How did you determine your goal weight?

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Replies

  • Hikaru001
    Hikaru001 Posts: 52
    I started out at a hefty 320 lbs. At this weight I was morbidly obese. I determined my goal weight through a BMI calculator. My favorite one is: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/

    I'm 6ft tall, so I found out that a healthy weight for me (according to BMI) would be 180 lbs. This is the number that I am shooting for.

    Along the way though I have mini goals set every ten pounds. I take body pictures of myself at these min-goals and they have really helped me see the difference.

    Good luck everyone!
  • bgelliott
    bgelliott Posts: 610 Member
    I just picked a number that I felt was appropriate for my height. When picking my body fat, I put a little more thought into it. I wanted to be in the athletic range so I researched the recommendations.
  • high5girl
    high5girl Posts: 90 Member
    I just picked a number too - something I thought would be a realistic starting goal weight. Once I get there I will probably challenge myself again to lose more!
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I picked a number that sounded good, then when I went to the doctor and had lost about 30 pounds since my last visit, she did some calculations and came up with a number for me. Her's was higher than mine, so i am working towards that and then I will see what I think. I was oh so close to the number a year ago and then I gained some back....I would love to say I hit my goal weight at some point.
  • krawl78
    krawl78 Posts: 115 Member
    I based my goal weight on what I wanted my body fat % to be. I used this website:

    http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/body-fat-weight-calculator.php

    I'm sure it isn't perfectly accurate, but it's a start.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Mine was estimated based on my BF% goal. I actually think I'll be a little heavier than my goal weight when it's all said and done...initially it looked like I'd need to get down to 165 or so...now it's looking more like 170ish.
  • CaffeinatedGlitter
    CaffeinatedGlitter Posts: 201 Member
    When I went to my nutritionist she had me take my BF% (45%) half it (22&1/2) and that's the amount of weight she wanted me to lose... I am now about 5lbs from that goal and 4% from the BF% I want to be at....but I'm not sure how it would work for a man who's getting down to athletic ranges of bf% instead of just fit or healthy range....
  • TheCaren
    TheCaren Posts: 894 Member
    I lost weight about nine years ago (and regained it) and got to a weight I was happy with so that was my original goal weight. Then as I approached it this time, I realized I'd like to lose just a little more so I dropped it by five pounds. Cleared it with my doc who said it's a healthy weight.
  • Blacklance36
    Blacklance36 Posts: 755 Member
    I went for the weight I would be happy with. I was there a few years ago and liked my body which we all know is very difficult to do.
    Its easy to set a goal weight that we look too thin at. Thats also likely unrealistic. Make it achieveable and go for it.
  • JinxRita
    JinxRita Posts: 191 Member
    I know that when I weighed 180 (and thought I was massive) I actually looked fairly decent, but I was still a little overweight. I made my goal 170. When I get there, I might see that I can lose more, or not. It all depends on how I look, and how I feel. :)
  • kobiemom
    kobiemom Posts: 218 Member
    1. This said 130 lbs for me: current weight) x (1 – current body fat %) = current lean body mass

    (current lean body mass) x (1 + goal body fat %) = goal body weight

    2. My gym does body composition analysis adjusted for age. It said that my ideal weight was 137 for the healthy range.

    3. My doctor said that his favorite rough estimate for someone my age (55) is to take your weight before your first child (assuming you were at a healthy weight) and add ten pounds. That would be 135. It seems like the least scientific, but that's what I'm aiming for.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Stab in the dark for me.. I think its a realistic one, but I'll decide when I get there. Not something I'm worried about, I'll know when I'm where I want to be.
  • run_way
    run_way Posts: 220
    Mine is set at 125 because that's the lowest I've been while still maintaining a healthy calorie intake. Once I get there, I'll go lower if I feel like I can do it in a healthy way or I'll stick to maintenance and fitness goals.

    If you haven't been at your goal weight, I would start with the BF% method, and be flexible from there.

    Edit: ha I tried the goal body fat % calculator and it set my goal weight at 125 as well! (goal BF% of 21)
  • Seaglass1123
    Seaglass1123 Posts: 500 Member
    First I picked a # I thought was attainable (165) but still considered overweight. As I got closer to that goal I realized I wanted to be in the healthy bmi range for my height (145) and I am ALMOST THERE!!!
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    mine is based on bmi at first which for my height and weight i wanted to be at the top end, obviously lean, which was 196lbs i'm now 7 off that and feel another 7lbs probably wont be enough of a gain so i'm thinking 200lbs maybe 205, depends on where i feel i'm passed skinny and into a normal range, so the goal sort of changes as i progress


    i think it's important whether losing or gaining to adapt as you go, i'd hate to hear/see of someone who had a goal weight too low or too high and drive themself crazy getting to it
  • fShaw86
    fShaw86 Posts: 878 Member
    This link is pretty useful. Shows you the pitfalls of using BMI calculators, usually doesn't take into account muscle and all that good stuff.

    http://www.builtlean.com/2010/05/04/ideal-body-weight-formula-how-to-calculate-your-ideal-weight/
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    Before I was pregnant with my first child..I had lost about 35 pounds and was down to 140-145. I looked and felt great. Then after our first child..I got back to that. But I knew I could lose another 10 pounds and really lean up...so I came up with 135. Now that it is after our second child...I am trying to get back there.

    I would be happy in the low to mid 140's. but I will not stop once I get there.
  • ukgirly01
    ukgirly01 Posts: 523 Member
    Mine initial target was to get down to a healthy bmi, I'm now cutting by 10lbs a time until I'm happy. Tbh the lower I get the more I want, not going to stopped until I'm ripped!!!
  • sarahertzberger
    sarahertzberger Posts: 534 Member
    I went by my bmi and what my weight should be according to my height I chose the middle number because I don't want to get too skinny where I look unhealthy but I do want to get skinny and to a healthy weight and look great!!!
  • andrederosier
    andrederosier Posts: 121 Member
    About 10 years ago I was exercising regularly and riding my bike to work. I was my smallest ever at 175 lbs. My waist was a 33" which made me happy and while I had a bit of a belly rest of body was tight. I had about 150-155 lbs LBM and 20-25 lbs fat.

    Now I have around 138-140 lbs LBM and like 60 lbs fat. I want more muscle and lots less fat. I know I'm a decade older but working to come close if not better.
  • lovelylauz02
    lovelylauz02 Posts: 20 Member
    I calculated my BMI and chose my goal weight from the healthy range. Once I get there I will re-evaluate and maybe lose more or gain some back. I am definitely looking to boost my muscle mass and get some of those beautiful musles so i can pose in a bikini.,
  • TIDDYBEAR
    TIDDYBEAR Posts: 63 Member
    At first my goal was 180 and I started at 266. But then, I thought 100lbs would be good. If i get to 166, that will be what I weighed when I got married! It isn't easy!! I lost 86lbs, but then got "tired" of dieting. Since then I have yo-yo'd with 20lbs. But, I am DETERMINED to NOT gain that weight back!!!
  • dunnodunno
    dunnodunno Posts: 2,290 Member
    I just picked a number that I thought I liked. Then I got there and picked another one. Maybe there is some science or thought I should apply to set my target goal. This isn't just about weight, methinks. I would like to maintain LBM and get to 185 lbs. that would put me at 14% BF. then maybe try for 12%. Then I'm not sure what to do.

    I kind of just picked a number that I thought I would be happy with, & if I am not I will tweak it when I get there.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    I picked my weight from high school. 130 seemed good to me. Then saw that other people that were my height had similar goals and its in the middle of the normal range on the BMI scale so it seems good. Might shoot to maintain 125-130. I'm 155 now so I have a lot of work to do.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    At first I picked a number that would put me at the top of the height weight charts for my bone structure. I really am large boned lol no seriously. Anyway, after I saw how that looked on my ticker I chose a smaller weight loss goal that It doesn't bother me so much that it is public. But, still it shows I have a lot to lose. It's going to take me a long time just to get to that one goal which I call it the healthier me goal. Ultimately though I really would like to at least get down to the top of that height weight chart unless it turns out I can't lose the lean weight that will be necessary for me to do so.

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