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Originally Posted by scpnme
... I have noticed that there are people on this site that have their goal set well higher than what would put them at a healthy BMI. I guess I question that. ?
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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
Quote:
Originally Posted by scpnme
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Do you not have enough confidence in yourself or the plan to make a healthy BMI your goal?
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scpnme
Has anyone discussed with you the major health issues associated with a BMI in the overweight/obese category?
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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).
Quote:
Originally Posted by scpnme
For yourself...and those who love you, don't you owe it to all to be the HEALTHIEST you that you can possibly be?
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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.
