How do you set weight loss goals?

Mariposa7

I've seen so many people with their goals on the profiles or signatures - ie...SW 209 by 01/23/2011.

How do you calculate or estimate or set those goals?

Is it all "math" or determination or both.

Can you tell I'm a little lost?!

:embarassed:

kbanzhaf

Hi Mariposa,

I think those goals are set by people individually. My starting and current weights are just facts, and I recently changed my goal weight. Am thinking I may change it again to be where I truly want to be (between 130-135, not at 135).

You might check and see what weight will bring you to a healthy BMI, and go from there, but that is only an estimation. You need to base your goals on where your body looks and feels good. Sometimes a higher weight is better....everyone's body is different. I've always said that I am "built like a brick outhouse," so my weight is going to be higher than someone else whose body looks very similar to mine.

Kaye

Mariposa7

Thanks Kaye!

I completely understand that we, the individual, set the goals, but how do you figure you'll lose x amount of weight by x date?

I will continue the good fight none-the-less!

kbanzhaf

I think that people get the "x" number of pounds by "such-and-such" a date by how they have set their goals (for example, if my goal is to lose 2 pounds a week, then three weeks from today, I "should" weigh 6 pounds less).

Personally, I don't look at the length of time it takes me -- weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. I just want to head in the right direction and maintain. I'm close to the goal I set for myself (actually re-set it a couple of weeks ago), and am now thinking of setting it just a little lower. I currently range from 135-140, and would really like that to be from 130-135......so we shall see. I know for me, it is easier to get more exercise in in the summer, so I'm in no hurry at this point.

Kaye

123456654321

A lot of people just have an idea of what they would like to be and that is what they set their goal to. That's not always the best way to do it though because the idea you have in your head may not be what is healthiest for you. I think it's probably better to figure out what a healthy weight range is for your age,gender,height and frame and then aim somewhere on the higher end of that at first and then see how you look and feel and readjust your goals from there. It would be even better then that to ask a professional.

Good luck!

bethany41h

I picked my goal weight by choosing the weight I was when I felt good. My BMI suggests that a healthy weight for me is 160 but I chose 180 as my goal. My body tend to look slimmer than the the actual weight.... at that was when I was young. I will adjust as I get closer to a healthy weight to determine what really want to shoot for.... and who know, I may not truly know until I get there. But like the last poster said, everybody's weight is different. I set one mini goal at a time just to keep me motivated and usually base it off of the rate and I am losing. I have lost 4-5 pounds a week for three weeks so my current mini goal is going to require me to really kick some butt, but I like the challenge You just need to do what feels good for you.

anubis609

Some people set smaller, attainable short-term goals to keep themselves in check while striving to reach a larger end goal. Others might set short-term goals because they create a deadline to be at a specific weight at a certain time, which is arguably a realistic healthy goal or not. Then there are a few who base those mini-goals based on the average amount of weight they have lost within a given time, and expect that they should be a certain weight at that time, whether they're trying to reach that goal or not...more likely than not, to see if they're on track with their progress.

It's subjective to each person.

portlandsundevil

I actually sat down and made a spreadsheet with a line for each week this year. It worked out really well for me!

LovelySnugs

i wish i could find the article that i read in a magazine that said most people should realistically be able to lose about ten percent of their body weight in about 14 weeks. that's about 3 months. so, i determined to lose ten percent in three months. then, once i've gotten to that point, i'll determine to lose ten percent of THAT weight in another three months. this also helps to account for the slowing of weight loss as you get closer to your goal.

my first small interval is about 25 lbs in that 14-ish weeks - almost 2 lbs a week. my last goal is 15 lbs in the same time period, which is right around 1 lb a week. hopefully that'll work for me.

Mariposa7

Thanks everyone for your input!

-Claudia!