Goal weight- set low for water wt?

Raegold

Trying to figure out where to set my goal weight... I'm thinking 2-3 lbs lower than my actual goal, to account for water weight. I know once I increase my calories and start having some wine again, I'll gain some water weight back. Thoughts??

TavistockToad

Raegold wrote: »

Trying to figure out where to set my goal weight... I'm thinking 2-3 lbs lower than my actual goal, to account for water weight. I know once I increase my calories and start having some wine again, I'll gain some water weight back. Thoughts??

you should have a weight range, not one number, so if your goal weight is 130lbs, then your goal range is 128-132lbs.

callsitlikeiseeit

our bodies are mostly water. your weight is your weight.

NovusDies

The only time you should worry about water retention is if it is excessive enough to require a doctor visit.

EliseTK1

I know what you're saying- your "goal weight" is essentially set to be the lowest weight in your new normal range. And yes, I think that's reasonable.

Silentpadna

Raegold wrote: »

Trying to figure out where to set my goal weight... I'm thinking 2-3 lbs lower than my actual goal, to account for water weight. I know once I increase my calories and start having some wine again, I'll gain some water weight back. Thoughts??

The problem with that is that you don't really know whether you are holding more or less than your average fluid at any given time. It's already a component of your weight, so it really doesn't need to be accounted for. If you are functioning normally, the body carries whatever amount of fluid it needs at a given time.

That's why a range is more useful. Even more useful, if you are concerned about fat loss specifically, are measurements. Depending on whatever body composition you are after, your scale readings differ accordingly.

Raegold

Yeah, I know that water weight is a factor regardless, but I'm pretty sure that on a deficit, especially if that deficit is lower in carbs than maintenance, you will lose some water weight from that... So I do think I'll aim for the lower end of the range

Orphia

If you've been avoiding carbs and wine while losing then plan to have them again when you hit goal, I'm worried you're going to have problems maintaining.

So many successful people on MFP advise to eat the things you like the whole time, but just in portions that allow you to stick to your calorie limit.

Then the only thing that changes when you hit maintenance is how much you eat, not everything all at once and going right back to where you were at the start.

I'd suggest adding in things you like in moderation sooner rather than later. Maintenance is hard enough to get your head around without it being a whole different change in your way of eating. Adding in the "I want more" side-effects of alcohol even moreso!

Kind regards.

zeejane03

In maintenance you'll have a range, not a set number. Usually the range is 3lbs-5lbs.