Reviewed by Physician Vong U Chan and Dr Eki Wari on August 18, 2022

What Is The Best Weight Loss Calculator To Help You Lose Weight?

Published November 11, 2022| 6 min read

A good weight loss calculator can help you on your weight loss journey, but which one is best to use? We've narrowed down the best of the best here.

A weight loss calculator can be a good tool to use. Using simple formulas, you can calculate your ideal weight based on your height and other factors.

However, there are many different weight loss calculators on the internet. Which one is the best to use? The answer may depend on your body type and fitness goals.

In this article, we’ll highlight the best weight loss formulas to help you reach your goal. Plus, you’ll learn diet and fitness tips to support your journey.

Why Should I Use A Weight Loss Calculator?

Understanding your body type can help you pick the best weight loss calculator for your needs.

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror, looking at the result on your weighing scale, and asked yourself, “Is my weight ideal? Do I need to lose some weight?”

Identifying weight goals based on your body type should be the first step towards a healthy life. Weight calculation using a weight calculator is a good way to start.

In addition, it’s also essential for you to understand the 3 distinct body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

Ectomorphs struggle with weight gain and are typically lean with minimal body fat and muscle. Mesomorphs can gain or lose weight quickly whilst having a strong, athletic figure.

Endomorphs, meanwhile, have a large amount of body fat and muscle and can gain weight easily. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), people described as endomorphs are identified as those with a Qi or Yang Deficiency body constitution.

“For people with a Phlegm-Dampness body constitution, I would categorize them as meso-endomorph. They tend to be slightly obese, and their body shape is what we call an apple shape. Their weight gain mainly focuses around the abdomen area,” says Eu Yan Sang TCM Physician Vong U Chan.

Best Weight Loss Calculators To Use

There are weight calculation methods you can use to estimate body weight by measurements. Using weight calculators is one of the simplest ways to do this. Each weight loss calculator is accompanied by a unique set of pros and cons – the final choice is in your hand.

Body mass index (BMI) calculator

A body mass index (BMI) calculator is the most common weight calculation method used. It can calculate your body fat mass based on your current height and weight and is suitable for both men and women.

A BMI calculator uses several categories to identify the risk of negative health implications.

These BMI categories include underweight (BMI below 18.5), normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and <25), overweight (BMI between 25.0 to <30), and obese (BMI above 30).

Alternatively, the BMI Percentile Calculator can calculate the body fat of children and teenagers between the ages of 2 and 19.

Yet, according to Physician Vong, TCM does not only measure your health based on the numerical body weight assessment. It also considers everyday lifestyle indicators such as your appetite, bowel movements, energy levels, and sleep quality.

Relative fat mass (RFM) weight loss calculator

Like a BMI calculator, a relative fat mass (RFM) calculator’s use is to measure your body fat. However, this weight loss calculator uses height and waist circumference to determine your correct fat percentage. Some people find that it is more accurate than a BMI calculator.

To get a correct measurement of your height, ensure that your buttocks, upper back, and back of your head are touching a vertical surface.

On the other hand, ensure that your measuring tape stretches around the area of your body above the left and right ilium. Ilium refers to the largest and uppermost part of your hip bone.

Robinson formula

The Robinson formula for calculating your ideal body weight is based on the belief that the ideal body weight of a man who is 5 feet tall (152cm) should be 52 kilograms (114 pounds), while a woman should be 49 kilograms (108 pounds).

If you are taller than 5 feet, you should adhere to the following equations:

For men, add 1.9 kilograms (4.1 pounds) to the base weight per inch (2.5cm) above 5 feet
For women, add 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) to the base weight per inch above 5 feet

It is worth noting that the Robinson formula is effective if you are of average height. Therefore, it’s not a reliable way to get the ideal body weight for very tall or very short people.

Devine Formula

The Devine formula is arguably one of the most applied formulas to date. Originally established to calculate medication dosages, this formula uses a measure of your height to determine your body weight.

It is based on the belief that a man’s weight at 5 feet (152 cm) should be 50 kilograms (110 pounds) and a woman’s 45.5 kilograms (100 pounds).

The weight loss calculator also suggests adding 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds) for every extra inch (2.5 cm) to a man or woman’s body weight.

How To Achieve Your Ideal Body Weight

Eating a diet high in healthy fats, protein, and fiber can help support your weight loss journey.

What’s most important is ensuring that you lead a healthy lifestyle. That means eating right and exercising regularly.

Healthy diet tips

Focus on whole foods that contain healthy fats, lean protein, and fiber, such as grass-fed meats, organic poultry, pasture-raised eggs, wild-caught fish, nuts, olive oil, avocados, beans, legumes, unrefined whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Also, be mindful of liquid calories. Avoid alcohol, sweetened tea, and soda. In addition to adopting a regular exercise program, you may find it helpful to add an herbal slimming essence drink to your diet to help slim down.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can use to help maintain a healthy weight. To perform at home, place fingers or a blunt object like a massage stick at certain acupoints and apply an appropriate amount of pressure.

At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least 3 minutes per acupoint. The following acupoints can be used to reduce belly fat:

You can find this on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger bones.

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 fingers breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, two fingers-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia.

This point is located on the shin, four fingers-breadth below the knee joint.

Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.

On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space.

He Gu LI4: Helps soothe the Liver to dispel Stagnated Qi, aids the Spleen in dispelling Dampness and Phlegm
Feng Long ST40: Propels Spleen qi to dispel Dampness, Phlegm, and stagnant fluids

Zu San Li ST36: Strengthens Spleen qi to dispel Dampness, Phlegm, and stagnant fluids
Yin Ling Quan SP9: Propels Spleen qi to dispel Dampness, Phlegm, and stagnant fluids
Tai Chong LR3: Soothes the Liver to dispel Stagnated Qi, improving qi and fluid circulation

There are different ways to estimate your body weight using measurements and these weight calculation methods can help.

The BMI and RFM calculators have more frequent uses, but combining the use of a weight loss calculator with different formulas may be the best way to get an accurate idea of whether you are at your healthiest or not.

Always remember to work with your healthcare provider if you believe you are overweight, especially before starting any special diet or using certain weight loss supplements or drinks.