This is a question - topic I read here everyday. What is, and how did you determine your weight goal?

Well, I can only share what I know from my own experience....whether sound or not, it's what I went through and live by.

First of all, BMI's mean absolutely nothing to me! Very unscientific. It's ok to use in general, but it is by no means accurate.

What is accurate is how much of your total weight is comprised of lean muscle, Water, bone density, etc, and % of BODY FAT.

We, as weight loss people, should be concerned with how much body fat our body is comprised of, and not so much what we weigh. (although it is nice)

According to BMI charts, I am still 15 lbs overweight. BUT, given a full body analysis, I have a VERY LOW body fat %...if I was to loose any additional weight, it would not be fat but other things that would make me very dangerously unhealthy. Yet the BMI charts say I need to!

I take note of professional athletes, such as football players, seeing their height is the same as mine, I then notice their weight....and according to the BMI Charts, they would be OBESE! But to look at them, the are ripped with no fat whatsoever.

If you google Body fat % to see the charts, you can see what your body fat % should be, Anything more or less, is very unhealthy.

When one finally gets into their proper zone, then they are at their optimal weight. And it will not be the same as the next persons weight.

Because I am (was) a Diabetic, I learned this in relation to how body fat effects Insulin and metabolism at the cellular level.

I had high Cholesterol, triglycerides, poor circulation, obstructed arteries from plaque build up (CAD) which resulted in a heart attack and subsequent cardiac surgery, ALL because of having a high body fat %....NOT being overweight.

Also, the required 6 month weight loss program I had to go through for surgery, the center had the equipment to do these analysis, and emphasized it over actual weight loss (which is a perk to loosing body fat)

I focused on loosing body fat, exercised with that in mind. And as long as I ate healthy, Protein and water, my body continued to loose weight - BODY FAT...until it settled at a very good % (athletic in my case)

Then I was done...stopped loosing. Not because I said so, but because my body said so. Have not gained, no lost any weight in years...

And all of my medical issues dissipated....no more medications. (other than cardiac meds which I will have to take for life)

And I am still Overweight !!!

Also, when I read where people set weight goals for themselves, I wonder what are they going to do when they reach that goal? Start eating again? But we had surgery to stop us from that, right? At least that's why I did it.

Maintenance? IMO, there is no maintenance...this is a lifestyle change not a diet program...again, just my opinion.

Ok, enough of my rant....I can ramble on early in the am (it's 4 am)....but there it is...agree or disagree, does not matter...just sharing how it is for me.

Edited January 14, 201511 yr by B-52

OT question, see you edited. How?? I tried to edit a post Zi made and couldn't find a tab! Thanks!

PS - quite agree about BMI!!

When I get to the point when I decide I am AT GOAL I would love to contribute to this thread. For some reason I don't feel my journey ends.

I aimed for a number where I remember myself being truly comfortable in my own skin...and it's a bit more then recommended on the bmi chart...but maybe it will change when I get closer to my goal...

I agree. My goal isn't to be skinny. It is to feel comfy in my skin