Setting a goal?

[Auroraishere 1]

Does anyone else not have any clue what their goal weight would be?

I was told that with lap band people lose about half of their excess weight. so for me, I started at 286, I lost 26 pre surgery. I lost 9 more since surgery, and my ideal weight is about 175 since I'm very tall, 5'11". so right now I'm thinking if I got down to 200 that would probably be my "goal" I don't know. are you all setting your goals at super low weights? is that a reasonable expectation for someone who's always been over weight and hasn't been able to keep any substantial weight loss off?

[vickyd 24]

I have set my goal weight to be at a normal BMI. I am already at the point of having lost 50% of my excess body weight and while I'm no longer considered Morbidly Obese I still fall into the Obese category and that is not ok with me. They set 50-60% of your excess weight as a determination of whether or not the procedure was successful...nothing says you have to stop there...you need to decide what weight you are happy with (and don't be surprised if that changes a few times along the way...mine has).

[vlp1968 83]

I looked at BMI as well. You want to be at 25 or below (there is a point it's too low but I forget what that is). You can find a BMI calculator online. You just enter your height and weight. Congrats on your weight loss so far- you are doing great.

[Jess55 97]

My goal weight is also se at a normal bmi. It is the high end. I will be evaluating as I get closer and see how I loom and feel.

[Rachel412 116]

My current goal weight, which is what my ticker counts down to, is 199. I have NO CLUE what I'll look or feel like at that weight... so my plan is to re-assess from there when I get there. In general I think BMI is a load of hooey, and I think it's a good general guideline but I know that if I was at 159 my BMI would be 24.9, "normal", but I have such a hard time believing that would be a healthy weight on my frame.

Here's a BMI calculator: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

[Papillon Princess 13]

You don't have to have the biggest goal - right now you can work on "mini goals" that you know you can achieve and then when you get to a good weight, you'll know. You can look at a BMI calc for a "normal BMI" but it really depends on you and how you feel at a certain weight. Do your best, make mini goals and when you reach one, make another and keep working on it.

[Jachut 487]

Well..,. I'm 5ft 10, started at 245 and got down to 130 very easily (took almost three years). I dont low carb, dont count calories, eat bread, Pasta and rice, I do NOTHING eating wise apart from Portion Control. My "secret" is running daily - I swear running is magic in some way that other exercise isnt. I find it absolutely no trouble to keep that weight off and stay thin even without fill in my band.

I dont get these high goals - at 175 as a teen I was beefy and got heaps of teasing for being fat - and I was desperate about my weight when I hit the 200 mark - its still obese for pete's sake, you're selling yourself way way short if you think its the best you can achieve with a band. You're having surgery, why not have faith in yourself that you can take it ALL the way? However, that's just MY personal opinion. Like someone's mentioned above, so many of us cant believe that a healthy weight will be right for us but it will. Its only averages and statistics of course but keep it in perspective - a normal BMI of 24.9 is not exactly skin and bones, its a pretty healthy, well covered curvy weight for most and for some - like me who has a fairly fine boned, and lightly muscled tall built - its still actually too fat! For someone else who has bigger muscles it might be just right but you can bet your bottom dollar, there's no real reason to have a BMI of 30 apart from either being Mr Universe with mega muscle or simply still being overweight! But take it as mini goals becuase you CAN stop where you like how you look and feel the best and BMI really is a load of hooey compared to factors like how you want to look, how easy it is to maintain a give weight etc.

[asksdf 5]

My first goal is at 230lbs, which will mark 100lbs lost. Second goal is at 199lbs just because it's under 200lbs. Main goal is 160lbs.

[Twinkles 7]

My goal moves depending on how I feel and look. When I originally got surgery done, I had no clue what I wanted my goal to be other than wanting my weight to have a 1 in front of it rather than a 2.

I'm 10.5 months out and have lost 106 pounds. I started at 274 and I'm currently at 169. Other than my "pooch" which will be gone when I have my Tummy Tuck, I have no idea where anymore weight would come from, but now that I'm close, I'm thinking I want to be down around 140-150 (I'm 5'3").

My suggestion, don't set any hard and fast goals right now. Do mini goals. 10 pounds at a time or what have you, it's a lot more rewarding, IMO.

Good luck!