Setting Your Goal Weight
When you’re starting out, setting your goal weight is obviously something you’ll want to figure out. You may want to go one step at a time, your goals switched each time you accomplish one, or you may want to go with an overall goal.
I have the overall goal of 100 pounds to lose and the smaller goals along the way. My first goal is 236 – 20 pounds down and also the lowest point I got to the last time I went on a diet.
When it comes to setting your goals, you really need to consider what is going to work best for you. Most people consider one huge goal alone too intimidating. I highly recommend the combination of a bigger goal along with at least one smaller goal.
You’ll probably recognize the categories of weight according to BMI:
BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Most BMI calculators are based solely on your height and weight, and that is the big thing to keep in mind.
If I lose the full 100 pounds and weigh 156 pounds, my BMI will be 25.2 – in the overweight category. However, I am also someone who is stocky. A farm girl. Even as early as 160, I might look like those bony people you wish would just eat a hamburger.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to the BMI calculator, is obese. Yep, a BMI of 30.2
So take the BMI calculator with a grain of salt, so to say. In the end, it’s about how you feel, not about what a graph created by someone who doesn’t know you says.
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If you’re looking for other health related sites, take a look at Encouraging Health
February 5th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I use the smaller goal idea. I have been doing Weight Watchers since Sept., and they recommend the first goal being 10% of your weight lost. It is a great feeling, and inspiring to go on when you reach even a small goal.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I have my overall goal weight but I have also broken it down to percentage goals. My first goal is when I’ve lost 5% of my original starting weight (which I should hit in the next couple weeks) and then 10%, then 15%, and you get the idea.
Even at my goal weight I will be overweight according the experts but they can kiss my overweight butt, lol. I have a large frame so weighing 100 pounds is just not an option for me.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Jean - Using the percentages as goals is an excellent idea.
Jenera - I love the goal chart to you have on your site.
And I agree completely. I’m not sure if I’ll start looking not so great even a lot further before 156.