Goal

[ShouldBlittler 89]

Hi veterans!

I had my surgery June 20, 2012. I started at a weight of 215 and I am five foot tall. When I began my weight loss, I set a goal for myself of 115 pounds. That was a weight I maintained for quite a while in college, and I was quite happy there. It was exactly a loss of 100 pounds, and i liked that nice round number. I am currently at 127 pounds, give or take. Since those skinny college days, I have had 3 children and 3 c sections... I cannot seem to get below that 127, and I work out every day and eat around 1200 calories each day. I have kind of big bones for such a short person, and i DO have a minimal amount of loose skin, maybe about 5 pounds worth... I am currently a size 2 or 4 petite pants, and a size small top. I feel good, look good, feel healthy... But I just cannot seem to get that 115 out of my head. I think I will feel like I failed if I do not see that 115! The surgeon's goal for me was 130ish, but I wanted 115 to have some wiggle room.

Have you faced this "problem?" What did you decide to do? Your thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

[amytug 996]

I think that might be unrealistic for you and you should cut yourself some slack!!!! I have this weight range chart from my weight watchers days and the target for each height jumps 8 lbs. as you age.

Hopefully this pic works.

[lsereno 2,525]

1200 might be closer to what you will eat in maintenance. I would try cutting back a bit more. I kept under 1000 while in weight loss mode, with the occasional splurge.

Also, you might be miscalculating some portion sizes. I use a scale for most foods. It's really easy to get used to weighing things. I put the dish on the scale, zero it out, and add food.

Finally, everyone is different and maybe you are at the right weight for you. My Dr. told me that if you are exercising, the health benefits between being overweight and a normal BMI were not measurable. And overweight BMI who exercised was more healthy than normal BMI couch potato.

Lynda

[coops 1,790]

Hi!

Goal weight is a very subjective and an emotional topic - to me anyway!

I would say work with your body... Do what feels right for you. Continue to eat healthy and move ... See what happens. Your current weight sounds pretty good from here!

Although easier said than done, try not to stress about numbers. How do you feel? How do you clothes fit? Are you fitter, healthier? Losing weight is more than just numbers.

Perhaps give yourself a week (or more) to rest from 'losing' to kinda reset yourself. Maintain in that time and see if you are ready to reboot? Just an idea.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I think that might be unrealistic for you and you should cut yourself some slack!!!! I have this weight range chart from my weight watchers days and the target for each height jumps 8 lbs. as you age.

Hopefully this pic works.

Thanks for sharing the chart. That is helpful to know BMI changes with age. I wish there was also a MINIMUM 45+ adult column so that we can extrapolate a goal into a range of floor and ceiling values instead of just knowing the ceiling value. It is a little interesting that the BMI slides upward as you age. Why?

[Supersweetums 1,164]

I think sometimes we really have to sit down and be realistic with ourselves. You said it in your post. You have had 3 children, 3 sections, and you are not in college anymore. Your body has changed so much in the years, being what you weighed in college just might not happen. I don't want to sound negative, but so many people set goals that are very difficult to reach, let alone maintain. You only set yourself up for failure and disappointment by setting a very specific goal number in your head. Ask yourself, do you want to work harder and be stressed all the time trying to reach a number that you might never get to, or might have to be a slave to diet and exercise to maintain. Or are you happy where you are, maintaining easily, feeling good in your clothes, and healthy. It is not an easy thing to accept, I know. I set my goal at the highest end of normal BMI, and I have reached it, but there are days that I keep thinking it is not enough. But really, it is all in my head, and I know it is something I have to work on.