I'm curious about everyone's thought process when picking their goal weight (if you have one, that is!) Is it a weight you've been before that you know feels good to you? Did you pick based on your doctor's recommendation or the BMI scale? Did you decide not to have one?

I've been gaining weight steadily since puberty and have never had a time in my adult life where I felt like I was a weight that felt good on me, so I'm a little lost in the woods as to what my goal weight is or should be... honestly I picked a number at random and if I get there I'm planning on being open to revision once I see how I look/feel. Which brings up another question - if you had a goal weight, did it ever change, before or after you reached it? Why?

16 minutes ago, LookingForward22 said:

but we will see where this journey takes me.

That was basically the road I took in the end. And don't believe that nonsense that you stop losing weight after a year ("honeymoon phase") or so. It's simply not true. In fact it's IMO a blatant lie.

1 hour ago, summerset said:

That was basically the road I took in the end. And don't believe that nonsense that you stop losing weight after a year ("honeymoon phase") or so. It's simply not true. In fact it's IMO a blatant lie.

Thank you for this. The 'honeymoon phase' thing just makes me feel like my body has a deadline. It's not very encouraging

I can assure you, there is no deadline. Eat less calories than your body needs and you're going to lose weight, even years out.

I recently lost about 2 kg because we had a stressful time at work and I ate less than I usually do. It's likely that I'm going to gain that back when things will be a bit slower again but for me it's proof that I can lose weight by eating less even several years out, be it intentional or not..

I was told to expect to lose 125 lb roughly from the surgery... Pre-op I lost 40 so that's about 165 lb of loss... I think I can lose more than that being that since the pre-op diet in June to now after having surgery October 6th I have lost a turtle of 92 lb.. My goal weight is 180 to 199... Why 199 you say? I want to be part of wOnederland as my mom had calls it who have bariatric surgery 13 years ago... I haven't waited under 200 lb since I was 19... I'm 36 and I'm ready to roll!!!! I also decided that I didn't want to be super duper skinny because that doesn't look good with my frame. So I am completely happy with 180 to 199

39 minutes ago, ashleydashley said:

I was told to expect to lose 125 lb roughly from the surgery... Pre-op I lost 40 so that's about 165 lb of loss... I think I can lose more than that being that since the pre-op diet in June to now after having surgery October 6th I have lost a turtle of 92 lb.. My goal weight is 180 to 199... Why 199 you say? I want to be part of wOnederland as my mom had calls it who have bariatric surgery 13 years ago... I haven't waited under 200 lb since I was 19... I'm 36 and I'm ready to roll!!!! I also decided that I didn't want to be super duper skinny because that doesn't look good with my frame. So I am completely happy with 180 to 199

I'm very similar -- also 36, also haven't weighed under 200 since college. Would love to get there!

9 hours ago, summerset said:

That was basically the road I took in the end. And don't believe that nonsense that you stop losing weight after a year ("honeymoon phase") or so. It's simply not true. In fact it's IMO a blatant lie.

The end of the honeymoon phase means not that you won’t or can’t loose anymore weight but that you’ll have to work harder to lose it. The honeymoon phase refers more to the time when you’re losing at the faster rate, your hunger & interest in eating is low, those initial wonderful benefits of the surgery. After they start to fade, you have to rely on the work you’re doing to establish new habits & your learning & understanding of food, eating & your body’s needs.

For most the honeymoon period ends around the 6-12 month mark when their hunger starts to return, they’re eating larger portions & a wider variety of foods & as they get closer to the weight their body wants to be. Their are many who continue to lose weight well after this time.

35 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

The end of the honeymoon phase means not that you won’t or can’t loose anymore weight but that you’ll have to work harder to lose it. The honeymoon phase refers more to the time when you’re losing at the faster rate, your hunger & interest in eating is low, those initial wonderful benefits of the surgery. After they start to fade, you have to rely on the work you’re doing to establish new habits & your learning & understanding of food, eating & your body’s needs.

For most the honeymoon period ends around the 6-12 month mark when their hunger starts to return, they’re eating larger portions & a wider variety of foods & as they get closer to the weight their body wants to be. Their are many who continue to lose weight well after this time.

yep what she said ?

On 12/13/2022 at 12:28 PM, kbsleeved said:

I'm curious about everyone's thought process when picking their goal weight (if you have one, that is!) Is it a weight you've been before that you know feels good to you? Did you pick based on your doctor's recommendation or the BMI scale? Did you decide not to have one?

I've been gaining weight steadily since puberty and have never had a time in my adult life where I felt like I was a weight that felt good on me, so I'm a little lost in the woods as to what my goal weight is or should be... honestly I picked a number at random and if I get there I'm planning on being open to revision once I see how I look/feel. Which brings up another question - if you had a goal weight, did it ever change, before or after you reached it? Why?

This is a great question!!! I have always been UNrealistic in my weight loss journey before my surgery so this was a concern for me. I looked over my past and tried to remember the weight where I felt good, confident as well as taking into account my age at the time of surgery and my activity level. I have some orthopedic issues that hinder my work outs and general walking. I discussed this with the therapist I spoke to before my surgery and it was agreed that my number for me was very realistic. I made my goal weight just shy of a year post op! I followed and still follow my meal plans, I do add in an "extra" here and there but its always worked into my plan and I avoid excesses. I took the time to learn what my eating triggers are and when I feel like I am going down that rabbit hole I adjust and use other non-food coping strategies. Each journey is very personal and once size does not fit all. This is something I have really became fully aware of during my journey.

I'm 5'5 and 150 lbs is the highest end of a "healthy" weight for my height. I got down to 168 lbs. about 5-6 years ago and while I looked good, I knew I had a few more lbs that I wanted to lose.

Edited December 21, 20223 yr by xoxoMeli

I remember being 180# and too chunky for bikini. I seen the BMI chart and said for 5'8" 199# was overweight, 200# was obese. So 199# is my realistic goal. Started at 333# 2020, lost 30# on Noom in a year but gained a lot of good habits with food selection. At 8 weeks post surgery lost #40 and am at 270#. Lost #10 every 2 weeks from presurgery appointment. Stalled for two weeks but seeing impacts with trying on winter wardrobe!