Question:
Setting a goal weight
My highest weight was 360 I am down to 150. My doctor never gave me a goal weight to shoot for and retired before I even came close. My PCP says I need to lose 25 more pounds (I am 5'7"). Most people that know me say no I look great the way I am. The leader of our support group also cautions again losing more weight. I still feel fat and wonder if my PCP is right or should I be happy with the weight lose I have. I want to get down to a normal weight I am tried of being fat. — barbskib (posted on September 20, 2008)
September 20, 2008
I am 5'7 myself an my dr said that an aprox weight for me would be 130.
However, my doctor, my nut and myself all feel that BMI or % body fat and
size are more important. I would like to be a size 10 or 12. Even when I
was very athletic and 12% body fat I was at 140 so I would be very careful
about losing more. One way to look at it is that muscle weighs more than
fat. If you are health and are working out like you should you may not get
down more. As for feeling fat they tell me that the feeling will last long
after I reach my goal becuase I have spen the last 10 years seeing fat when
I look in the mirror. It will take a while to "feel" different.
— phyllismmay
September 20, 2008
I am 5'7" also and my surgeon says my goal should be 140. Congrats on
doing so great!!!!
— DanaRhea
September 20, 2008
I weighed 225 at consult in Mch and 207 on discharge from hospital. I now,
after 3.5 months, weigh 142. It was my goal to hit 140 and I probably will
within a week or two. Dr. didn't set my goal, I did. I am also your exact
height at the age of 63. You have done well. When you feel good, stop.
The 'fat feeling' is your head, not your body. You will get over that.
Look at a before pic and check yourself out in front of a mirrow and see
what you think. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
September 20, 2008
I looked at your wedding photos and you do not even look close to being in
an overweight catagory...You look beautiful...and you should as a leader
recognize that a number does not and will never define who you are or your
happiness. AND a BMI scale is just a rough estimate...everyone with
different body types and frames cannot possibly carry their weight the
same. Some people can carry a lot of extra weight and look
awesome...According to BMI scales i am overweight...According to BMR and
other scales, I am not overweight...It wouldn't matter to me anyway. I feel
awesome! It wouldn't hurt me to lose a few more lbs...but if I don't, I am
as happy as can be! I hope you know what an awesome job you have done! You
really look amazing! And congrats on your wedding!
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/
— .Anita R.
September 20, 2008
My surgeon's original "ideal weight" for me was 137 ... This was
based on the information about me that they entered into their computer
software ... A few days ago I had another post-op visit (I am four and a
half months out) and my "ideal weight" is now showing as 139. I
didn't notice the change until I got home, so I didn't get to ask them
about it. Now I'm thinking maybe things change based on progress, vitals,
etc ... I could be wrong about that, but I do know that everyone is built
differently - just because you and I are both 5'7" doesn't mean our
body types are identical, so of course our "ideal weights" aren't
going to be. That's my logic, anyway ...
As for me personally, I have no goal weight. I want to be healthy, and that
is ALL I want. I do not care about sizes and I do not care about the
numbers on the scale ... I care about things like whether I am going to
live to see my nieces have grandchildren. Period, end of story.
— lauren_marie
September 20, 2008
Barbara, you are your own best judge of how much you should weigh. If you
feel comfortable at 150, then that is good for you. If you WANT to lose
more, then do that. Of course, you can also go by your BMI. As long as you
are in a healthy BMI range, then you are doing well. Good luck to you!
— anitak
September 21, 2008
I am also 5'7". To get into the "normal" BMI range I need
to get to 159. That is my goal. I think 125 is way too thin for
5'7". When I was 137 pounds, and an exercise nut, I wore a size 4.
If I were you, I would work on getting in better shape (exercise more to
get more muscle tone) and not worry about losing more weight.
— Laura in Texas
September 21, 2008
I am 5-8" and last time I was 150 I was 17 years old and pretty
skinny. We all hold our weight differently. I think a more accurate
description of your goal weight is where ever you feel good, look good,
etc.... I think 150 may be a perfect weight for you!!
— Fluffee
September 21, 2008
Hi. I was looking and at 5'7" and 150 lbs your BMI is 23, if you
where 140, your BMI would be 21. You decide and it also depends what kind
of shape you are in. What does your husband say?
Good Luck - Judy
— jk_harris
September 21, 2008
I would get a second medical opinion. 150 pounds at your height sounds
great to me, unless of course you're a runway model. Has your PCP given
you a medical reason for losing more? Congrats for losing the weight you
have, you've obviously worked very hard. I've found that my body image is
distorted, still look at regular sized chairs and think I won't fit in
them, still look in the mirror and think I'm bigger than I am. think it'll
take a while for my brain to catch up to my new body
— Susan C.
September 21, 2008
Barbara, here is a link that shows Weight Watchers lower and upper limits
by height (http://www.weightwatchers.com/plan/pop/weightrange.aspx)...and
there are other sites out there to check, also. It looks like you are
within a normal range for your height. Unfortunately, the "fat
feeling" is not something that most people lose with the weight...you
need to recognize the size you are wearing...and look at more pictures of
yourself at your current size. Also, consider how you feel...do you feel
good? This may be why the leader of your group cautions against losing too
much...if you are feeling good, this may be a great weight to work on your
maintenance. Good luck with whatever you decide...and learn to feel good
about the new you!
— BrendaMS
September 22, 2008
Hello! We have similar profiles. I started at 348 lbs. I am 5'8"
and weigh 143 today. I am 2 years out from surgery this month. My BMI is
21.7. At 5'7" and 150 your BMI is normal at 23.5. It surprises me
that your PCP would say to lose 25 more pounds. That would put your BMI at
19.6. At 18.5 you would be considered under-weight! You don't really need
to lose any more weight. Normal BMI levels are 18.6 to 24.9. I use this
site to check BMI values: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm.
The weight range to be normal weight for your height is 121 to 153. At 143
I look quite thin and some think too thin. I don't plan to lose any more
weight. I think you should stay where you are comfortable and if that is
where you are - then don't change it. Work on stabilizing it. :-) My
body just naturally stopped losing at my present weight. I have been
around 138-144 since December. I feel best at 142-143. At lower than 140
I don't feel as good. Good job on your weight loss!
— waferqueen
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