Goal Size or Goal Weight? Which do you have?
By vokey9472
@vokey9472 (1486)
United States
October 27, 2007 10:26am CST
Ok, so I am trying to lose weight and get healty. Well, my doctor asked me what my goal weight was and I was at a loss as to what to say. I hadn't even thought about a goal weight. I have a goal dress size. So I told my doctor that I wasn't concerned with the numbers on the scale, I was more concerned with the numbers in my jeans. She just looked at me and then told me that I needed to concentrate on attaining my "ideal" weight, which is like death warmed over for me. She actually wants me to weigh a starving 125 pounds. I am 5'7" with a large bone frame. My old doctor told that with my bone densitiy, large frame and height, I should weigh between 160-180 pounds. That is a HUGE difference from 125. My diabetes doctor is thrilled over my weight loss and my blood work was better than ever this last time. He thinks I am doing great and hasn't once mentioned a specific weight or size. He always just says that he wants me to get down to a healthy weight for me. Not what someone else thinks is healthy but a weight at which I can manage my disease with most control. He did ask what I was doing since I hadn't been able to lose more than 10 pounds for 5 years. I told him "It's a French secret." Then told him about "French Women Don't Get Fat". I consider it my diet and lifestyle bible. Since getting and reading that book, I have been able to lose weight steadily and keep it off.
I currently weigh 260. Which I think is great. I went from 337 to 260 in about 6 months. Thing is I am not interested in those numbers. I was more excited over going from a size 32 to a size 22. I think the THOSE numbers are more important. I feel better, I have more energy and my clothes look better. Isn't that what really counts?
Anyways, I was just wondering what other people thought. Is is more important to have a goal weight or a goal size?
4 responses
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
28 Oct 07
According to my doctor, at 125 my BMI would be about 19.5-20. Which is in the normal range. Apparently the normal range is 18-24. The thing is that the BMI does not take into account muscle mass or bone density.
At 160, the smallest weight that my old doctor wanted, I still have a BMI of 25, which is considered overweight. The most I can weigh and still have a "normal" BMI is 158. I hate the BMI charts. I want to switch doctors but my insurance wont let me until January. I wish doctors would go back to those old fashioned charts, the ones that asked if you were a petite, small, medium, large or extra large bone frame and then wanted you height. Those were more normal. On those old charts, my ideal weight was between 160 and 175. That just seems more healthy and normal to me.
@lizzyt2007 (1312)
• Craig, Alaska
7 Dec 07
I don't know what I weigh now. I forgot, but I do know I want to lose weight and size. I have lost a little weight cause I notice I am not wearing XXL anymore I wear XL now. my jeans size has gone down one size. I hate hows its so hard to buy preety dresses or skirts or shirts. Because my chest is big and my hips aren't small neigther. I am glad that I don't gain weight like my mom and sister and brother. They are bigger than me, I gain weight like my dad. I like that, when we eat big it shows but not as much as my other family members. I know my bigest habbit I am trying to quit is eating a candy bar everytime I go to the store. My other thing is stop buying ice cream and cookies. Today I am going to buy fruit that I love for me and my son to enjoy. I got to train him like I want to start eatting our snacks. He loves ice cream and candy like me.
@jjallwilliams5 (26)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Hello! First of all, great job on your weight loss! That is a BIG change for 6 months and you should be very proud of yourself! I am a certified personal trainer and back when I used to work (I now stay at home with my kids), I worked at a place similar to curves. It was just for ladies only. I always had them shoot for a particular size, not wieght. I did this because of bone density and muscle tone. And most women have an easier time sticking to their goal if they have a particular outfit they want to get back into. Muscle does in fact weigh more than fat, so if these ladies were concerned with being toned, than they would weight more than someone who just wanted to weigh next to nothing.
With your height, you would be a stick figure if you were to weigh 125. I am 5'1" and that is the weight that I like to be at because with my muscle tone it puts me in a 6-8 jean size. I wouldn't want to be any skinnier. Though by Army standards, I was slightly overweight at 125! I am now trying to get back to my size 6-8 after having more kids. It will take some work, and I will probably weigh less in the pant size now because it will take me awhile to get toned back up.
You need to stick with what you've been doing. You have lost an incredible amount of weight and will reach your goal! Disregard what that doctor said and listen to your other doctor, as he/she seems more knowledgable about your body and bone density. YOU know your body better than anyone else and while it can be encouraging and informative to take suggestions from others, you know what is best for your body. You said you feel better, look better and have more energy..that IS what counts! Keep up the good work!
