So, I'm happy with my weight loss -- let me start with that! I'm not complaining.

But at this point, the weight loss has really started to slooooow dooooooown. I'm at the point where I MAYBE lose a pound a month. I am not as active as I could be -- I know that. I'm moving, and with the move I'll be much closer to work; about a 20 minute bicycle ride down/up a steep hill. I'm determined to use the opportunity to start some new habits instead of always being a car commuter.

That being said, I've hovered around a BMI of 28-ish for a long time now. To reach a "normal" BMI (25 or under) would require me to lose almost another 20 lbs., which at this point seems rather herculean. I can't imagine myself at 190 lbs.! I also want to make sure that I stay lean and fit and muscular, and don't start losing muscle mass.

So -- how many people (especially guys, especially guys in my age range -- 40's -- who started around my BMI -- mid 40's) have been able to reach and maintain a BMI of 25 or less? Even more interesting to me than BMI (because BMI is a sort of primitive measurement, given how different our bodies are!), how many people have been able to get to and maintain a body fat percentage of 20% or less?

I'm just trying to figure out how realistic my goals are. I suspect that with my present food/activity level, I'll eventually plateau around 210, which would put my BMI in the high 26 area, and would definitely still be a huge improvement over my original 340 lbs./44 BMI! But I'd really like a shot at getting really trim and muscular at least ONCE before I'm a senior citizen, and I'm trying to figure out if that's in the cards, or if I'm just too old/started too fat for that!

I wonder the same thing as well, BUT we also need to account for extra skin and bone density that can weigh 5-13lbs per my surgeon.... so maybe you really have 7lbs to lose to get to that point....? does that make sense?

Well, I'm 45 and started with a BMI right around 40. My first goal weight was 200 as I had been 190 about 18 years ago and it was crazy difficult to get to an maintain that weight. I looked great and had a 6-pack, but I knew I could not maintain that realistically. I blew through the first weight goal and before I knew it, I was floating around 190. I reset my goal to 180. Couple months later, I am bouncing around that weight. My BMI is 24. So, I reset to 175, but the bottom line for me is ... I still have fat around my waist. So, I would like to get rid of that and be whatever weight it is.

So, what do I do? I work out a lot. I run around 20-30 miles per week and cross-train with high intensity aerobics. Do some weight-lifting a couple times a week, too. I am currently taking in about 1,400/1,600 calories a day. I basically eat all day long to do that. It is not easy. (crazy, huh?)

I think I look good, but I KNOW I feel good. Energy, stamina and just all-around attitude have all seen new heights.

What is realistic for us? I think it is what our schedules can handle. My wife has been supportive of my efforts which affords me time to maintain this routine. Sometimes, the whole family will go out for a jog (my warmup) or go for a bikeride. It's not easy, for sure, and I don't know for how long I can maintain it, but I am making hay while the sun shines!

It is just a yardstick and if you are heavily muscled it will show you as too high BMI over someone who is lighter but out of shape. I have never in my adult life been below 24 BMI. When I was down at that weight, I looked slim and trim. I do pay attention to it as guidance, but just like the scale, it is just a measuring stick and not the end all.

What I do know is that people who stay under 28 BMI appear to have some statistical health benefits. Again, another guideline, not rule.

Keep in mind that the definition of Obesity is also to blame - I know a few guys who have tons of muscle, and because of their height / weight ratio, even though they are fitter than 90% of the other people we know, they are considered Obese. It's a stupid yardstick. Don't let it get you down.

I am 57, female, and 16 months post-op. My BMI is 20.8 but I am sure my body fat percentage is fairly high for my mass because I also have fat left behind in my abdominal area, around my knees, and in my butt (boobs too but I want them to stay!). My original goal was 150 and now I am 137. My family is all tall and skinny so I suspect that I kept losing because there was some genetic component at work as well as dietary.

~ 1 1/2 years out and been at 205 for about 6 months or more, can't get below 200 to save my soul. I look good at 205 and feel real good too. I swim about 2 miles 4X week and bike between 10 - 15 miles 4 X week and do some very minor weight lifting for my arms 4 X week, not real intense stuff like PDXMan above (drat him!). I eat small meals and by all accounts should still be losing weight slowly but am not.

My doc also said that I have about 5-15 pounds of excess skin that just won't go anywhere - ever. He said to relax and maintain what I have. I have a flat tummy and my legs and arms look good. I just have a little sag in my front abdomen and some sag in my butt.

And as pointed out the hight / weight BMI measurement is inaccurate, the only true way to measure it is to go into a dunk tank or gas displacement type measuring machine. The hight / weight measurement does not take into account someone with above average muscle mass.

Sorry, I'm in my mid-to-upper 50s so I I guess I don't qualify . Otherwise I do...

Thanks for all the replies, guys. What I'm reading from y'all is that if I want to break into the low 20's BMI (or, more interestingly to me, the <20% bodyfat range), I need to ramp up the activity yet again.

I'm pretty heavily muscled (at least in my upper body... see my "yoga" post for my trials and tribulations re my lower body and core) so I'm sure that throws the BMI ratings off a little, plus I still have some loose skin. But I know there's fat there, too, and I want to ditch more of that.

Thanks again.

I am 57, female, and 16 months post-op. My BMI is 20.8 but I am sure my body fat percentage is fairly high for my mass because I also have fat left behind in my abdominal area, around my knees, and in my butt (boobs too but I want them to stay!). My original goal was 150 and now I am 137. My family is all tall and skinny so I suspect that I kept losing because there was some genetic component at work as well as dietary.

5'8" and 137...You are a tall skinny thing! I am 5'11" and weigh in at about 180. Still loosing...Probably won't lose that much more...Maybe 10...But at 137 do you feel super thin?