realistic goal

everyone i know kepps asking me what my goal is.  i keep saying to be healthy but they always want to know a weight goal.  what is a realistic goal for someone starting out at 320 and is 5'2"

I often wondered that too...when doc Huse asked me that I just said...I do not want a 2 in front of my weight and I do not want a 2 in front of my dress size. I am 5'3 and charts say...125 - 140...but I really don't think that is realistic for me....soooooo I did put 180 on the line for goal weight...I weigh 380 to start. That would still make me obese...soooooooo who knows what I will end up weighing...but 180 sounded like a realistic goal to me. kinda subtract 70 - 80% of what you are overweight and maybe let that be the judge.

I am having the same problem--according to weight charts, my ideal weight would be between 126 and 167 (depending on the size of my "frame", which I think is large, but I am not sure!), but I can't imagine actually being able to lose that much weight (even at 167 pounds I would have to lose 304 pounds!) so I have set my goal at around 225.  That will still give me a BMI in the obese range (34.2), so I don't know if that is "okay" or not!  This is very confusing--especially for people who have never been thin.  Good luck deciding on your goal, but remember--the number is only one parto f the goal.

Age and body frame have to be accounted for as well as starting weight.  I'm 52  and 5'4" and started at 325. I aksed Dr Evanson on my last vist what weight he thought was a realistic goal for me. He said 180.  My personal goal is 160. I'd love to be 140 but I can't see that ever happening. I'm kind of stuck around 200 right now and I really want to make atleast that 180 by next May when I see Dr. E again for my 2 yr check. Don't worry about the numbers to much.  Just do your best at following the plan and you will get to where you need to be.  HEALTHY! 

Sweetie, What I did was set lots of little goals! I started out after surgery at 6' and 397 pounds and I wanted to be down 30 pounds by the time I went back to work (and my 50th Birthday) in 6 weeks. I was down 44 and celebrated. When we went to Vegas that May I was down 70 pounds and felt terrific and said I would be thrilled even if I never lost another pound!! By the time we went to Vegas in October I was down 115 pounds and overjoyed. When we had our employee appreciation dinner in Feb (my one year anniverary) I was down 134 pounds and couldn't imagine any more of a loss as I was thrilled!! I stayed there a long while and lost lots of inches toning up. Now I am almost 150 pounds down and still celebrating!! The point is to "Bloom where you are planted" and be happy for each and every pound. You need to enjoy the journey and not always focus on the destination. If you always focus on the end...you will miss alot of great times along the way!   Hugs! Marianne

Hi,  Welcome! I didn't get an answer from my Dr. for a long time so focused on getting healthy. Your first yr. is about retraining yourself to live life in a positive, haelthy way. Learning the process, finding what works, netwoeking with others who "been there done that" and can share their  strength, support ,heart & recovery. You'll find all of that here, & more!!! I set small, realistic goals for myself in 10# incraments. It was easier to celebrate the small victories along the way. When I'd lost 100#, I asked my Internist what was "realistic " for me. I am 58, 5'3",started at 271-currently 156, and have dropped my BMI form 48 to 24.5. My health has improved 100%- off 12 of the meds. I was on 16 for YEARS, have so much more energy, can walk 2-3 mi. in an hr.play with my grnaadkids, have more stamana, and can enjoy the everyday pleasures I never had before.I no longer watch life pass me by, I now activily participate!That to me is every bit important as a goal weight. My Internest said that 155 was a good goal for me for the kinds of meds. I am on now (maintenance). I've reached that goal and have been the same pretty much 4 mo. now. I'd say, "I am not worried about a goal weight, I'm enjoying regaining my health". Wishing you all the best as you continue on your journey to recovery, ((((hugs)))) Ellen

I've read it somewhere that weight loss surgery is considered successful if you lose a minimum of 75% of the excess weight. To calculate that: You can check online to calculate your ideal BMI weights. Ideal is a BMI of 20-25. Will everyone reach that range? Nope. Alot depends upon age, amount of loose skin, body build. So...I would go the weight at a BMI of 25.....and then...Subtract that weight from what you weigh right now. That is how much overweight you are. Take that number and multiply it by 0.75. That is what you want to lose.  For me, that translates to: Weight at a BMI of 25: 157 lbs Weight day of surgery: 344 lb 344-157= 187 lb overweight 187 x 0.75 = 140.25 'Sucess' was achieved when I reached 204 lbs. The rest, is icing on the cake! I too set my goals small. 25 lbs..Under 300, 50 lbs, etc. Don't get hung up on the numbers though. Go by how you feel! Make your goal: Feel good, live long! Sherri