“I am 53 year old female, 60 inches tall, what should I weigh?”   This is a very common question…most of us want a number to strive for. We all want to know exactly how many calories to eat and exactly how much they should weigh. There are general guidelines for these numbers, but you have to remember that each person is very different. In most cases, I would tell patients to use their Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess if they are in a healthy weight range for their height. But, BMI can be affected by muscle mass or frame size, so it is just a guideline…but if you find yourself in the upper ranges then it is likely that you need to lose some weight.   The following websites explain the BMI in more detail and allow you to calculate your own to see what range it falls under. But, please try not to get bogged down in numbers. The most important thing is making lifestyle changes, eating well, exercising and being happy! If you focus too much on numbers, you may find yourself discouraged and then not following through with your changes.   Good luck! Lori     References: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.htm