Ok. So I go to my GP today and she tells me that I should only be looking to lose 20 more pounds instead of the 38 I am looking to go for. I am 5'7" and I am 51 years old. It really suprised me because my band surgeon hasn't said anything is wrong with my current goal of 150. Also, my GP has a different BMI chart than my weight loss surgeon. She believes that a good BMI is 25 to 30 which I am currently at 29 but my weight loss surgeon's chart shows BMI 24 as a normal BMI range. What does everyone else think? Thanks.:biggrin:

Ok. So I go to my GP today and she tells me that I should only be looking to lose 20 more pounds instead of the 38 I am looking to go for. I am 5'7" and I am 51 years old. It really suprised me because my band surgeon hasn't said anything is wrong with my current goal of 150. Also, my GP has a different BMI chart than my weight loss surgeon. She believes that a good BMI is 25 to 30 which I am currently at 29 but my weight loss surgeon's chart shows BMI 24 as a normal BMI range. What does everyone else think? Thanks.:biggrin:

I forgot to say that I am currently at 188 pounds. And the 150 in there is pounds.

I think those charts are crap. They stereo type one body type. I wanted a goal weight of 150lbs. I am 5'6 with a larger bone build. I have platued at around 164lbs and am happy with the way i look. I was so concerned with the number in the begining but now i look at myself and the size clothes i am in and i am happy with it.

I would say don't worry about the number. Go with how you feel.

I think that you are so close that if you stop losing, that is the right place to try to maintain. Most of us have spent our lives gaining or losing but not maintaining. I have decided that when the calories I am not willing to go below and the exercise I am not willing to go above match and I stop losing, that will be my goal wt for maintenance. I am scared though of not being able to maintain.

Best wishes

Mimi

A BMI of 25 to 30 is overweight by anyone's charts. But not necessarily unhealthy, you can definitely be way fitter and healthier being slightly overweight than someone who may have a lower BMI but doenst live as healthy a lifestyle. The risks only really start escalating once you become obese.

However, that's no reason to simply stop there, or feel you have to. It is entirely reasonable and possible to get to a normal or low BMI and age isnt really a barrier to it - what you are willing to do and how you are willing to live are the important factors.

personally, I think exercise is the key factor here - if you are prepared to work out hard and regularly, you can do it. I'm doing boot camp at the moment with a 53 year old friend and she's one of the fittest in the group - she can definitely match me with running and strength things like pushups, although at 42, I'm hardly young either.

I really hate that attitude oh, I'm in my 50's now, so I cant weigh what I did when I was 25. There's absolutely no truth or logic in that statement.

but I think Mimi's statement is spot on - everyone's point at which they are living comfortably is different, I actually like killing myself with strenuous exercise, so it doenst phase me. But definitely, where my weight stopped is where it stopped. I'd love to be about 63kg, but I'm simply not willing to live on less food and do stuff like log my calories so 68 to 70kg is going to have to do.

Thanks everyone. I started out with a little exercise and have gradually stepped it up as I have lost weight. It gets easier and easier to do a more difficult exercise routine now. I have completed a 5K last month and I am looking to complete another one soon so I am really ramping things up and totally believe in the exercise. After thinking about it and listening to what you all said, I feel so much better. I agree that my age shouldn't matter and I am not going to listen to her numbers. I believe I can get to 150 and I am going to at least try to do it. But if I stop then I stop but I am going to do what I can to get there. Jachut, I love your story about your 53 year old friend. It really gives me incentive and makes me feel so much better about attaining my goal. Thanks and thanks mimilou and vonhelzing for answering. I feel a lot better.

I don't think your goal is unreasonable...your numbers are very similar to mine. I'm 5'7" and my goal is 150, and am currently at 183 lbs. I weighed 164 lbs about 7 years ago and felt like it I would lose another 15 at the time I would be right where I want to be. So I'm shooting for 150 at 45 years old, and that should be both of us in the middle of the normal BMI range. But, that being said, I'm not going to kill myself to get there. This is a journey to me, but not a prison, and I follow the rules quite well, however, I don't deprive myself either...I just don't eat much of the stuff that we shouldn't be eating, or not that often. If you are eating healthier, exercising and trying to follow the band rules, then you should migrate to the weight that is right for you in how your live your life. I guess it depends on if that number is one you can live with.

Thanks Emjay. I pretty much follow the rules and don't stray very far with my band and I exercise. So, I believe I can do it now too thanks to all of you. I think my GP is just being very conservative. I am going for my original goal and see how far I get.