I had a really hard time trying to decide on a goal weight. Maybe it's because I tend to think more along the lines of the mini goals. I've always been overweight so there isn't really a particular number I could look back on and think..."Ya know, I'd be comfortable if I could get back down to XXX." Basically, I looked up the CDC chart, which lists a healthy range for my height to be 104-144, and I picked 115. Maybe closer to the end, I'll adjust it to fit my lifestyle but for now it gives me an actual to work towards.
Like others, I just set a goal that would put me just inside the "normal" weight for my height according to BMI charts (147 lbs). I wanted to never, ever hear another doctor tell me that I needed to lose weight, and I wanted to know that I was truly, for the first time since I was 12 years old, a normal, healthy weight. (Edit: I did, though, use a bunch of mini goals along the way to help keep me motivated and to see that I was making real progress. They're still in my signature because I still feel proud of having reached each one of them, and I want to remember that feeling of accomplishment.)
I think I was healthy though above 147 lbs, and if I had stayed around 155-160 I would have been reasonably content there. I like the way I look at my current weight a lot better, but I don't necessarily think I'm any healthier now than I was at 160 considering my habits - healthy eating, lots of exercise. At this point, wanting to get down to 135 is just vanity. I like the thought of having a bit of a buffer between my weight and the top end of the "normal" range, and I think I'll be able to handle what needs to be done to maintain at 135. So that's where my revised goal is now.
My other new goal is to get my body fat in the 21-24% range. I had it tested the other day and it came out at 24.5%. Not sure I totally trust the method that was used (I was expecting my bf % to be higher), but I'm going to have it done another way this week to see how the results compare.
Last edited by chickadee32; 04-09-2012 at 12:40 AM.
I did what a lot of people did and just picked the highest normal weight limit I could find. At the start this seemed like an impossible challenge (110 lbs to lose) so I made sure I had loads of mini-goals built in, which felt a lot more achievable!
However once I got within 20lbs of my ultimate goal I started playing with the idea of shifting it back further and losing another 15-20 lbs so I could have a bit of a buffer and just to see how it would look since I've never once in my entire life been what one could consider slim.
I chose my goal weight because I've been that weight before and I know I looked good. Once I'm there I'm sure I'll try for 135-140, but I know I would be so happy at 150!
I chose a goal weight that was at the upper end of what the charts say is a normal weight for someone my height. Once I get there, I'll evaluate whether or not I want to lose more. What I want is to be healthy, to be able to do the activities I want to do, and look good. So if I get to 160, and I find that I feel great, can hike and ride roller coasters and do all those things thatare difficult for me now, and no longer look like a fat blob, then maybe that's where I'll stay.
I used BMI and doctor charts which usually vary from 115 to 137 for my height. In the past I was just happy to get into the 160's because i felt and looked descent. Well, I decided I'm not going to sell myself short this time around, I'm going for a weight that will make me look GOOD not just descent. Before my first Baby, I weighed 142 and was in a size 10 and I still felt chunky, so once I get to 130 I will evaluate if that's the right weight for me. The biggest change in my plan for weight loss this time is making a plan for maintenance--realizing getting the weight off is only half the battle, keeping it off is the other!
I've also got mini-goals listed that are based on weights I've been at in the past and I have even smaller goals like my dancing guy for each 5 lbs lost and getting into a new decade thread They are important to me since I have to far to go.
I chose my first goal weight, because while it is a lot to lose, I feel like it is attainable. Once I get there, I will maintain and then see what happens after that.
I chose my goal weight because I have been there before and I know it was even a challenge way back then but I felt good. I just went on the BMI charts after reading this post and my goal weight is on the VERY top range of "healthy." hmm. Go figure
They are important to me since I have to far to go.
