Keeping tabs on your height, weight, ideal body weight and BMI will help you stay on a healthy path. Though regular dates with your scale may not always be appealing, it’s important to have a good feel for these numbers. Having a normal BMI and body weight is vital to your long-term health. Being within 10 percent of your ideal weight decreases your blood pressure, lowers your risk for developing diabetes, and reduces the risk for arthritis of the hips and knees.