Ideal Weight for Women

Ideal weight for women – hint: It isn’t the same for every individual!

What is the ideal weight for women? The answer to that question isn’t an easy one, as several factors are involved. Truthfully, you want to look and feel healthy and attractive. Most women know if they need to lose weight without even looking at a scale!

Women after 40 tend to way a few pounds more than when they were in their twenties and thirties, but that’s natural – as long as you haven’t gained a substantial amount of weight.

Ideal Weight for Women- Factors to Know

An ideal weight for women depends on whether you have a small frame, a large frame or are average size and height. Some women are naturally big boned, and will never be a tiny, petite woman. Muscle compared to fat makes a difference as well, as muscle weighs more than fat does – but you actually look slimmer if you have good muscle tone, even if you weigh more than a woman with less muscle.

Many women after 40 decide it’s time to lose weight when they have put on 10 or 15 pounds. At this stage in life, it’s very normal to gain about one pound per year if you maintain the same diet. This means that over 10 years, you will likely gain 10 pounds.

This is NOT a weight problem nor should it be considered obesity – it’s just a simple fact of life. If you do want to shed a few pounds, it’s fairly simple to accomplish.

The ideal weight for women should also be a weight you feel comfortable with. You may have an average build, be 5′ 6″ tall, and weigh 150 pounds. While some might consider this heavy, every woman handles their weight differently, which means you may look slim at that height and weight while someone else looks heavy.

Ideal Weight for Women- How to Get to It

If you do decide that you are beginning to look a little pudgy and want to lose weight, there are some things you should do to make it easier; this is particularly true for women after 40.

1. Add exercise that builds a small amount of muscle. This can be yoga, pilates or light weight-bearing exercise. You won’t look like a bodybuilder, but the small amount of muscle you do put on will burn fat and calories due to the increase in metabolism.
2. Eat foods that burn fat and keep you satisfied, so that you won’t be inclined to snack on processed foods and those heavy in fat. Fresh fruits, whole grains, low-fat yogurt, steamed vegetables, fish, foods high in protein and beans (because of the fiber) are all good choices. Add lots of water and a glass or two of green tea each day.
3. Get plenty of sleep. Studies have shown that women after 40 often don’t sleep as well, due to hormone fluctuations that can cause night sweats and other sleep interruptions. A full night’s sleep (7 hours or more) help you lose weight. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation raises the level of hunger hormones, while decreasing those hormones responsible for making you feel full.

Ideal Weight for Women- Lessons to be Learned

What is the most important lesson to be learned here? To stop worrying about the “ideal weight for women” and think more about how you look, how you feel, and how healthy you are. Women after 40 these days are just beginning life! You want to be vibrant, full of life and beautiful. If you need to lose weight, follow the tips above. And remember – you are at your ideal weight when you are comfortable with yourself and how you look!

Recommended reading:

• Your Hormones- 7 Things You Need to Know If You Want To Lose Weight Over 40
• Do You Have Enough Time to Lose Weight Following A Weight Loss Program?
• How to Lose Weight
• Ideal Weight for Women over 40

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