I picked my goal weight because it was the top of the "normal" range for me but also because it's a number I've never seen in my adult years. I don't go by BMI otherwise. In fact, my dr told me not to. There are too many variables. Like I said, I kinda just like the number and went with it. I had no idea what I'd look like or how I'd feel once I got there. As I'm getting closer I can see I will probably lower my goal 5 pounds or so but I have no intention of getting to 129 which would be the low end of normal for me. Even if I made it there I don't think it's a realistic place to maintain.

I've always been told just losing 10% of your weigh helps so to each their own. At least they are doing something.

Great post for discussion, and I take this as you caring, not trying to start trouble. For me I put 130 as my goal just because at my age (almost 55) I thought the higher end of my weight range might be better to start with. But truly who knows how I will feel when I get to that point. Once I had a nutritionist tell me I shouldn't get lower than the 150's because I have gained so much muscle due to carrying around all of this weight. I do know when my coach first did my BMI she said I had a good lean muscle count. But truly in the end I know I will reach my goal not just by my BMI, but also by my measurements and most importantly, how I feel.

Well for myself, my goal will still have me in the overweight category also. But this is a number me and my doctor discussed and she is happy with it. We decided once I got there we would reevaluate, and see if I should keep going. I would still need to lose 16 pounds to get to a normal range, but right now, my goal of 180 seems more resonable or should I say more do-able. I need to set realistic goals for myself, and right now I am happy with it. If my doctor doesn't have issues with it, then why should I?

I obviously can't read your mind, but I do find this post offensive. You really don't have the right or the knowledge to question anyone else's goal.

I agree with others that BMI is not an absolute measurement and for some, getting to what is considered a "normal" BMI may even put them at a health risk depending on other factors (muscle mass and other health factors).

When I set my goal weight, it was based on a number, that in my mind, would be a great starting goal. I have been overweight my entire adult life and have no idea how I will look or feel at this initial goal weight. There is ALWAYS room for evaluation and revision to goals. Just because someone's end goal may seem too high to you, does not mean that they will ultimately stop at that point. It is strictly up to the individual and their doctor to determine what is the best for them. The number on the scale is just that - a number. It is not the sole indicator of good health by any means.

I think the bmi is a very general tool for weight and should not be the be all and end all of what decides your healthy weight.

for my height, 5'4" the bmi ranges from 108 to 145. I could never be 108 lbs. That may be for a small frame and i am a medium frame.

I think the hip to waist ratio and your own inner voice as well as your doctor are the best deciders of what a healthy weight is.

There are so many factors (agree with manndolin & itsaboutime), I had my bone size measured in a doctors office, it is kind of like ultrasound and I have extra large bones and my doctor said that I was the only woman she had measured that had xl bones. I was a competitive swimmer and always weighed 135 -140 lbs and very fit. When I was out of college, I took up running, as my brother was a triathelete and wanted someone to run with him. I ran 6 miles aday (6 min. miles) and 12 miles on Sundays. My weight was 135 lbs. Well, that was 25 yrs. ago., it is impossible for me to maintain those weights as I can't be that physical and eating under 900 calories a day to maintain is not healthy or realistic. So, Everyone has already been telling me not to lose anymore weight, I am skinny. Well, that is not true, I do need to lose some more. My father, is 6'2" and always been 220 -240 lbs, is 81 and takes no meds for anything and only was in the hospital once 40 yrs ago when he had his gallbladder out. He does more that most 50 yr olds I know, so I think it is individual with the BMI, my doctor ignores it in my case, as does my fathers doctor. Some people are bigger framed and have more muscle and bone mass. I love my sister, but we are the same height and weigh around the same and she wears bigger and looks "fat", I don't. It's the weigh (tee hee) it is.

I want to add one more thing. In addition to a bad thyroid and post-meno, I think trying to get to an "unrealistic" weight for me is why I gained weight. I would try like crazy WW, Nutrisystem and I have always exercised and wouldn't change weight after 3 months, so I kinda gave up. IP has been my savior, we shall see what happens in maintenance.

I'm really not sure why you care WHAT other people's goals are??

But hey... that's just me.

Exactly! That is why woman are so hard on themselves, it is not for men, it is for other woman "judging" woman. We wonder why so many have eating disorders. You never see men doing this, yes they can be competitive, but don't get into picky Sh*t!

I never once heard a man say to another man "look at the nice set of nails on her!" Woman beautify for other woman. I like to look nice for hubby, but I do my nails, hair & clothes for me, but really if I lived on a desert island I would care less, so yes, we do it so we are not the "talk" of the office with outdated clothes, shoes, purses, haircuts, etc. Too much placed on woman, we are full- time mothers, workers, wives, etc. and still other women are usually are worst enemy! Be competitive with yourself only, challenge yourself. Try a random act of kindness, always a great energy boost, plus you've helped someone else.

NO... it is not just you... I think it is most of us!

I mean... seriously! I cannot believe this thread... It is like I am supposed to go by the numbers set to decide what the society sees it is good for me... really?!

Besides as many have said before, the BMI is not an accurate thing to go by, cause it does not take into account the muscle mass... My husband is an athlete with a body to be envied for, but according to the numbers from BMI, he is overweight, or maybe obese even!

At 6'3", Most BMI charts say that my healthy BMI range is between 180-200lbs. However, I played football for 15 years starting in high school and have done a lot of strength training. I never felt those charts accurately reflected my build. So for now I have set my goal at 225, It's been a long time since I've been there. Once I figure out whether I like it or not I will adjust as necessary .

I maybe be stupid but I have no clue as to what my BMI is and neither do I care. I have been over weight my whole life even as a child and now I have the control over myself to stop that. If my goal is not fit for me in your eyes it is for me. Everytime I would go to the dr even being over weight the drs would say I was healthy except for being overweight, I had no other medical issues. I have my goal set but that doesn't mean I am stopping there. Once I get to 250 I will then decided if I want to go smaller. It is going to be about the way I feel with myself. I have control of my life and no one will dictate to me what I MUST or HAVE to weigh. This is me and this is who I am.

I think a goal weight is a personal thing and everyone know what they want to achieve and where they will be comfortable. Its not for anyone to question. And i really would hate for this thread to make some people question themselves and make them think that what they plan to achieve or achieved isn't good enough.

I put my goal weight cause that's a number i like, if i get 10lbs over that and i'm comfortable, i'll stop there. BMI don't take into account a lot of things and is not an accurate number to go by.

I think first of all we have to be clear on what obesity really is and the BMI chart has very little correlation to that for many of us. As many others have mentioned it doesn't take into account anything other than height and weight which might as well be two arbitrary numbers. It was this very same chart that told me I was obese because I weighed 180 pounds in high school, but never mind I was dancing 4 hours a day, 7 days a week and was at less than 20% body fat!

Personally, I would burn that chart. I have seen so many women whose self-esteem was destroyed because they didn't fit into a "chart"--myself included. I now have enough confidence to know that my health is not defined by a number on a chart that doesn't even take into account my bone structure or the amount of muscle I have.

I get that you are concerned, but by that same convention, I could say to you my daughter is 5'5 and only weighs 108 pounds... does that mean your goal should be lower or that she's unhealthy? No, she's a dancer and she's muscular...she just happened to get my husband's side of the family when it comes to body frame. I have no idea what your frame size is and so I wouldn't dare to question your goal.

My weight loss goal is very personal for me. I've been over 300 pounds and knew I needed to lose weight, but as soon as I did, all those skinny people in my life started saying to me--'Don't lose too much weight!' I listened to that for 85 pounds of loss knowing that what I really needed to lose was the weight of that skinny little person--and they really didn't have a clue.

Some of us set our goals, or at least what we share here so that we know we can achieve it which is more important than having the perfect number. They change as we change. I personally have no idea what I will look like when I get to my goal weight because I haven't seen it in over 30 years. I'm taking this one step at a time and one achievable goal at a time.