How do you choose your goal?

I chose one smack in the middle of the healthy BMI range. It's a few pounds higher than what it was when I was in my 20s and early 30s but it's a comfortable weight for me. I don't want my face to sag so I'll just live with it .

I'm shooting for a surgery weight. But definitely looking to go sub that once I can work out more hardcore.

Good luck

I have needed to lose weight once before. At that time I was starting at 180 picked 120. I'm 5'5". I picked that b/c it was my high school weight. As I got closer to my goal I couldn't get passed 135. I took my measurements and I was in a size 4, so I just started maintaining there. I've come to find that I'm a very dense person. At work I weigh people all day I can compare. So I would continue to weigh in and set a goal, but make your true goal a particular waist size. In all actuality who cares what you weigh. It's what you can fit into

I chose one at the higher end of the healthy BMI range for me. I figure if I can hit that, and I still feel that I need to lose a bit more, I can go 10 or so pounds lower. I'll see where I am when I'm 10 or so pounds away from the "goal".

My goal right now is just above my "healthy" BMI. I allow for this because a) I'm only going by number crunching, not taking into account muscles etc. as I am a heavier built person, muscle wise. Also, I was never that small. I have a while to go, so when I get to a certain point, I may change it. I don't think you can really go by specific numbers, unless it involves scans or tests and doctors, but even then everyone is different.
The question at the end of the day is do you feel good, and healthy. If your good where you are, bump your calories up to maintenance and keep exercising. Otherwise, keep going until you feel your at that place.
Eat and live healthy, in a way you can maintain and makes you happy, and everything else is just a bonus.
Also, you shouldn't be setting yourself up for failure because you've already succeeded!

I say BAH! to the BMI. Go to a gym and get a free fitness acessment. Make sure they use the 4 point pinch test (This is WAY more accurate than the stupid electronic gizmo that a lot of places use) to find out what your current body fat percentage is... this will tell you how much LEAN body mass you have and it will be easier to determine what a healthy attainable weight for you is. An Example... I am 5'10" my "healthy" BMI range (which again I believe is antiquated and rediculous) is 135-175. I've been 140 pounds and I was hospitalized for being too skinny. I was thin at 175. I look "normal" at about 185-200.

I've decided to set my initial goal at the weight to get me into the "overweight" BMI category. Once I'm there, I can decide how much further I want to take it. I've initially set my long term goal at 140 to get me into the healthy range. I don't think I've been that light since high school, and I've never been a healthy weight in my life. So, I'm gonna take it one step at a time and decide as I go. I want a weight I can maintain, and at 190 pounds at the moment, I've already started to see myself as looking good. I don't think I need to be 120 pounds to achieve that. I'd be happy with 150 even.

My goal is 20 lbs overweight. Trying to hit 180 some day. started in mid 300's so for me it will be a skinny weight. I think you should shoot for you first goal now and not think about the other part til you do. then sit back, see how you feel and THEN decided if you want to shoot for 5 more lbs. Allow yourself to be proud of your acheivement for a bit b4 you consider going for a new one.

It's the # that will get my doc off my back.

I originally started out with a goal of 180 which is just out of the obese category and the weight my dr had said I should use as a first goal. Admittedly that was when I was 225, and I ballooned up to 300 before starting to lose. As I hit a plateau at 205 I decided to change that goal to 150, the upper end of healthy for me. I was thinking it might be a psychological block as I was getting close to that goal and I never really intended to stop there. Not really sure if I will end up there or not, but it is something to shoot for. I mostly watch how I feel as I go. I am much fitter, healthier and smaller at 198 than I was at 180 in highschool. I may hit 170 and feel that that is where I want to be. I am not focused on the number so much as how I feel. Talk to your Dr he/she may have an idea of what your goal should be. I intend to talk to mine when I see him next month.

I chose my goal weight because it put me in the healthy range and it was a weight that I weighed and maintained for years. (of course at the time I thought I needed to lose more) I realize now it was probably a natural weight for my body and frame. You can always change your goal if it doesn't feel right once you get there. Good luck on your journey :flowerforyou: