Realistic Goals

My bariatric doctor never gave me a weight range where he said he would like to see me at.  I started off at an even 300 pounds.  I'm down to 269 in 9 weeks (YAY).  Right now I have my goal weight in my ticker set for 175 because that seemed like a realistic weight that I could get to.  Now I'm wondering if I should change my goal weight to something more along the lines of 150.  I think that would be better for me, but it just seems so unreal to think about being that weight since it's been so long. 

Did you adjust your goal weight as you lost more or did you just pick a goal weight and go for it?  Thanks!

Doc said 160 which he would consider success. I checked what was considered normal not overweight and talked it over with 're nurse practitioner. Adjusted a couple times then my body seemed to know where it wanted to be which is in the normal range. Depending on your doc success in their opinion is about 65% of excess weight not necessarily a "normal" bmi. Even tougher you may seem 150 seems unreal if your body is willing you can get there.

I'm not quite sure either where I'm aiming. My surgeon's office just says to ride it down as far as possible. I initially picked 180 out of the air (I'm 6') because I've always thought I was big and burly and that's what a man my height would weigh. But I'm 182 right now at only five months out, and still have a big belly and could stand to lose some more back fat too, so now I'll see if I can get to 160. (160 for me is a BMI of 22.) I'm not turning out big and strong like I thought I was, lol! All my cousins are tall and super skinny so we'll see if I end up looking like them...

From your BMI, I assume you are around 5'8" tall. I am 5'7". When I was in my 20's, I went to Weigh****chers and reached lifetime status. My goal weight then was 140. I felt good at that weight. When I had my gastric bypass, I weighed over 300 pounds. I still chose 140 as my goal weight (my surgeon just expects his patients to reach a BMI under 30). I was able to reach it and now work just as hard to maintain it.

Many people have several goals, like you listed. You may want to keep it at 175 and see how you feel then. You can always reevaluate when you get there. Thankfully we all get to choose our own goal weight. What works for one person may not work for another. Your goal weight should be a weight you can comfortably maintain while living the life you want to live.

I never set a goal or planned maintenance - I just followed my plan and let my body decide for me...   

I have been on OH for many years and people who try to manipulate the process seem to have more angst.

I reached my lowest weight and slipped into maintenance at 6 months at a BMI OF 21.6.   I started at a BMI of 40, so was a lightweight and had only been MO during and after an unexpected pregnancy at 40, during which I had insulin dependent gestational diabetes.

I have changed my goal several times.

I started at 344.  The Cleveland Clinic's goal for me was 210 lbs.  That was 65% weight loss.  I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't be satisfied with that -- that still left me at a 34 BMI.  Like yourself, I was afraid of being "unrealistic" though, too -- so I chose 180 lbs as my own personal goal.  That would give me a BMI of 29 -- overweight but out of the obese range.

I am 100% on plan 100% of the time.  I have learned to go for what I really want... once I hit 180 I changed my goal to 150 --- that gave me 24 BMI -- normal.  I have hit that goal and changed it again.  My new goal is 138.  That gives me a 22 BMI -- firmly in the normal range anywhere in the world.

Was I a success at 210?  Yes.  At 180?  Yes. -- and at 150, too -- the only difference is that now I am not afraid of being "unrealistic" ... and, if I find that 138 is too low or not great for my body/health -- I can always go up (or down!) from there.  

Mine (I'm pre surgery) is 135. I would like to get to that size, but would be ecstatic at 150!

My surgeon simply uses the BMI calculator as far as a goal weight.  So at 5' 6" he will be happy with me anywhere 115-154 lbs.  I can't imagine myself at 115 though (not even at 130), that would be skin and bones on my frame.  I'm happy between 140-145.  I look and feel healthy.  

When I went in for my pre-op appointment with my surgeon, he said that a realistic goal weight for me would be 170 - I'm barely 5'2" and that's on a good day.  I almost slid off the table?  WTH???  I'm 3 1/2 months post RNY and I'm already at 185.3 as of this morning.  I've set MY realistic goal at 140 but I'm aiming for the 130s.  All the height weight charts say I should weigh between 108 and 121 which, to my 52 year old skewed since of body image, tells me that's really skinny. Who knows where I'll end up. I can't even imagine what my current bat wings will look like at 130 -- just think of the places I could fly with those bad boys. LMAO!!

My two cents - you should keep on doing what you're doing and your body will tell you where it belongs.

My doctor was one of those who looked for about 66% of excess body weight lost as a success.  So for me, he gave me a goal of 250.  I knew this was still too heavy, so I set a personal goal of 230.  I ended up blowing past both.  My final goal is 199, which will put me at a "normal" BMI, and then I'll move into maintenance.  Overall, as long as I maintain under 210, I'll be happy.