How to pick a target weight

[PurpleDandelions]

I've been calorie counting and exercising much more than usual for about 3 months and have gone from a BMI of 25 to 22. So from on the borderline of healthy-overweight to being comfortably within healthy. I didn't really have a target in mind when I started, I just felt super flabby and unhealthy and knew that something had to change. (I have complex health issues so getting healthy is very important for me.)

I'm now lighter than I've been for most of my adult life, but still don't feel like I'm where I want to be.

How do I decide when to stop losing and switch to maintaining? In the past when I've lost weight I've stopped when I was fed up with restricting what I eat, but I've not reached that point yet this time prob because I'm exercising more so my calorie target doesn't feel so restrictive.

Any thoughts?

Well done!!

I also want to know the answer to this question.

The Dukan website had a calculator thing to work out your target; it based on a lot of factors including how many pregnancies, heaviest and lightest you've ever been etc. I thought it quite reasonable number at the time

Thanks. I tried the dukan site and it said I should stick at my current weight. But I still feel wobblier than I'd like so I'll try and lose a couple more kg before I stop.

Personal preference really on how you look and feel. I would say though that when you do stop your weight-loss plan, even if you are being careful it is normal to have a little bounce back up in weight, so it’s not a bad idea to get a few pounds under where you would eventually like to settle

I would throw your scales out and concentrate on getting strong and fit and eating the best quality food you can (no restriction but instead, most of the time choosing to eat food you know is good for you and enjoying it). Give it 6 months, see where it takes you.

And well done!

I set mine at the lowest limit for my BMI, so just inside the healthy range, but I didn't quite get there and I stopped when I was happy with my body and with my eating pattern. I have been maintaining a BMI of 19 since and I'm happy with that - though I'm still a bit wobbly in places
That's my age, and multiple dc, so I can live with it
I think, as long as you're in the healthy range then it's just about the balance of being satisfied with what you are eating and being happy with your body. Well done - you've done amazingly well!

When you are eating healthily and maintaining then that is a good weight.

Thanks all.
For me throwing out the scales is a bad idea.
If I do that then I know from past experience that my weight will drift up. Instead I'll switch to weighing less often and aiming to stay below a particular target without calorie counting, but instead just making necessary diet adjustments. But for me the scales are important to stop my weight drifting up too much and getting into a yo-yo cycle.

Me too purpledandelions, my scales keep me sane and stop me feeling like I've had a bad day so should just give it up and go back to eating everything in sight... I can step in the scales and realise that one bad day isn't the end of the world.

Personally, I know when I’m happy in my jeans-I set my target weight for that. I weigh once a week and if I’m 2kg over, I make a special effort to eat well and exercise until I’m back there again. That helps me never to have an intimidating amount to lose.

It might be a bit of trial and error to find a weight where you feel good and can also eat and exercise in a sustainable way.

I would also think about setting some fitness targets, or enjoying trying out new healthy meals to keep things fresh.

Well done on the fantastic loss.

Nice purple garden here😁

@PurpleDaisies aaah! I wondered how will i do it after. This is a good idea. Thank you!

For my bmi 21 feels best. Sadly I've sat at around 22-23 for the last couple of years and just can't get to my ideal.