How do you choose your goal weight?

Just take it 5-10 pounds at a time. If you think like, "I want to lose 50 pounds" you'll never achieve your goal because you'll get frustrated and give up. Don't think of a definite numerical goal, just keep losing weight until you're happy.

I choose my goal weight based on what I used to weigh when I was fit and in shape, thats what I want to get back down to.

I researched my BMI range. For me at 5'4" my BMI range is 117 to 145 pounds. To figure out where in that range I wanted to be I considered my age (as Im in my 40's) and my bone structure.

Bone structure guideline: wrap your index finger and thumb around your other wrist
if it does not touch you are big boned
if it "just" touches you are medium boned
if it overlaps you are small boned

Now since Im not in my 20's any longer I decided to go with 140 pounds for now even though I am quite petite and small boned. I will reevaluate this when I get there, but figured it was a good start for now.

I chose 150 as my goal weight based on what I remember myself looking at 160 when I was in my teens. At the same time, if I get to a body shape I am comfortable with before getting there, I will stop. Its just an idea for me really.

I think some folks are conditioned to being fat or conditioned to seeing a lot of fat people. Some folks also just think losing lots of weight is for the lucky few who get to go on TV Shows like The Biggest Loser...


I know someone who wore a size 32 before gastric bypass surgery. She is know a size 20 ( with no exercise or dietary restrictions). I mentioned to her that imagine what she could be if she was careful about what she ate or if she exercised. She told me that she looks good "thick" and not everyone is built to be skinny... WTH???? She was a size 20 in 6th grade so she has no idea what is would be like to be any smaller. When I mentioned my goal weight, she said that's too much to lose... I reminded her that my goal weight is simply my pre-pregnancy weight and I was certainly not too skinny then.....

I get crazy looks too, and I get told I'm wasting away, and I'll blow away in a windstorm... blah, blah, blah... I chose my goal based on what I weighed when I graduated high school, before hubby and babies were even a thought. I cleared it with my nutritionist and my dr and both think it's a good place for me to be. And I really want my former 21% body fat. I've got it down to 25% and I have 8 or 9 lbs to go... slowly but surely I will get there

Bone structure guideline: wrap your index finger and thumb around your other wrist
if it does not touch you are big boned
if it "just" touches you are medium boned
if it overlaps you are small boned

If that's true then I'm big boned :ohwell:

I chose my original goal weight based on a healthy BMI and I wanted to have my actual weight match my driver's license. I weighed that at 16. I reached that in December. Now my new goal weight just reflects a BMI in the middle of the healthy range.

I don't have a goal weight... I have a goal pair of pants :laugh:

I'm referring mine back to the time I was skinny.
My goal weight is anywhere around 95-105 lbs.
And just talk to your doc about it to make sure it's okay for you.

I think some folks are conditioned to being fat or conditioned to seeing a lot of fat people. Some folks also just think losing lots of weight is for the lucky few who get to go on TV Shows like The Biggest Loser...


I know someone who wore a size 32 before gastric bypass surgery. She is know a size 20 ( with no exercise or dietary restrictions). I mentioned to her that imagine what she could be if she was careful about what she ate or if she exercised. She told me that she looks good "thick" and not everyone is built to be skinny... WTH???? She was a size 20 in 6th grade so she has no idea what is would be like to be any smaller. When I mentioned my goal weight, she said that's too much to lose... I reminded her that my goal weight is simply my pre-pregnancy weight and I was certainly not too skinny then.....

Pardon my French and I don't mean to offend, because I am Fat and that is why I am here, okay? It is one of my pet peeves and maybe people are just trying to be nice when they say, "your'e too thin, or you look great, or you don't need to lose any weight."

I am going out on a limb here assuming that we are sensible people trying to do our very best to feel better, look better, and be healthy with losing weight. I hope we aren't anorexic and dealing with false body images of weighing 80 pounds and complaining how fat we are.

With that said, I think our FAT friends, co-workers, family members, and perfect strangers are just plain jealous that we have the guts and gumption to take the bull by the horns and do something about our health, looks, and self esteem. I had someone do that to me the other day , "Oh, you are small already." I thought if I confided in a fat acquaintance she might want to get on board or agree with me, commisserate, whatever - but no she said I am already "too skinny." Really? In what warped world is 40 inch hips considered normal size? Please, I know what I am! I am working hard to change it. My thighs still rub when I walk and I had rolls on my side at the time.

They are in denial for them selves and want to drag us down and I'm not going! If you felt great at your pre-pregnancy weight, and your doctor approves, then go for it. If your friend wants to dig her grave with her teeth, then that is her choice, but I refuse to let anyone derail me with their comments. Comments like that from people like that mean that the topic is no longer open for discussion between us. I won't support anyone who wants to stay fat because it is easier. Yeah, I can agree if I wanted to pile on the pounds, too, I'd get a lot more donuts to eat, but believe me I've had my share. I won't discuss my issues with anyone who can't take it. Even when I was just barely at the top of the BMI I had a jealous friend of a friend say behind my back that I was too skinny. If she mean't that I could wear any size 8 pants that anyone could throw at me, then yes, guilty as charged! I only hope to be able to be there again this summer and maybe a size 6 to boot!

Ignore them. They are just jealous because you have got what it takes to change your life! Go for it! = D

I was a skinny kid, but once I got into fourth grade I started putting on weight and it just never stopped. I'm 21 now, and I have absolutely no references as to what is normal for me. (I was 190 in high school, the highest I've been is 240).
I had to ask my doctor what weight I should be at, she told me 130-140. I think I'm just going to start loosing weight and go from there. Personally, I want to have some curves and have a little cushion (not too much though!). But, maybe I'll change my mind once I get there, after all, I have no idea what I'm going to look like past 180.

I never had a skinny day in my life until I was 40 and dieted to a midrange healthy BMI for my height. THat is where I am headed to and I am taking no prisoners.

You will be just so proud of yourself when you can break your lifelong barriers and see what you were really mean't to look like. I am glad that you are young enough now to enjoy it! Use your doctor and BMI as a guide. Continue your healthy habits forever. When old habits return, chances are so will your weight. Take care and good luck to you!

Mine is a stone above my lowest weight. I know I can't ever get anywhere near my thinnest as my body is different now, and I am 10 years older, so I went for a stone higher, which puts me with a BMI of about 22. I imagine I won't make it TBH, but it's a good aim. I am just into a healthy BMI at the moment.

I think most people do have a distorted view of normal. I am at the very top end of healthy BMI (right now I am 24.6), and yet I get told constantly that I have an eating disorder or a messed up body image because I want to to lose 18 lbs (to give me a BMI of 22). It isn't me who has a distorted body image. It's the people who think I am already skinny, when I am in fact very close to overweight.

I go by 100lbs at 5ft, plus 5lbs for every inch of height, +/- 10% for a petite or large frame. Gives me 115, which, going by how I look at 126, is about right.