How did you set your goals?

JanerichoC18 · February 2015

Howdy!

I am having a lot of trouble setting an "end weight" goal, part of me thinks it's not necessary, but I also have a fear I may stop sooner than I should... either way here's the issue:

So to give a quick background on this I was 205 probably 10 years ago super active because we're talking high school and I struggled to get under 200 (tried for wrestling). I joined the army/played college football, put on a nice mix of muscle/fat got up to 230 but was still in great shape. Since getting out of the army I went up to 350. Since last January I dropped to 305, my weight loss is actually speeding up because the more I do, the more serious I get. I'm not worried about diet or exercise now because they have become part of my life. Regardless of the goal I go with I think I can hit it this year/early next year. The problem is my goals have changed probably 10 times, I am down to 3 scenarios:

Drop to 200 - May be unattainable as I do a lot of strength training, based on my BF% (35% at 305) my lean body mass is around 198. I would love to see 200 or less on the scale but it may not be feasible.

Drop to 225 - Figure if I drop to 225 I could decide to cut more or build up from here, or if I am comfortable just stay. Also afraid it could be unattainable or possibly selling myself short if 200 is possible.

Drop to 250 - If I drop here I would evaluate if I want to put on muscle or drop. Really afraid I can drop more from 250, but if I continue to put on muscle it could be a good end weight.

Basically... I have no idea what I am working for I know I want to feel better, live longer and be "fit" but I don't know if I am too worried about the # on the scale and should just take it as I go or if setting an end weight is the right way to do it.

I am not worried about staying disciplined or whether or not I hit my goal at this point. I know I will hit my goals and stick with it. I am very conscious of everything I eat now, even with the occasional cheat days (aka this past weekend for birthday parties.) I still know what my calories are at and make sure to stay under, and I am addicted (and have been for almost a year) to the gym.

So I guess my question is (which I could have asked without all the crap I wrote before this) how did you pick your end weight goal? Did you choose it while you were working or did you pick it at the beginning and just drive for it regardless of what it is?

Liftng4Lis · February 2015

Work towards healthy and stronger and let that be your goal. Who needs a number?

TimothyFish · February 2015

I started with what is considered a normal BMI, on the assumption that I'm not that different from most people, but figured out where I should be within that range based on observation of my appearance. (I look sick when I get below 195.) So, since 208 is within the normal range for me, that's my goal, because that is what seemed like the ideal weight when I was at it.

golfbrew_matt · February 2015

I think you're on the right track since you already know your LBM. Since you have 198 lbs LBM 200 isn't a good idea, 225-230 would put you more in the 13-15% BF range, which seems like a good plan. Good luck!

RaspberryTickleChicken · February 2015

I used the middle weight of healthy BMI for my height as a very general goal to start.

BMI is a good starting point for most but it should not be taken as gospel.

Take into consideration other factors like your frame & age before settling on which range of the BMI range to aim for.

Then I adjusted mini-goals once I got close (within 5 lbs to goal).

Unfortunately, there is no one blanket answer for everyone. Instead of questing to find a strict # (goal weight) try to really listen to your body in finding your happy weight. I'm defining happy weight as where one can easily maintain feeling healthy, energetic, & generally ... well happy!

Best of luck to you!

JanerichoC18 · February 2015

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Work towards healthy and stronger and let that be your goal. Who needs a number?

I am starting to lean this way, Going off how my body feels may be the smart way to do it until I am comfortable with myself.

TimothyFish wrote: »

I started with what is considered a normal BMI, on the assumption that I'm not that different from most people, but figured out where I should be within that range based on observation of my appearance. (I look sick when I get below 195.) So, since 208 is within the normal range for me, that's my goal, because that is what seemed like the ideal weight when I was at it.

golfbrew_matt wrote: »

I think you're on the right track since you already know your LBM. Since you have 198 lbs LBM 200 isn't a good idea, 225-230 would put you more in the 13-15% BF range, which seems like a good plan. Good luck!

I like these Idea's picking a range and not go unrealistic (200lbs). Maybe shoot for 220-245 and see how I look at different weights. The BF% is ideal, BMI tries to put me at 135-175 which I don't think is going to happen.

Thank you everyone, I always looked at a weight goal as a specific weight, but I guess picking a range, and going off how I look and feel is a much smarter way to do it.

JanerichoC18 · February 2015

RaspberryTickleChicken wrote: »

I used the middle weight of healthy BMI for my height as a very general goal to start.

BMI is a good starting point for most but it should not be taken as gospel.

Take into consideration other factors like your frame & age before settling on which range of the BMI range to aim for.

Then I adjusted mini-goals once I got close (within 5 lbs to goal).

Unfortunately, there is no one blanket answer for everyone. Instead of questing to find a strict # (goal weight) try to really listen to your body in finding your happy weight. I'm defining happy weight as where one can easily maintain feeling healthy, energetic, & generally ... well happy!

Best of luck to you!

Yeah this is exactly what threw me off, BMI has me at a weight that I think I would look sick at, even at the higher end. I have a "wide frame" so to speak (had it pre morbidly obese) so the BMI chart had me a little discouraged when it said I should be under 175 to be normal. Since I am changing to a range rather than a number, once I get to the higher range (245/250) I think I may do the smaller adjustments, maybe 5 pound increments until I am happy (and can fit in stadium seats like a normal person :-P.)

Sued0nim · February 2015

I used my very top end BMI weight to aim for ..I think you just need to set yourself an initial goal and see how you feel on the journey ...because this is a journey for life and not an eventual destination

Reached my weight on scale goal a few days ago and now I'm aiming for other goals...pull ups ..stamina etc and calorie counting to maintenance for a month or two ...I will decide what to do then in terms of weight on scale but it's not my focus right now ...my focus is learning what my maintenance is

Sued0nim · February 2015

How are you measuring your BF ...dexa scan? Cos the scales and calipers don't give good readings

mburgess458 · February 2015

I looked at some old pictures of me at the beach that looked pretty good....and figured out roughly what my weight was at that point.

I also had a fairly accurate body fat test several years ago (BodPod) that I used as an estimate of my non-fat weight. I used that to figure out what my total weight would be at a reasonable body fat percentage.

The two methods came up with similar results. Still not sure that it's the absolute best goal though.

jemhh · February 2015

I picked the top BMI number as a first goal. Now that I am past that, I have a better idea of where I'm going but since we can't pick where the fat comes off, I'm kind of at a "I'll know it when I see it" point.

My husband is like you, though, in that his top BMI number is a bit of a head scratcher. It is lower than he was at in high school when he was quite fit. He is tall and has wide shoulders and a bone structure that puts him outside of the core BMI group in my opinion. So he is kind of playing it by ear.

Lounmoun · February 2015

I picked the top of the healthy bmi for my height as my first goal. I have weighed less than that and know when I get there I may want to lose about 20 more pounds to be at my best weight. I wasn't very confident though and 30 pounds seemed like a big enough goal to start with to make a difference in my health and appearance.

Chief_Rocka · February 2015

Keep in mind that most people underestimate how much weight the need to lose (or, said another way, underestimate how fat they really are).

I think the top end of the BMI as others have suggested is useful as a ballpark right now. As you get closer to your "goal" it will become more and more apparent whether your goal needs adjustment.

I disagree with those that have suggested that you need to get your body fat measured, I just don't think it's a very useful number for you right now.

dopeysmelly · February 2015

I chose slap-bang in the middle of healthy BMI, even though I thought I would look tiny/skinny at that weight. I reached it and I look fine, proving you won't know until you get there and your body changes as you get older. I found it helpful to be ambitious and just go for it.

How did you set your goals?

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