That doesn’t mean squeezing into the dress size you were in your teens, or aspiring to be the same weight as your svelte best friend. Stop fighting your body and find the weight that works for you.

There’s probably a weight you feel is right for you. But is it really the right weight for you? We often have unrealistic expectations of the size we can achieve and maintain. If you’re a curvy type, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to slim down to a waifish figure – at least not without a painful amount of effort and deprivation – and it wouldn’t suit your frame anyway! It seems that many of us have lost sight of the fact that we are all different and come in many different shapes and sizes. Here are some accurate ways to work out whether you’re the right weight.

Listen to your body

Your body has its own natural weight and shape. Once you’re there, you’ll struggle to shift more pounds. If you’re struggling to maintain a particular weight, whether through a strict exercise routine or very restrictive diet, then it’s probably a sign that your body is not meant to be that way. The recommended guidelines for exercise are 30 minutes five days a week and that can include having a more active lifestyle – for example, walking, jogging, or gardening. With a healthy, balanced diet and a sensible approach to exercise, your body should settle at the weight that’s naturally healthy for it.

Work out your BMI

Your BMI will give you a good idea of whether you are at a healthy weight or not. If you’re eating well and exercising, you should have a BMI of between 19 and 24.9. Have a look at our BMI calculator to calculate yours.

Use a tape measure

Your waist to hip ratio is another way of you’re the right weight, or whether you’re storing fat in the wrong place. Apple shapes who store fat around their middles are more likely to develop a range of conditions, from type 2 diabetes to heart disease and even Alzheimer’s. To work out your ratio, measure your waist at the narrowest point, and your hips at their widest. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement (use a calculator) . The healthy ratio for women is below.08 .You’re at a high risk if it is over1.0