Give up on your ultimate goal weight?

reenasamaan

Hi friends,

I'd like to ask a real, honest question here. Have you ever just wanted to or decided to "give up on your ultimate goal weight?"

Maybe it isn't meant to be?

Don't get me wrong - I'm not a quitter, I don't like quitting, nor am I really considering it - yet. But I've been stuck on a plateau since June 2012. I am 10 days short of my 1 year MFP anniversary (!!!). I've lost about 12 solid pounds in that year, though really in the first few months (after a couple years work of losing 40 lbs before that, so I'm down 52). I work out just about every day at the gym - cardio every day and strength training every other day or so, with some power yoga here and there. I eat around 1500 calories Sunday-Thursday and Friday and Saturday I go a little higher, around 1800-2000. Overall though I'm typically under my weekly net of 8400 calories.

Numbers aside, I know I look and feel better, my clothes fit better - these are more important than a number on a scale. But I'm stubborn and I want to reach my goal because I want to say at the end of the day I did it. And because I know the scale fluctuates day to day, it would be great to not panic.. though I'm sure that will always happen

I've just started spinning once-twice a week so I'm willing to give my gym time an overhaul.

So what would you do? You're within about 5 lbs or so of your goal weight - so close. Would you change anything? Just keep doing what you're doing and be thankful you've come this far, what's an extra 5 lbs?

Same weight for 8 months. HELP! (Or is it HELP?)

Thank you!

KenosFeoh

I've still got a goal weight in mind, but it has been so hard to take off this extra weight that I feel I should concentrate on bringing out the best level of fitness that I can and not try for a particular goal weight. It's really discouraging! It has taken me 4 years to lose 22 pounds! I've lost half a pound in the past 2 months. When I started, I thought I'd lose my extra 50 pounds in a year.

reenasamaan

It's interesting how it happens! Some people shed the weight quickly and others, like myself, it's a very slow process. In my mind, way better to lose weight slowly then say, GAIN! But bustin' it at the gym and counting calories... while I actually enjoy it, I want to enjoy it more because I've reached my goal and want to maintain! Sounds like you're going through a similar thing!

DawnieB1977

I've got about 12lbs to go and part of me thinks I shouldn't stress about reaching it as I'm the smallest I've been in 10 years and all my old clothes fit me, but the other part really, really wants to reach that goal. The most important thing is toning up though and looking good, no matter what the weight.

I just looked on your profile page and you're already at a pretty low weight, so maybe that's why you can't lose more. You'll look amazing in your wedding dress! I was a bit bigger than I am now when I got married and I looked amazing Paris is magnifique, great choice of honeymoon destination (French teacher here, been to Paris at least 8 times!).

carrieous

my goal weight is 139 or 10 lbs less than i am right now but i dont feel too strongly about it. Im happy the size i am now

reenasamaan

I've got about 12lbs to go and part of me thinks I shouldn't stress about reaching it as I'm the smallest I've been in 10 years and all my old clothes fit me, but the other part really, really wants to reach that goal. The most important thing is toning up though and looking good, no matter what the weight.

I just looked on your profile page and you're already at a pretty low weight, so maybe that's why you can't lose more. You'll look amazing in your wedding dress! I was a bit bigger than I am now when I got married and I looked amazing Paris is magnifique, great choice of honeymoon destination (French teacher here, been to Paris at least 8 times!).

I definitely agree about toning being the most important. Not that losing 50 lbs isn't a huge victory, but a couple weeks ago, for the first time *in my entire life* I did a push-up. And not just one push-up, THREE. I was so happy! I definitely recognize the importance and value of that. I also know that I'm putting myself under a lot of stress to lose these last few pounds particularly for my wedding (I had to make my wedding dress BIGGER actually- who does that?!). I'm small framed, too! Alas. I'd love to be able to break this plateau but only safely and smart - I can't work out more and I'm not sure I can eat less! And if not... then maybe I just suck it up and be happy

concordancia

It looks like you have set your goal at the line between normal and underweight. Evidently, your body has decided that it would be underweight.

You should probably find out what your maintenance calorie goal is. Start with a calculator or MFP and give that new calorie goal a month. I suspect that it is more than 1500 and eating a couple hundred more calories might release some stress on your system.

Linli_Anne

I had a goal weight in mind...some days I still think about, other days I am just blown away by the changes that are happening to my body shape that aren't measurable by the scale.

I haven't given up, by my perspective has changed.

reenasamaan

I am 124 right now and my goal is 117. I'm 5'5'' and small framed. 109 pounds is the lowest end of a weight range for someone my height (according to my handy dandy skinfold caliper guidebook). My goal is still above that and I don't want to be that thin, trust me.

My BMR is 1,350 and my TDEE is around 2300. Whew!

reenasamaan

I had a goal weight in mind...some days I still think about, other days I am just blown away by the changes that are happening to my body shape that aren't measurable by the scale.

I haven't given up, by my perspective has changed.

That is an excellent way of looking at it! Perspective is everything!!!

usmcmp

When I calculated my lean body mass and what my body fat would be if I reached my goal I realized it was not reasonable. Body fat percentage is a better goal than weight.

sammys1girly

Yep, I'd like to get to 120 but have been between 125-129 for a year and a half. Heavy lifting, more cardio, less cardio, more calories, fewer calories, etc... Just isn't gonna happen. I eat around 1700 calories on my non workout days and closer to 1900
on workout days.

ElizaRoche

NEVER!!. If you have been stuck on a plateau since june last year you should considering changing your habits, either eating different, or do something different for excercise.
I could never give up, im 3 lbs away from my ultimate GW of 120, I cannot even imagine give up being that close to it!!. You can do it, keep going and you will feel in heaven once you do.
Good luck

Yasmine91

I have a sort of goal weight but I will stop when I am happy with my body and that may be me heavier than my goal. Who knows :P

reenasamaan

NEVER!!. If you have been stuck on a plateau since june last year you should considering changing your habits, either eating different, or do something different for excercise.
I could never give up, im 3 lbs away from my ultimate GW of 120, I cannot even imagine give up being that close to it!!. You can do it, keep going and you will feel in heaven once you do.
Good luck

I know, I know, I've been doing more or less of the same thing - eating, exercising - for months! I just don't know what to change? Eat more? Eat less? More cardio? More strength? Different exercises in general? I'm starting to think it's not the number it's the method..!!!

lseed87

I would eat even better, maybe make the caloire goal a bit higher, drink more water, work out some more or maybe try something new to see if that helps. 5lbs isn't that much... maybe it could be water weight or something.

Keiras_Mom

I'm 5'9" and my original goal was 175. I passed that, and lowered my goal to 160. I stalled at 165, and did just decide I was happy with my current size. I called goal at 165, and am now maintaining between 161-164. I may decide to lose a few more pounds at some later date, but I'm perfectly content where I am right now.

liesevanlingen

I'm really close to my goal and the loss has slowed down drastically. I used to be able to lose 4-6 lbs a month when I first started seriously working out and changing my diet--not anymore! At least it`s not going up, but I do want to lose another 5 lbs or so of body fat. I`ve reached my goal SIZE, but I still have a bit of a spare tire. Four pregnancies will do that to you. So I`m working on a different goal--that of lowering body fat%. I want to get it down to about 23%.

It might help if you focus on something else for a bit (i.e., measurements, clothing sizes, body fat %, etc.) Those can change quite a bit without much weight loss to show for it.

taso42

One's ultimate goal should never be a body weight.

dorianaldyn

I'm only 2 lbs away from my goal weight, but my weight loss has SLOWED dramatically - so I'm not sure if I'll ever reach it. I'm not going to worry about it too much, but I won't switch to "maintenance" until I'm there.

joanthemom8

I don't think we should get so hung up on a number (easier said than done) Especially as we get older it's harder to lose those last 5 lbs and KEEP THEM OFF. I don't know how old you are, but I'm 47 and I lose 1 or 2 lbs of my last 5, but then gain them back again.. It's been going on like this forever. I'm within my weight range for my stats (more towards the high end), but of course I'd like to lose those extra 5. But now I'm trying to focus a little more on my shape - get rid of some fat and gain some muscle. If I can't lose the numbers on the scale, I rather the extra 5 lbs. be muscle.
Also, when I completed Weight Watchers several years ago, they did caution me that my ultimate weight loss goal (that I met) might be too difficult to maintain - and, they were right!

Inshape13

I used to think that 140 was my ultimate goal weight(which I hover around give or take 3lbs), but in order to maintain that weight I have to fight with my calories non-stop and exercise like crazy. In the end you may get to the number that you think is right and then really know that it is too much stress to keep pushing to pass it. I have been within the low 140's for 3 months now and it totally pisses me off to never hit the 130's....I then look at the fact that I am still losing inches and dropping pant sizes so it is worth it in the end. Hope you find peace of mind or hit that goal.

pkw58

My original goal weight was 139 (set by on line Dukan Calculator) .. when I went on phase 3, the weight kept coming off, but slowly. I went to a performing arts doctor, told me for my body frame I could probably maintain between 125 and 135 easily and be healthy... you know what, I am ok with that. I bounce around between 128-131 during the week as I weigh daily, but record on Sundays usually.

I am 5'8" btw, small frame (as in darn small wrists and long thin bones, but very high bone density)

5ftnFun

I guess it depends on how important that goal weight is for someone. At 5 ft, I look my best at about 108 lbs. Thing is, I can't maintain that for very long. My body prefers to be around 113 lbs. I've heard it called a "happy weight". It's a weight I can maintain comfortably without struggling. So that is my goal. It's up to you to decide whether or not to give up. How important is it? If it's important, I'm sure there are a lot of people & suggestions on MFP that can help you push through & make it. Good luck!

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Get of the number. Get on the Bod Fat %

CherokeeBabe

115-125ish

Still want to get close, but if muscle takes me over it, it's alright

LorinaLynn

I had an "ultimate goal weight" of 120 in mind. I was around 120 about 10 years ago and I was happy with how I looked then. Not with how I felt, because I got to that weight from major problems with a slipped disc in my jaw. I could only open my mouth 13mm without pain. Pretty hard to eat when you can barely get a french fry in your mouth.

I've since come to realize that 120 would be virtually impossible for me now. My lean mass alone is about 110 pounds now, so I couldn't get to 120 without either losing muscle (no f'n way!) or having a dangerously low body fat percentage.

I've also come to realize that the number on the scale just doesn't matter. No one knows it but you and maybe your doctor. And the doctor most likely weighs you when your fully dressed and have already had at least one meal, so they're not going to get the same number you get.

I'm perfectly happy with forgetting about that goal. It was never realistic to start with... it was a number I pulled out of my *kitten*.

Besides... I'm happier with how I look now.

JosieJo2000

I lose weight very slowly too. I had a goal in mind then reached that goal and decided to go a little further (still within a healthy range). I upped my exercise, incorporated more interval training and weights / resistance. Clothes got loser, looked more toned, scales didn't move. But what I did notice is the fat % on my scales going down. I know they aren't all that accurate, but mine seem pretty good at tracking a trend (so if your % is going up or down, even if the actual number isn't bang on). Now I don't worry about weight at all but I have found my weight has gone down a little, eg 2lbs over a few months, without thinking too much about it.

So...keep up what you're doing, look at your measurements and body fat % and don't obsess too much about a magic number.

triciab79

No I wanted that number. I was not stopping without hitting that number. If I didn't make the number I wouldn't have achieved my goal and I would have always wondered if I could have achieved it. I guess for some people the goal is more of a way they want to feel but for me it was that number.

concordancia

I am highly amused that your body fat calipers have a weight chart with them.

Crankstr

I dont have a goal weight