Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

How do you know when to transition from weight loss to maintenance? I have seen some different responses here and there. Some women state that they are happy with size 16, some are happy with size 10-12, some are happy with size 6-7 and some are happy with size 4. It seems to be all over the board. I have seen some guy responses where they are happy with 200, some happy with 180 and some happy with 160. I would like to hear from both men and women about what goal means to them.

I started this journey at 186 lbs (near the heaviest I had ever been), and have a small frame, so my ultimate goal is 125-130. I'm at 145 now and if I didn't lost anymore I would be happy, but i'll be happier if I lost the 15-20lbs more... I think wherever you FEEL the best is what a person's goal should be. And above all HEALTHY...Hope to get into size 5 jeans...wear 9 now...

Well for me I have never been under 200 pounds for much longer than on my way up. I would like to be 180 pounds. This is still considered overweight on BMI charts but for me I want a weight that I can maintain. I would probably wear a size 8/10 at this weight and this is enough for me. As of yesterday I currently weigh 209.8 pounds. WOW I can do it!!

I think it depends a lot on body shapes. I doubt i'll ever be a 4/6. My hip bones are just too big. I was 14 in my 30's and looked great. As soon as I dropped to size 12 I looked awful.

And weight is so subjective too. There was a great post of deltagirls w pics of two identical bodies. One was 'in shape' with muscle mass which made her heavier, but she looked skinnier. So.....i don't think there is really an answer to this question. Is there?

I'm wanting a size 10. It's less about the number on the scale and more about size. I'm tall with larger hips and breasts (will be large with weight loss since they were big in my you get years).

Size is realtive to almost nothing but the brand you are buying Ten years ago I was 110 which is my goal now as well. I was in general a size five (now a days I only see even numbers though so that might have been juniors). But I had pants that were too big that were a size 2 and a few pairs of 7's that fit perfectly. The cheaper the brand the higher the number was a general rule I saw in clothing (vanity sizing...if you're rich you can buy smaller sizes I guess LOL). Anyhoo, I expect that I'll be in anywhere from a zero to a six and a size small or xsmall top, though I am a DD at that weight so that varies by cut.

The scale number is more important than the clothing size to me.

I'm still in the very beginning stages of all this, but I felt it was very important to know where I was headed before I started the journey. So, I have put a lot of thought and prayer into it.

I want to be healthy, not runway model thin. I want to no longer need a seatbelt extender on a plane, to request a table instead of a booth at a restaurant, and I want to ride roller coasters the way I did when I was younger.

I want to be able to carry a baby to full term without complications- for the baby or myself. After, I want to recover fully and quickly. Then I want to be more involved than ever instead of feeling as if I've ended up on the sidelines or (worst of all!) embarrassed my child by being so fat.

Then when my husband continues to take me to all his male-dominated conferences, I want to come out of the hotel room. I want to have dinner and participate in their conversations and leave them stunned that he landed such a smart lady.

That's what goal looks like to me.

my goal initially was 170- I made it just under. my highest weight was 260-- I chose a higher goal weight cause I wanted to keep my curves and I wanted to not have a bunch of loose skin. I made my goal and I am a size 12. I have maintained this goal for at least 7 months now! It was right for me. I have decided to try for a size 10 with a new work out regimen. we'll see how it goes! Happy happy happy.

Thank you all for the variety of responses. It will help me envision my own goal.

I don't have a goal weight. I just want to have a healthy BMI. I am an awesome (sorry I think after my hard work I can be a little vain) hourglass shape and I will never get to a size 6, I've got womanly hips lol. So whatever size I end up it won't be a a big deal.

Im at 219 right now (5'1) and while I have set a final goal of 130 lbs, I think I will be happy just to get down to 175. I remember when I was that weight, felt good, and remember that was the one and only weight I seemed to get compliments at. I wore a size 13...now that i look at the numbers it seems like maybe surgery might be too drastic for 45 lbs, but i've never lost more than 30 lbs, and always gained it back. I maintain at my current weight, have for the last 10 years. Just sucks that I can't maintain my losses

I have a "trophy" pair of size 8 shorts I would love to get my butt back into. Ideally, my goal is around 155 which is where I was when I got married almost 14 years ago. My secrete goal is 145 because I can't remember ever being 145. Currently 203 and have lost 52 pounds including pre surgery diet. Less than 2 months post op.

My realistic goal was 175. I hit it and passed it up, so lets keep truckin'! I am at 168 now. My next goal was 165, so when I get there, if I don't lose another lb, I'll be fine with maintaining the weight and exercising. My LOVE LOVE LOVE Goal was to be at 150. My NUT and DH both seem to think I can and will get there, but I am just trying to keep an open mind, so if I don't get there, I won't be disappointed. Right now, I am a 12/14. Very happy with my progress, just need to work on toning up.