Goal setting and revising of goals...

I haven't really set a real goal for myself, though I put one in the ticker. I've been overweight my whole life, and over 200 in high school. I don't want to set myself up for feeling disappointed. So I think I'll set goals in stages, and do the next one once I reach the first. I would like to end up under 200 pounds, which in theory is entirely realistic.

I can't really even picture what that would be like.

I think 150 would be an entirely healthy weight for me, but I refuse to let myself think I failed yet again if that doesn't happen. Even with the roughly 40 pounds I've lost pre-op, I feel so much better physically than I did.

So I'm thinking I'll celebrate successes in 25 pound increments, but not really call them goal weights. I will focus more on the exercise and healthy eating, and if I know I'm doing what I need to then I will consider this a success no matter what the scale might say.

I'm 5'7", too. My goal was always 140 because I weighed that before in my mid-20's and I liked how I felt at that weight. Right now I'm at 135. The only goal my surgeon set was a BMI under 30 (so for 5'7" that's 191). I was determined to get to 140.

Laura

 I picked an arbitrary number that happened to be within the "healthy" weight chart.  I don't care if I get there, as long as I can maintain the end weight (+/- 5-8 pounds) on a long-term basis.  None of the doctors I consulted used "goal weights".  

I looked at BMI which would put me at 145.  I would like to weigh anywhere between that and 160.  I looked and felt good at 160. 

As an adult, I've never weighed 150.  Sounds like a good number to me and so that's the number I picked.

On the BMI chart, that puts me at a healthy BMI.

At our local college they put you in a pool and they do a test to test your body fat % They said it is the only true accurate reading because you are under water. You have to hold still and hold your breath for them to do it and I am not so sure I could do the staying still part LOL I would float. Maybe when I lose weight I won't be so bouyant. LMAO

Goal setting for me is 10 lbs at a time just keep going down until I am in a size 8. Once I reach a 8 however much I weigh I will be happy.

 I am 5'5 so I think I should be about 135 according to the bmi charts. The lowest weight I remember is 224when I was in my early 20's (before I got married and had my 4 kids) . The goal weight I set for myself is btw 180-195. I don't believe my surgeon set a goal weight for me.

I like your approach...you've given it a lot of thought.

Beginning in 1997 I lost 70 pounds several times each time getting down to 148 pounds.  I counted fat and calories and spent a lot of time in the gym.  Based upon those times, I set my goal at the bottom of the chart for my height.  I'm 5'9" and the range is 129 to 170.  My surgeon chose 150, the middle, but I was firm in my conviction if I was able to go 2 pounds below that through diet/exercise, then I should be able to get into the low 130s with WLS.    That was always my favorite weight where I felt and looked the best.  That was my process for choosing my goal.  I knew it was possible though it meant I would need to lose at least 100% excess weight.  I actually hit 127 last week.  I have not weighed this morning.  You have to do what works for you.

 My goal is  160, because I cannot remember ever weighing less than that. Anything below that is cake. 

There have been so many good responses here that I don't know why I need to add anything, but I think back to before I had kids and my physical image and how I felt about the clothes I could wear (a bit shallow maybe?), I felt my best at 150 lbs. I'm now 178 to 180 and look fine for my age group but know that I need to shed more lbs. for more energy. I go by how I feel as much as anything. I'm 5' ft 7-1/2" with a medium size bone structure, long arms and legs. Neither my doctor or nutritionist have had any input regarding goals, which is how it should be in my opinion.
I continue to struggle with a mental battle about food. Getting through the love of taste and emotions surrounding rich food is a constant concern.