I found my goal range, 124-128, because this is the range where I can walk the fine line between being conscious of my food and mindful of exercise, but not compulsive or obsessive. This weight is relatively easy to stick to, and I have for a year. Through periods of frequent workouts or barely any at all, this weight just stuck.

So for me, and my sanity, goal weight is where I can live life while practicing all the good habits I've learned through weight loss. :) I definitely have inches to pinch, but I know that wont change, and there are days when I have to give myself a pep talk. Lol

My litmus, besides being able to comfortably wear the styles of clothes I like and look good doing it, is to stop where I can comfortably maintain. If I cannot go and have a date on the weekend without needing 1200 calorie weekdays, it's too low for comfortable maintenance for me.

I haven't always stuck to this rigidly, depending on the kind of plan I've been using at the time, but *in general* I won't do anything to lose weight that I wouldn't be comfortable doing some version of in maintaining. It's why I couldn't just calorie count, I couldn't get it low enough and deal with the cravings to be consistent. Part of the reason I do low carb now is because I feel excellent on it and it is comfortable to live with, I'm not fighting my brain or habits excessively.

So short answer - I'll know I am there when I am eating in a way and amount I am comfortable with and the scale naturally settles out. That may be lower than I'm expecting, or it may be higher. Tough to say. But I refuse to get into the headspace of needing to lose regularly to stay on plan, and goals outside of scale weights help a LOT with that. Just having exercise focuses as opposed to number on the scale is pretty mentally freeing.

I have to echo some of the comments about being addicted to weight loss. Not that YOU are, but that some people get that rush from seeing a drop on the scale... I know I did.

I was at my lowest in September (113 pounds) and though I'm now a couple of pounds heavier than I would like, I base that on my bodyfat and how I look, not the scale anymore. The scale is a tool and I was abusing it. In retrospect, though I was very lean I can see I was almost looking sinewy at 113 pounds.

I'm now at 120-ish, so the pendulum has swung the other direction! Even though I am wanting to take off a couple of those pounds, I still like the way I look right now. My muscles look fuller, and my butt has a nice roundness to it again that not only is appealing to me, but my husband is thankful to have it back! haha

In all seriousness, you know I support you and consider you a good friend of mine so I want you to reach your goal and be happy! I just don't want you (or I for that matter because I can recognize a lot of myself in this topic as well) to get so hung up on the numbers that you forget to enjoy how great you look and feel NOW... and as you continue along your journey.

I also have to add that, as you know, maintaining doesn't just happen; there will always be social events, holidays, injuries, etc. that will cause your weight to fluctuate a bit. Speaking from my own experiences I have been maintaining my weight in this range for about 18 months, but it's constant work! It seems like just when I work off the few pounds from a vacation or visit with my husband another trip comes up and I'm back up on the scale.

LOL I suppose my point is that in all likelihood there will ALWAYS be something to continue to work on. :)

I've never been this weight. It's thrilling and uncharted new territory. And like you, my mind keeps wondering, where do I stop? What's the magic number for me that balances sustainability and aesthetics?

I want to get to 140 and then stop, and live at that weight for a bit, since I've got no experience to compare it with. It's not really a "happily-ever-after fairytale goal weight," but a checkpoint. I have some trust issues with myself, in that I think I need to prove to myself that I can maintain this weight first. Once I believe it / have actually adjusted mentally to the idea of being a "normal weight" person, I think it'll help me decide where to go next.

I know you want to be done with it, but maybe this kind of trial approach to maintenance would work for you, too. After all, there's no right answer, and whatever you decide right now doesn't have to be etched in stone for all of time. So get to 135 and try it out, live in your 135lb body for a bit, and see how you like it.

mkroyer - You're definitely right about the addiction to weight loss!

tripswitch - I like the losing while maintaining idea! Makes sense to me actually.

kellyb - So right. And ya, I've had 2 kids, one of them will just be turning 1 in less than 2 weeks. I think some of it is just going to take some time, between the pregnancies and dramatic weight loss, things need to tighten up a little. They may, or may not, but I'd bet after some time nature will just help some of it.

owlsteazombies - Thank you. And those are some great ideas. I've never been a dress girl, but maybe it's time. I always avoided dresses due to chub-rub, but I don't really have that anymore so I guess I could give it a try!

sontaikle - Does seem like it just takes getting there to see and to know. I definitely need to get back in the gym!!!

chickiechicks - Guess it may be one of those, wait and see, type of things then! You found your sweet spot, may just take some time for me to figure out mine.

acticmama - I always envy your levelheadedness! You are so logical and adult-like. I am so pretty much the exact opposite of that. Constantly working on that though! I always enjoy your posts, because they just make sense.

jossfit - I do think maybe switching what the ultimate goal is would be a good idea and to take focus off the scale.

desiderada - I'm almost in that uncharted territory too. I think you're right about living at that weight for a bit once I get there! Anything under 142 will be new to me, so 135 may be a good place to just change focus to my workouts.

Thanks to everyone who gave their advice and opinions!!! It really does help put things in perspective.