How did you determine your goal weight?

Bermudabarbie

Right now I am about 140 on my home scale. Probably heavier at the doctor's office. Am 5'8". This makes me right in the mid range for the BMI. Should I stay on maintenance or try to drop down to the 128-130 range which would be hard but challenging?

Beebee78

I think it's about what you feel is achievable for you and what you feel comfortable with. I have set myself a goal but it's really dependent on if I feel comfortable in my skin at that point. Obviously if I feel like I could do with losing more then I will xxx

jmmtaylor

I picked a number in the "healthy range" for my height and age. Now, depending on when I get closer to that weight, if I think it is doable I will continue to my goal. If I start looking sickly I may gain a few pounds to where I look healthy and just maintain that weight.

snookeroo

I am 5'7" and 139 lbs. That is exactly what I did...I chose the middle of my BMI as my goal. And that's where I am. Once there, I changed my setting to "maintain". So far, so good! MFP gave me a few more calories "and he lived happily ever after."

Alioth

I'm interested in the answer to this one too. Ultimately I'd like to base my goal weight on an athletic/fitness goal, not BMI. But MFP's limitations don't allow for that kind of goal setting.

KatalynasMommy

Don't woory so much about what the scales says if you can check your body fat below is a chart.


Description Women Men
Essential fat 10-13% 1-3%
Athletes 14–20% 6-13%
Fitness 21–24% 14–17%
Average 25–31% 18–24%
Obese 32%+ 25%+

Myself I'm at the high average point would love to get to the fitness point. I'm 5'5" at 158 and 31% body fat so my scales say but I almost always weigh less on my DR. scales.

ADD ME IF U WANT A NEW FREIND!!!

Nikki2Fit

I chose a weight/size I remembered being comfortable at. My goal is to be between 160 &180. This is outside of where the charts say I should be for my height but I have always been VERY breast heavy. During high school this caused me a lot of back problems. They were too heavy for my size 9/10 frame. I know I'd rather be healthier at a comfortable size than to be skinny and miserable

nikkijennings

I picked a number in the "healthy range" for my height and age. Now, depending on when I get closer to that weight, if I think it is doable I will continue to my goal. If I start looking sickly I may gain a few pounds to where I look healthy and just maintain that weight.

Totally agree.... I now I look "sickly" at a stone (14lbs) over that.... so will see..... last time I was there I was pale so a holiday to celebrate may be in order!!!! :laugh:

Tarreemha77

Personally I went to my Doc and when I was 140 she said I was great and that if I dropped more I would look like a drugaddict. She actually is a weight dr and I hadn't been going to her for that I have her as my personal primary physician. I dropped down to 133 so that I could flux btwn the 5 lbs. See my rational was that it's easier to get from 140-135 rather than get from 145-140. See to me when the scale starts going back up you begin to make excuses but excuses turn from 5-10 lbs depending on the person. So I rather be on the lower end than the higher end. What are your fitness goals? Are they realistic? What is your personal preference? This all goes into the questions you have asked. My personal goal was 130-135 when I started months ago. But now as I get more into fitness and I start looking and measuring my B.M.I,Body fat rate and stuff I want to go slightly lower to put myself at an athletic level so that I am the healthiest and fitest person I can be. My bmi is 22% My current body fat is at 31% which all for my age is NORMAL and adverage. But I know that my personal goal is not a 4pack. I want the 6. I want the lean muscle and to be slightly ripped in the legs,arm and torso areas. Not body builder finatical but close enough with the preservation of my femine form. My Breast have went down but it's o.k. I'm still a c cup just a 34 instead of a 38(Although I liked the look of my 38's. I have to admit.) But I look at the transformation of my boby now and I think WOW. I did this all on my own. I look great. I am actually going for 5-8 more lbs so that my bmi is a bit lower and that my body fat rate goes from 31% (normal) to 25% which would get me towards the athletic range. But good luck on whatever you decide.

sabrinalg

I don't go by the weight they tell me that I should be for my height which is 140 lbs. My goal is 160 and no less. I've been smaller than 160 and I look very sickly. It all depends on your body structure and everybody is not built the same.

BeDawn

I don't go by the weight they tell me that I should be for my height which is 140 lbs. My goal is 160 and no less. I've been smaller than 160 and I look very sickly. It all depends on your body structure and everybody is not built the same.

I agree! Everyone has a different body. I am only 5'4", and the charts say 105 -140 lbs is right for me. I got down to 125 in my 20's, and I looked skeletal. The charts are a rough guideline, so keep that in mind as you get lighter.

turbojanem

talk to your doctor first.
second...live a healthy lifestyle: eat healthy, exercise 4-6 times a week and see what happens. make this a life time change and your body will "land" where it lands. we get so hung up in numbers and sizes. cut the tags out, throw the scales away and live healthy and continue your portion control with exercise.
a challenge is good, but if it's not something you can maintain and is to low for your body, then why do it. go for being toned, light sculpting to counterbalance osteoporosis, and enjoy life while being healthy.
your body does know what is best.
Jane

catcrazy

I've chose my goal weight based on the weight I was until 3 years ago, the weight I was for 20 years before health problems saw a huge gain in a short time. It might be a little unrealistic as the health problems are still there so might need to adjust my goal further down the road