Do you actually hit your target weight?

P.S. My wife just turned 42 and we have 3 kids. She can fit into her dress from marriage rehersal dinner 16 yrs ago and a class shirt from senior yr in high school. So it CAN be done. She eats right and does lots of Zumba

I did hit my original goal weight. 5'9 170. Going on two months of staying at that weight:) I weight less then i have since i was 19. it can be done.

My goal was to get to 180lb, that was just inside the "BMI" at 24.9. I reached this goal basically Jan 2011 and I was 175lb with 20% BF, so I was classed as normal!

This year I am 184lb with 14% BF, healthier, stronger but back to being overweight lol

Forget about BMI and it's target goals, it's useless, whatever weight you was however many years ago is achievable if you slowly lose weight without drastic measures, it just takes time which is why a change of diet/ lifestyle is better than just going on a "diet"

Although I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, I also think your goal is a bit unhealthy... with your height... That seems too low. I'm only 5'1" and many sites say my ideal weight is between 105 and 125. That's just crazy to me. My initial goal is 150 and I will re-evaluate when I get there. But then I will start looking more at how I look and feel, not what the scale says. I think anything smaller than a 6/8 pant size is unhealthy personally, unless you are REALLY fit. Even fit, thin, and healthy... women are designed to have some curves:)

I set small goals for myself. Like 10 pounds. I have an ideal weight I want to be at but try not to focus on that. It seems like it would take forever! So 10#'s at a time so far so good, keeps me sane. good luck to you!

no no no! LOL I just want to hit 159:) I'm good with that!! the 143 came from a calculator that said it was an ideal weight for 5'7". I should have claified that better:D

The reality is precision becomes much more important as you reach a more lean state. You have to get the balance of macro-nutrients just right. That is an art that few can master. That's why bodybuilders and such with low body fat are so religious about every nutrient they feed themselves.

Body composition plays a HUGE part in what a good weight is, especially for women. I am 5'7" and pear shaped, so I carry it all in my hips and butt. My profile pic is me at 147 pounds and I am a (US) size 6 or 8. If I were 130, I would look sickly. Others who are 5'7" look perfectly healthy and fit at 130. That's why you should never get hung up on a specific goal number. Go by how you look and feel. I like where I am, my goal was 145 but I have stopped at 147 since I am happy. I said all along as I was losing almost 30 pounds that I reserve the right to adjust my goal when I get closer!

Could your target range be unrealistic?

that's what I'm wondering. I'm 5'7" so most charts and calculators indicate that weight range.

to answer the rest:
I usually jog 3 miles or walk (large)hills for no less than 3 miles 4-5 x/week. there isn't a lot of strenght training, it bores me to death however I know that's a recommendation to get over a plateau. I keep the MFP food diary. I struggle with remembering everything (smallish things like the half and half in my coffee) so I decided to go with the least amt of calories I can to give a cushion. I do have a genetic heart condition. I have the docs ok to exercise but it limits the pounds I can lift and I do have to be careful that I'm hydrating and "fueling" my body enough to keep on moving like I want to. it's a delicate balance and it's proving very difficult. I started the weight loss by saying I wasn't "dieting" just getting healthy. so I exercised more, became more aware of what I ate and it slowly came off. it's just not working that way anymore and I think I just need to smack myself and stick to the "diet" mentalitly if I'm to get the rest off:) switching the exercise is hard because the jogging and walking is a social thing I do with my friends! I don't have enough time to do that and other things:(

thanks for replying!!

It's nice you run/walk 4-5X/week, but if thats all you do that could be part of the problem you describe. You're probably conditioned to that activity now. You really need to switch things up and confuse your body. And somehow fit in some weights a couple times a week (lean muscle burns fat). Maybe your friends will join you in your new routine! Here's a normal week for me:
Mon/Wed/Fri - 45min spin class, 15 min core work, 5-10 min stretching. Tues/Thurs - Strength/Conditioning group class (like a boot camp, different every week, hits all body parts). Occasionally I also sneak in a kickboxing class and/or another spin class early Sat morning. Oh, and I run 1.5-2 miles on treadmill at 5am before my 5:30 classes. I fit in a pretty tough well-rounded workout and can still be home by 7am, then work till 5pm, then personal/family time in the evening. It CAN be done. BTW, I'm a 40 (will be 41 on Fri) yr old male, 5'-10", weight 167, under 10% body fat. I only started all this 2 yrs ago. Try a local Zumba class. If you dont belong to a gym, many communities have rec centers with various classes an even some hospitals/churches. It's intimidating at first but once you jump in and try new things - and see results - you wont look back! Feel free to Friend me and check back in with us on how things are going - Best wishes!!

I do have a genetic heart condition. I have the docs ok to exercise but it limits the pounds I can lift and I do have to be careful that I'm hydrating and "fueling" my body enough to keep on moving like I want to. it's a delicate balance and it's proving very difficult.

If your limited on the amount of weight you can lift, that doesn't mean you can't lift smaller amounts of weight for a larger number of reps. A little bit of lite lifting can still tone and might help you break threw your plateau. Just a thought.

I just hit my goal this week of 115. I started in August at 136. Last time I weighed about 115, I was in high school and I am 43 now. This journey has been particularly easy for me. I found a new love of running and that has really helped.

Your post in very positive and encouraging. Thanks for that!

You're 5' 7" and your goal weight is 142ish? That seems really low to me. Is there a reason you want to be that thin? I question how healthy that is.

I'm 5' 8" and my target is 165lbs @ 10% body fat and that's pretty tough for me.

My target is more like 5'11" @ 160 and 10% body fat. I have hit the 160, but haven't tested my body fat again.

I'm 40 and have had 6 children, and yes I hit my goals and beyond if I'm competing.

The group I compete against (Masters 35 and up) not only have had children (most), they didn't start fitness until their 30's (and some 40's) and are one tough group. Many times over they win overall. That being said .... at your age of 39 this is the time to kick some butt!