Don't go lower just because someone else does. People really are different enough that they can be the same height and at an ideal weight 20 and more pounds different from each other. Plus a lot of goal weights are guesses, and get adjusted up or down when they get there.
I would go with a weight that your body naturally settles at with good eating & activity that's easy to sustain. Your goal weight should not be something you have to fight to stay at. You may have to be vigilant for a long time against old bad habits returning, but it shouldn't be a constant struggle against the scale, or living in hunger; that's no way to live.
I based my goal based on a previous weight I was able to maintain with moderate exercise, and really no dieting at the time. Of course, I was younger then, so we'll see ...
To be honest, my goal is a "stretch" goal - just to keep me motivated so that I don't think, "Oh, I'm so close to goal...what do these last few pounds/that Twinkie/whatever really matter?" I would actually be thrilled to get to 140...ok 138, just to be in the 130s!
I'm like you, though - I see some people who are taller than me whose goals are lower than even my "stretch" goal - and I wonder, is that what I should be striving for?
I am your same height, but have a pretty athletic build. I decided on 135, because the lowest I have ever been at this height was ten years ago, high school, and I was in great shape from volleyball. I weighed 138. So I thought I would shooot for 135. If I get anywhere near 140 though, I would be very pleased.
I agree with the others, and also wanted to add that people carry their weight differently as well. One person might look perfect at 135, while another might appear a little more plump, and still another might look too thin. It's all relative. You have to find what's right for YOU.
I set a goal weight of 140. As it approached, I believed that 135 was a better choice. Then at 135, I lowered it to 130. My ultimate goal is to keep my weight in a 125-129 bumper zone giving me 130 as a red flag number.
I encourage anyone to start on the high side and move when you get there as needed, Because I work out and have good muscle tone, I don't think going lower would look good on me, and would b hard to maintain.
Bottom line, goals can always be changed, but changing them "up" causes some peole to think they have failed (which they haven't). So, start high, and move as needed.
Choosing goal weights ?
