I used to think that I couldn't possibly attain certain weights, I would think "I haven't weighed less than __ since high school" and how could I dare to dream that big now!? Since coming back to this site though I've completely changed my mind about that, I think it is possible for me to weigh 135 if i want. As others have said, maybe I'll find that another weight is 'the one' on the way there. You can see by my ticker that I set a higher goal originally...now I don't want to move it because I'm almost halfway...lol. I'll change my goal once I get to this one.

The last time I lost weight I got to about 170lbs and people started saying I had better not get too thin, but really it does work to reference sizes. When you say, 'well I'm a 12 now, but I'd like to be a 10' nobody will tell you that's too small :)

I just tell people either "I want to get to a healthy BMI" or "I want to lose somewhere between 20-30lbs" without telling them my current weight or my goal weight. Everyone is shaped so differently it's impossible to guess what someone weighs. Now looking at myself or DH I could guess how much we weigh at one point of time because I know how we carry weight. But I couldn't even guess what my own mother or sister weighs!

I'd just avoid talking about the tend goal for now and instead if you want to share with them about your weight loss experience talk about what great exercises you're doing, how you're watching what you eat and share non-scale victories like dropping a clothes size. That way they can feel supportive (and be supportive) without getting wrapped up in the numbers.

Oh, and FWIW I'm muscular, have large breasts and I was just fine at 15lbs into a healthy BMI in high school. You'd have to have a pretty unusual shape or be a seriously lifter not to be able to get into the healthy BMI range (I'm not saying it would be easily maintainable that's for YOU to decide but getting there shouldn't be unimaginable).

I believe that many people have lost the ability to recognize a normal, healthy body weight on anyone because so many people are overweight/obese/morbidly obese. It's even more difficult when they see many of us who have been obese suddenly at a smaller weight because they are not used to seeing us that way. If you look at someone who has maintained a normal, healthy, smaller weight over the years, you don't think they look that small or skinny because you are used to them at that weight.
Eventually people will get used to your new weight, but it will take a while. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is not to listen to those negative thoughts and ideas that tell you that you can't get to your goal or your goal is too lofty. It is your body and your goal. Look at various factors such as BMI and frame size and pick your goal and don't give up. Only listen to what you think and give others opinions and thoughts very little merit. Simply say "thanks for the advice" and then carry on! You can definitely do this!

biggest pet peeve i have is when i say i plan to lose X number of pounds and people tell me "OMG YOU'LL BE SO SKINNY" and i want to tell them, no i'll be a healthy weight for me... i just quit listening to other peoples' opinions and let myself do it my way.

i've quit looking at it as "i have to lose a total of...." and more "okay, 10 pounds at a time. get to that 10, start another" it's much easier for me that way... i think i saw someone else who does it that way too.