How do you know when to stop losing weight?

[Fox629]

I started at about 14.5 stone / 205lbs.

My first goal was 11 stone / 154lbs, which put me on the edge of a healthy bmi.

At the moment I am 9 stone 12lbs / 138lbs. I think I look healthy at this size and I feel good about myself, but I’m not sure if I should try and get down to 130lbs, as I am pear shaped and still have large thighs - so although I can wear a size 10 on my bottom half, it is slightly loose around my waist and anything fitted feels too tight around my legs, but a size 12 is far too big on my waist. My measurements are 34-27-39.

The point of my post is - for those of you who are losing/have lost weight, how do you know when to stop? Do you just pick a goal and stick to it, or go by how you feel at different sizes?

thanks in advance!

I’d just check bmi for your height on the NHS website and make sure you don’t go below the healthy range

Ps don’t go by clothes sizes. If you have a skirt that’s too loose wt the waist and too tight on the thighs, you’re simply shopping in the wrong shop or buying a cut that isn’t intended for your figure.

I switched to a weight maintenance strategy when my BMI reached 22, which is in the mid of the ‘healthy’ range. I didn’t want to go any lower because I have a large frame (broad shoulders, size 9 feet etc) and 8 wouldn’t look or feel well if I was any lighter.

Absolutely. Aim for mid range of healthy. Or just a bit below, so you can have a few greedy days every now and then. So a BMI of maybe 21

I’d stick at somewhere where you feel you can easily maintain.

The clothing fit issues will be due to the fact that there's usually about a ten inch difference between waist and hips but your difference is larger than that. I saw some jeans with a smaller waist and larger hips online recently l, they were called the "curve range" (in teh true meaning of the word, I guess) but I don't remember the brand. If I find it I'll post a link.

My waist and hips are 10+ inches different too so I can never find things that fit both at the same time.

I have a goal in mind but I am undecided whether to stop there or not. I think I will judge whether I am still healthy looking and healthy BMI zone and what I am able to easily maintain. There is no point me trying go get below 10st I know I will struggle to stay there.

Can I be nosey and ask how you’ve lost weight?

Sorry just a minor correction: I wrote "there's usually about a ten inch difference between waist and hips" but I actually meant there's usually about a ten inch difference between waist and hips in clothing.

I’ve done self-assessment by looking in the mirror :-)
I used to be tiny in my 20s, but my frame changed after having kids - my rib cage is wider and to look good I need to look toned too. So it wasn’t realistic for me to aim for the weight from the days of yore, I would look gaunt and anorexic, I aimed instead for the weight that feels right for me given my age and activity level, and also the weight and build that makes shopping easier because I fit easily into most clothes, any boring pair of jeans fits me well, no matter if it’s high rise, low rise or whatever rise.

Not sure about that. I personally look good towards the lower end of the healthy range (not at all in the middle like some people have suggested), but not right at the bottom of it.
If you start to look too bony, people will tell you generally. Of course, you have to filter out people who just don't like the fact that you've changed or who prefer you to be fatter.

If you're pear-shaped, you will have the same problem with clothes whatever weight you are. I'm pear-shaped and have ranged from 8 to just over 11 stone as an adult. Your current weight is my current goal! Its the weight I feel best at. It's towards the top of my BMI but I have enough boobage to balance out the hips.

Ad a pear, it's possible to find clothes that fit well but a bit harder than for those with the 10 inch waist/hip difference.

You've done really well to lose that weight. If you're happy there, then no need to lose any more. Or maybe toning your legs/butt/waist is the way to continue your health journey. Our body shape is in fashion at the moment - big butts and thighs are in!!

I could have written ur post. I am currently 9.12. I was going to go down to 8.7. Then I changed it to 9 stone. And now I’m thinking 9.7.

My original goal was to be able to go to a clothes shop buy a size 10 pair of trousers off the rack and have them fit me. I’m now 9.12 and I have to go to the shops tomorrow and buy a size 10 jeans as I no longer fit into my 12’s.

I don’t want to try and hunt out a size 8 as I don’t see them often. I’m actually happy with how thin I am now. So I think I’m going to just loose another half a stone and leave it at that. I’m happy wearing tight clothes now. And to be quite honest if I lose anymore weight my boobs will be non existent

For context. When I started in August I was 13.1 stone.

My weight just naturally stabilised at a bmi of 19. I didn't 'diet' or calorie count though, I changed what I was eating to something that I would be happy to stick with forever. I now have no belly fat despite being peri menopausal.

I’m definitely pear-shaped (hips wider, shoulders narrower, small boobs, storing fat in thighs and bum) and my problem with buying clothes disappeared as I became more toned. I exercise regularly and this has changed my body shape - my waist is wider because obliques take more space than nonexistent obliques, and my saddlebags are no more so the difference between waist and hips is less dramatic. I think it’s quite common, unless someone trains specifically to build big glutes (I don’t).

I've been thinking the same. Have lost 35% of my body weight in a year (yes, on that jab) and now BMI just over 21. Size 10-12 or XS-M, totally depending on the brand and I'm smaller above waist. (In M&S jeans a 10 or 12)
I'm losing more slowly now and moving towards maintain calories. I don't look emaciated in the mirror/photos but healthy/slim/curvy but I feel quite bony (esp compared to when I was obese!).
One of the brands that really fit my body type don't go down to a size 8 and I'm a 10 there now, so that's one thing I think about, as silly as it may sound. Another thing is I'm 50+ and after a certain age I don't feel it's the best to be too scrawny, esthetically or health wise.

I was signed up for a fairly major elective surgery where it is important to be healthy, and my surgeon told me not to lose any more weight.

I am 10-10.5 stone, at 5’7 and am fairly
big boned.

How tall are you?