Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How to choose a realistic goal weight



Recommended Posts

This sight has been such a help to me. I went through both of my other surgeries not having anyone to talk to. There is so much available now and this site is so helpful in setting up a plan for success.

I initially picked 160 as a goal because I just have not reached that weight for 25 years and it seemed like something I could achieve. Now, after reading about the success stories I think I should pick a weight that puts me in the normal BMI range. So, 145 would be more realistic. My other big goal is to not have a fatty liver. That really bugs me.

I felt my best at 135 which is where I was in high school and early 20s. I thought I should aim for 145 and see how I am. Have the liver test and see if it is healthy. If so, I would accept 145.

I am 62 and I know that I do not have a lot of wrinkles because of the extra volume in my face. My face is where I lose it first so I do not want to be a thin person. Just a healthy person.

So: How did you pick your goal? And, how do I edit my goal? Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been struggling with this. My surgeon and nutritionist haven’t mentioned anything, just that they are thrilled with my rate of loss. In my head I have it at 135, which would put me in the healthy BMI range. But, I’ve not really ever been that weight as an adult, so I’m having trouble visualizing it/wrapping my head around it. I think I just need to think in terms of smaller incremental goals. My next one is to be under 200. After that I’m in unchartered territory for adult weights, and have no idea what to expect.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've chosen 170 - It's not as low as I should be, but I think it's a good landing point and then I can assess what's going on from there. Just seems like a good attainable number. I'm going to have a lot of loose extra skin and I'm sure that weighs quite a bit! lol. That's my excuse anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I initially set mine for 140 which seemed realistic and yet so far to me, but it gave me something to shoot for. Around March I was beginning to wonder if I was being too ambitious because my weight loss slowed down to a crawl. I worked hard and hit 140 about 5 weeks ago then decided to aim lower. I’m 58 and I do think age is a factor for most of us when trying to lose, even after surgery. Please note, I am shorter than you and I weighed in the 140’s 10 years ago. We are all different.

My advice is to pick a realistic goal weight so when you reach it you will have a better grasp on how you feel, how active you are and your diet. You can always change your goal. Psychologically it would be tough for me to set a goal I might not reach. So many people lose a bunch of weight yet still feel like they failed. I believe hitting a goal boosts your confidence and morale, at least it did for me.

Best of luck to you.

Edited by Cheeseburgh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great feedback. I think I will pick somewhere in the middle of my ideal weight and my first goal, which is 10 pounds less that I have been in 30 years or so. Now I just have to learn how to edit!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked my Surgeon this question. His response surprised me. He said he doesn't care about the #'s. He says that your body can still be losing inches and not budge on the scale. He says He wants me to be in a healthy BMI. I thought this was interesting. I've only been morbidly obese for the last 21 years, after I had my children. Of course I want to put my goal at my lowest but I will be happy with the health benefits the most. I also heard another way to get over the stalls, is to take a piece of yarn and measure your waist every month and put it on a wall. That you can visually see the change with the inches measured than the # on the scale. I also plan on doing monthly body measurements. Between muscle gain, fat loss, Water weight our bodies can look differently on the scale than they truly appear.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it is important to aim for something in the healthy BMI range. That gives you quite a wide range to choose from. Personally I can’t see the point of putting yourself through surgery and then stopping at a weight that is still in the overweight or obese range.

But once you start losing and getting closer to your goal you can reassess. You will probably find yourself pleasantly surprised

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I originally said 199 and they said no problem (after being 300+ for years, 199 sounded like a pipe dream!). When I got down to around 220, I told them I wanted to aim for 170-180. They said as long as I worked really hard at it, that should be do-able. Got down there no problem. Once I got there, I said I wanted to be a normal BMI, so I was aiming for 150. They told me that that was pretty unrealistic - only about 10% of their patients who started at my weight could achieve a normal BMI. They said my weight at the time (around 175 or so) was perfect for me. Ha! That was pretty much all the incentive I needed. I doubled down and got down to 150 - actually, below!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

heightweightchartwomen.JPG.c46c360a62bff4b42d198603c612cb30.JPG

I would honestly pick something smack in the middle of this normal chart for your height assuming you can get there given your medical history, medications, activity level, metabolism, etc. It's why I backed into mine and have 3 goals. I'm 3lbs from Goal #3 (130lbs).

My ideal weight is calculated by my doc to be 120lbs and represents a goal of 100% of EBW lost from surgery day. I doubt I would ever get to that weight and nor does she expect me to. Her goal for me was 160lbs. I'm 5'4" and 56 years old. Oh yeah, and the BMI chart works for me cuz I am just totes normal. Not extra muscle. Not extra athlete. Not big framed.

Edited by FluffyChix

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I worked off the chart and thought "120" was a good number, but with my age (54) it just isn't realistic anymore and my cardiologist told me 140 was the right number.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 5'3", and used the BMI chart to pick something in the middle of the healthy range for my height - 120 to 125. My doctor's goal for me is a little bit higher, at the very limit of healthy. Now, Im only 4 months out, so we'll have to see how it goes!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I personally think aiming for my high school/college weight (which would be the“ideal” weight) is ridiculous. I’m 58; almost 59, I’ve had 3 kids, quit smoking 20 years ago and had breast cancer. All 3 of those factors played into my weight gain in some fashion. I’m a Grandma now and my body is simply not the same as it was in the 70’s and 80’s, nor will it ever be.

I’m realistic and I’m fine with where I am. I’m at my low normal 40-50 year old weight. I honestly wasn’t sure I would even achieve where I am. I feel fortunate that I did and I don’t take it for granted. *my height is rounded up here, I’m 5’3.5”

Not everyone can achieve ideal weight ranges for a variety of reasons. Statistics show people who have surgery can expect to lose 60% of their excess weight, they aren’t failures.

I have no idea why this struck a nerve with me, but it did.

Edited by Cheeseburgh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, Cheeseburgh said:

I personally think aiming for my high school/college weight (which would be the“ideal” weight) is ridiculous. I’m 58; almost 59, I’ve had 3 kids, quit smoking 20 years ago and had breast cancer. All 3 of those factors played into my weight gain in some fashion. I’m a Grandma now and my body is simply not the same as it was in the 70’s and 80’s, nor will it ever be.

I’m realistic and I’m fine with where I am. I’m at my low normal 40-50 year old weight. I honestly wasn’t sure I would even achieve where I am. I feel fortunate that I did and I don’t take it for granted. *my height is rounded up here, I’m 5’3.5”

Not everyone can achieve ideal weight ranges for a variety of reasons. Statistics show people who have surgery can expect to lose 60% of their excess weight, they aren’t failures.

I have no idea why this struck a nerve with me, but it did.

Agreed.

No where did I say I was aiming for my ideal as defined by archaic insurance charts. But even if I did say I was personally aiming for it, it wouldn't make me wrong to try if I want to try, just as YOUR decision to remain at your perceived "ideal 50-60 year old weight" doesn't make you wrong. Whatever floats your boat, and I support that. My opinion about what weight stat OP should aim for would be somewhere in the middle of her normal range for height etc if she has a body type that fits the BMI model.

Edited by FluffyChix

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wasn’t quoting anyone. I’m at a healthy/normal weight and BMI. Statistically it is very difficult for people to achieve a “normal” BMI especially if they have been overweight for most of their life. I just worry when people read about ideal weight they feel like maybe they failed if they don’t achieve that or if that is not their goal.

Those of us who achieve the normal weight range are outliers. It is a good thing to aspire to if someone wants to, but it isn’t possible for everyone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My goal weight is the weight I knew I looked good at. It just happens to be at the very top of the normal BMI range (and depending on WHICH chart you happen to look at, 140 is actually a bit over into overweight on some). That is the last weight I recall ever once feeling OK with how I looked, if even for a brief moment in my long history of low self esteem. Not even looking at the BMI chart. If I go lower than 140, fine, whatever. If you want to go by any kind of chart, I would find out what a healthy fat percentage is, rather than a healthy BMI. That matters way more than the stupid BMI charts, imo. I would say anywhere from 25%-30% body fat seems to be considered average.

The first surgeon I saw said I *would* get to 125. I KNOW I would look sickly at 125. Like, for real. lol. Any smaller than 135 and I look like a bobblehead. The surgeon I went with expected me to get to 160, and 140 with exercise. I am sticking with that since that's where I *want* to be anyways.

Edited by mousecat88

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×