Well said!

My end goal weight is higher than others at 175, and I don't care at all. I don't' question theirs nor do I expect anyone to question mine.

My goal weight of 185 is only 10 pounds from my overall goal- which is 175. Which is what my doctor said is perfect for me. I have birthing hips as my mother puts it. I carry my weight well, and I need it to look healthy.

I may not be perfect, but no one is, not even "skinny" people. And if we're being honest and not offensive, I find the skinny girl straight body, boy look very unattractive. I'm a woman, I have curves- I LOVE them. I'm not saying I don't need to tone all that has went jiggly since weight loss- I do and I am. I just love my body and a higher weight is best for me. I'm not going to sacrifice my happiness and my body, to be a number that someone has suggested who doesn't even know me ya know?

This reminds me of a post here where one girl who was still seen as "bigger" and ran 10 miles (I think she was 185?) and people didn't know how she could do it. There really is a lot more in a body than just weight. :)

To the original poster: you weren't sincerely concerned for others, you are being judgmental and wanted to be controversial. You put it in your thread title!

I am here to give and receive support from others who are on this IP journey. I am not here to question others goals and would never assume I know what's healthy for them. It's none of my business and its none of yours either. You don't have the right to even ask this question and I really wish the mods would junk this thread

You're making many false assumptions.

The first is that being "a little overweight" is a health risk. There's actually a sizeable amount of evidence that "being a little overweight" is not a health risk in itself (when not combined with unhealthy behaviors like smoking, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle). In fact, death rates were found to be lowest at all ages for the "slightly overweight" cateagory. Obese folks came in second, which suggests that being slightly overweight - even obese may be healthier than being even slightly underweight. It also suggests that "ideal weight" may be higher than we think it is.

The second is that people are listing their "ultimate goals," and not a short-term one. And a third is that the "goal" weight wasn't determined with the help of the person's physician (both would be false assumptions in my case).

When I started, I set my goal weight at 150 lbs. I needed a "goal-slip" from my doctor for my TOPS group (taking off pounds sensibly).

When my doctor asked what I wanted my goal weight to be, I suggested 200 lbs (because I have never weighed less as an adult).

He looked at me skeptically, and asked "Are you sure?"

I replied, "Well, I know that's a little high,b ut thought I'd try it for a while, before trying to get under 200 lbs. because I've never been under 200 lbs since I was 16."

He laughed, and said "No, I was thinking mabye 250 or even 300 lbs. I think a more modest goal may help you avoid discouragement.

So, I had him fill out the slip with 250 as my goal, with the intention of lowering the goal after I managed to get to 250 lbs.

250 lbs was just the goal weight for Phase I, of my long-term plan (and later decided it was actually Phase II).

I left my goal here at 150 for the longest time, but when I was having great trouble getting under 300 lbs, it got me thinking that my doctor's goal for me may have been more reasonable than my own. I changed my goal to 300 lbs.

Having a goal so close, actually inspired me to finally break the 300 lb point. Then I reduced my goal to 250 lbs. When I reach it, I will reduce it further.




As for your questions
I have enough confidence in myself, to set my goal based on my own good judgement, my doctor's input, and my personal needs for both my short-range and long-term goals.


Only for the past 40 years. I've also done a great deal of research in the negative effects of obesity (and also on the risks that are largely assumed, but not seen in the actual research - when lifestyle factors such as diet (especially vegetable food intake), activity level, blood sugar levels, medications, and co-morbid habits like alcohol, recreational drug use, sexual behavior and tobacco consumption).

Nope. I owe myself balance in my life. Balancing my physical and emotional health, the quality of my life with the quantity of my life, my contribution to the world and my family, and what I receive from the world in return. My weight is only one small portion of that.

Since the evidence suggests that the mildly overweight folks live longest, maybe I should be aiming for mildly overweight. My ultimate goal though isn't in the overweight category at all. I have health issues such as arthritis that make the lowest weight I can acheive the most comfortable. If I sacrifice a few years by being thinner than the longest-lived group (mildly overweight), then I'm ok with that.

If optimal health were everyone's goal, no one would ever eat a slice of birthday cake, have a second drink, spend a Saturday on the couch, or take any unnecessary risks (so no skydiving, horseback riding or kayaaking).



I understand that you're posting from a place of concern, but your concern is coming from a place of arrogance, in assuming that we who have listed a more modest goal, are not capable of making the best decision for ourselves. In assuming that we are not properly informed, educated or motivated. And in assuming that our current goal is our ultimate one.



The main purpose of the tickers is for our own personal motivation, not to justify our personal choices to others.

My ultimate goal will be determined by how I feel, physically and emotionally. As long as weight loss (and all the other healthy choices I'm making) improves my life, I will continue to follow the trend and lower my goal accordingly. However, when the benefits of weight loss are replaced by negative effects - that will be my point to stop and get back to the point where I experienced "optimal quality of life" and whether that's 130 lbs or 210 lbs, so be it.

I understand that a BMI is a very misunderstood number because it sounds more scientific than it really is. It has long been criticized as an inaccurate measure of health.

I have to agree that this thread can't go in the right direction and people will be offended, and with good cause. Higher goal weights are perfectly healthy and realistic for many people. We are all unique.


Closing :)