Your Ideal Size Isn't Determined by What You Weigh

Your ideal size is the size that feels the best, at which you have the most energy, the best health, and the highest self-confidence and self-esteem.

Beware the Scales

Thank goodness scales are finally out of favor. A scale doesn’t really tell you much that you don’t already know, but for a perfectly harmless device in itself, a scale sure can alter a person’s moods. Scales scientifically measure your specific gravity in relationship to the earth. That’s all. They do not tell you how you look or how much body fat you have. They don’t measure what’s truly going on inside your body.

Your "Ideal Size" Jeans

Try on your old favorite jeans every month or so. They’re always the same size. When you finally fit into them, you’ll be at your ideal size. You’ll also be able to see progress in increments by trying them on every month or so. If you don’t have a favorite old pair, purchase new jeans in your ideal size and try them on.

After you reach your ideal size, try on your jeans if you ever feel that you’ve gained weight. Many people who are already thin use this method to stay at their ideal size. The instant their jeans are tight, they are careful about food intake for a couple of days or weeks until their jeans once again fit comfortably.

Your Body Frame

Here is how to determine your body frame size. Take your dominant hand. Encircle the wrist of your non-dominant hand with the middle finger and thumb. If your middle finger and thumb overlap, you have a small frame. If they just touch, you have a medium frame. If they don’t touch, you have a large frame.

A woman with a small frame can wear a smaller size because her hipbones are closer together, perhaps a 6 or 8, perhaps a 10. With a medium frame, a size 8, 10, or 12. With a large frame, a size 10, 12, or 14. Although a size 14 could sound like a large size to you, plenty of our clients look terrific at that size. Your dress size is actually less important than how you look in your clothes and the state of your health at that size.

From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Healthy Weight Loss. You can learn more and order here.