need to tweak any calculations to tailor them for your personal situation.

Disclaimer: CGK1 is not a doctor, nutritionist or healthcare professional, nor does he play one on television.

Trial and error worked pretty well for me. As much as I'd like to be the ultimate bicycling performance machine and carry only the optimal amount of body fat necessary- my weight and body fat percentage is largely determined by the lifestyle I can maintain on the long term.

That ended up being about 25%BF and 15-20lbs over my "ideal" weight. It's a nice comfy spot to sit, and my weight isn't the primary thing holding me back in cycling these days....