How do I know what my target weight should be? Am I there? Should I lose more?

[InsertCrapNameHere]

I've lost 4 st, I am now 10st 1lb, I'm happy that I've lost the weight I have but I still want to lose more. My BMI is 24.1, I'd like it to be about 23, nicely in the middle of the healthy range.

But, people keep saying to me 'don't lose any more' and that sort of thing and I'm finding it a bit annoying, even seems to feel free to comment. I'm still not happy where I am, not happy when I am in a swimming costume, not so bad fully clothed.

How am I meant to know what to set my target as? Do I just keep going until I'm happy or listen to people and stop now even though I'm not happy yet?

wifitmama - well done for losing so much, totally fab.

My view:

You can't be a "normal" person as in the aftermath of a diet your body wants to put the weight back on. Its sensed that there has been a famine and its now over. Dukan talks about a consolidation phase where you eat a bit more carbs each day but continue to be careful - he thinks you are at risk for 5 days for every pound loss, so around 9 months - I am just coming to the end of that. For you the consolidation phase would be even longer.

re: how long to keep on going for - if its still coming off at 1 pound a week and you'd like to lose a little more then keep on going. I did also read somewhere that the lower your body fat the less of a problem loose skin was. My body fat is around 18%-20% and as there isn't really any fat under the skin esp on stomach - so there is no loose skin but the skin on stomach quite crinkly (although I think better than it was). My BMI under 21 AND I have good muscle tone.

Also my DH who has never been overweight (infact he is thin!) never ever overeats - if he isn't hungry he just won't eat. Even if there is a cake right out of the oven. Overweight people are generally overweight as they either love food, or use food as a comfort and hence hard for them to be normal.

Another thought might be, why not try something like Paul Mckenna, ie no calorie counting, no weighing etc but also no overeating?

I also think weight bearing exercise extremely important. I am lifting 25kg in gym chest press and dead lift and 15kg for tricep extention and shoulder press. Not doing heavy leg weights as legs have enough muscles from running etc.

wifimama although wanted to say that for me the last 5 pounds was very very slow to come off as I had started my weight lifting by then so was building muscle as well as reducing weight.

I am seriously impressed by the weight you can lift forever!! You must be building serious muscle!