When to Stop?

MissNova

Good morning MFP!!!

Just curious I have in my mind of a number that I would like to see on the scale. The thing is this was the number I was ten years ago and I do not know if I would like to be that number just yet. How do you know when to stop your weight loss journey? How did you come up with a number on when to stop?

I am just curious as how everyone else is doing it. I do not want to fall short of my goal because I like another weight better! Please help! Gracias :flowerforyou:

knightwriter2

I chose my goal by looking at what the BMI chart says is the healthy weight range for my height. Once I get close to that goal, I'm going to assess what I look like and what I feel like. When I'm happy, I will go in an readjust my goal weight and move to the maintenance stage. Best wishes.

MissNova

I chose my goal by looking at what the BMI chart says is the healthy weight range for my height. Once I get close to that goal, I'm going to assess what I look like and what I feel like. When I'm happy, I will go in an readjust my goal weight and move to the maintenance stage. Best wishes.

Thank you! That is what I was thinking. I want to be healthy so I guess I told will see when I get closer to the goal what I want to do.

lina1131

I chose a very reasonable goal of 140 for my goal weight. I have decided that once I make that goal I can decide if I want to go lower. One step at a time.

MissNova

I chose a very reasonable goal of 140 for my goal weight. I have decided that once I make that goal I can decide if I want to go lower. One step at a time.

Thank you. To me it just feels like I will never there because it seems like such a long goal. I was happy with being 195 because of my figure I still look slim but I think I want to be GREAT! So with that said I will take it one step at a time like you said.

Lisa0711

I chose my goal by looking at what the BMI chart says is the healthy weight range for my height. Once I get close to that goal, I'm going to assess what I look like and what I feel like. When I'm happy, I will go in an readjust my goal weight and move to the maintenance stage. Best wishes.

This is what I'm doing too. My ending goal as of now (154) is actually the highest of what the BMI chart says I can weigh to be considered "healthy" for my height. But if I'm happy before I get there or if I get there and feel I need to lose a few more I will. It's best to just stop when you feel you're at a weight that you can maintain and that you're happy with.

lina1131

I started exactly a year ago this month (Aug 31 to be exact) and I had 69 lbs to lose to get to my goal. I have lost 45 pounds and it has been a pretty slow ride, but worth every moment.

Do not focus on the big picture or you will drive yourself crazy. Just remember that you are doing this to become healthy, not just to lose weight. Losing weight should be the reward of becoming healthy.

Take it day by day, make good decisions, enjoy yourself, and treat yourself every once in a while. You will make your goal and you will feel so much better! You can do it

MissNova

I chose my goal by looking at what the BMI chart says is the healthy weight range for my height. Once I get close to that goal, I'm going to assess what I look like and what I feel like. When I'm happy, I will go in an readjust my goal weight and move to the maintenance stage. Best wishes.

This is what I'm doing too. My ending goal as of now (154) is actually the highest of what the BMI chart says I can weigh to be considered "healthy" for my height. But if I'm happy before I get there or if I get there and feel I need to lose a few more I will. It's best to just stop when you feel you're at a weight that you can maintain and that you're happy with.

Ok great. I started at 253 and I want to get to 175 because I would feel healthier and I feel it would not be the same being that weight like before because this time around I plan to be 175 and toned. I will see how it goes though. Thank you!

lisawest

My first goal was my high school/college weight. I hit that weight, and (because I'm not as active as I was back then) it didn't look as good on my as I'd hoped. After doing a little figuring, I found that at my HS weight, I found my BMI was still overweight and if I lost 11 more pounds I would be at the top of "normal". BMI is not the be all end all (by ANY means!!!) of what you should weigh, but it was a good starting point for me. I've always heard that the last 10 lbs are the hardest to lose. I've been fighting the last 5lbs, so I'm thinking I am very close now!

Sorry, nothing scientific here. When I reach my new goal, I will reevaluate. Currently I'm not much liking how my muscle tone is looking, so I'm thinking that I will start concentrating on muscle tone and strength. Hopefully that will help with the weight loss, also.

Hope this helped!

NewImprovedCnbethea1

I came up with my weight because it is my pre-marriage weight and the weight I was after my first baby I know they say you don't always suppose to be a certain weight that we have in our minds but for me that's the weight I want to be or atleastI think I do. The more I get down and start to see myself if Iget to a place where I feel comfortable and Ilike what I see then I will stay there but for now I am on a mission to be 135!!

MissNova

I started exactly a year ago this month (Aug 31 to be exact) and I had 69 lbs to lose to get to my goal. I have lost 45 pounds and it has been a pretty slow ride, but worth every moment.

Do not focus on the big picture or you will drive yourself crazy. Just remember that you are doing this to become healthy, not just to lose weight. Losing weight should be the reward of becoming healthy.

Take it day by day, make good decisions, enjoy yourself, and treat yourself every once in a while. You will make your goal and you will feel so much better! You can do it

Thank you so much!!!! That means a lot to me to all the support!

MissNova

My first goal was my high school/college weight. I hit that weight, and (because I'm not as active as I was back then) it didn't look as good on my as I'd hoped. After doing a little figuring, I found that at my HS weight, I found my BMI was still overweight and if I lost 11 more pounds I would be at the top of "normal". BMI is not the be all end all (by ANY means!!!) of what you should weigh, but it was a good starting point for me. I've always heard that the last 10 lbs are the hardest to lose. I've been fighting the last 5lbs, so I'm thinking I am very close now!

Sorry, nothing scientific here. When I reach my new goal, I will reevaluate. Currently I'm not much liking how my muscle tone is looking, so I'm thinking that I will start concentrating on muscle tone and strength. Hopefully that will help with the weight loss, also.

Hope this helped!

Thanks, I would like to see how I would look because then I was not toned just slimmer. I just hope and pray I do make this goal weight or at least close it seems so far away!

faithstephenson

For me, I have been so overweight for so long, that I don't really know what I'll lool like when I get near my goal. I really had no idea how to set the goal. I knew I didn't want to go off of BMI, because I have a larger frame. So I picked a number that would be a significant loss (1/2 my starting weight) and is lower than I've been since I was in high school. When I get there, I'll look at my numbers, my pant size, how I look in pictures, as well as getting opinions from a few people I really trust. If at that point I feel that a lower number is a good idea, I'll make that decision. But for now, 150 is my goal (I'm 5'3"). I might go to 140, but doubt I'll go much lower due to my frame.

MissNova

I came up with my weight because it is my pre-marriage weight and the weight I was after my first baby I know they say you don't always suppose to be a certain weight that we have in our minds but for me that's the weight I want to be or atleastI think I do. The more I get down and start to see myself if Iget to a place where I feel comfortable and Ilike what I see then I will stay there but for now I am on a mission to be 135!!

See I understand, to me it is also where I feel comfortable because everyone is different, thanks for the advice.

MissNova

For me, I have been so overweight for so long, that I don't really know what I'll lool like when I get near my goal. I really had no idea how to set the goal. I knew I didn't want to go off of BMI, because I have a larger frame. So I picked a number that would be a significant loss (1/2 my starting weight) and is lower than I've been since I was in high school. When I get there, I'll look at my numbers, my pant size, how I look in pictures, as well as getting opinions from a few people I really trust. If at that point I feel that a lower number is a good idea, I'll make that decision. But for now, 150 is my goal (I'm 5'3"). I might go to 140, but doubt I'll go much lower due to my frame.

You see I think I remember how I looked but I have always been chubby and thick so it will be hard for me to really figure it out now since I am older and of course it could be different. Thanks.

Atomaszewski

Hello,
For me I'm just trying to get to my healthy weight which they say is between 154-169.
So for me I just picked a number in between those 2.
There are alot of places online that can help you figure out what your healthy weight is.

MissNova

Hello,
For me I'm just trying to get to my healthy weight which they say is between 154-169.
So for me I just picked a number in between those 2.
There are alot of places online that can help you figure out what your healthy weight is.

Oh ok, thanks. Even when I reach 175 I will be considered overweight.

vencellia

By going with the bmi and choosing a healthy weight for me. I always give or take 5 pounds because with women we hold fluids especially when T.O.M. visits. Chose what you are comfortable with!

EboniA

This first time I did this (8 years ago before kids), the charts said I should aim for 140. I am 5'7" but I didn't know any better. I thought getting to my driver's license number of 150 would be great. When I hit 165, I seriously plateaued and bounced around 160-165. When I couldn't go any lower, I stopped. Now that I'm at 210, I would LOVE 165!! I'm still not sure that will be my ending number though. I could live the rest of my life eating and exercising the way I am now so "stopping" is not really in my head. Eventually my body will stop losing though.

Another point is that I just now (yesterday) gave away my skinny clothes from that prior weight loss. After 2 kids, I don't think my body will fit those clothes the same. Besides, I was in my 20s and probably wouldn't wear those styles again.

stormieweather

Mostly, I don't care about the number on the scale. I know what I want to feel and look like. Since I gained weight, I'm not as bouncy or energetic as I used to be and I miss that. My hips and knees hurt from carrying my weight around and I don't like that. And although I'm wearing size 8's, I do not like the way they look on me (lumpy). So, I'm focusing more on reshaping my figure and getting healthy than I am on weight loss, although I am also eating at a deficit to lose some fat (I'm at 27% right now).

Weird...I weigh 167 pounds and wear a size 8, and 5 years ago I weighed 145 and wore a size 8. So, the pounds are not as important as the tape measure, to me.

MissNova

By going with the bmi and choosing a healthy weight for me. I always give or take 5 pounds because with women we hold fluids especially when T.O.M. visits. Chose what you are comfortable with!

Thanx BFF!!! I will see whats good when I get closer.

MissNova

This first time I did this (8 years ago before kids), the charts said I should aim for 140. I am 5'7" but I didn't know any better. I thought getting to my driver's license number of 150 would be great. When I hit 165, I seriously plateaued and bounced around 160-165. When I couldn't go any lower, I stopped. Now that I'm at 210, I would LOVE 165!! I'm still not sure that will be my ending number though. I could live the rest of my life eating and exercising the way I am now so "stopping" is not really in my head. Eventually my body will stop losing though.

Another point is that I just now (yesterday) gave away my skinny clothes from that prior weight loss. After 2 kids, I don't think my body will fit those clothes the same. Besides, I was in my 20s and probably wouldn't wear those styles again.

I guess for everyone it is different to feel comfortable. I will just have to see how I feel when I get closer.

MissNova

Mostly, I don't care about the number on the scale. I know what I want to feel and look like. Since I gained weight, I'm not as bouncy or energetic as I used to be and I miss that. My hips and knees hurt from carrying my weight around and I don't like that. And although I'm wearing size 8's, I do not like the way they look on me (lumpy). So, I'm focusing more on reshaping my figure and getting healthy than I am on weight loss, although I am also eating at a deficit to lose some fat (I'm at 27% right now).

Weird...I weigh 167 pounds and wear a size 8, and 5 years ago I weighed 145 and wore a size 8. So, the pounds are not as important as the tape measure, to me.

Hmm that is interesting! I guess I will try measuring myself as well to keep track of it! Thanx.

chgudnitz

You'll know when you get there if you're where you are supposed to be. It will feel right to you. Don't even plan a number at this point, just make the changes you need to make and start doing it.

It's like with running. At first you don't even use your watch because you have no clue how fast you should be running anyway. So why time it? Same with weight loss. Being healthy and feeling good is what it's all about. Where that number is for you can't be told right now. Give it time.

MissNova

You'll know when you get there if you're where you are supposed to be. It will feel right to you. Don't even plan a number at this point, just make the changes you need to make and start doing it.

It's like with running. At first you don't even use your watch because you have no clue how fast you should be running anyway. So why time it? Same with weight loss. Being healthy and feeling good is what it's all about. Where that number is for you can't be told right now. Give it time.

Thank you SO much! That really made very much sense. I added a number on where I thought I wanted to be but like everyone says, you will know when you need to stop when it feels right.

LotusF1ower

Good morning MFP!!!

Just curious I have in my mind of a number that I would like to see on the scale. The thing is this was the number I was ten years ago and I do not know if I would like to be that number just yet. How do you know when to stop your weight loss journey? How did you come up with a number on when to stop?

I am just curious as how everyone else is doing it. I do not want to fall short of my goal because I like another weight better! Please help! Gracias :flowerforyou:

I would be happy on 140lbs, however, when I go on holiday, I invariably gain 2lb, therefore I am aiming for 138lbs so I have a leeway of 2lbs. Anyway at 138lbs, I will be able to fit into size 10s (UK) and look nice in dresses - it is also below the 10 stone mark and is a milestone.

I will go onto maintenance once I reach 138lbs.

MissNova

Good morning MFP!!!

Just curious I have in my mind of a number that I would like to see on the scale. The thing is this was the number I was ten years ago and I do not know if I would like to be that number just yet. How do you know when to stop your weight loss journey? How did you come up with a number on when to stop?

I am just curious as how everyone else is doing it. I do not want to fall short of my goal because I like another weight better! Please help! Gracias :flowerforyou:

I would be happy on 140lbs, however, when I go on holiday, I invariably gain 2lb, therefore I am aiming for 138lbs so I have a leeway of 2lbs. Anyway at 138lbs, I will be able to fit into size 10s (UK) and look nice in dresses - it is also below the 10 stone mark and is a milestone.

I will go onto maintenance once I reach 138lbs.

That is great. I just want to be the weight I was at high school but be toned. Thanks, good luck.