What's your goal weight? (xpost)

 

I know that when I started this journey, the program I’m with asked me to articulate where I wanted to be in terms of size and weight. What would be the highest acceptable, what would be comfortable, what would be my ‘dream’ weight and size? This helped me try to look at my expectations and try to level them some. I have to admit my actual weight is not what I had anticipated. It’s actually lower. My husband is in the midst of his own journey and he’s not shooting for the ‘normal’ BMI range, because he’s been that small before and to be honest, it’s just too small for him… he really does have big bones and a muscled physique.

  

I think that when looking at what your goal weight should be, you need to work with your Dr and take a number of things into account: your starting weight/bmi, your bone structure, your build, your age, etc…

  

I also think that it’s important to realize the number on the scale, while important as a point of reference, is not the end all when determining if you are at a weight that is good for you. Do you feel wonderful? Are you able to do the things that you want and need to do to enjoy a fulfilled life? Are your vital signs where you need them to be to live long and healthfully? If these things are in line and the number on your scale is not where you had imagined, you might have reached your goal weight without knowing it.

  

So how do you think you will know when you have arrived at goal weight?

When I started this journey my doctor put my "you are successful weight" at 178lbs, I reached that at my 1 year anniversary, I still felt it wasn't the right weight for me at 5'5.  I kept lowering the number for the next year and a half until I reached 138 with is the optimium weight for my height according to the bmi charts.  I currently weigh 136 and keep my weight in the 135-140 range, I was under that earlier this year but it was not normal for my body, I could only keep my weight there by barely eating at all.  My body feels most comfortable here, I wear 4's and 6's for the most part.  I have a couple of size 2 skirts I bought when I was lower but I could never mantain that weight.  As long as the scale reads under 140 I am fine.


Hugs Heidi

Hmmmm.... Ours sound almost the same. I was 'successful' at 178 as well. My surgeon said that statistically, my 'ideal' would be 137 and I even dipped down to 132, but I'm really more comfortable around 145 and I hover there now. I wear a size 4 or 6 for the most part, every once in a while an 8 and I'm comfortable with how I look and feel.

Congrats on your success my friend!

My doc set my goal at 170.  I passed that at about 8 mos.  I set my original goal weight very low at 135.  Originally I had thought 150 and my mom commented that that seemed heavy.  I let that thought get stuck in my head and set my sites lower.  I am 5'8.  When I hit my current weight of 158 I realized that there is just now way I will hit 135.  I will be thrilled with 150.  I am happy right now at 158.  It's coming off a lot slower now at almost 11 months.  I wear between a 6-8 in jeans, 4-6 in skirts and some 10's for dresses.  My rib cage and shoulders are very broad.  Lately I have been going through major body dismorphia.  Everytime I look at myself I see fat.  I try things on and I'm just disgusted with my body.  I don't know if the skin and fat is settling different and changing my shape or if it's just in my head.  The only thing keeping me sane right now is seeing the number on the scale hasn't changed so I must still be doing OK. 

Hi Melissa,

I know that the weight comes off really slowly now, but it's likely that you'll continue to lose for a while and may very well get down to 150.

Re: redraping... you will find that your body will begin to redrape a bit. I think a look a little better now than I did when I was where you are now. I wear about the same sizes that you do and I'm 5'6" and weigh between 142 and 144. Like you I also have large shoulders and a huge ribcage... I don't wear a 36/38 bra because I have such a large chest, it's because my ribcage is so big. I got down to around 132, but I felt and most said I looked 'too thin.' You'll have to see where you go from here and how you feel as you get there.

One of the things that I did that has helped me see myself in a more balanced way was to have some formal portraits taken. Another thing you can do is go to the mall and mall watch others... When you compare yourself to the general population instead of Christy Brinkley or Beyonce, you will 'see' that you look fine.

I wish you continue success in your journey.

Thanks so much for the advice. I go through these stages occassionally.  This just happens to be one of those times.  It's not like my journey ends here.  I will continue to eat right and to excercise my tail off.  If it happens I will embrace it.  I appreciate your words of wisdom!

My surgeon asked me where he though I wanted to be.  Since I hadn't been a reasonable size in like FOREVER LOL this was hard for me to answer.  We looked at my height and looked over the BMI charts and started with aiming for 140'ish at 5' 6".  I met that goal by 7-8 months.  My body though had other ideas and is much more comfy at 125-130...I have no issue keeping weight off but have to be watchful that I don't go lower when being very physical (i.e. I have to increase my food consumption according to my exercise level kwim).  I just sit here happy bouncing around 125-132 (haven't gone higher than that yet).

Hi Kim,

Congratulations on your success! I appreciate you mentioning that your actual weight dropped below the 'recommended' BMI weight because it's good for folks to know that you may find that you are most comfortable a little lighter than the mid-range BMI. You look great and it's great to hear that you feel great too.

Keep up the good work.

My surgeon told me he wouldn't give me a goal - that was up to me. I remember being between 130 and 140 years ago and loving my shape and size. So my goal is 130, giving me a little wiggle room to 140. I'm 5'4".

It's great to have a frame of reference... I was never really a 'normal' size as an adult, so I didn't have a frame of reference for what I might look or feel like at a 'normal' size.

Good luck as you work toward your sexy tummy!