I am pretty new to the forum and have been winding my way through different topics and sort of settled in here in the 100 pound club. I'm curious as to how others in here chose their goal weight. And I wonder if anyone has faced some of the same questions I have.
I want to lose enough weight to get into the "normal" range for 5'7", which is somewhere between 120 and 160. Well, 120 will never happen, and I did a bit of research on frame size and decided I am at the top of the range for Medium frame and figured anywhere under 160 was good enough for me! My boss (he's a runner and cycler and very fit) decided it would be way cool if I could say I lost 100 pounds, so that's part of why I choose to say my goal weight is 152. I also know it's a good number because I've been there before. I think it's maintainable if I really do learn something about healthy eating from this endeavor.
I had a friend tell me I'd look old if I lost that much weight. I'm 60 and have been at over 250 for 20 years. I expect some bagging, but so far haven't seen it. Maybe I'll get lucky. She made me think a little too much about this process and I wonder if I'll decide to slow down and change my final goal if I do actually start to look older. Thanks to good genes on both sides of my family where no one looks their age, most people think I'm younger than I am. I might hate it if they are no longer surprised when I admit my real age. What have some of you decided to do about that? I have lost over 60 pounds and don't see an older version of myself yet. The last 40 pounds could really do me in, though. Any thoughts?
When I started to lose, it was the middle of winter. I gave away all my winter clothes when they no longer fit. Size 22 and 24 pants, size 2X shirts. Well, my summer clothes were also too big, so I gave them away, too. Now I have 1 pair of jeans (size 16 - yippee!) and a few pairs of cotton shorts and some nice tee shirts. Fortunately, that's how I dress for work! I don't have to get dressed up very often and bought a cute dress at Kohl's to wear to a family wedding in August. I was told by a different well-meaning friend that I'd regret giving all my clothes away because I might need them again. I might keep one size bigger than what I am at goal, but I NEVER want to be in a 24 pants again! Do you all think it's a good idea to keep bigger sizes "just in case" or do you get rid of them?
Lin
PS - I just want to say I have gotten tons of encouragement reading posts in here from all of you who are succeeding on this journey. Thanks for the support - whether you know you're giving it or not!