Hi Sharon,

Your ideal body weight would range from 121 - 160 pounds.  These numbers are based on keeping your Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19-25 (healthy range). 

First, to lose weight the healthy way, you need to establish a plan that includes healthy meal/snack choices and physical activity.  Physical activity and good nutrition go hand in hand to achieve long term weight loss.  Always check with your MD before beginning an exercise program (especially with your history of heart issues). 

Second, you need to find a plan you can stick with long term.  I do not believe set "diet plans" (where you have a strict list of what to eat at what times) can be realistically stuck with long term.  You need to find a plan that works with your lifestyle and the foods you currently eat.  Then you can start making small changes for long term healthy weight loss.  If you try to make drastic changes and more than 2-3 at a time, you're setting yourself up for failure.  Most likely it's your current eating/activity habits that have caused your weight to be higher than is healthy.  Changing habits is hard and needs to be taken one step at a time.

If you're looking for one-on-one help, I'd be happy to work with you.  If you're looking for more information, here's a good place to learn more - Health Central's Weight Loss.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN

Healthy Weight Loss