Is “Ideal Weight” Just a Number?
- Bridgette Matthewson
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you've ever stepped on the scale and felt frustrated or discouraged, you're not alone. But here's the truth: the number on a regular scale doesn’t always tell the full story - and it definitely doesn’t always define your health and certainly not your worth or your progress.
So when we talk about your ideal weight, it’s worth asking: is that number really the only goal or is it just that - a number?
What is “Ideal Weight” Anyway?
An ideal weight is based on a formula which takes into account an individual's weight and height and compares this to a ‘healthy/ideal’ reference. Therefore, it may be limited by the fact it doesn’t take into account a person’s unique body composition, lifestyle, muscle mass, bone density or genetics. For example, two people can weigh the same, but one may be lean and muscular while the other has higher fat mass – so is the number really something to focus all our effort and attention to?
Instead of chasing a specific weight (i.e. “ideal weight”), it may be more helpful to use it as a guide, while focusing on what’s happening inside your body.
Why the Scale Can Be Misleading
A regular scale only measures your total weight - not considering how much is made up of fat, muscle, water and bone. That number can fluctuate daily due to hydration, hormones, digestion or muscle gain. You might actually be getting leaner while the number on the scale goes up.
That’s why understanding your body composition is key. Tools like the InBody scan measure what really matters: your fat mass, muscle mass, bone and water levels which gives you a clearer, more complete picture of your progress.
Set Smarter Goals: Ask Yourself Two Questions
When setting health or fat loss goals, it’s helpful to look further than the numbers reflected on a regular scale. Start by asking yourself:
What’s Your Why?
To succeed on your fat loss journey, you need more than just a number - you need a reason that matters to you.
Ask yourself:
Why do I want to lose weight (specifically fat mass)?
What will achieving this give me? Confidence? Health? Freedom?
This is called intrinsic motivation - your deep, personal “why.” It could be something as simple as feeling more energetic with your kids, preventing illness or finally feeling confident in your own skin.
For example, someone who says, “I want to fit into the jeans I haven’t worn in years,” has a clear and emotionally resonant goal and that helps sustain motivation.
What’s Your Responsibility?
Once you've found your "why," the next step is identifying your role in achieving it.
Some people benefit from having external accountability - a dietitian, personal trainer or even supportive family and friends. Others need to dig deep and say, “I’m doing this for me - because I’m worth the effort.”
You need to know:
What keeps you committed?
Who or what helps you stay on track?
Are you doing this to meet someone else’s expectations - or your own?
Clarity around your motivation and responsibility helps create sustainable success.
Better Goals Than a Number on the Scale
If you are struggling to stay motivated and are focusing too much on the numbers of the scale, try focusing on:
Body fat reduction (not just weight loss) and / increased muscle tone and strength - InBody scans can be useful to track progress.
Better energy and sleep
Changes in health markers like blood sugar or cholesterol
How your clothes fit
Confidence and self-esteem
These are all valid, tangible signs of progress and they are aligned with long-term success.
The bottom line is: yes, your “ideal weight” can be calculated as a number - but your health journey shouldn’t only be a number. True health is about how you feel and what the actual composition of your body, making up that number. The scale (and ‘numbers’) can offer a snapshot, but it’s far from the full story. If you want to measure what really matters, we’re here to help.
We have branches in Lonehill, at Concourse Medical Centre, and in Broadacres, at The Paddock Medical Centre.
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