Difficulties In Setting a Goal

So, I am like 3 lbs. away from my "dream" goal of 160 lbs. But, now that I'm actually so close, I can't fight the part of me that is going "shoot a bit lower." So, I'm thinking now perhaps 155 is good....or 150?

The problem is that I have a very skewed perception of self. I don't think I look like a "normal" person, though I typically wear a size 8. My doctors are already over the moon about my progress and said it's up to me as long as I don't go underweight on the BMI chart. My friends/family think I need to stop where I am. But...I just can't imagine it. I've been always trying to lose weight for the last 20 years.

So I guess my questions to the veterans are: How did you settle on a goal? Did you shoot lower when you got to your "dream" goal - maybe to build a larger buffer against regain?nWhat made you decide to stop where you did? And did you find it extremely difficult to NOT be trying to lose?

I know I've been kinda MIA recently but I will be posting new progress pictures soon, as well. It's been a while since I took them and maybe seeing them will help me decide where to set a "final" goal.

I'm not a vet and don't have a definite goal yet.  But I think I would like to get at least 5-10 lbs. below my goal (when I finally decide) to have that buffer zone.  Do what feels right for you without going underweight.  Last my doc told me the underweight number for me and I laughed out loud.  I don't remember exactly but I think it was something like 105 (I'm only 5'2").  I haven't seen that number since elementary school.  Anyhow, 137 puts me at a "normal" BMI and I'm thinking I would like to get to about 125, but I'll see as I get closer.

Lmao! I was 115 in high school. I went from 115 my freshman year to 190 my senior year (oral steroids are evil ). 98 pounds is actually right at the edge of being underweight for us petite women. So I guess 105 might be close to that edge. My goal is in the 120's, as well. 

Woah, you're 5'10''... 160 is completely fine. Your BMI will be 23. In my opinion, anyone who is that tall shouldn't go below 140. Even at 180, people that tall look amazing. My friend (who is 5'10'') lost a bunch of weight a few years ago. At 180, she was already looking too skinny. But, I know everyone is built differently.

I'm not a veteran, but I've seen many people lose over their goal, not because they wanted to, but because it just happened. My dream goal is 120. I'm very petite (5'1''-5'2'') and my doctor said my weight should be between 99-125 pounds. Obviously, 99 pounds is right on the edge of underweight, so 120 will be fine for me. If you want to hit a lower goal to keep some wiggle room between the chance of regain, then that sounds like a good idea. Just don't let yourself get stressed over it. Keep doing what you're doing, and if extra pounds come off, then so be it.

I actually know of some people who had a goal, but just kept losing. They were frightened that they were losing too much. But I'm pretty sure your body knows what is right for it.

Thank you! To be totally honest, I haven't really been trying to lose over the last few months but its happening, so that's awesome! I am trying to tighten the reins a little bit because I do want to get to 160 and 150? Jeez. I think I was like 13 the last time I saw that number. Hahaha!

Being tall does definitely have some advantages, its hard to just NOT be obsessed with the number on the scale after being obsessed with it throughout this whole journey. :)

That's wonderful! LOL! I was probably 17 the last time I saw 150, (then I gained about 50 pounds in three months and got up to almost 200 because of oral steroids... )

It really does! Being short... Ugh... At 130 I'm considered slightly overweight.

You're so right! It's hard not to be obsessed, especially when it's pretty easy to lose the weight. I feel like once I get to 120, I'll be obsessed and convince myself I'm still fat. Why do I have to be so difficult?

Love this question! Thank you for posting. I am eagerly awaiting responses from veterans. I struggle with what my goal will be. Do I just lose as much as I can in the first year. My BMI is just squeaking below obese. Do I go for under "Overweight"? Do I pick a clothes size? Do I pick a number on the scale? I have been trying to lose/maintain a weight since 1999. How do I wrap my head around being less than 10 pounds heavier than I was when I started this saga?

Wow, I am so excited that you started this!!!!

That's how I felt. When I hit under 300, I was like "Whoah! I look better!" Once I hit 250, I was like "Ok! I look good! I'm skinny!" Then I got to 200, and thought "Wow! I thought I was skinny before?!? I still had such a long way to go!" And now at like 163, I'm doing it again - all "Whoah! How did I think I was skinny and fine being at 200 as my goal?" Hahaha.

Was just talking about this earlier.  Prior to surgery my Heart Failure Specialist hoped that I would get to 225lbs. (so that I would be able to move up on the transplant list when the time came). I surpassed that goal and was shooting for anything below 200. Then it was 185, and now I am shooting for 175 (6lbs. to go). I am a shy tad of 5'10", according to the BMI charts, I need to get down to 163lbs. to hit the "normal" zone. It's hard to picture myself down another 18lbs.. Either way, I am happy with my progress and if I plateaued out today, I would be satisfied. That being said, I do plan to continuing the efforts to loose and then maintain. I figure if I can get down to 175 or a tad less and maintain, having the excess skin taken care of might boost me the rest of the way (or at least close).  

That's exactly what I'm thinking. I have a lot of fat in areas under my loose skin that just will not go away, no matter how much I lose. I definitely think having a tummy tuck would drop me another 5 lbs because of that.