What factors have you taken in to figure out your ideal weight? When I first starting losing weight, I wanted to lose 140 pounds, and I had it in my mind that I would definately lose that much weight. But now that I'm getting closer and closer to goal, I seem to want to reduce the "goal" weight. I know I should change my goals before I reach them, but I'm curious what you think.

What made you choose the goal you did? Did you use a calculator? Did a Doctor tell you what you should weigh?

I did the same thing. I decided on my own. I did use a caculator and it told me 170 or so and at the moment, I'm at 180 and that is confortable for me. I do plan to drop a little bit more may be 5lbs. I'm more concerned about keeping of the 50 that I lost (forever) than the 5 extra that I would like to lose.

Hey Luke,

I realize my goal weight is a long way away but I did the same thing. I picked my own number. I decided on my goal weight because that is what I weighed when I first graduated high school...a short ten years ago.

My doctor has recommended trying to get to the 220 range. It depends when I get to where my doctor wants me to be and I feel comfortable...like John...I may stay there. But picking a number gives us something to go for.

Along the way I have set mini goals to try to get to by certain dates. It helps me stay motivated.

Phisig985 - something in your post caught my eye - your mention of "mini-goals." Good concept and something I need to shoot for. I'm not comfortable discussing how much weight I need to lose - suffice it to say it is a lot. It is affecting every single area of my life, from my marriage to my health. My main probem is that I get so discouraged when I look at (and I hate to use such a cliche') the "big picture" and the total amount of weight that I need to lose. At the risk of sounding wimpish (especially in a men's forum! LOL) I have been literally at the point of tears when discussing this with my wife. I told her last week that I feel like somebody has told me to take down Stone Mountain with a hammer and chisel (for those not familiar, Stone Mountain is a suburb east of Atlanta - my hometown - in which is located the largest piece of exposed granite on earth - it literally is a stone mountain - check out http://www.stonemountainpark.com/general/index.html )

Anyway, I think the only way to win this fight (which I've fought my whole life) is to win small battles on my way to a bigger victory- maybe be in this size by this date or be able to lengthen my walks by this much by this date etc...etc...I'm rambling now. At the point I'm at right now, I'll get too discouraged thinking about shooting for an ideal weight. I need to just realize constant improvement taking place in order to keep going. As my old football coach used to yell (frequently and loudly) "head up, shoulders square, feet moving........"

GOOOOOOOOOOO JACKETS!!!! STING 'EM!!!!!!!!!!

Go Jackets? Sounds like the Yellow Jackets.. UR's team.

I'm a lifelong Georgia Tech fan.....(literally - I've been going to Georgia Tech sporting events since I learned to walk!)

Hello Mr. Yellow Jacket,

Personally I am a huge Buckeye fan but David Duval came from Georgia Tech so it can't be all that bad. I once partied with some guys from Georgia Tech on spring break in Florida...oh those were the days.

Anyway, I don't think it sounded wimpish (even on a guys diet forum..HaHa) that you have thought so strongly about your weight. As you can see from my stats I have lost a few pounds but do have a lot to go.

The mini-goals I have set have all been like the ones you have mentioned. Walking certain distances within a certain time. I wanted to be some where in the 350 range by my doctors appointment I had on the 9th...I weighed in at 358...I was really happy not to mention how pleased my doctor was. These are the types of goals I have set and I have done so to keep my sanity. If I hadn't I more than likely would have given up. So, like your coach said just keep going (paraphrasing). Good luck on your journey to a healthier and more rewarding life.

Being under a dr's care while you're trying to lose weight is a great idea. Make sure that he is doing more than having you hop on a scale once every 6 months. I'd also recommend getting blood tests to ensure that your cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels are ok/dropping as well. Weight alone is not a true indicator of health..it's a very obvious one, but not the only one. Just because someone weighs 190 pounds, that alone doesn't make them healthy.

BTW, my wife turned me into a Clemson fan...anyone got a decent support site for that??

I'm married to a registered nurse, so I get bloodwork done fairly frequently - whether I want to or not!! But thanks for the input.
A CLEMSON FAN!?? OH MY!! I don't know of any support groups! Only prayer can help that!! LOL!! Just kidding - I enjoy my team's friendly (most times) rivalry w/ Clemson!!

GOOOOOOOOOO JACKETS!!!!

We do need prayer...especially during Bowden Bowl every year. God, I really hope Tommy can beat dear old dad just ONCE before Bobby retires. I'm sick of dealing with my wife being crabby for two months after they lose every year!!!

Back to the topic at hand...improvements in your bloodwork can be a great motivator. Especially if your weight isn't dropping as fast as you would like. Seeing your cholesterol or triglyceride levels dropping is just as rewarding! It can also send up a red flag. Just because you are losing weight doesn't mean that you are getting healthier. The results of your lipid profile are really good indicators of your overall health as well as your potential risk for coronary disease, etc.

You told me in a PM that you were going to change that tag-line, but I see that you haven't done that.

Lynn

The factor I take into account for an ideal weight is what I weighed right after basic training. I was lean and in the best shape of my life I weighed 220 and was solid muscle. The chart they had while I was in said 207 was my ideal weight. How archaic even then. I set my goal at 225 because I really don't see me doing as much physical activity as required the reach 220 again. Not in this lifetime anyway. I want to be healthy and comfortable, not fighting machine chew nails strong like was out of basic. Besides I don't see me running that much again either. At least not without something really big and really mean chasing me ...... that was the only way they got me to run in basic too :D

I agree though the key is little, achievable, goals and taking things one day at a time.

I really look forward to getting to know you all in here.

^John