How to set a target weight goal

[Anonymous]

My weight has been up and down the last few years, mostly due to stress and a hectic lifestyle.
I am just over the line into official "overweight", thank goodness not obesity, with a BMI of ~26.
I have found a diet which is working beautifully for me (The 17 Day Diet).
I am 12 days into it and have lost 9 pounds.
So my question is, how does one figure out a goal weight?
The weight before I had my first baby?
Or something else?
Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I picked a weight that was smack dab in the middle of a normal BMI for my height. Once I got close, I could see how much of the weight remaining was muscle versus fat. Then I find tuned my goal based on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I picked a weight that was smack dab in the middle of a normal BMI for my height. Once I got close, I could see how much of the weight remaining was muscle versus fat. Then I find tuned my goal based on that.

I just did this and it did not work for me, made me too skinny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I picked a weight that was smack dab in the middle of a normal BMI for my height. Once I got close, I could see how much of the weight remaining was muscle versus fat. Then I find tuned my goal based on that.

I just did this and it did not work for me, made me too skinny.

Then it sounds like you did not successfully execute to be "fine-tune" portion of the assignment.

[Anonymous]

Agree with setting a goal, then fine-tuning once you get there. I started at 280 lbs, so my goal was "normal BMI" (which at my height meant 147 lbs, which seemed like craaaazy wishful thinking to me at the time). When I got close to my goal weight, I knew I was going to want to go lower, so I set my sights on 135 lbs, with a plan to maintain in the 135-139 lbs range. The day I went below 135 the scale read 133.7, and that was the day of the embryo transfer that resulted in my DC, so I never had the chance to go into maintenance. Since DC was born I've been working my way back down to 135 lbs again, and am 141.3 lbs currently. I think ultimately I'd really like to maintain in the 130-134 lbs range, but I'll see how I feel once I get back to 135 lbs; I may not want to do what it takes for me to maintain at 130-134 rather than 135-139.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with setting a goal, then fine-tuning once you get there. I started at 280 lbs, so my goal was "normal BMI" (which at my height meant 147 lbs, which seemed like craaaazy wishful thinking to me at the time). When I got close to my goal weight, I knew I was going to want to go lower, so I set my sights on 135 lbs, with a plan to maintain in the 135-139 lbs range. The day I went below 135 the scale read 133.7, and that was the day of the embryo transfer that resulted in my DC, so I never had the chance to go into maintenance. Since DC was born I've been working my way back down to 135 lbs again, and am 141.3 lbs currently. I think ultimately I'd really like to maintain in the 130-134 lbs range, but I'll see how I feel once I get back to 135 lbs; I may not want to do what it takes for me to maintain at 130-134 rather than 135-139.

Wow, wonderful success story!!! Congrats!

[Anonymous]

I'd start with the minimum weight that will give you a "normal" BMI. Once you're there, you can decide whether/ how much more weight you want to lose. But I would think that is a realistic goal to start with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd start with the minimum weight that will give you a "normal" BMI. Once you're there, you can decide whether/ how much more weight you want to lose. But I would think that is a realistic goal to start with.

+1. This is very realistic advice.

[Anonymous]

You don't need a goal weight, you need an overhaul of your eating habits. Eat properly and your body will weigh what it should.

[Anonymous]

Did I read correctly? You lost 12 pounds in 9 days? Have you spoken with your doctor about that? You are losing weight way too fast. It can blow out your gall bladder and do other damage.

As for weight, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Those BMI guidelines aren't reliable. What matters is fitness. Focus on getting active and eating healthy and leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies and I agree just getting to a healthy BMI is a good starting place.

I lost the 9 lbs in 12 days, but I think it's ok because I had gained about 5 lbs in a short period of time prior to that. Also, I stopped my hormone replacement therapy around the same time, and I think maybe that's helping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need a goal weight, you need an overhaul of your eating habits. Eat properly and your body will weigh what it should.

What's not measured can't be managed (for most).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd start with the minimum weight that will give you a "normal" BMI. Once you're there, you can decide whether/ how much more weight you want to lose. But I would think that is a realistic goal to start with.

You mean maximum? That's what I'm doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with setting a goal, then fine-tuning once you get there. I started at 280 lbs, so my goal was "normal BMI" (which at my height meant 147 lbs, which seemed like craaaazy wishful thinking to me at the time). When I got close to my goal weight, I knew I was going to want to go lower, so I set my sights on 135 lbs, with a plan to maintain in the 135-139 lbs range. The day I went below 135 the scale read 133.7, and that was the day of the embryo transfer that resulted in my DC, so I never had the chance to go into maintenance. Since DC was born I've been working my way back down to 135 lbs again, and am 141.3 lbs currently. I think ultimately I'd really like to maintain in the 130-134 lbs range, but I'll see how I feel once I get back to 135 lbs; I may not want to do what it takes for me to maintain at 130-134 rather than 135-139.

Wow, wonderful success story!!! Congrats!

Just wanted to pile on that this is great! Keep up the good work! I am 5/6" and weigh 142. My ultimate goal is 135-- just can't........quite....get....there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with setting a goal, then fine-tuning once you get there. I started at 280 lbs, so my goal was "normal BMI" (which at my height meant 147 lbs, which seemed like craaaazy wishful thinking to me at the time). When I got close to my goal weight, I knew I was going to want to go lower, so I set my sights on 135 lbs, with a plan to maintain in the 135-139 lbs range. The day I went below 135 the scale read 133.7, and that was the day of the embryo transfer that resulted in my DC, so I never had the chance to go into maintenance. Since DC was born I've been working my way back down to 135 lbs again, and am 141.3 lbs currently. I think ultimately I'd really like to maintain in the 130-134 lbs range, but I'll see how I feel once I get back to 135 lbs; I may not want to do what it takes for me to maintain at 130-134 rather than 135-139.

Wow...how did you get from 280 to below 135? And how long did it take?