Happy Weight?

So, as I’m surfing the Internet looking for insight into the world of weight loss, I’ve stumbled across the following website, that will not only tell you what your ideal weight range and BMI are but your ‘Happy Weight’ as well.

http://www.self.com/fitness/nutrition/calculators/happyWeight

Here’s how they describe the ‘happy weight’:

“What's your happy weight? Eighty-seven percent of normal-weight women wish they weighed less. Stop aiming for an unrealistic goal and use this formula to get a healthy number that's easy for you to maintain without obsessing. Click here for details on why this formula works. To find your happy weight you'll first need to determine your frame size. Wrap a tape measure around your wrist and consult this chart.”

Now, having filled in the answers to all their questions, they have calcuated my ‘Happy Weight’ at 141.1 pounds.

That got me to thinking, how happy would I be if I weighed 141.1lbs? Happier than I am now, certainly- considering I currently weigh 148. But in relation to my TARGET weight, would I feel happy? I don’t think so. As I’ve mentioned previously, before I got pregnant with my son I weighed between 115 and 125 pounds at different times. I was happiest THEN when I was at about 119-121 pounds. To reach that weight again would be ideal for me.

But I’m realistic, and I know that I will probably never get down to that weight again (though, who knows? If I get to 130, maybe I’ll set it for my new target!). That being said, I feel that 130 is a good weight because not only would I be able to wear all my cute tops again, I wouldn’t feel self-conscious in a bikini. I think I’d still feel lousy at 141.1 pounds. Better than I do now? Certainly. But definitely not ‘happy’. During the summers, my family is very active. We go to the beach, boating, camping, etc. I have WAY too many people around when I’m in a bikini to have any sorts of random wobbly bits flapping about. I wind up feeling so insecure that I’ve always got a towel or wrap handy to hide my gut. NOT fun!

I find the concept of a ‘happy weight’ to be interesting and really, a good idea. Doesn’t work for me, personally.