What should my goal weight be?

[Labarum]

Making a judgement about your goal weight is not easy. There are many tables and online calulators that offer a theoretical optimum. They can intimidate as well as enlighten.

This is a good place to start:

http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Enter your figures and see what it suggests. This site is good because it offers an acceptable range; and because it offers some sensible advice on what you should weigh.

There are exceptions to these rules:

Don't tell Arnold Scwartznegger he's fat because he doesn't hit the target mark for his height.

All of the British Rugby Team are clinically obese according to the tables, and they are sportsmen of international status playing a game as tough as American Football.

But do be realistic - most of us are normal, and the normal range targets will be about right for almost all of us.

As you progress, you may want to be more scientific about Body Fat and Body Mass Index (BMI), try this site:

http://www.mybodycomp.com/

It asks for your weight, height and many more measurements - for your trouble it returns a lot of data on your body shape and composition.

But in the beginning http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm gives you a sensible target range.

You may choose to set yourself an achieveable target right at the top end of acceptable, then review it when you see how effective a properly conducted Atkins programme can be. You may also want to set yourself staging posts on the way, then you can pat yourself on the back as you reach them.


Good luck, and do remember there are lots of folk on this board to offer you advice and encouragement.