So I am 5 lbs from goal. Well, to clarify, an initial goal that, 100 lbs ago seemed like an incredible dream. It is still about 14-15 lbs above the top of a healthy BMI (I am 5'4 and the goal is 160). My thinking in picking this weight was 1) I thought I might be happy at that weight; 2) it seems like a higher goal weight might be easier to maintain and 3) my doctor was/is happy with this goal. What I figured I would do, ultimately, was get to 160 and then focus on reducing BF% rather than a number on the scale (which would probably result in a little more weight loss). Now that I am so close, I am wanting to revise that number down. Like maybe I want to go down to a "normal" BMI. I am also afraid that I might never be happy with my weight and always afraid of regain. It's like I am afraid of maintenance- it's got to be harder than this and I am already struggling from time to time (I am terrible about getting exercise in and am feeling hungry often now. You could say my sleeve is fully healed and happy.) I have always given the advice to others with the same question- you should make your goal weight where you feel most comfortable and where you are not afflicted with any co-morbidities. It makes a lot of sense, but what if you are never comfortable? I am free of my pre-surgery co-morbidities (DM & hypertension), so there's that. This probably should have been a blog post because at this point I'm rambling...LOL I need some insight- really tired of obsessing about my weight and food and and and...

We are all "accepted"

I always did want to fit in.....

You look pretty skinny in your picture (in a good way). Are you sure about your bf %?

It's said 26.15% but I'm sure it's flawed...

Whatever is is, it's a damn sight better than it was!

Did any of you set a body-fat goal rather than a weight goal? I think that's what I want to do and wondering if that works?

Sounds like a good idea to me!

How did you do it??

I kinda want to, but I think mine might be pretty high still so I don't know if I want to risk the depression...

My weight watchers scale. I don't think calipers work very well on lose skin...

I said "my old jeans" at first they didn't believe it but then I saw the look of recognition on my daughters face and her laughter faded..

She said slowly, "mom I remember those now... But were you really that big??"

yes I was, but I am no longer

We want pics!

Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg

We are all "accepted" I always did want to fit in.....

Yeah, right!!!!'

I used a couple of different online calculators and this one came closest to what my scale tells me:

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/library/blbodyfatcalculator.htm

We want pics!

Ideal-Body-Fat-Percentage-Chart3.jpg

It's hard to hold em and take a pic!

It's hard to hold em and take a pic!

you know what my favorite thing is about losing all this weight (and I see it in you too!). DAYLIGHT BETWEEN. THE TOP OF OUR LEGS!!!! LOL. You look great!

I used a couple of different online calculators and this one came closest to what my scale tells me: http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/library/blbodyfatcalculator.htm

Mine came out basically the same with this one too. A tenth more.

It's hard to hold em and take a pic!

Congrats to you. You must be so ecstatic. Great pics and work.

LOVE giant pant pics! Can you fit into one let? You look great!

Here is one I took over a year ago... before the regain... I think I might weight less now... will have to take new pant pics!

Figuring out what that ideal number was, for me, a hard one. I always thought 160 would be fine, then as it got closer, 150... then I got to 130 and that was TOO MUCH (I'm 5'7"). I lost my weight in 6 months (mostly due to 1000+ calorie work outs, but also due to my leak that I dealt with). The hardest part to wrap my head around in maintenance was that I had to eat more not to lose. I always have gained it back by doing that. But then again, I still do my workouts. Now the goal for me is muscle tone. I am 24% body fat, 22.7 BMI and a 2-8 depending on how it's cut (but I say I'm a 6). Size 8 was my "goal" as I wanted single digits! Oh and one of the best benefits... I was lifting weights today (upper body), standing with my legs together and I have a little "hole" of light between where my thighs fit together - they don't touch. Yay! I no longer start forest fires with my thighs! lol

LOVE giant pant pics! Can you fit into one let? You look great!

Here is one I took over a year ago... before the regain... I think I might weight less now... will have to take new pant pics!

Lol! I love it!!! We should start a "show us your giant pants" thread

I put both legs into one last night and sure enough just as my husband said "your going to fall over" I almost did

Lol! I love it!!! We should start a "show us your giant pants" thread

I put both legs into one last night and sure enough just as my husband said "your going to fall over" I almost did

That is amazing, and you look amazing!! And I agree, put on your biggest pair of pants pictures. I can fit into 1 leg of mine, and have my 4 year old with me, and still have room!!

Congrats Laura-Ven! Get hubby or daughter to take the pic with you in one leg. I fell over too, but hubby got the pic first!

I tried a few online calculators. My body fat is between 27 and 30. I'm gonna try a bodpod soon. Sunnyvale fitness has one.

Lynda