How to find your healthiest weight

1. First find your BMI (Body Mass Index):
Multiply height by height (in inches)=A
Divide weight (B) by A=C
Multiply C by 703=BMI

Example: 67x67=4489 BMI ranges:
140/4489=.03118 Underweight: Less than 18.5
.03118x703=21.9 Normal: 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: 25 to 29.9
Obese: 30 or higher

2. What's your build? This is important because BMI isn't always accurate. According to this equation, Arnold Swarznegger, Serena Williams, and football players are obese because it doesn't take into equation, frame size, muscle mass, or body fat %. To figure out your frame size, hold up your arm at a 90 degree angle with your palm facing your face. Put the pointer finger of your other hand on the bone on one side and your thumb on the other. Then measure the distance between them. Keep in mind frame sizes are for women in the 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7 range.

Distance between elbow bones: Frame size:
2 2/8 inches and below Small
2 3/8 inches to 2 5/8 inches Medium
2 6/8 inches and above Large

3. How much have you gained since high school? Weight gain after about age 20 is really important because of most of the weight gain is typically unhealthy fat. A weight gain of 10-15 lbs since high school is considered ok, although if you've gained over 20 lbs since high school and most of that is FAT TISSUE, then it's time to readjust your eating habits and pump up the exercise. Genetics can play a huge role in how much weight you put on too, if you have a parent that is heavy, gaining weight may be that much easier for you and you may have a predeposition for becoming obese. If you can cut 500 calories a day, you should be able to lose 1 lb/week.

4. How big is your belly? Why does waist size matter? The fat that makes your middle resemble an apple is bad news, upping your risk of metabolic syndrome-a combo of high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. Bottom line: Women's waists should be not larger than 35 inches; men's 40 inches max. But experts worry that anything bigger than 32 is bad for you.

Waist-size calculator:
Healthy 32 inches or below
Worry zone 33 to 34 inches
Danger zone 35 inches and above

5. How old are you? Although you'll still want to stay within healthy weight and BMI ranges as you get older, you may experience a little creep-and that's OK within reason. In a healthy weight table used by the Weight Watchers organization, for instance, 134 is the maximum recommended weight for a woman up to age 25 who is 5 feet 4 inches tall. For ages 25 to 45, it's 140. When women hit 45-plus, they need to be extravigilant because they start to gain fat and lose muscle due to hormonal changes.

6. Is your lifestyle healthy? Even if you still eat Twinkies, exercise will lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and risks for several cancers. It also helps clear blood clots and sets a healty interval between heart beats. Plus, it increases muscle contractions, which help regulate blood sugar levels, keeping diabetes at baby. You'll be healthier and thinner if the stable of your diet is lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and whole grains. It's as simple as that.

SOURCE: Health.com