Just wondering how everyone chose their goal weight. For now mine is 197, because that is the number that makes me "overweight" instead of "obese" on the BMI scale. However, I hope to lose more than that. When I was younger I typically weighed around 165, which back then was a size 11/12 on me. Not sure if I dare make a goal smaller than that, it doesn't feel like it can become a reality. But then I haven't been under 200 in 18 years, and I see that number getting closer and closer, so I remain hopeful!

I didn't set a goal weight with my surgeon. For ticker purposes I just looked at the bmi chart and took the top number from the "normal" range. I just want my goal to be "heathy." [emoji4]

Hi there, in my opinion it's best to make short term goals and see where it goes once you get to that goal then set another one I think it's easier and more motivating because if you set a lower number and you don't get to where you want to be you are more likely to get depressed as I would. Xo Nisha

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I set mine at just over a normal BMI; it's the weight I was during college, at my lowest adult weight. But I do have intermediate goals: first is to lose 100 pounds. The next is to get under 200--still a very long way off. But I'll just see what happens as time goes by--the real goal is to be healthier. Everything else is just gravy (and how silly is it that so many expressions involve food?). I'd express what I really want, after better health, as feeling better and looking better. The number is less important.

I need to lose 130 according to bmi charts. My doctor thought the high range on bmi would be too low for my frame. We agreed to target 100 lb loss then reassess.

when I lose 100' I will be the smallest I've been in over 20 yrs. I'm not going to obsess about the last 30. Just see where my body decides to settle and I can maintain comfortably.

135 24.6 on normal bmi. First goal 196 under 200 I just want to make it lol

My surgeon asked my HS weight. I told him, he said I could get there. 190 seemed like a good goal and ambitious, for someone that had been over 300 pounds for almost 2 decades.

Once I hit it, I decided I could go lower. I want a 27 BMI before skin surgery.

My surgeon never talked to me about a goal weight or a target weight. I picked normal BMI as my goal. I have 18 lbs to go at almost 6 months out from surgery. Anything after that I look at as bonus.

Side note: I had my bodyfat tested, and according to the people who did the test I only need to loose another 6-7 lbs of fat to reach a point where my body would stay happy. I have been able to contain a lot of muscles during this weight loss phase.

great question. i also wonder same thing. I haven't been at this weight since i was a teenager, and I'm 45 years old now. I am just loving the way i feel and look. I know i want to do skin remover surgery anyways so I'm on with what ever i drop off now. I think what is getting frustrating is how uncomfortable my weight is making people around me. They are so use to me being fat that now i am at normal size they say it to skinny for me. They just want me to look like i did. But i am on my journey and i will be what i am comfortable with. and that is taking this new life change one day at a time. best of luck.

I set up a dartboard with #s ranging from 150 to 215, and my dart hit 173

I chose the goal that I did, because I remember purchasing life insurance 10 years ago. I was sitting at 290 pounds, and my rep told me that if I was at 220 or less, my premiums would be 50% cheaper. I was kind've pissed, because I had never had health related issues. All of my levels were excellent. I argued that lots of people under 220 have health issues, but he said that was just the formula, so I purchased at the higher rate.

I still remember that conversation, so I chose that weight. With the weight that I've lost, I am fitting into 36" waist jeans, which is what I wore in 8th grade. Another 40 pounds might be super hard to achieve without cannibalizing muscle, but we will see. All I can do is try my best.

In the beginning, the health psychologist at my bariatric clinic asked me what my goal was, and I said I'd be elated to weigh 200 lbs again. He told me that was a pretty realistic goal. Once I got to about 220, I told the dietitian I was going to shoot for 170-180, and she said that seemed reasonable. Once I got down there, I told the dietitian I was now going to try for 150. She told me people have done it, but it wasn't very realistic - that most people who start out SMO end up "overweight" or "class I obese". That's all the incentive I needed - I was determined to make it to normal BMI - and I have.

SOOOO - to answer your question, my goal was revised a few times as I lost weight. I'd start with something pretty realistic and go from there.

I picked 140. If I get there great, if I don't - well being pre-op it's hard to tell what my metabolism will do. I made it to around 170 seven years ago on WW and then went back up to 232, so anything's possible.

Research studies show that mortality rates are higher for those that are obese along with those that are underweight. It is important to have a little fat on the body because when major injury or illness strikes, this fat is the reservoir of energy that the body draws on until recovery. So the end goal is to maintain a normal healthy body weight. I set my goal weight to the high side of normal BMI.

For me I chose a number that I know I will be comfortable with and be able to maintain. 150 puts me at about a size 10. It's still more then the "charts" tell me I would still be overweight. I don't see my able to go down to 130 or 140 where it says it would be "normal". I believe for me ecstatic if I can get down to 150. Any less than that would be a bonus

I originally thought I wanted to get to 150, but I revised my goal to 160 when I realized my size 8 jeans were already feeling a little loose at 168. I think a size 6 looks good on my frame and any lower would be a little small. In the end I guess my body will decide.