Setting a goal weight?

I have a goal weight set, and yes, it seems like a HUGE amount when I think about it. I try to keep my goal weight in the back of my mind, but I also have smaller goals that I focus on so that I don't get overwhelmed. Hitting those small goals are a great motivation for me when I start thinking that it's all too much.

Good luck!

My recommendation is setting a goal that's worth keeping! I think many of us fail to maintain because we don't lose enough to truly feel like it's worth keeping. I say go for the lower end of "normal/healthy" range for your height/frame because at that goal, you're likely to be proud of your body and will fight with everything you have to keep it.

It is definitely difficult to look at such a big number. I set my goal to lose 125 lbs. Will I make it there? I'm not entirely sure, but I would like to think so. I also look at weight loss in 10 lbs increments because those seem more attainable than 125 lbs. Try the first 10, as suggested above, and then re-evaluate what seems right for you. Hope this helps! :drinker:

I started at 85kg or 190 lb - I had three goals
1 - the last weight at which I hwas happy and stable (75kg - 165) = -10kg
2 - the top end of the healthy BMI range for my height (71kg - 156) = -14 kg
3 - the healthy weight target set by my doctor (66kg - 145) - which is nearer the middle of "healthy" = -19kg

in MFP i set the lowerst - because that was my ultimate goal, and I hit the first one quite quickly because the first weight come off quickest, I'm now nearly at the second target - so we're getting there, but you have to be patient and dedicated and understand that you rate of loss will diminish

good luck

My goal weight is just north of the high end of my "healthy weight range" for my height. I figure, once I get there... it would be pretty easy to lose another 5# to get in the healthy bmi range... if I feel I want/need to.

I've also set mini goals along the way to keep something within reach in a shorter amount of time Good luck!

It sounds to me like a perfectly reasonable goal weight for you (of course that may vary a little depending on your build, but still.) I have a few goals... some immediate and eventual. My "eventual goal-goal" is to lose about 130 pounds (talk about daunting) but I'm just working toward losing an even 100 and then reevaluate from there. That too is pretty overwhelming so right now the first immediate goal is to just concentrate on ten at a time (with a reward at the 50 and 75 marks.)

Like others have said here, it's not always about the numbers. I'm also trying to enjoy non-scale victories like my clothes feeling looser, having more energy or finally seeing the definition in my face coming back :-)

Since the "normal" range depends on a lot of factors, the top of it isn't bad as an initial target, but it's not necessarily the place you will want to end up. I initially picked 170 lb. as my target (from a high of 214 lb.) but have revised to 155. My real goal is to have a body fat percentage around 15-16%, and the way I'm losing, I should be at or near that goal around 155.

my goal weight is HUUUUUUGE (100+)
But I set myself up much, much smaller goals!! Like my current goal is 30 pounds. After that, maybe 15?! I just find that smaller goals seem easier to achieve and give me something easier to attain while working towards my big goal.

I agree with setting mini goals as you go. When I started it was to at least get active and break 190. And then I aimed for 175. I think if I had just said I want to lose 50 lbs from the get-go, I wouldn't have been as motivated or successful. Don't take me as saying there's anything wrong with setting goals that way. I just know it wouldn't have worked for me.

Once you get closer to your goal only you will know what goal you want to be at. But I would start at the higher end and re-evaluate once you get closer.

160 lbs is perfect …. which is a BMI of 24 which is considered very healthy, but slightly depends on your age. If it sounds too daunting, why not shoot for 35 lbs, see how you go ...

Helen

I suggest to always set goals with both a number and a time frame. I completely agree that you should break the major goal into chunks For example; if you are trying to lose 40lbs, break that down to 5-10lbs a month.

Starting with 5lbs you will be at your goal weight in 8 months. Not fast enough?... 10lbs means 4 months

Create daily goals like 20 minutes of medium-vigorous activity or keeping snacks to only nuts and veggies. Weekly goals like mastering a exercise movement or finishing an entire spin class, etc.

Try not to focus strictly on weight, keep tabs on changes in waist and hip sizes and body fat %, because your results may not show on the weight scale all the time, but that doesn't mean you are not moving forward.

Last suggestion, Celebrate your accomplishments! Meet a goal reward yourself with a new outfit, a night out with friends, or even a wonderful expensive dinner.

Hey! I'm between 5'9" and 5'10" and my highest weight was around 205-210 lbs.
I lost a lot of weight in a short period of time, and dropped down to 157.
After a bad car accident and a death of a loved one, I put a lot of that weight back on.
In August, I weighed in at 183 lbs. Joined MFP in late January, and I'm now down to 167! I'm 10 lbs away from my goal weight.
My point is, you can totally do it!

What I'm doing now that has helped me is I established that goal weight of 157 because I remembered what I looked like and felt like, and I was happy.
But I've established smaller milestones along the way. I usually set small 2 month goals. Every 2 months I try to lose between 5-7 pounds. Setting these attainable goals has really helped to keep me motivated, confident and wanting to continue.
I'm getting closer to my goal weight, and realizing that the number doesn't matter as much as how I feel, how I look and the amount of physical activity I can do now.
Good luck! You can do it!