I need some help deciding on a goal weight range
janiep81
Posts: 248 Member
I know its ultimately up to me, but I'm overthinking it and getting closer. I'd like to be able to know I'm x number of pounds away.
SW: 215
CW: 179
GW?
Height: *almost* 5'8"
Also - I'm currently pretty comfortably in a US women's size 10 pants - occassionally a 12 and one pair of 8 flared jeans. Size is so relative with vanity sizing and everything, but I started at a 16, so I've made progress.
The lowest weight I've been in my adult life is 175. That's pretty close and I'd like to break through that wall.
I'm kind of curvy-straight - most like a mesomorph body type. My waist is kind of thick and my shoulders are broad, but I don't think I look like an apple-type. My arms and legs get fleshy when I gain weight. I'm muscular and strong-ish. My limbs are muscular and respond quickly to strength-training.
BMI has 164 at the top of my healthy range. I think I'll be content in the upper end of my range, but I don't want to sell myself short. I'm planning to live this lifestyle forever and take maintenance seriously, so I want something that's realistic for me.
I've always felt like I'm just kind of "big," regardless of my weight, and that I probably don't look like I weigh as much as I do at any weight.
Any insight, especially from people who have set and reached a long-term goal?
Here's a selfie from last night... Showing off my space pants to my Mom:
Apologies for the bad photography and the dirty bathroom.
SW: 215
CW: 179
GW?
Height: *almost* 5'8"
Also - I'm currently pretty comfortably in a US women's size 10 pants - occassionally a 12 and one pair of 8 flared jeans. Size is so relative with vanity sizing and everything, but I started at a 16, so I've made progress.
The lowest weight I've been in my adult life is 175. That's pretty close and I'd like to break through that wall.
I'm kind of curvy-straight - most like a mesomorph body type. My waist is kind of thick and my shoulders are broad, but I don't think I look like an apple-type. My arms and legs get fleshy when I gain weight. I'm muscular and strong-ish. My limbs are muscular and respond quickly to strength-training.
BMI has 164 at the top of my healthy range. I think I'll be content in the upper end of my range, but I don't want to sell myself short. I'm planning to live this lifestyle forever and take maintenance seriously, so I want something that's realistic for me.
I've always felt like I'm just kind of "big," regardless of my weight, and that I probably don't look like I weigh as much as I do at any weight.
Any insight, especially from people who have set and reached a long-term goal?
Here's a selfie from last night... Showing off my space pants to my Mom:
Apologies for the bad photography and the dirty bathroom.
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Replies
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This will give you something to work off of:Women with medium-sized frames, who are 5 feet 8 inches tall, have an ideal body weight of 140 pounds, according to the University of Washington. Add 10 percent – equivalent to 154 pounds – for large-framed women and subtract 10 percent, which is 126 pounds, for women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall who have small frames. Use your wrist circumference to determine your frame size. Women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall are small-framed if their wrist size is less than 6.25 inches, medium-framed if their wrist is 6.25 to 6.5 inches around and large-framed, if their wrist circumference is more than 6.5 inches, according to MedlinePlus.0
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I would pick a goal, get there and then decide from there.0
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This will give you something to work off of:Women with medium-sized frames, who are 5 feet 8 inches tall, have an ideal body weight of 140 pounds, according to the University of Washington. Add 10 percent – equivalent to 154 pounds – for large-framed women and subtract 10 percent, which is 126 pounds, for women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall who have small frames. Use your wrist circumference to determine your frame size. Women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall are small-framed if their wrist size is less than 6.25 inches, medium-framed if their wrist is 6.25 to 6.5 inches around and large-framed, if their wrist circumference is more than 6.5 inches, according to MedlinePlus.
That's helpful! Thank you. My wrist circumference is 7", so I'm pretty firmly Team Large Frame. 154 seems so much farther away than 159, but I've lost 5 lbs in the last two weeks, so I guess that's not so crazy. Thanks again.0 -
It's so hard to come up with a goal weight. There really isn't any way to know, IMO. The ideal number is going to vary from person to person. Your bone structure, how much muscle you have, how you want to look - all kind of things will affect what number you'll pick as "This. This is where I want to be."
I get wanting to do a countdown, but try not to worry about a number. Or just pick some random number and then adjust as you get closer to the goal.
Next time you're at the doctor, ask for a goal range. They hate giving numbers, but are good on ranges, if you ask for a healthy one.0 -
I don't know, you look good to me, lol. I'd aim for 160 and see from there.0
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I never cared for the idea of a goal weight. I much prefer a goal physique. I don't care what the scale says if my body looks like I want it too. The problem with a goal weight is you don't know if you'll be happy with your body once you reach it. Sometimes the goal was not aggressive enough and you're left wanting to lose more. Other times, you lose too much weight simply because you want to achieve the goal weight. What are your non scale related goals: look slim, look good naked, sports related, 6 pack abs, muscles, etc? I'd craft my plan based on what those are, not a fairly arbitrary number on a scale.0
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Don't worry about the weight. I would only use the scale to ensure you're moving the right direction. Just go on how you feel and how your clothes fit. Go with what's comfortable.0
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It's so hard to come up with a goal weight. There really isn't any way to know, IMO. The ideal number is going to vary from person to person. Your bone structure, how much muscle you have, how you want to look - all kind of things will affect what number you'll pick as "This. This is where I want to be."
I get wanting to do a countdown, but try not to worry about a number. Or just pick some random number and then adjust as you get closer to the goal.
Next time you're at the doctor, ask for a goal range. They hate giving numbers, but are good on ranges, if you ask for a healthy one.
Ha. My doc said 190... He wasn't impressed by work ethic, I guess.
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I never cared for the idea of a goal weight. I much prefer a goal physique. I don't care what the scale says if my body looks like I want it too. The problem with a goal weight is you don't know if you'll be happy with your body once you reach it. Sometimes the goal was not aggressive enough and you're left wanting to lose more. Other times, you lose too much weight simply because you want to achieve the goal weight. What are your non scale related goals: look slim, look good naked, sports related, 6 pack abs, muscles, etc? I'd craft my plan based on what those are, not a fairly arbitrary number on a scale.
I think I have a touch of body dysmorphia... I don't know if I can tell what my body looks like. Pictures help, but I seriously thought I had a Kardashian butt when I was a teenager and um... I really didn't. I also thought I had huge thighs and they're just pretty normal in proportion - but that's what I saw when I looked in the mirror. I think I need a number range.
Also - I think I'm too old. I have had two c-sections and I just want the fat pocket to be smaller. Is that a physique goal?
I do like the idea of a sports-related goal... I can tell how losing pounds helps me run faster. Maybe I can use that as a framework.0 -
Smaller fat pocket is absolutely a physique goal. Don't sell yourself short though, you aren't too old for anything you really put your efforts towards. Sports related goals are great as well. Much better than an number on a scale IMO.I never cared for the idea of a goal weight. I much prefer a goal physique. I don't care what the scale says if my body looks like I want it too. The problem with a goal weight is you don't know if you'll be happy with your body once you reach it. Sometimes the goal was not aggressive enough and you're left wanting to lose more. Other times, you lose too much weight simply because you want to achieve the goal weight. What are your non scale related goals: look slim, look good naked, sports related, 6 pack abs, muscles, etc? I'd craft my plan based on what those are, not a fairly arbitrary number on a scale.
I think I have a touch of body dysmorphia... I don't know if I can tell what my body looks like. Pictures help, but I seriously thought I had a Kardashian butt when I was a teenager and um... I really didn't. I also thought I had huge thighs and they're just pretty normal in proportion - but that's what I saw when I looked in the mirror. I think I need a number range.
Also - I think I'm too old. I have had two c-sections and I just want the fat pocket to be smaller. Is that a physique goal?
I do like the idea of a sports-related goal... I can tell how losing pounds helps me run faster. Maybe I can use that as a framework.
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I'm 5'8" and am aiming for the top of healthy BMI as a goal. When I see threads about goal weights for my height, a lot of women, typically but not always younger than I am, are aiming for the lower end. I just don't care about getting to the low end. I was on the low end as a teen and think I was too thin.
Point being, you have to choose your own (healthy) weight goal because other people will give you different opinions. However, when I get there, I'm not saying that'll be it. I will reevaluate and determine if I want to go lower. But, as a PP mentioned, my goal will be more performance and aesthetics based. I'm just using BMI as a guideline. I lift, I run, and I'm now also doing Brazilian jiu jitsu. I want to improve in those areas while also being more comfortable with how I look naked.
So maybe you can use the top end of healthy BMI as your initial goal, and then reevaluate?0 -
Yeah I'm definitely not the one to ask because I keep lowering my goal weight. When I started I first set it at 150 then it went to 140 then 130 and now I have it set at 120. Who knows what I'll end up at. I'll just keep evaluating how I look as I drop weight and at some point I'll stop and really focus on building muscle and composition. 0
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OP, your post really resonated with me. We are the same height, I share your body description except I have narrow shoulders (oddly, with thick wrists and ankles and a broad rib cage). I definitely have a thick waist (even when I was younger and in the 130s), but also don't look like an apple.
The first time I lost weight (after kids) using MFP, my goal was my driver's license weight, which was 150. I found that to be too thin, although is true some body recomp work may have changed my mind.
After some health issues and bad eating, I am back to losing weight. My current goal is 158, which was where I was happiest before. That put me comfortably in a size 8, and between small and medium, depending on sizing. I am at 165 right now, and 158 still seems like the right goal for me.
I also have dysmorphia issues, and really don't think I ever have a very good handle on how I look objectively- if such a thing even exists.
Good luck- it sounds like you are doing a great job with your weight loss! And, you look great already!0 -
I think you that a goal of the top of a healthy BMI is a good one, even though it's not a perfect metric. You can always change your goal during your journey!!!
I also have body dysmorphia and it is making me a bit crazy, even at 51 yrs old. I am getting somewhat happy with my appearance but the scale is throwing me for a loop. So please avoid my issues and take good body measurements and photos to keep yourself in reality.
Good luck.0 -
Here's my metric on weight. I don't believe a number on a scale should define or control my life (or anyone else's). The question you have to ask yourself is this: am I strong enough to do the things I enjoy doing? Is my weight impacting my ability to enjoy life? Is my diet generally supportive of good health in that I get a balance of nutrients and for the most part get enough fiber and don't eat tons of salt? if the answer to these things is "yes", then your weight is largely irrelevant. Its a number, and the "healthy weight" numbers are population averages. You are not a population, or an average. You are an individual.
You should set your diet with nutrition, satiation, and enjoyment all balanced, taking into account the activity level you want to be at. And let your weight fall where it may within the range YOU feel best at.
I think a health/activity goal is much sounder than a number-on-a-scale goal.0 -
In healthey BMI range is a good goal but you look great as you are!.0
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Here's my metric on weight. I don't believe a number on a scale should define or control my life (or anyone else's). The question you have to ask yourself is this: am I strong enough to do the things I enjoy doing? Is my weight impacting my ability to enjoy life? Is my diet generally supportive of good health in that I get a balance of nutrients and for the most part get enough fiber and don't eat tons of salt? if the answer to these things is "yes", then your weight is largely irrelevant. Its a number, and the "healthy weight" numbers are population averages. You are not a population, or an average. You are an individual.
You should set your diet with nutrition, satiation, and enjoyment all balanced, taking into account the activity level you want to be at. And let your weight fall where it may within the range YOU feel best at.
I think a health/activity goal is much sounder than a number-on-a-scale goal.
That is wonderful advice. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing (because I like living this way!) and let my weight settle in where it needs to be.0 -
OP, your post really resonated with me. We are the same height, I share your body description except I have narrow shoulders (oddly, with thick wrists and ankles and a broad rib cage). I definitely have a thick waist (even when I was younger and in the 130s), but also don't look like an apple.
The first time I lost weight (after kids) using MFP, my goal was my driver's license weight, which was 150. I found that to be too thin, although is true some body recomp work may have changed my mind.
After some health issues and bad eating, I am back to losing weight. My current goal is 158, which was where I was happiest before. That put me comfortably in a size 8, and between small and medium, depending on sizing. I am at 165 right now, and 158 still seems like the right goal for me.
I also have dysmorphia issues, and really don't think I ever have a very good handle on how I look objectively- if such a thing even exists.
Good luck- it sounds like you are doing a great job with your weight loss! And, you look great already!
I'm always excited when I "meet" other people with a body type like mine. What was your starting weight? 0 -
I'd set my goal weight no lower than 164 (the top of your healthy BMI range). Anywhere between that and 175 would probably be healthy, look good in your clothes, and satisfy you and your doctor both.0
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My original start weight was 192. My recent return to MFP weight was 177
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Honestly, it is really good for me to be asked and give real answers. I feel like not very many people share my (our?!) body type. Which doesn't mean there is anything good or bad about it- I just think it makes it even harder to have an "accurate" body image.
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I just set mine to get into healthy BMI. Now that I'm there,I reset my goal. Might as well, I thought. Stay the course.
Perhaps you'll just set several goals and kind of decide when you get there.0 -
I like your idea to get within a healthy BMI, see how you look and feel, and take it from there. That's my plan at 5'7", started at 301, currently 188, and aiming for 150-145. That's still 20 lbs heavier than my best adult weight, but I feel it's more realistic to achieve and maintain than where I was 30 years ago.0
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I like your idea to get within a healthy BMI, see how you look and feel, and take it from there. That's my plan at 5'7", started at 301, currently 188, and aiming for 150-145. That's still 20 lbs heavier than my best adult weight, but I feel it's more realistic to achieve and maintain than where I was 30 years ago.
That's an amazing loss! Go you.
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Aim for the normal BMI range, then see how you feel and if you wish to lose more or not. So, something like 160?0
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I'm same height as you, and have previously hit the lower end of healthy weight range and looked awful. I'm now just in the healthy weight/height range and am trying to tone up more. Trying to concentrate on how clothes fit than scales now...but aim for where you're happy...you have to live with this...and make it achievable.0
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I'm 5'8", began at around 250 (likely more), am now 156 and am thinking I'll finish up around 130. But I don't know about the goal! It's a guess, not a goal. I have a small bone structure, my hips aren't wide (without fat!) and I don't have loads of muscle, so I'll be lower on the BMI than higher. But I cannot commit to a goal weight.
I'll be done when one of two things happens:
1. I reach a weight where I look in the mirror and say, "This is as good as I'm going to look. I'm okay with this body. I'm done."
2. The weight loss becomes such a struggle that I say, "This is going to have to be good enough. I'm sick of this. I'm done."
No matter what I do, I'm not going to end up with a good body, so it could go either way. 0 -
You looked very toned and neat to me. If you still feel like you need to lose more, I would go for 10lbs then see how you feel. I find judging frame size tricky. I am 5ft 7.3ins I have small wrist 6ins and 5.75ins. My feet are uk size 4. This would mean that my frame is very small for my height yet my hips are wide and my rib cage is wide. I need a 38 inch bra but cup size AA so I have very little flesh on my top half. I weigh 137lbs at the moment and don't want to lose any more. If I were to aim for 126 being guided by my wrist, I would be too thin. I once did get close to that weight in my 20's and my periods stopped. A clear sign that body weight is too low.0
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