Question:
How did you decide your goal weight?

I don't know how to decide a goal weight when I have never been thin. I told my best friend I would like to weigh less than himm, but he is so competitive that he may lose weight just to keep me going.... he is 5'6" 150, I am 5'8" 300lbs 2 months pre op.    — valerie S. (posted on October 1, 2001)

September 30, 2001
Hi Valerie. My goal weight was chosen because I thought I could realistically get to it. The important thing (in my humble opinion) is not to get too hung up on a goal weight. Just realize that no matter how much you end up losing, whether it's 100% of your excess weight or 50%, you'll still be WAY ahead of the game. Of course you should have a goal weight and work HARD to achieve it, but don't make it the only thing in your life (remember, you may get close but not actually reach it). Keep in mind that every pound you lose is one pound healthier, and make each of those pounds lost something to celebrate. Good luck!
   — Anne B.

October 1, 2001
I went by the height/weight charts and bmi numbers (even though a bmi is not that acurate) to determine my goal. My doctor and I set my goal higher though and now I'm finally at MY dream goal which is 10 lbs below that. Good luck!
   — Jo C.

October 1, 2001
I had surgery 16 months ago. I had an idea of where I wanted to be, but have not kept that number as an end to it all as far as weight loss. I started this journey at 330 lbs, and am now at 180-185(i am 5'81/2"). Ideally I would like to ba at 145, but I do not knoq that that is realistic. Right now my body seems to be fine at 180. Am I upset that I am not at 145? Honestly? No. I am happy that I have lost as much as I have. I am greatful to have both my life and my health back, that is the most important thing. Don't make the numbers the total, and only, reason you have the surgery. Make it about a prolonged life, a healthier lifestyle, and a booste in self esteem, as well as all of the other positives that come with it.
   — twenc

October 1, 2001
I chose my first goal as the clothing size I wanted to be: An "average" size 12. Now that I have reached it, my next--and final--goal is to be in the "normal" range for percent body fat for my age group. That is 21-27% for me. I have an Excel worksheet that does most of the calculations for you if you'd like to use it (email = [email protected]). All you need are hip and waist measurements, weight, height, and age. Since my goal was more to be healthy than to be thin, I hope this will keep me focused on maintaining my muscle mass and losing fat rather than on the number on the scale. Good luck to you!
   — ctyst

October 1, 2001
This is a good question. Everyone seems to have a different method of figuring their goal weight. I don't have a "hard" goal. My surgeon uses BMI in that "ideal" range, and I have to admit I really like the idea of being "ideal", although I never really believed I could get there. I have a very large frame for my height, and even when I got my % body fat down into the 'very skinny' range, I still weighed more than the insurance company charts said I should. I'm trying to be realistic, and the truth is, I am very happy with the size I am now, although I am still 10 pounds over my personal "not very realistic" goal, and 20 pounds over the surgeon's insurance company BMI goal. I really would like to be "ideal" just once in my life...just to see what it felt like...even if I couldn't stay there more than 15 minutes. I admit I am still working toward that.
   — Anne G.

October 1, 2001
My surgeon asked me what the lowest weight I could remember being as an adult was. I thought I had weighed about 155 when I got married 24 years ago. He said there was no reason to think I couldn't weigh that again. I said no way and made my goal 175 as I thought that was more realistic. I've met that and now weigh 165. After reading your question I went to the BMI calculator and looked that up. I'm now considered at an "ideal" weight. I'm happy now. If I don't lose another pound I wouldn't mind at all.
   — georgiacarol

October 1, 2001
Unlike a lot of wls patient, I've never wanted to be thin. I've never been skinny, I like having a full body and I can't even imagine myself in a size 8. I was around 350 with arthritis and some other weight related health issues. My goal was to lose enough weight to be strong and healthy and to once again look good in my clothes. I liked being a size 16 and for me that means weighing around 185. So, that became my goal weight weight. It was in sync with what my surgeon said was average weight loss after wls. 70% of excess weight. It's been three years and I never did get to my goal weight. I'm still working on it. I strayed from the path a bit....... But, I did get down to 205 and I'm quite happy with that. I'm working hard at losing 25lbs. in the next year and then I'll be totally satisfied.
   — [Anonymous]

October 1, 2001
Valerie: I agree with the rest. Your goal weight is only a number. I am 5'8 also, and my goal was 150 lbs. After 13 months, I am down to 173 and am maintaining that weight. I am in a size 14 and am extremely happy where I am. I think if I went down to 150, I would look too thin. My husband also doesn't want me to lose anymore. He thinks I look just right. So whatever you decide now, you can always change your mind later. It depends on how you feel once you are on your journey. Lots of luck! Pat
   — nealp

October 1, 2001
When I set my goal weight, I tried to remember my weight when I got married-17 years ago. I wanted to weigh under 140. So, I set my goal at 139. I didn't focus on it, however. I had surgery 1/8/01 and started out at 263. Since then I have lost rather quickly but really didn't focus on that particular number. I was adjusting to my new size. A few months ago, I tried the BMI calculator and put in my goal weight with my height and it is the first weight (going down) that puts me in the ideal category. I think this is interesting, since I thought that I had chosen that number haphazardly. Maybe deep down I knew what weight was actually best for me. I now weigh 134.5.(I couldn't tell you when I actually reached my "goal", because I just wasn't that focused on it) I am a little concerned as I am looking a bit thin. I remember it mentioned here several times that many people "overshoot" the mark at first, but then gain a little and stabilize. I hope so, as I really don't want to weigh any less. I am in a size 8-10 and this seems perfect for me. Again, I try to let size be the key, not the actual weight. When I weighed this before I got married, I was never smaller than a size 12. Weird, huh?
   — Shelley.

December 21, 2002
When I went in for consultation the Dr. said my "ideal weight" is 137. That seem so thin in my mind. I've always been obese, even as a kid. Right now at 224 I weigh less than I did the beginning of my senior year of high school. I've set a couple of goals. The first one is getting under 200 lbs. That will be my "whew!, I've made it", then to 175, then to 150. I don't think I will get to 137, but only time will tell. I'm 5'7" and started at 310. I'm 6 months post op now.
   — Candy J.

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