How To Tell How Many Pounds Of Fat You Need To Lose

You need to set your sights on a goal before you start a new weight-loss plan. The goal you should focus on is your ideal weight, and it is crucially important to know that number. This is because the excess pounds of body fat you carry could increase your risk of obesity, heart disease and even certain cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health. Once you have identified the amount of pounds you need to lose, you can then focus on accomplishing your weight-loss goals.

Step 1

Measure your weight and height. Weigh yourself in the morning before your first meal of the day, whether breakfast or brunch. This is the time of day when your stomach isn't full and you'll get a more accurate weight measure. Jot down these two figures on a piece of paper.

Step 2

Calculate your ideal body weight. For women, start with 100 lbs. and add 5 lbs. to every inch over 5 feet in height. A woman with a height of 5 feet, 6 inches, should weigh about 130 lbs., as 6 multiplied by 5 equals 130. For men, start with 100 lbs. and add 6 lbs. to every inch over 5 feet tall. A man who is 6 feet -- or 12 inches over 5 feet in height -- should weigh 172 lbs.

Step 3

Take your current weight and subtract it from your ideal weight. This will give you the number of pounds you need to lose. For instance, a woman who is 5 feet, 6 inches, and weighs 165 should lose about 35 lbs. A man who is 6 feet tall, weighing 225 lbs. should lose 53 lbs.

Step 4

Make an appointment with your doctor for a more accurate estimate, especially if you are a child under the age of 18. A pediatrician uses a growth chart for estimating how much your child should weigh. Additionally, men and women who are less than 5 feet tall or missing limbs will not be able to use any at-home method for estimating an ideal weight or calculate how much weight they need to lose.