Ideal body weight

I am a big guy...very very muscular...I don't lift weights but I have the build of a weightlifter...some wierd Polish genetics I guess...helped me be a very successful football and rugby player over the years. 

I was very lean in highschool and weighed about 185-190 (solid) and weighed around 215-220 as a Marine at 25 ... again pretty much solid muscle.  I am 5'11" and most of the weight charts that I've looked at online say my ideal weight is between 165 and 185 for my height.  Some of these charts even take into consideration (so they say) body frame.

I am 40 now and feel very comfortable at 225.  For me, that seems like an ideal weight.  I feel very fit at that weight, clothes look good, etc.  At that weight I'm looking at a waist around 36-38" and a neck of 18". 

I have plumped up to 250 and have started working my way back down to the 225 mark....but while doing so started doing some research on weight gain and standards and now have the nagging question:

What should my ideal weight be?  Have I been fooling myself for years thinking that 225 was/is a good weight for me?  I can't imagine every getting down to 185 .... seems completely unrealistic to me.

Any ideas/advise?

Thx

ER

I personally don't trust weight charts - I don't feel as though they take into account how muscular a person is or the extent to which your body build affects your weight. If you were happy and comfortable at 225, then I say aim for that and don't worry about what any chart say. But you might want to get your body fat checked just to make sure that at 225 you don't have too much fat. I can't remember off the top of my head the healthy percentages for a man, but I'm sure you can find it on this site.

I know what u mean. My ideal body weight is 135 but i feel that will be 1-hard for me too attain and 2- too thin for my personal taste. What i plan on doing is getting to around 145 and seeing how i feel about myself then.

when im at 135 it says im a healthy weight, at 136 im slightly overweight. I really dont think one pound maeks a diiferent. Think about water weight and such. I dont take those body charts too seriuosly. You should use it as a general idea instead of an actual goal.

Ideal to who?  Don't trust the charts, just go until you feel comfotable and then have a Dr. tell you whether you need to lose weight or not.  Explain your lifestyle (eating, exercise, work) and see if he/she feels you are still as risk at your weight.  It is about not having a heart attack.  That is the important part.

I read somewhere that Tom Cruise has a BMI of 31 (counts as obese, just FYI).  So don't trust 'em!  They don't actually take into account your build even though they say they do.  If you're happy at 225, go for it.  I'm betting that if you were at 225 as a Marine, it's not weight from fat.

If you are concerned, talk to your doctor.  S/he can tell you if you should be losing weight or not.

Tom Cruise's BMI is because of his large head.

your ideal weight is the one at which you feel great.

after all, a really fit and toned 200lbs will LOOK like 185lbs anyway.

and if the number bugs you, lie. XD

hahaha... I know all about Polish genetics! You're sturdier than most of those charts take into account, as well as probably having a higher muscle content.  I would go ahead and shoot for 225, then check your body fat % when you get there.  That will give you a more accurate picture... as a good friend told me once, "we Poles, we build muscle like the peasants!"

My trainer back in Chicago was in AWESOME shape, and was a big guy like you, shoulders out to THERE.  His BMI was considered obese, he even had a hard time getting life insurance.

Go with your gut, so to speak.  You know where you should be.  Trust it.  And if you want to have some empirical evidence, like saroful suggested, have your body fat tested.

I have kind of the opposite problem.  I am 5'10" and 165 no matter what.  I would love to be 185 and solid muscle.  Like you said, genetics.  Skinny pale Englisman no matter what.  Oh well.

If you're really concerned about what your ideal weight is, I would suggest seeing a doctor or a nutritionalist. They can measure body fat, muscle content, skeletal mass etc. These are really the only accurate ways to get an answer.

BMI charts etc. can be misleading but so can the posts above that say that whatever you feel comfortable at. I understand not trying to live up to some chart or trend but that also sounds a little like they may want to work at it. I may feel comfortable at some weight but it doesn't mean I'm healthy?