When it’s time to create goals for weight loss it is important to know what a normal weight for your body is, rather than what weight you would like to be. By determining what a normal weight for women within your height and age range is, you can create realistic weight loss goals that you can actually achieve.

[A normal weight for women depends...well, on the woman.]

Finding your normal weight for women like you can make losing weight more effective than grasping at an unattainable goal. Keep reading to find out how to measure your current weight and figure out what a normal weight for you is.

Body Mass Index

Before you can find out what is a normal weight for women like you, you have to figure what your body mass index (BMI) is. Figuring out your BMI tells you what a normal weight for women in your height range and with your body type should be. This number will help you determine a realistic weight loss goal that falls within the healthy range of body mass index.

There are 4 categories in which you can fall on the BMI scale; underweight, normal, overweight and obese. Many dieters may not distinguish between overweight and obese, however there is much more than your outward appearance to consider if your BMI puts you in the obese range. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention people who are obese at are a greater risk for chronic conditions that include high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Keep in mind that body index measurements may be different for certain populations like Asians, so double check with your doctor for an accurate estimation of what a normal weight for women like you should be.

Calculate BMI

To calculate your body mass index you can choose one of the millions of BMI calculators online, or you can take the first step in controlling your weight loss by calculating it yourself. To do that you’ll need the BMI formula:

BMI= {Weight (in pounds) / (Height (in inches) x (Height (in inches)} x 703

So if you’re looking to find a normal weight for women you can do the above equation as follows:

{167 lbs. / (65 inches) x (65 inches)} x 703 = 27.7

If your body mass index is 18.5 or below then you are underweight and should find a way to reach a normal weight for women in a healthy way. If your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9 then you have a normal weight for women your height and weight and you just have to work to maintain it. A body mass index of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight for women and you need to create a plan to get you back to a normal weight for women your size. Finally, a BMI of 30 or higher qualifies you as obese and again you will need to formulate a weight loss plan to help you get into a normal weight for women like you.

Waist Size

Another factor that you may want to consider when trying determining what a normal weight for women your size is, is waist circumference. Don’t think of your waist in terms of how skinny you are, but rather as an indicator of abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat. This type of fat can lead to health risks like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, among many others. This can help you make sure that when you reach your weight loss goals, your health is good as well.

To get an accurate waist circumference, measure around your body near the top of your hips, which is close to the navel. A woman with a waist circumference of 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) or more is at an increased health risk.

[Dancing is a perfectly legitimate way to get moving and BURN MORE CALORIES!]

Reaching Weight Loss Goals

Now that you know what a normal weight for women like you is, it is time to figure out how to achieve those goals in a healthy way. You already know that you need a well balanced diet and regular exercise, but for most dieters this type of information falls on deaf ears. What you need to do is find a way to reach a normal weight for women that works for you without finding a way to live on candy bars and soda within your allotted calorie range.

Find Healthy Foods You Like

Because you already know that you need to find a healthy, well-balanced diet to achieve a normal weight for women, you need to find foods that you like within each of the healthy food categories. You will need to eat this way regularly to lose weight, so explore the grocery store and Farmer’s Market to find what healthy foods you actually love.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

Fruits: apples, watermelon, mango, pears, pomegranate, grapes & bananas

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli, kale, corn, green peas, carrots & squash

Whole Grains: buckwheat pasta, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, popcorn & wild rice

Low Fat Dairy: skim milk, low fat sour cream, buttermilk, nonfat mozzarella, cottage cheese & goat’s milk

Lean Proteins: garbanzo beans, chicken & turkey breasts (skinless & boneless) black beans, Cod fillet, kidney beans, shrimp & lentils

Exercise

The other thing you need to do is lead a more active lifestyle, if you want to reach a normal weight for women your height & weight. This doesn’t mean you have to run if you hate it, but it means in addition to regular cardio and strength training exercises, you also need to become more active in your leisure activities.

A well placed 80′s aerobics dance is a great way to burn a few extra calories…once in awhile. Take a look at this video if you’re in need of inspiration! The hair was BIG, the bodies were not.

This means using your feet sometimes instead of your car or an elevator. If you’re out shopping, walk the few extra feet to the stairs and leave the elevator for those other people. Find a community center and sign up for a dance class or a volleyball or softball league. Add more activity to your life and you’ll find that it’s not so hard to reach and maintain a normal weight for women.

It’s not just these two things that will help you get to a normal weight, you’ll also have to watch out for those decadent foods you love but whose calorie counts make them a treacherous friend to dieters.