When should one stop losing?

[mgw]

I have enough to lose that whether I level off before I get there remains to be seen, but my S.O., who is doing Atkins too, is probably within 10 pounds of goal. Some posts I have seen say that one actually lives longer if one is about 5 to 10 pounds above the weight prescribed by some weight tables.

For reasons it would take time to explain, there isn't a doctor we can ask, and I am not sure how well informed most M.D.'s are about the effects of various weights anyway.

So...for those who set their own weight goals, how did you choose the weight you wanted to be?

Mary-Anne

[IvannaBFit]

I've never been at goal, so I can't answer this in a personal light, but my (late) mother "set" her goal weight by knowing what she could keep off without constantly "fighting" it off.

In other words, she could eat "bad" foods (she was never a big eater to begin with, but she had her love of bread and so forth) once in a while and still maintain at her weight. She said that when she was young, she once was at a weight which she knew was not a "healthy" weight because she had to BATTLE constantly to keep it off. Never could enjoy any treats and always felt hungry.

So that's how she knew what worked for her.

[caverjen]

The latest large, long-term study of women that I read reported that except in smokers, the less a woman weighed the healthier she was. I think the 5-10# cushion is an old wives' tale. I chose my goal weight based on the weight tables. I chose a weight on the low end because I have a small build, and I don't want any excess weight pounding on my joints when I run. Aesthetically I also prefer a lean look, at least on myself since all my fat goes to my gut.

[ojoj]

I just kept eating the same as I had during my weight loss phase and my body just seemed to stop losing weight - I guess it was happy at 127lbs!

My original target was 140lbs and when I got there I didnt know how to stop eating as I had been during my weight loss - I didnt feel i needed to introduce more carbs or anything else, so I kept going...

I havent lost anymore since feb 2004 and I'm still happy with what i eat and have no desire to change it - EVER!

jo

[Mousesmom]

I chose my goal weight based on the weight tables. I chose a weight on the low end because I have a small build

I did much the same thing... I have a really small frame.

I want to get to a weight that looks good on me that isn't a battle every day to maintain.

Julie

[KimNWI]

I chose mine based on where I think I looked the best. I was about 150 yrs ago and in like a 9 to 9/10. On my 5'8 frame I looked nice like that. According to the weight charts its still a little overweight for me but I liked it. Any less than that for me and my build I seemed to loose my curves and boobs LOL.

KimNWI