Why Is Everyones Goal Weight Related

I'm not so worried about the number on the scale as I am about how I look in my eyes. However, I do have a goal weight set at 135, but I will see how I LOOK from there and either go down lower, but probably work a lot more on toning at that point. I guess it's just the normal thing to do to say you want to lose x amount of pounds. A lot of people might not know a lot about weight loss before they come no the site either, and see that everyone else does that and already have a magic number in their head. I know I kind of did. Until I thought about it. But for me personally, I know what I want to look like. If I'm at 135, lower, or higher, it doesn't matter really. I'm worried about how I look in the mirror. Oh, also, the scale is a bit of a progress thing too. for instance: I lost 1.2 lbs on the scale, but I gained in inches with the measuring tape. (TOM) Seeing as I gained inches, seeing the number drop on the scale helped keep me motivated. I also realize that it's TOM time and the side effects of that! Whew, dunno if this helps but I tried

Most of the people just starting out haven't learned there is more to fitness and health than a number on a scale.

I use the weight as a range for when I know my body will be the right, healthy size. For example, my goal is between 145 and 155. I'm 5'7" and for some girls my height that is perfect and for others it is still too big depending on their build. Really, my goal is a size 10. A consistent size 10 in most things I can buy, not just the ones that are cut generously. When I was that size/weight before, I felt the best, I was able to keep muscle and - for me - was really confident and strong.

Using weight for many is a way to know you hit the range you need to be in. But lately, I've been measuring. I can tell when I have put on some extra centimeters because I see it now and have a measurable against it. When I get smaller, sometimes I am not lighter, I just have more muscle. It's target on the weight, but it took me a long time to get to that understanding about my body.

Do I think some folks rely too heavily on a number? Sure. But check with your doctor and ask them what they want you under. Instead of a size, they will rattle off a weight. Guaranteed. The obsession with weight as a number is systemic in our society, so people can't be blamed for looking to the number first, when we don't know better...yet.

Although I do agree with all of the people who have stated that the number on the scale is just a number, it is also what my doctor stated I need to get to before we discuss where to go from there. Personally, I just want to get below where my BMI says I should be for my age and height. I know that too is not always accurate, and I am not crazy enough to try to get to the bottom end of this range, I just want to be able to say that I am no longer over-weight!

Its a nice, concrete number. You can't fudge and say "oh, I met that goal" if you really haven't. It's not subjective. Yes, it's not all there is to fitness and yah, it's not the only number you could put to fitness (BMI, heart rate, 5k time, etc.) but it's a starting point. And as most people will probably tell you, starting is the hardest part.

Weight is something that can be measured easily for free on a regular basis. I started out at unheathy and all of my numbers from blood pressure to trigycerides, were bad. Making healthier decisions wasn't going to keep me motivated until the next blood test. Stepping on the scale after a week of making healthier decisions and seeing a 5 lb loss was motivating. I still hurt and felt bad, but I had hope. I still don't know my goal weight, although I am aiming for a BMI of 23 and a waist of 34"-35". My first goal was not to lose a specific number. I think my first goal was to walk 50 steps every hour while at work for 1 week with an ultimate goal of losing 2 sizes by the end of 5 months.
That number on the scale is important, but isn't the whole story. No measurement is perfect, but weight is quick and easy. Control the variables involved in weighing - time of day, scale used, clothes worn, water, etc - and the scale can be an important tool. My weight is still important to me and I can tell you how much my weight fluctuates during a typical day, how my scale differs from my doctor's scale, how salty foods cause huge weight gain, and which clothes are heavier. I can also tell you that as you start hitting benchmarks like 20, 50, 75 lbs down, people are eager to celebrate with you. They want to know how much you're down. They cheer each lb lost, each mile walked, and offer encouragement when the scale goes the other way for whatever reason. No one asks how many sizes I have lost or what my BMI is, but they will give me a huge hug for saying I lost 90 lbs.

Not sure why you say *everyone* or use *goal* in the singular. Lots of people on MFP have multiple goals and weight is quite often just one of them. Why weight? Well weight for many of us that started off as obese is the easiest marker to tell us we are on the right track with our transformation. For many they can't really do as much in the exercise arena until they have reduced the strain on their joints. As the scale, mirror and measurements start to show them progress they then feel more motivation towards total health improvement. I think you have unfairly categorized many MFP members with your opening statement.

BTW my profile is locked but in case you are interested my tag line is
"I want to have my health, mobility and brain for as long as I can and hope to live past 100."
I have multiple goals which I review regularly and they include both short term and long term milestone goals (of which weight is just one) and other more general goals (of which not becoming diabetic is another).

Good luck with your goals.