How do I pick a goal if I don't want to go by the scale?

MzHornedOne
MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know when strength training the scale isn't all that important...but then...how to I create a measurable goal? I don't even know what an appropriate tummy size would be...is 32" around my stomach too low or is it realistic? I'm 5'4"
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Replies

  • mildammm
    mildammm Posts: 67 Member
    Look at sizing at online clothing stores - they have size charts with measurements. What size would you like to be?

    Incremental goals are also important - you can adjust your final goal later; you don't need to know where you'd like to end up before you start!
  • Zombriana
    Zombriana Posts: 764 Member
    SOB. I WAS TYPING A NICE LONG PARAGRAPH AND ITS GONE. FK YOU COMPUTER.
  • lunapetu0311
    lunapetu0311 Posts: 96
    I am making my goal a certain pant size instead of a number on the scale :)

    I have been on MFP for 6 weeks now and even though the scale only shows 3.5lb loss - I feel and look soo much better. I have a much flatter tummy and no more "love handles". That too is a wonderful goal I hit :)

    Good luck!
  • Zombriana
    Zombriana Posts: 764 Member
    Start measuring strength gains! Those are super rewarding! :)
    I'm too angry to type the rest out. >:(
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    SOB. I WAS TYPING A NICE LONG PARAGRAPH AND ITS GONE. FK YOU COMPUTER.

    Lmao zombri!
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    So my pre-pregnancy pant size would be a good goal then?
  • jdb3388
    jdb3388 Posts: 239 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    My goal is not a size or number. Just a place where I feel comfortable.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
  • imhungry2012
    imhungry2012 Posts: 240 Member
    I wear pants (jeans and dress pants) from The Limited and Express for the most part...my goal was to be a size 4 in The Limited and a size 4 or 6 in Express (they seem to fit weird if you have any sort of thigh muscles). I weigh the same as I did when I was a tight size 6/8 respectively. Victory.

    Or I would suggest measurments...I wish I took measurments earlier on.
  • maz504
    maz504 Posts: 450
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
    Double :huh:
  • mrsfyredude
    mrsfyredude Posts: 177 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
    Double :huh:

    and.....^^^ This :huh:
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
    Double :huh:

    and.....^^^ This :huh:


    Lmao ladies!

    It depends on the size of the girl...and I'm NOT looking to be a skeleton. I'm looking to be healthy. :laugh:
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
    Double :huh:

    and.....^^^ This :huh:

    Yeah. Me, too. :huh:
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    My goal is not a size or number. Just a place where I feel comfortable.


    Ultimately this is my goal too. But I believe in tangible, measurable goals to work towards. Just leads to more follow through with me if I have something to say YES THAT'S IT!
  • Zx14chick
    Zx14chick Posts: 255 Member
    I would think that your pre-pregnancy jean size would be an acceptable goal. It's honestly much more effective of a goal than the scale. I want to get down at least one more pants size because I liked how I looked then. It's just so much easier to see the scale than gauging how your clothes fit.
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    Sorry, OP, I forgot to answer your question. In my opinion, 32 is a perfectly reasonable goal. I am currently between 36 and 37 on waist and 32 would be great!
  • Blacklance36
    Blacklance36 Posts: 755 Member
    I set my goals based on body fat, not weight. You need a goal that makes sense for you.
  • lemon629
    lemon629 Posts: 501 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I don't have a goal weight, nor a pants size or waist measurement. Simply, I just will know when I'm at my goal when I have the body I want. I don't care if that's 20 lbs heavier, lighter, bigger pants, smaller pants, and so on....I'm working towards a certain look, and I'll know when I'm there! :-)

    I started my journey @202 (I refused to get on scale after that) , I'm now 135 lbs. I'm 5"8 tall and my waist is @26 inches right now
  • jdb3388
    jdb3388 Posts: 239 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.

    I dont understand what everyone raising their eyebrow about. If 24 is a 0 and 25 is a 2 and 26 is a 4 then what I said is correct. a 32 would be a size 14 and thats pretty big isn't it? I mean I'm not trying to be critical, I'm a big guy, but for someones goal to be a size 14 thats a like me saying my goal is to be a size 38.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    :huh:
    Double :huh:

    and.....^^^ This :huh:

    Yeah. Me, too. :huh:
    and me too....wtf :huh:
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.

    I dont understand what everyone raising their eyebrow about. If 24 is a 0 and 25 is a 2 and 26 is a 4 then what I said is correct. a 32 would be a size 14 and thats pretty big isn't it? I mean I'm not trying to be critical, I'm a big guy, but for someones goal to be a size 14 thats a like me saying my goal is to be a size 38.

    But a 32 is not a size 14. I have a waist that is close to 37 inches and I wear a size 10 or 12.
  • lillilanda
    lillilanda Posts: 27 Member
    How about creating goals based on following your plan? For example, track food every day for three months and stay under your calorie range at least four days a week. Or if you're doing strength training, set your goals on what you're able to lift (with advice from your trainer on what's reasonable in what kind of time frame).
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.

    I dont understand what everyone raising their eyebrow about. If 24 is a 0 and 25 is a 2 and 26 is a 4 then what I said is correct. a 32 would be a size 14 and thats pretty big isn't it? I mean I'm not trying to be critical, I'm a big guy, but for someones goal to be a size 14 thats a like me saying my goal is to be a size 38.

    depending on where you measure ...my waist at it's natural bend is 29.5 inches...at my belly button it's 33..and I wear a size 6...

    But my jeans are all low riders...

    Best just step away now....
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    I'm 5"0" and my waist is 29 1/2 - I'm aiming smaller yet (I have abt 20# to go)

    Take goals one at a time and change them as you go. Prepregnancy pants is a good start - then decide if you want to go farther.
  • mrsfyredude
    mrsfyredude Posts: 177 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.

    I dont understand what everyone raising their eyebrow about. If 24 is a 0 and 25 is a 2 and 26 is a 4 then what I said is correct. a 32 would be a size 14 and thats pretty big isn't it? I mean I'm not trying to be critical, I'm a big guy, but for someones goal to be a size 14 thats a like me saying my goal is to be a size 38.

    But a 32 is not a size 14. I have a waist that is close to 37 inches and I wear a size 10 or 12.

    ^^This.....women's clothing is all over the place, unless it says "one size fits all"
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    I'm 39" most days and I am a size 12. I was a size 4 when I got pregnant. I can't remember if I was a 32" STOMACH (not waist) pregnancy.

    I guess I'll just make my ultimate goal a size 4 jean and if I have to adjust when I get closer of course I will :)
  • jdb3388
    jdb3388 Posts: 239 Member
    Isn't 32 on the larger side for a female? I know most guys want to be around 32-34. I thought women wanted to be in the 25-26 range. Anyway, you don't have to make your goal scale oriented, but you are still going to need to use a scaled as your TDEE is going to change as your weight does and your calorie count will need to change in order to keep your deficit in tact.

    32 isn't really that big. That's about a size 12. Depending on the girl's height and build, that could be a good goal.
    A 25 inch waist is very small, like a 2. My waist wasn't that small even when I was a bony college student (115 pounds at 5'7"). When I am at a good weight now, it's around 28.

    But the number you should pay attention to is the hip measurement. Hip measurement is the size limiter for women, not waist.

    I dont understand what everyone raising their eyebrow about. If 24 is a 0 and 25 is a 2 and 26 is a 4 then what I said is correct. a 32 would be a size 14 and thats pretty big isn't it? I mean I'm not trying to be critical, I'm a big guy, but for someones goal to be a size 14 thats a like me saying my goal is to be a size 38.

    But a 32 is not a size 14. I have a waist that is close to 37 inches and I wear a size 10 or 12.

    I mean to write 32 = size 12, but either way, thats still big isnt it? I mean, again, I am NOT being an *kitten*, I am being real, I am currently a size 38 and I am still very much over weight, for a girl to say she WANTS to be a 10 or a 12, that is similar. Maybe a 25 inch waist is more of a "perfect world' kind of scenario but what I'm asking is, wouldn't MOST people want to be around a size 4-6, which would be around a 28 inch waist?
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    to the OP you could always use a tape measure...and then take those measurments to a website for BF%.

    I know those sites are not as accurate as medical tests but it shows your progression down.

    For me I just bought a scale (my son wanted one) but I would weigh every couple weeks at my office gym...

    But to be frank for me it's all about BF%, tape measure, clothing size and how my lifts are going up...

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