How did you set your "goal" weight?

I had my 3 month follow up with my surgeon today. He indicated to me that my goal of 200 lbs. was probably very unrealistic. He said that generally, people get down to the weight that represents the lowest they've ever been in their adult lives. In my adult life, I've never weighed less than 275, so according to him, that should be my goal. HOGWASH! I didn't go through all this, just to end up still nearly 100 lbs. overweight! He said the weights listed on the federal govt. charts are unrealistic too. As a result of all this, I'm resetting my goal to 220. He indicated that, if I can get that low, then I would be in great health. (His confidence in me was very UNDERwhelming. ) So, how have each of you set your goal weight?

This is something I've pondered and pondered myself. My original goal was about 145 - what I weighed the year I graduated from HS. According to the "charts" I should weigh between 140-155. My surgeon said absolutely not under 150. She told me to aim for 170 and we'd go from there. 170 still puts me as "overweight" on the charts, albeit on the low end of "overweight". One thing she pointed out was as a heavier person, my skeletal frame will be heavier than those of the same frame who were never overweight because overtime, it became denser to hold up all the extra weight I was carrying. One thing someone ELSE pointed out (Kate, was that you?) was that doc's are going to set a goal for you that makes their "success rate" look good, so they'll tend to "low-ball" you, so-to-speak. One great way is to do underwater weighing, to get your TRUE healthy weight - I haven't done this yet but plan to. I guess I haven't decided a set weight now. I'm going to work on getting under 200 and then work towards 170 and then I guess we'll see. I would be willing to bet, Tom, that you'll be successful with your goal. Don't let your doc slow your momentum!

Geeeeeeeeee and he does this for a living???????!!!!!!!!!!!!! I set my goal by knowing how tall I am and what other's weigh around me (my close friends that I dare to ask). I don't know if I'm large, medium, or small build cuz I've been covered with fat. (well, I'm sure I'm not small). I want to be healthy, not skinny!! Is a size 4 in my future - heck no!!! But a size 8 or 10 is pretty reasonable for me. I know that I used to weigh 135 and was a size 10 and so that's the goal for me now!! I think that as you get closer to your goal weight you will see if your goal is too high or low and can adjust it from there. You've done so great so far Tom, I'm sure you'll make it to your goal!!!! And then you can strut your stuff back into that mans office and show off your success!!! Laurie

I just want to be healthy. For me, that would be around a size 12-14. Last time I lost a lot of weight (which would have been my lowest adulthood weight), I got down to about 189 pounds. I was wearing a tight size 10 (so probably a 12 or so if I was being honest). So, I'd be fine with that weight again, I think. My official goal is 170, so that I'll be a proper BMI (high end). We'll see. Julie 391/278/170 5'10"

Tom, My husband started at 450 lbs and is down to 245ish and is maintaining (goes from 242 to 247). At 6'5" he looks great at 245. Plus he probably has a good 10+ lbs of extra skin on him and if that were gone...he'd obviously weight less. But weight charts say that he should weight close to 200 for a healthy BMI. I think the charts are nuts. Plus...his bones are very dense. He had a bone scan and they even said that to him so that goes with what someone else posted about formerly morbidly obese folks having heavier bones. His surgeon set a goal of 292 for him which is a weight loss of 35% of his starting total body weight which he exceeded. The doctor suggested he not get lower and 50 lbs under that weight which is about where he is now. And truly...he is lost more (not the skin)...I'd be concerned. There just isn't much fat left. Rich wears a size 42 waist pants and an XL shirt. If he got rid of skin, he'd probably be a 38 waist if I had to guess and perhaps a L/XL shirt depending on the cut. As for me...I set my goal for 160. I was 167 one time in my life for a day (early 20s) but never lower. I thought that would be good for me. My surgeon told me that the "ideal" for my height was 150 but I don't want to get "too" thin. I just want to feel and look healthy. I do not want that drawn look. So, I'm 36 lbs from goal but if I get to a point before then where I'm happy and I think enough is enough...I'll revise my goal. I figure I'll know I'm there when I get there. No set number on a scale. No set clothing size. Kathy

My original goal was 150, what I was in High School. But Ive really been thinking maybe thats a little unrealistic. I carry my wieght very well, Im very even proportioned so almost everyone says that I dont look like what I weigh which is still just over 200 pounds. Even when I had the surgery everyone couldnt believe what I actually weighed. I got down to 180 once in my adult life and remember how good I felt so if I get there again and feel as good I might decide enough is enough. And too, I know the farther you get out the harder it is to lose. Anyways well see how I feel when that bridge gets here. You look really good Tom and keep up the good work! candy

Well Tom, I have set my goal to be realistic. I am 5'11" so I think I would feel very satisfied at about 190. Which means I have 52 pounds to go! I met my husband at 213 pounds and I felt very good about myself. So 190 should be just about GREAT! I think I will be wearing about a size 16, I am now in a 20 but quite possibly could get my butt into an 18!!

Tom, I believe you can be whatever size you wish to be. Don't limit yourself. When you set your goal, I think, you should consider your bone structure as well as those "recommended" weight charts. Although, those charts are always, in my opinion, about 20 lbs off. When I set my goal of weight 145, I looked at the fact that I'm not a tiny person. I've got a medium size bone structure. I just wouldn't look right at 120....what is the "recommended" weight for a person of my height. Anyway, Tom, congratulations on the weight loss and keep up the good work!!! When you do reach 220, you can go in and say I told you so.

I set mine on where I thought I would be comfie. Mine is between 180 and 200. I have been big all my life so if I was to suddenly be 130 it would be too much of a culture shock. I am 5'8 and very big framed so anything less than 150 and I would look ill. I get to weigh in tomorrow when I go into the hospital. Looking forward to knowing where I am weight wise. Keep your goal, Don't let them change your mind. You can do anything you put your mind too. Smiles, Kat

Tom, Great question! I too asked my doc where they got my goal weight from at my last visit. I am 5'9" and they listed me at 147, now I thought that was a bit unrealistic so I asked him where they got that. He said its from the Metropolitan life chart then he looked at my info and said he thinks 200 is a much more realistic goal. Now I know that sounds high but for me I think I would look pretty good at that based on how I am built and the way I hold weight. My personal goal is 168, that would put me in "normal" range, but I am not going to kill myself trying to get there either, just going to take it as it comes and see where I end up! Cary