How do you know when to stop loosing weight?

My bmi is now 21.8 which is well within the healthy range. I keep setting my weight goals just a few pounds lower. I feel physically great and looking at that bmi I'm saying to myself I shouldn't loose any more but then I think about my history and wonder why I shouldn't use this tool for maximum weight loss. I cannot afford a DEXA scan as has been talked about here to really a handle on body fat vs muscle vs skin but I feel pretty strong and I can see lots of loose skin. I can see enough bones now to realize I'm medium boned. So what are people's opinions? Should I just keep loosing till it stops on its own or should I make an effort to stabilize my weight at this point?

To quote a song, "if you're happy and you know it". If you are happy with where you are at then it is time for maintenance. Perhaps work on toning your muscles.

It's hard to wager opinions With no details. Height? Current weight? Goals your thinking. Activity level?

But since I won't be the first person to wager an opinion on limited info; no I don't think you should lose anymore.

I'm at a 22.5 BMI which was my "ideal weight" goal. I have said I'm good down to a 21.0 BMI if it happens, which would be another 9lbs (5'7" and 143 currently). I just lowered my goal from 145 to 140, but I'd be happy here too.

So maybe I have no answers. I've moved from 700-750 calories per day to 850-900 calories per day and that's slowed my loss some for sure. I am having a DEXA scan this week and I figure that might tell me more.

Your surgeon prob has a fancy scale that computes body fat, etc. I suggest getting a print out before surgery (I did not know about it). Also, you maybe able to get a Rx for a dexascan so can have a baseline in case you have calcium issues later on. Check both of these with your surgeon.

BMI is no better a yardstick on the ow side than it was on the high side, so you need other measures.

For what it's worth, the medical DEXA scan that I can get for bone density/health purposes does not provide body composition information. In order to get the body composition test, I need to pay out of pocket - $120 in my case. But I can use FSA/HSA monies!

I used my HSA money to get mine, and it kinda feels like it's free that way ;)

Thanks for the info.

The bone density dexa is still a good base line to have done, if your dr orders it.

If you get the ful body analysis, I suggest you also do the one at the drs scale, if available, so you can correlate the two and then use the dr scale in the future, for free.

To late for that, surgery was last year :).

I did not get mine done until after surgery, but I have been doing every 6 months. It is still good tracking data and gives you some info if someone doesn't chose to pay for the dexascan.