When to maintain?

I've set myself a target based on slightly less than I weighed last time I looked reasonable in shorts and vest top on holiday. (I'm not saying i was perfect then, but I didn't send people screaming )

However, I'm working out more than ever in my life, so I may end up going down further. Or the increased muscle may mean I'm slimmer even if heavier than my target.

I have a few nice clothes (UK 12-14) I want to get back into - when they look right I'll probably stop. I can get most of my size 14 trousers on now, but I need to tighten a few wobblers. And my stomach is going to take a lot of work.

The body fat scale that our weight loss group got (Weight Watchers Scale) a while back came w/directions on how to get the most accurate body fat reading. Unfortunately very few people are willing to be consistent w/their testing & so it can lead to inconsistent results. But it seems to work fine w/our group. Usually the changes are only 1-2% over or under their last weigh in, & as they exercise it does drop, & vice versa. Many gyms aren't any better w/doing the body fat percentage any more accurately than a layperson. Unless a gym has a dunk tank or an air pod (only truly accurate way to measure body fat), then their ways of measuring won't be much different than what you could do at home. IF you want it to be as accurate as possible, then this is what's recommended...no exercise for 12 hours before weighing, & no food or drink for 4 hours before weighing. BUT dehydration can make you measure as much as 2% higher, so REALLY hydrate yourself well up to that 4 hour cut off. Also when you weigh, do it before any showers & make sure you're completely dry, especially your feet. Most people find it's easier to weigh in at night for body fat, because you're more hydrated than you are in the morning. But if you don't want to do it w/these guidelines, then I'd just do it at the same time & same way every time & use it as a gauge of whether you're going up or down.

On your percentage...according to one expert, if you're Caucasian, then 22% is considered a healthy normal (this expert says there are bone density differences w/different races that affect numbers). The American Council on Exercise says that 21-24% is considered "Fitness" for women.

I got down to 130 pounds (5'6" and 42 years old) and found it hard to maintain. My body seems to be happier at 135. I saw my doctor last week and he told me that I should not lose any more weight or I would look unhealthy. I guess for me 135 is now my maintenance weight. I did add heavy lifting, so I think that some of the weight I gained may be related to muscle growth.

Maintenance has been much harder for me than losing. Good luck to you!