When did you know you were done ?

traleen
traleen Posts: 58 Member
in Goal: Maintaining Weight
I picked the highest weight for bmi 24 figuring that would be my goal weight. I still have 18 1/2 pounds left to get there. But clothing size wise im happy here. Size 8 or 10 jeans size Med or large Tops
Im 56 i dont think being size 4 or 6 is going to look anything but too thin. Anyone near my age that can relate ? Thanks
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Replies

  • Laurie6578
    Laurie6578 Posts: 154 Member
    I'm 55 and I'm aiming for highest BMI too. I'm like 22 pounds from that goal..I figure I'll adjust if I need from there. I'm wearing 10/12 in pants and med/large in tops. We may be sisters.. :smiley:

  • kayak4water
    kayak4water Posts: 155 Member
    I'm 61. I had a 32" waist after hiking 2000 miles in 2015. I'm 5' 8.5" Eight months after hiking I herniated a disk while clam digging. I couldn't walk upright for two months. I could not swim for four months. Within six months my weight went from 154 lb. to 169.

    I've reached my goal weight of 153--my BMI is ~23. My waist is 33", but I'm going to maintenance goals--Samsung Health and MFP have been great.
    When I started about a year ago with Samsung Health, I weighed 17 lb more than now. Eating real foods didn't really work, even though research says it should have.
    I'll still use MFP to watch net calories.

    The initial goal using a food diary was to bring my electrolyte intake to alleviate the foot cramps I was getting in the lap pool. I've accomplished that and much more.

    Best of luck to all!
  • ITUSGirl51
    ITUSGirl51 Posts: 191 Member
    I’m 51, 5’ 8” 161 lbs (164.4 is normal for my height) and I wear a size 8 pant and size 12 top/dress (big girls). I would have to lose 10 lbs to go down a size on pant, but my top wouldn’t change much. I’m pretty much where I want to be based on how I feel and how I fit in clothes. I’m also happy to no longer be “overweight”. That’s important to me, so I kept working at it. I felt fine 15 lbs ago, but I feel even better now. I also have some saggy skin, so I don’t want to keep losing to look even more deflated.

    It’s really up to you and your doctor on what’s a healthy goal weight for you. I’m sure some people would tell me to lose more weight, but they don’t have to live in my shoes everyday. Some have told me to stop losing. Just be the best you, you can be and sustain.
  • ryenday
    ryenday Posts: 1,540 Member
    As insurance discounts and employee health incentive plans often rely on BMI I decided I was going to get into the normal BMI range. Otherwise I probably would have stopped my diet 5 to 10 pounds earlier.

    I’m not actually happy with how I look - but don’t want to lose more weight as my caloric allowance is minimal even at the top of my BMI range. I’m hoping recomp will improve how I look and the strength training can only improve my fitness (and maybe allow me a few extra calories ) so that’s all good.

    But, I’m an older gal who doesn’t feel the need to worry too much about how I look - being that invisible age. Still I’d be happier looking at myself with a bit less body fat, I think.
  • k8eekins
    k8eekins Posts: 2,264 Member
    traleen wrote: »
    I picked the highest weight for bmi 24 figuring that would be my goal weight. I still have 18 1/2 pounds left to get there. But clothing size wise im happy here. Size 8 or 10 jeans size Med or large Tops
    Im 56 i dont think being size 4 or 6 is going to look anything but too thin. Anyone near my age that can relate ? When did you know you were done ? Thanks

    I knew I was done for the first phase of my road to fitness, which at the time was, qualifying and applying myself to hit the healthy weight range, when my dress size (far too small for my comfort) did not coincide with my weigh-ins (heavy).
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    traleen wrote: »
    I picked the highest weight for bmi 24 figuring that would be my goal weight. I still have 18 1/2 pounds left to get there. But clothing size wise im happy here. Size 8 or 10 jeans size Med or large Tops
    Im 56 i dont think being size 4 or 6 is going to look anything but too thin. Anyone near my age that can relate ? Thanks

    No sorry I can't relate to that too thin comment.
    Hitting 50 this autumn and got myself down to BMI 22
    I initially went for the top end of my BMI but at times I felt fine at certain weights and had a break in loosing to keep my sanity usually this conceded with a holiday. Then after a few months my wish to go to healthy was winning again and I started back (though always logged).
    In the end I looked up what is considered the most healthy and went for it ad got there, I am not too thin - I am muscular and I get many many comments now that I don't look nearly 50 but more like late thirties.
  • jrwms714
    jrwms714 Posts: 421 Member
    DanR_85 wrote: »
    Some interesting perspectives here.

    Remember, BMI is only a guide, if you have a lot of muscle mass, you may be over 25 BMI but still be a healthy weight.

    My original aim was to be ~190lbs, which is BMI of 23 for me, but the closer I get to that target I realise the further I'd like to go. Ideally I'd like to be lean whilst retaining some muscle bulk if possible.

    So to answer your original question - it depends on your personality. If you can hit a healthy weight and be happy to stay where you are, then you've done it. For some people though, there will be an everlasting pursuit of improving ones' physique.
    .

    This, especially about BMI.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    Never done. I need goals to keep me moving!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    When I got to a healthy BF% that was easily maintainable in regards to my overall habits and lifestyle.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    What I like about the BMI chart is that it is a good solid guide. There is so much illogic when it comes to body image and dieting. We lie to ourselves and have distorted ideas on what is average after being overweight.
    I like having a medical based guide on where i should be. Therefore, I set my goal weight right in the middle. I'm at 22.4 right now and will be at 21.5 when i reach my goal weight. i can understand someone who was very overweight wanting to stop, take a break to maintain for a while....but at least getting out of the overweight range should be the goal.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    edited May 2018
    I'm 59 and have maintained 6 years. When I started I had a BMI that had just hit 26. I'm tall so that was 38 pounds over my ideal weight, but 18 over where I figured was good - 187 pounds. I had an aspirational goal of 165 but would have been happy if I hit 170. That was my weight just before I got pregnant the second time and I looked pretty good there. I hit that goal in just a two or three months and it was easy. So I just kept on until I got back to what I knew was my body's natural weight - 150-155 pounds. That's where I was when I graduated college and what I went back to after both kids. Those last 8 pounds took some time. Not hard, but slow. But I hit it at 8 months.

    How did I know? Every other goal were ones where I'd settled on a weight where, when I was younger, I'd have thought was high. I hit 152, I think and looked in the mirror and said - yeah, that's what I remember looking like. I went into maintenance. I did wind up losing a bit more, but not on purpose. And I bounced back into the 150-155 weight range and maintained pretty easily for 5 years.

    At 54, it looked great on me. My BMI was just under 22. My only regret is not doing it earlier.

    P.S. At 5'10", that's a size 10 or 12.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I never reached that point, lol. But I was getting close.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    There's no such thing as the finish line.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    edited May 2018
    Ayup. I embrace it and have learned to enjoy the sux. Consistently having a sense of unfairness and self-pity, they can eat whatever they want and why me.. leads to throwing in the towel. That flies in the face of what we came here for. Maintaining a major weight releasing is the fight of a lifetime but I'm up always up for a rodeo. I think you are, too. Let'er buck. B)

    I say weight releasing rather than weight loss because I have no intention of ever finding it again. I didn't bother with the forum for a couple of years but I've had some fun. I think it's helpful to smooth the rough corners off of one another. It's like sandpaper but still fun. Pleasure to meet you, CarvedTones.

    Do you participate in any groups for maintenance encouragement. I noted many of the smaller groups dwindled after 1 or 2 posts. I surmise staying current with the tide is probably more fun. Keeps you on your toes.
  • CarvedTones
    CarvedTones Posts: 2,340 Member
    Mari22na wrote: »
    Ayup. I embrace it and have learned to enjoy the sux. Consistently having a sense of unfairness and self-pity, they can eat whatever they want and why me.. leads to throwing in the towel. That flies in the face of what we came here for. Maintaining a major weight releasing is the fight of a lifetime but I'm up always up for a rodeo. I think you are, too. Let'er buck. B)

    I say weight releasing rather than weight loss because I have no intention of ever finding it again. I didn't bother with the forum for a couple of years but I've had some fun. I think it's helpful to smooth the rough corners off of one another. It's like sandpaper but still fun. Pleasure to meet you, CarvedTones.

    Do you participate in any groups for maintenance encouragement. I noted many of the smaller groups dwindled after 1 or 2 posts. I surmise staying current with the tide is probably more fun. Keeps you on your toes.

    No small groups, just this main forum. One thing that helps is that since I have been more fit and active, I have taken up SUP paddling and joined a couple of local groups. The others in those groups only know me as a little guy who is reasonably fit. Somehow that is different from people who have known me a while and seen me go up and down before. It would be more of a failure; not sure if that makes sense.
  • aupston
    aupston Posts: 44 Member
    My initial goal was 5 pounds less than I was when I got married 20 years ago. I’m in the middle 50 age range wise.
    I’ve lost 80 pounds over the last year. Although I’m happy with that number I’m shooting for another 20 over the next year. I like the way clothes fit me now even though I’m still carry more weight around my hips than I want.

    I’m not done per se but I want to Make this a more permanent lifestyle change and see where the weight-loss goes
  • PaulaKro
    PaulaKro Posts: 5,775 Member
    edited May 2018
    traleen wrote: »
    Im 56 i dont think being size 4 or 6 is going to look anything but too thin. Anyone near my age that can relate ? Thanks
    Love what @SummerSkier said about BMI & clothing sizes just being numbers and not needing to make a final decision now.

    I lost weight and at 63 was comfortable with my body. Then opiates (knee replacement) killed my appetite till I was too thin. There was zero fat on me. What used to be curves became drapes. Going without food for an hour made me dizzy.

    If you don't know you're too small, then you probably aren't. If you're still losing and want to, just don't buy a new wardrobe yet. But if you're comfortable where you're at, then sweet! Be kind to yourself. :)
  • WandaVaughn
    WandaVaughn Posts: 420 Member
    I'm smack dab in the middle of my "normal" bmi, which is 18-25. I'm 22, so I'm fine and dandy with that. This is the first time in many, many years that I can say I'm "normal". LOL!
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    edited June 2018
    traleen wrote: »
    Im 56 i dont think being size 4 or 6 is going to look anything but too thin. Anyone near my age that can relate ? to, just don't buy a new wardrobe yet. But if you're comfortable where you're at, then sweet! Be kind to yourself. :)

    Don't forget that size 4-6 is what was 12-14 years ago. Clothing size shouldn't play any factor into if you feel done. Once you are in the healthy BMI range, It should be where you FEEL and look the best, not shooting for a specific size or number.

    Vanity sizing is out of control, so just because someone is a "size 4" doesn't mean they are too thin. 00 now is the same as a size 8 in the 1980s. I found that really eye opening when I read a few of those articles on it and the psychological aspect it plays into making people feel thinner than they are.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    WandaVaughn wrote: »
    I'm smack dab in the middle of my "normal" bmi, which is 18-25. I'm 22, so I'm fine and dandy with that. This is the first time in many, many years that I can say I'm "normal". LOL!

    I think it's strange how a lot of my friends and family members say "everyone wants to be as skinny as they can be" because it's not true. Some people LIKE being in the middle or even at the high end of normal because that is where they think they look best and more importantly, feel the best.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    4 years of weight loss was enough for me.

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