How did you all come up with your goal?

I picked the lowest weight in my adult life and took a couple pounds off of that. It translates to a BMI of around 26, but my waist is 35" and my pants are always loose.

I think I could go lower, but my wife tells me I'm too thin now!

@@Cape Crooner - that is an interesting question.

#1 - the surgeons define success differently than most of us do...‘Successful’ weight-loss is arbitrarily defined as weight-loss equal to or greater than 50 percent of excess body weight.

#2 - I think your age and body type really help you figure out what your goal weight is

#3 - Skin realities...It stinks that I have about 20 pounds of extra skin according to my surgeon that can be removed. If that is done, I will be at my goal.

#4 - Waist size in guys - this does seem to matter (see: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/risk.htm)

#5 - Muscle mass - What percentage of your body is muscle? Your level of exercise makes a difference.

#6 - What do you do and what do you want to do? For some, having that lean distance running look or ability is important, but for me, I like being slightly stocky (I lift heavy).

So you start adding this up and you have a blob of "who knows" on your plate.

It sounds like you are doing great. I know going from 46-36 in waist size was huge to me.

What can anyone say but its up to you. And you have proved that it is REALLY up to you. Congrats on your success to date.

I just picked a number than sounded good and reasonable that was in the healthy range. My surgeon was fine with that.

I fully intend to revisit an actual goal when I get much closer than I am now.

Yes, age matters too. I'm 63, if I was 30, my goal would be 10-15 pounds lower and I'd want to then add it back in muscle. Now, I just don't want anymore lose skin!

I picked the weight I was happiest at. I felt good at 160 pounds. Light, energetic, but still had a healthy amount of fat on my body. I felt confident in a 2 piece swimsuit and could bend, stretch, and run easily. That's where I want to be again but I'm not 18 anymore so we'll see how that goes! I have quite a road ahead of me so I'm just going to have to play things by ear.

Honestly I set an ultimate goal at the high end of the BMI chart for my height and age. Of course I never in a million years thought I would get there so I set small goals to hit along the way.

100lbs lost, onederland, and so on. That kept me moving toward my ultimate goal.

For the last 20lbs which were the hardest, I set mini goals within it.

I knew that setting a time limit goal would have been a complete disaster for me so refrained from doing that and thank goodness because it did take me 16 months to get to my ultimate goal.

Honestly my goal was to be able to lay out in my beach chair and roll from front to back without feeling and looking like a beached whale!! That and being able to walk long distances without getting short of breath!!

I am still a few pounds from being a normal weight on the BMI chart- but my beach chair says I am fine. I am inclined to listen to my beach chair. It's nicer than a chart or a scale.

Congrats on your success!!

How did you come up with goal?

@@Cape Crooner

i also referred to the lowest weight i was as an adult

i was 42 at the time

i weighed 145 - wow that was great

i was so happy, felt terrific

as i approached that #, i knew i could lose more

look better at a lower weight

kept changing my goal #, going down by 5 lbs at a time

came to my new, final goal, of 130

(now i am 6 lbs OVER goal) boo hoo

it might take a while, but i will get rid of those nasty lbs!!!

don't worry too much about the # !!!!

eventually you'll look just as good as i do!!! ROFLMAO

that's my story and i'm stickin to it!!

99 lbs gone!!!

kathy

congrats

Mine started at 200 (I was a nationally ranked athlete at that weight). Quickly changed it to 190, then changed it to comfortably wearing a 36" waist (like I did in 7th grade).

When I raced, I was 5 11 1/2", so 189 was a BMI of 25. I've lost over an inch in height due to hip problems, so I still think 190 is a fair goal.

That said, if I'm over 188 on Monday mornings and/or over 184 on Friday morning, I give myself "a strong talking to", so I guess my true goal is now 185, which would be a BMI of 25 at my old height.

Edited June 30, 201610 yr by Cape Crooner

That said, if I'm over 188 on Monday mornings and/or over 184 on Friday morning, I give myself "a strong talking to", so I guess my true goal is now 185, which would be a BMI of 25 at my old height.

I do that, too, sometimes -- give myself "a strong talking to."

What's continuously amazing to me (at nearly 2 years post-op) is how much easier it is to lose a couple of pounds when I go over the line and how much more dedicated I am these days to losing those couple of pounds so it doesn't turn into a lot more before I freak out.

I've never ever in my life been this disciplined before about my weight. But then I have never before had so many good tools (including my sleeve) to help me be this disciplined.

This time it's not about being perfect. And it's REALLY not about being guilty or feeling any shame. Holding my own weight-wise and getting even healthier simply feels rational.

The crazy really does feel like it's gone. I hope it really is gone.

How did you all come up with your goal?

I picked the lowest weight in my adult life and took a couple pounds off of that. It translates to a BMI of around 26, but my waist is 35" and my pants are always loose.

I think I could go lower, but my wife tells me I'm too thin now!

There's a lot to be said about, "Happy wife-----Happy life".

Just a thought.

This time it's not about being perfect. And it's REALLY not about being guilty or feeling any shame. Holding my own weight-wise and getting even healthier simply feels rational.

The crazy really does feel like it's gone. I hope it really is gone.

I just want to be better. Make BETTER decisions, not perfect. And completely understand not operating under guilt or shame. Those tend to lead to hiding and rationalization. Very healthy perspective young lady.