What is your ideal weight?

50 M 5 6 148 - 150 145 - 155 Unknown This season I am trying to lower my percent body fat. I would perfer more muscle mass as opposed to adipose tissue. I am up about 25 pounds since high school and the weight is not muscle. I have been doing dryland 2 or 3 times a week this entire year and only swimming once a week and my swimming shows it. I have more time now and will be going to the pool more often with the goal of 4 times a week as I did last year. Have a great day Paul

54 M 6'1/2" 165 (been sick and lost a few) 168-170 168-170 Reading the above entries suggests I am not as "huge" as I think I am. Hmmm. I eat often and regularly, drink protein drinks, recovery stuff, and I lift weights (helped me gain 5 pounds). I don't drink much alcohol or eat fast or sugary foods.

47 (almost 48) M 5' 8" 172 165? 168 I'm heavier than most people think for some reason. I wear 32 jeans. I weighed 140 in high school, 160 when I graduated from college. I've been as high as 185. I like food, beer, and red wine. I will never give up beer since I brew it. Lots of tall people here. I wish I were 6' (for swimming reasons only).

32 M 6-0 Currently about 165 and I am pretty happy that way. A bit more muscle would help me drop my 50's and 100's but aside from that I feel great and don't plan on gaining or losing anything.

I want to urge everyone to shed their self-consciousness, one way or another. It has occurred to me that this thread could also serve as a nagging mother-in-law as we put ourselves on record entering a new season. It would also be useful to hear from some of our super-fast types (Mike, Jeff, Paul, Vlad etc)what their 'vital stats' are. It's all good...

I'm finding this very interesting (even though I start to wonder if I should be a Sumo wrestler reading some of the posts), hope it is opening eyes a bit. It would be good if anyone makes a significant move towards (or away from) their target weights to self report on how they feel, effects (if any) on their swimming etc. Also, just for curiousity, next time you see your doctor, tell him or her what you weigh now & ask what they feel your ideal weight range for health should be. As well, approach your swim coach (if you don't have one, then a respected swimmer) and tell them what your current weight is & ask what they feel it should be for optimum swimming performance. Appreciation to everyone who has contributed so far and exhortations to the rest of you to chip in (why did I get a sudden desire for french fries while writing that last bit?).

45 F 5-4 160 140 140 Back on the Weight Watchers wagon after the weight inching back up(at one time was 180, got down to 140 in 2000). Lost a lousy stinking 3 pounds in August, but better than nothing. And the size 8's are starting to fit again. At 5-4 and 140, I was wearing 4's and 6's, so I seem to be able to have a high BMI, but be smaller. Dang it is hard to lose as I get older! And when I went from 180 to 140, I got a lot faster, and I can tell right now that I am carrying too much weight when I swim!(to answer Peters last question) Hey I finally dropped into the 150's this morning, yay me!

43 M 5' 10" 215-220 190-195 190-195 I weighed 250 when I started swimming (for the first time in my life) 1 1/2 years ago. I am hoping to lose weight down to the ideal range to see if my times become more competitive.

Alright, I'm biting the bullet and posting mine. 5' 6" 195 (3 kids and 5 surgeries later!!) 120-140 (who comes up withthese numbers?) 144-150 Hopefully increase workouts and stay out of surgery!

31 F 5'4" 130 111-140 (Based on BMI. 111? Dang, that's light! I agree with all the other women who have posted that the 'official' weight numbers are not based on athletic females.) ?? Hopefully 130. Weighed 135 in HS, 140-150 in college (didn't swim). Over the past year have dropped to 130 after having a baby last summer (topped out at 178). I've never raced at 130... hope to keep the weight there while I build some muscle during the upcoming scy season. Need to cut out the after-baby-goes-down nighttime ice cream! Congrats to bbpolhill on your 35 lbs lost weight since starting swimming!