Help deciding on a target weight

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Fredrigo
Fredrigo Posts: 134 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I just calculated my body fat index and it's coming out at 20%. Which seems to imply I only need to lose another 52 lbs to be at 5% body fat. That's a big difference from the 161lbs the BMI chart says I need to lose.

In either case I still have a long way to go but I wish my target didn't seem to keep moving around.

Any suggestions on finding a good target weight?

Replies

  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
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    i used the US navy height-weight standards. for my height, 6'3", the max allowable weight before they start doing a pinch (BMI) test is 216. my goal weight is 210.
  • TrishaRN_74
    TrishaRN_74 Posts: 102 Member
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    Maybe focusing on smaller goals will be better for you until you get closer to your ultimate goal. Try shooting for 50 lb goals, then once you get to a certain point, focus more on where you want to end up. :-) Good luck on your journey! Sounds like you've made great strides already!
  • mermx
    mermx Posts: 976
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    I think it is a personal issue...what do you want to set your weight at?

    I set mine at losing 15lbs..then I reached the 15lbs and now I want to lose another 15lbs to reach myself at the top end of my bmi for being in a good weight.

    IMO I wouldn`t focus on it too much..set yourself a goal and then readjust when you feel that you can x
  • evesacks
    evesacks Posts: 94 Member
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    Why not have a target in terms of body fat rather than weight? 5% is very low even for a bloke, if you want to get it low 12% is probably a good target!
  • Mama_CAEI
    Mama_CAEI Posts: 235
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    I don't know how you made your calculations because 5% is very low. Guys with well-defined abs aim for 4% according to my brother who used to do body-building.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
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    for reference 4%bf is the lowest a male can possibly go and it's only for a few hrs

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    http://thisiswhyyourejacked.com/a-body-fat-percent-picture-guide
  • Fredrigo
    Fredrigo Posts: 134 Member
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    I wish I could keep myself motivated with smaller goals but I need to know at some point I'll be able to focus on maintenance.

    If 5% is too low a goal for BFI then I'm even more confused.

    I know a 30 inch waist would indicate a much lower risk factor for several medical conditions but if I focus on waist size I'm concerned I'll lose motivation. At least with weight loss I can see change daily whether it's good or bad which keeps me "in the game."
  • TrishaRN_74
    TrishaRN_74 Posts: 102 Member
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    Its actually not good to judge your weight loss on a daily basis. Your body fluctuates from day to day. Focus on losing one pound at a time, and you'll get where you want to be. :-)
  • Fredrigo
    Fredrigo Posts: 134 Member
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    Its actually not good to judge your weight loss on a daily basis. Your body fluctuates from day to day. Focus on losing one pound at a time, and you'll get where you want to be. :-)

    Focusing on 1 lb at a time might work if I was under 200 or even 300 lbs but at my size my weight fluctuates by 7 lbs easily over the course of a day. I weigh myself at the same time every morning so I have a constant for comparison. If I weighed myself less often it would be too easy to just fall out of the habit. Experience has taught me that the only willpower I have is dependent on intense focus and constant repetition. Allowing myself a day off from a habit I want to build us how I went from going to the gym 4-5 days a week to not going for the last 10 months.

    I appreciate your concern though.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    It sounds as though you are the kind of person who needs a concrete tartget to aim for.
    In this case I suggest picking the upper end of BMI and make that your target.
    As you get closer you might need to refine it ( especially if you are working out and building muscle) but at least you can see where you are heading. Don't spend too much energy trying to pick a number - better to put that time and energy into meal planning or working out!
  • Mama_CAEI
    Mama_CAEI Posts: 235
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    As a reference point for you, my husband is 5'10, weighs 160 lbs (after losing 35!) and went from a 36 pant to a 32 pant.
  • AmberYZ
    AmberYZ Posts: 23 Member
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    I don't mean to be rude but how did you measure your body fat? 20% body fat is on the high side of healthy for a male and at 300 pounds that would mean you have 240 pounds of lean body mass. Unless you're a 6'5 former body builder or something thats pretty unheard of

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