So, like most folks on here, the band has worked well for me. I now know normal portions and have gone from 370 lbs to stabilizing around 280. I workout and still eat most of what I want. Another level of sacrifice would be required for me to get to, and more importantly hold, the next 20 lb lower level.

Does anybody ever think it may be okay, or possibly even just more realistic, to not go to extremes on food sacrifice just to chase bmi tables or insurance charts into the ground? Or is it nuts to attempt to be happy/ healthy/ fit at 50-60 lbs over goal weight?

I think happy healthy confident is the goal for me.:-)

Of course its OK!! Maybe a *bit* less than 50lb overweight would be healthier, just overweight rather than obese?

But nobody really needs to be super lean and ripped for health reasons.

Well the bmi charts peg me at 22 lbs lower than my goal to not be overweight. So in reality, I'd be 80 lbs. over that number. I'm sure it's obese in their standard.

I think if you are happy, then you have a realistic goal. My son is, currently, at 212; he will hit 100 lbs lost at 208. The surgeon will be thrilled for him to have lost 100 lbs. He wants to get under 200, which would look great on him, but will be happy with whatever more weight he looses.

I hope that makes sense and doesn't come off as rambling! Best wishes, Karen

After some reflection, I suppose the minimum threshold would be below 'obese' status on the bmi charts. For a 41 year old 6'3" tall man like myself that is reached around 240 lbs. Seems like stopping short of acheiving merely 'overweight' status would be fooling myself and leaving too many potential health issues lingering on the table. Back to the task at hand of further refining my habits...

I made what I thought was an achievable goal, and got real happy before I got there. Now that I am at a stall, reasons are mostly the choices I've made, I know that my mini goal is not enough Three years and I am ready to start loosing again. I got a fill, finally have restriction and feel like I'm at the starting gate again. I did this for my health, and I really have improved it that much. 135 will most likely never happen, but 150 if doable if I work at it. I have committed myself to it, I hope I get there.

You can do it, 1970malejaxfl, set your goal and try achieving it on day at a time! Best wishes. Karen