This "average" goal seems out of reach :-(

I started out at 215, and really didn't have a goal weight in mind when I started. I picked 136 as that was what I weighed while I was doing Kung Fu in my early twenties. I had no idea if I would I would reach it, so I didn't really think about it. I was losing 1 to 2 lbs a week consistently, and that's all that mattered.

What helped me get there is consistently tracking, and saying no to items that weren't on my plan. I also made sure I got in lots of fruits and veggies - they keep you fuller longer on fewer calories.

Good luck. You can do this.

I think it's helpful to have an ultimate goal weight, but also shorter term goals. For example, my first goal was out of the 2's. So when I reached 194 I took a break from losing and worked on maintaining that for about six months. I was travelling for a good portion of the year and had a lot of other changes occur in my life.

My next goal was getting into some smaller clothes that were in my closet. Reached that last month and wasn't all that excited about the clothes. While smaller, they just aren't that stylish and so I've only been maintaining at this level for a few weeks and am back to working on losing again until the first of the year.

I went up in weight in chunks, so for me losing in chunks has been effective and easy to maintain. Previously when I'd lost too much at once, it was harder to maintain and always resulted in some gain back. Shorter term goals also help keep you motivated because of the sense of accomplishment.

I agree, the goal weight for my height and bodyframe is about 140-149; I haven't weighed that since probably elementary school!

I set small goals and see if I can get to them. Right now my eye on the prize is to be 199 and you are almost there!! When I get there, I might think 185 sounds good and go from there, but maybe not.

Either way, congratulations on your loss so far and good luck with getting to your goal in the future, whatever it may be.

Thank you for bringing up this topic; I think about it all the time.

Anything is possible.!! Just try not to focus on the end result cause you'll become overwhelmed. One pound at a time. Good luck to you.

I think that it is attainable but you will get there when you get there and like others said, I think short term goals are helpful. I started at 285 and my first goal is just 100 pounds, even though I know that I should be lower. When I get there, which will be hard enough as it is, then I will decide where I want to go from there! I think that focusing on health and fitness is more satisfying for me than the number on the scale!

Ditto on the short term goals. When I was in weight loss mode, I didn't even have a 20 lb goal.

I wanted to lose 1 to 2 lbs a week. That's it. If I did that, I felt great.

They just continued to add up until I got to goal.

That's kind of what I ended up doing too, Rim.

I'm now at the very bottom of my healthy BMI, so I figured it's time to stop, maintain, and enjoy the extra food.

Is it attainable? Probably.

In your case, you may want to set an intermediate goal. You may want to say that your goal is 175. Work toward that. A goal that is realistic to you will be better than one that seems so far out of reach that it is impossible. When you meet THAT goal then re-assess. If you are happy with it, keep it and maintain it; if not then set another goal... maybe 150. Just keep nibbling at it until you achieve the results you desire. Make it priority. Is that 450 calorie piece of pie WORTH the 45 minutes or an hour of exercise it takes to burn it off? Or is it worth NOT attaining your goals? Is sitting on the couch when you could be getting up and walking worth not attaining your goals? Priority.

Build exercise into your routine... Make healthy choices part of your daily routine... If you have a holiday coming up and you consume more calories than you think you should make it a ONE DAY deviation and don't throw in the towel. This is a marathon and not a sprint. You can do it. If you mess up one day, make it a one day mistake and not a new lifestyle. Each day you get up is a new day with new challenges but also new possibilities. You can do this. Best wishes on your journey.

Stay the course my friend ... I started way over 350lbs, who knows what it was because I didn't even want to know what my weight was. I finally got the courage to weigh myself on 6/18 . .. 351lbs .. My lonnnnngggggg term goal is to get to 200lbs, and bulk up to some solid muscle .. Right now I am at 289lbs .. What has helped me is to concentrate on the short month goals .. my goal is 8 to 10 lbs a month .. always concentrate on how far you have come, not how far you have to go .. next thing you know you are right there within reach .. good luck