Nearing my goal what - what's next

Maybe you should ask your doctor.

I have been using MFP since the end of February and had my goal weight set at 140. Now that I am less than 5 pounds from that I have been asking myself what's next?

Being short I could stand to loose more weight (probably another 20 pounds at least. However, being nearly 40 I find myself wondering if 140 is low enough or if I should keep going. Would love to get some other thoughts on this. Help me think this through....

If it was me (and I'm in the same boat) I stopped trying to lose and focused on building muscle definition. Love those 6 packs. Focus on losing body fat, and toning up your muscles, instead of purely being worried about the number on the scale.

I am 35 yrs old, 5'4" tall and I currently weigh 143-145lbs. I had my original goal weight set at 150lbs, but I just wasn't happy and content. I dropped the 5-7lbs to get me where I am now and am happy.

Could I stand to lose another 20lbs? Maybe. Would I like how I look at 125lbs? Probably not. I don't want to be skelator or look sickly. I want to look healthy, feel healthy and enjoy life.

I can do this at 145lbs. I allow myself a 5lb fluctuation and I never fret if I'm at the upper end of the range or the lower end either.

I've changed my overall goals to reflect things I want to achieve and they aren't scale related. They are things I simply want to push my body to do. I have some health things (steel rods in my spine and a bulging disc in the unfused area) that I have to take into account so I set goals I KNOW I can reach with my back issues, but WILL make me push myself to get there.

Congrats!

New wardrobe is next!

Certainly discuss this with your doctor. There are other things to consider besides the number on the scale. Height, frame and muscle mass all play a part. Are you healthy? Are you eating good, nutritious food? We have all known skinny, unhealthy people. Are you happy with the way your clothes fit and the way you look? Listen to your body, when you look and feel healthy, are at a good weight that you can maintain with healthy food choices and exercise then you may be there. Give your body and skin a chance to catch up with your weight loss, what you may think is flab just may be loose skin or just need a little toning. Congratulations!