So I was just walking by the vending machine as I passed through the breakroom and noticed my reflection. I have to say, for being 284, I look pretty good. I've always weighed heavy (drat!), but I don't look my actual weight (thank God). That isn't to say that I don't look overweight (cause I really do), but you know what I mean.

Anyway, I had in my head that I wanted to weight 170 and I still do, however I got to thinking just now about the last time I lost weight. About 10 years ago I lost 100 pounds - I got down to 210 pounds and I looked smokin' hot. I felt great, I was running, I was wearing a Misses size 12/14 and I was happy.

Why in the world am I now pushing for 170 when 210 felt so good?!

I know even 170 pounds is overweight and 210 must surely be in the obese category, but I really don't care. I think I'm tossing my 170 pound goal and for right now, I'm shooting for 210.

For me, this is another non-scale victory. I think I'm getting to know the content, happy, accepting thinner girl that's inside me.

It's a good day!

HI,

I just got banded last week you seem to be off to a really good start. Any advice? And I'm with you my bf likes women with meat on their bones and so does most of the men I know. I've always been able to (lie) and tell people I weighed less than I actually do and they believe me because I carry it well (I guess). So I figure low 200s is fine. I'm not trying to wear a bikini I just want to look good in a nice suit.

The great thing is, when you get there you can experiment and see what weight feels best to you.

I have NO idea where I want to be in that regard. I haven't been anywhere in the neighborhood since my teens! So I'll just wait and see.

Orea

Any goal is a good goal. Whatever makes you feel good is great!

If you feel great at 210, that's terrific, the only reason you'd push for 170 is that statistically, that will place you at lower risk of weight related disease, depending on your BMI - and for most women, BMI of 210 is still going to be obese. It is for me and I'm 5ft 10.

But there's more to life than being obsessed about numbers, and if you look and feel great and live a healthy active lifestyle at that weight, then fantastic.

I changed my goal as I sat at 79kg for aaaaaaages. Its was *just* normal BMI and I figured I'd done well to get there. That was about 15 months ago and I'm now 10kg lighter, its just come off really really really slowly without my really trying. So you may find you get there in the end without undue effort anyway.

HI,

I just got banded last week you seem to be off to a really good start. Any advice? And I'm with you my bf likes women with meat on their bones and so does most of the men I know. I've always been able to (lie) and tell people I weighed less than I actually do and they believe me because I carry it well (I guess). So I figure low 200s is fine. I'm not trying to wear a bikini I just want to look good in a nice suit.

LOL I'm totally not shooting for a bikini either. I just want to feel good in my one piece!

As for advice, you probably already know all the rules and stuff, so I think my best piece of advice is to not be hard on yourself. I guess I say that because I'm my worse critic - it's never good enough, fast enough, skinny enough, etc.

I'm learning through this experience that 1) the weight is going to come off when it comes off, 2) the numbers may not go down, but the inches are, 3) I may have a double chin for awhile longer (drat!), 4) it's okay if no one notices - my husband does and so do I, 5) look for non-scale victories, 6) you may slip up, but that's okay, move past it and keep on and most importantly, 7) change your mental picture - see yourself the way you want to be!

If you feel great at 210, that's terrific, the only reason you'd push for 170 is that statistically, that will place you at lower risk of weight related disease, depending on your BMI - and for most women, BMI of 210 is still going to be obese. It is for me and I'm 5ft 10.

But there's more to life than being obsessed about numbers, and if you look and feel great and live a healthy active lifestyle at that weight, then fantastic.

I changed my goal as I sat at 79kg for aaaaaaages. Its was *just* normal BMI and I figured I'd done well to get there. That was about 15 months ago and I'm now 10kg lighter, its just come off really really really slowly without my really trying. So you may find you get there in the end without undue effort anyway.

You are so right! I think once I'm comfortable at a certain weight (210) that the remaining weight will just come off. Eventually. I agree that I need to be at a healthie BMI and I do want that, but this entire process is teaching me how to be content. What a concept! I'm learning how not to obsess about the numbers and just work on how I feel.

Thanks for your opinion and advice. You've accomplished a lot - thank you for sharing with me.

Hi Erica, I am 5'8. How tall are you? My goal weight is 200. I'm at 217 right now. I am in a size 16 sometimes 18 jeans. I am fine at size 16 and so is my doctor. That would put me at 80% weight loss. 65% is normal. Good luck.

I had no idea of how to set a goal. I thought it would be great to be in a size 14 and it is. I figured that would happen at about 150-but I am a cofortable 14 at about 190. I have reset my goal-at least in my head to 175 and a size 12. I don't plan on going much below that. Keep your goal fluid-its hard to tell what will work for you. Good luck!

I set a goal weight just to have a goal, but its definately subject to change! If I get to 150# and look and feel good, then that's what i will work to maintain.

Hi Erica, I am 5'8. How tall are you? My goal weight is 200. I'm at 217 right now. I am in a size 16 sometimes 18 jeans. I am fine at size 16 and so is my doctor. That would put me at 80% weight loss. 65% is normal. Good luck.

Hi Julie -

I'm only 5'4", but my limbs are very long. My dad is 5'11" and my arms and legs are the same length as his limbs. I'm big boned and have a broad back as well (gee, thanks dad).

I know that 210 is not completely acceptable, but I remember being this weight 10 years ago and feeling and looking really good. I know I weigh heavy (I really do!!) LOL, so being 138 lbs like "the chart" says just isn't a reasonable goal for me.

You're so close to goal! Congrats! What an accomplishment! One day I'll be there too!