Just started a huge challenge!

leenolan694

Hi
I have just joined MFP having started to take my health more seriously.

I am 36 and have been on the larger side most of the last 10-12 years.

I went into a free health check bus at an event last week and had shockingly high blood pressure for my age and a BMI of 38, with a weight of 20st 2lbs (282lbs) - shocking. Anyway, much positive changes ahead, started a 5 day a week progressive build up cycling program (a bit like couch to 5k but for cycling) and a good disciplined first week of food logging - and I have lost 8lbs in my first week.

My question I suppose is how low to go for my target weight. PBMI charts suggest around 180lbs, which would put me at a lower weight than I have ever been since my late teens, I would worry I might look too thin!

Any thoughts appreciated

earthakin66

If you think 200 is more realistic you could set that as your target weight and reassess when you get there. Good for you on your determination and success so far!

DebSozo

Set up mini goals if you want to. You could aim for 50 pounds by this time next year and have mini goals of 10 pound increments to look forward to. The last pounds come off more slowly, so don't give up!

Keep in mind that from week to week there will be variations. You might lose 2 pounds a week on average at first and then stall a bit and so on. Try to look at the big picture with weight trending down over time.

Typo edit

Lounmoun

leenolan694 wrote: »

Hi
I have just joined MFP having started to take my health more seriously.

I am 36 and have been on the larger side most of the last 10-12 years.

I went into a free health check bus at an event last week and had shockingly high blood pressure for my age and a BMI of 38, with a weight of 20st 2lbs (282lbs) - shocking. Anyway, much positive changes ahead, started a 5 day a week progressive build up cycling program (a bit like couch to 5k but for cycling) and a good disciplined first week of food logging - and I have lost 8lbs in my first week.

My question I suppose is how low to go for my target weight. PBMI charts suggest around 180lbs, which would put me at a lower weight than I have ever been since my late teens, I would worry I might look too thin!

Any thoughts appreciated

You don't say how tall you are.
Pick a goal and evaluate as you go. You have a lot to lose apparently so you might aim for a higher goal weight to start. It is going to take plenty of time to lose 50-100 lbs if you are losing at the maximum recommended healthy rate of not more than 2 lbs a week.
I set an initial goal of losing 30 lbs which was still overweight but much better for me. As I got closer I set a new goal for myself of getting below 145 lbs. My ultimate goal weight is 125 lbs.