How did you choose your goal BMI?

[NothingUpMySleeve 244]

I've read conflicting info on which bmi is healthiest. One study said low in the range is usually best unless you're muscular, another said 22 is good. Another said 19 is most attractive (sheesh).

I am shooting for 22, but just curious on everyone's thoughts...

[NMJG 1,266]

IMHO, I think at some point you have to just throw that stuff out the window and go with what works for you. Pick something in the middle of the range to start, and see how you like it when you get there.

Personally, I am going low BMI. It looks better on me and feels better, too. But I have a small frame for 5'6" and I am not muscular. For someone that is big boned or muscular, a higher BMI is better. You can't figure that out from a piece of paper, you have to just see for yourself.

You are getting very close to 25 BMI, so you aren't far off.

[ChavaBling 145]

Good question! LOLZ, this is the lazy way, but I just chose a 25 BMI since that's the highest one can weigh without being considered "overweight". I thought to myself, "Isn't this why I'm doing it? To not be overweight?" (and of course all the wondrous things that come along with a ay weight). I guess my doctor has different ideas, as she is telling me to aim for a BMI of 34, which is still about 50 lbs overweight for me, but is still far better than my current BMI of 52. The thing is, having been overweight my whole life, I wonder if it is even possible that I could be in a normal BMI range??

[Casie83 38]

I'm pre surgery but I asked the same questions to my doctor. I think they try to give you realistic information. What is a "normal" result. Remember this is a tool. So for a bit the tool will work for you, but at some point you have to make the choice to work your tool to achieve your goal. I think most patients they see achieve the normal expectation of weight loss. My goal is to not focus so much on a number. I want to be healthy and feel good and the number that might be the magic number for me might not be right for another person my same age and height.

[gomekast 559]

I jsut asked this at my 6 month check up. The dr told me that anyone that has had wls should consider 27-29 a healthy bmi. She said that the people that have had 40+ bmi before have higher bone density than others..so they consider the 27-29 to be healthy for us.

That said, I'm shooting for a number on the scale instead as my first goal. I'll see how I feel then and decide if I want to use the traditional normal bmi chart or the wls bmi chart.