How much should a homesteader weigh?

[farmergirl]

I know this sounds like a silly question, but I've been thinking lately about the ideal weight for myself, with respect to my homesteading responsibilities. I am 5'6" and have decided that 160 pounds is my ideal weight, as it leaves me trim enough to be able to move about quickly and smoothly, but also allows me plenty of muscle mass to tackle the necessary homestead chores. I have noticed that alot of people in the country, and everywhere else for that matter, are carrying extra weight. How does size and weight affect what you do on the homestead?

[BlueHeronFarm]

I have a relatively small build. And my arms have always been pathetic little twigs. I have noticed that I have developed a LOT more muscle mass since I started hauling feed bags, lifting dripping wet bags of cheese curd, etc. I make jokes about my "guns" now.

I assume I actually weigh more than before, but only because muscle weighs more than fat. I don't own a scale. I don't really see the point. But I know that a homesteader needs more muscle to be worth a darn when it comes to a lot of jobs on the homestead.

[whiterabbit454]

if youre happy with what you weigh then dont worry about it my 2 quaters (inflation)

[ArmyDoc]

Medically, your "ideal" weight is a Body Mass Index BMI between 20 and 23. Your BMI is equal to your weight in kilograms devided by your height in meters squared.

Since that's in metric, and (for me at least) requires either a calculator or pensil and paper, I use a quick estimate.

Basically, if you are small framed, start with 100 pounds and add 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet tall you are. If you have a large frame, start with 106 pounds and add 6 pounds for every inch over 5 feet.

I don't know if there is an "ideal" weight for homesteaders. When I was a kid, I had a neighbor who was about 5'6 and about 140 pounds. He could throw a bale of hay over his shoulder and carry it a heck of alot further than I could and I was 6'2 and 165. Being bigger and 25 pounds heavier didn't make much of a difference.

[RedTartan]

Quite frankly, I think that the uppermost point of the healthy weight range for your height. I think the lower recommendations are just too thin. Look at the actresses! If my dairy goats looked like they do I'd be trying to put weight on them fast! What other species walks around with their bones visible under their skin? I ask you! I recently saw an actress with a BONY CHEST! You could see her sternum.

I think doctors should start checking people for obesity they way vets check a dog. Can you feel their ribs easily and yet not see them? Well, you're okay then

RedTartan

[THETOOLMAN]

farm work will put you in shape & ideal weight FAST!

[Deb862]

Originally Posted by RedTartan

Quite frankly, I think that the uppermost point of the healthy weight range for your height. I think the lower recommendations are just too thin. Look at the actresses! If my dairy goats looked like they do I'd be trying to put weight on them fast! What other species walks around with their bones visible under their skin? I ask you! I recently saw an actress with a BONY CHEST! You could see her sternum.

I think doctors should start checking people for obesity they way vets check a dog. Can you feel their ribs easily and yet not see them? Well, you're okay then

RedTartan

Couldn't agree more!

[whinnyninny]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

I know this sounds like a silly question, but I've been thinking lately about the ideal weight for myself, with respect to my homesteading responsibilities. I am 5'6" and have decided that 160 pounds is my ideal weight, as it leaves me trim enough to be able to move about quickly and smoothly, but also allows me plenty of muscle mass to tackle the necessary homestead chores. I have noticed that alot of people in the country, and everywhere else for that matter, are carrying extra weight. How does size and weight affect what you do on the homestead?

I'm 5'5" and I used to be quite muscular and strong at 130 lbs.

Deb, I am technically obese now (190 lbs before I got pregnant) and I can feel my ribs! I am hoping to get back down to 140-150 in the next year, though. At 190 I felt like I was a bit too heavy to ride our 13hh Welsh/Morgan cross.

[homesteadforty]

Originally Posted by ArmyDoc

Basically, if you are small framed, start with 100 pounds and add 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet tall you are. If you have a large frame, start with 106 pounds and add 6 pounds for every inch over 5 feet.

Lets see 6'6"... thats (18 X 6) + 106 = 214 lbs.

Have you ever seen a 6"6" person at 214 lbs.???

I weigh 280 lbs. ... pretty solid muscle mass with a little softness around the middle. I could stand to lose about 20 lbs. or so, but I'd be checked for eating disorders if I tried to get down to 214!

I never did put much stock in those charts and calculations.

I think the original question is too relatve to have any meaningful answer.

[piglady]

I'm very tall and yes overweight. Wish I wasn't but learned to live with it in my old age. I grab a 50 pound bag of feed etc. do what I want to with it. I lift what I want, tote what I want, hold my own with the animals and pigman (just teasing). Where it does become a problem is jobs on the ground. I am amazed at how much of homesteading involves getting on the ground. It is uncomfortable to pull weeds, pick strawberries, set out plants, pick up rocks, etc. but I do it. I suppose those sort of things are easy for small women while lifting and toting my be more of a challange. I guess that means it all evens out anyway.

[mtman]

im 5 10 3/4 weigh 160 and feel great

[hillsidedigger]

6'1", about 224# last winter, but the gardening has brought me down to about 216#.

Ideally, one should be 6'6" and weigh 273 pounds. Hope that helps.

[Ross]

5'10" 230 pounds provides adequate anchorage to feed 200 sheep grain from buckets. Stops 1800 lb bales from rolling far. Lets you off balance a stuck hitch and keeps the front of the hay wagon in place when baling onto the wagon and tossing bales to the back where they're stacked 6 high. I couldn't farm if the equipment or livestock outweighed me by much more!! Me an gravity...... good friends!

[Modern Pioneer]

5'10" 190lbs..at present age 35
at age 18 5'9" 405lbs

I'm glad a stopped carrying that other guy around.

[homesteadforty]

Originally Posted by zong

Ideally, one should be 6'6" and weigh 273 pounds. Hope that helps.

That sounds more reasonable... did I figure the BMI wrong or is that a different standard?

[farmergirl]

Originally Posted by zong

Ideally, one should be 6'6" and weigh 273 pounds. Hope that helps.

LOL! My DH is 6'4" and almost 300 pounds. He says he thinks of himself as the "standard", so anyone shorter than him is "short" anyone lighter them him is "underweight".

[farmergirl]

Originally Posted by Ross

5'10" 230 pounds provides adequate anchorage to feed 200 sheep grain from buckets. Stops 1800 lb bales from rolling far. Lets you off balance a stuck hitch and keeps the front of the hay wagon in place when baling onto the wagon and tossing bales to the back where they're stacked 6 high. I couldn't farm if the equipment or livestock outweighed me by much more!! Me an gravity...... good friends!

You raise a good point. I have found that I get much less worn out physically by a day of farm work when I'm heavier than the BMI suggests I should be. If you're too light, you're liable to get knocked around and pushed over!

Originally Posted by homesteadforty

That sounds more reasonable... did I figure the BMI wrong or is that a different standard?

Ahh, I sweat a lot, probably explains the 7 pound difference.

[montysky]

Me 6'3'' and 240 wife 5'6'' 125. BMI is a joke Muscle kills the index. Note back in the day Iron Mike Tyson 5'10 and 220 pounds.