Setting realistic weight loss goals . . .

[simpsongrad 85]

Hello -

I am 13 days post op and I have been thinking about where I want to end up weight wise. i want to set a realistic weight loss goal but I am wondering what that actually means. I understand the average weight loss is anywhere between 60 to 65% of excess weight. What I am not sure is if this is after surgery or from your starting weight pre-op.

Also, after you have been carrying a lot of extra weight, does it make sense to think you can get to a normal BMI? Should falling into the overweight category be acceptable? I don't want to set myself up for disappointment but I also want to push myself to be better than average!!!

Right now, here is my plan.

1 consult weight: 267

Surgery weight: 242

today's weight:227

December 27th: 215 (9weeks, -27 pounds from surgery weight, -52 pounds from start, 12 pounds to go)

February 14th:195 (7 weeks, -20 pounds from December weight, -72 pounds from start)

May 2nd: 185 (11 weeks, -15 pounds from February weight, -87 pounds from start)

July 4th: 170 (9 weeks, -10 pounds from May weight, -97 pounds from start)

September 5th: 160 (9 weeks, -10 pounds from July weight, -107 pounds from start)

October 24th: 155 (7 weeks, -5 pounds from September weight, -112 at 1 year surgery anniversary)

Honestly, I would be happy if I could get 170 or lower. I kind of feel 155 is unrealistic but I want to shoot for it. Am I crazy to think it is possible?

[Bufflehead 6,358]

You are not crazy to think it is possible. You have to be willing to commit to really hard work though. I lost over 200 lbs and got to a normal BMI but I fought the last 20 lbs in hand to hand combat for each pound lost.

I will say that I think it is a mistake for many people to set intermediate goals, such as losing 30 lbs by x date. It's like the weight loss gods hear your post and will laugh in your face and make you hit stalls and pauses at just the wrong time in order to frustrate you. Plus I have seen people set these kind of goals, not hit them, and then go completely off the rails with their eating because they are so stressed out and frustrated by not meeting these self-imposed goals.

My advice -- set the ultimate goal you really *want.* Be willing to maintain extreme discipline in order to get there. Forget about intermediate goals, but Celebrate the milestones along the way. Good luck!

[sk101 67]

For myself its a case of just checking it once a week and being happy that its still going. Once it stops moving then I know I have to up my game

[simpsongrad 85]

@@Bufflehead - Totally get that. Those are really milestone weights. I am going to to Hawaii in February, Aruba in September and Branson in May. I don't get too worked up about not hitting a specific date but thought it would be interesting to see if I can come close. I know what you mean about getting frustrated though. Having lost weight several times before, I know what to expect with the stalls and the hard work it takes. I am more worried about keeping the weight off once I hit goal. That is usually where I fall off the wagon and fall hard!!!!

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

I set mine to 130, knowing it's quite possible I won't hit that number till I have excess skin removed. I'm 5' 1" so I'm super short and 130 is the highest "healthy weight" for my height so that's what I used. I understand I could be stuck at 150 or so. My highest weight was 350 a few years ago. 130 might be reaching for the stars but it's a goal I could meet once I loose to a healthy place and then have excess skin removed. I would love to be 110 - 120 but I felt 130 was the better realistic goal.