On starting my Atkins plan in March my BMI was 29.5 .

The read out stated that the normal BMI value should be between 20 and 24.9

Today my BMI reading is 23.9.

The normal body weight was stated to be 129lbs to 160lbs and I therefore set my target here at 140 lbs.

I have got rid of my breasts and most of my stomach and lost a chubby face and of course feeling much fitter. Except when lying down my ribs are not yet showing like they were thirty years ago!

I wouldn't want to alter my target weight because of inability to get there but I reckon to lose another 16 lbs might be going a bit over the top.

Suggestions invited for changes if any to my target weight

You might think about increasing your carbs to pre-maintenance - to the point you are losing very little weight - perhaps only a pound or two a month. Then take some time to get used to your new size and let things settle down and see if your weight wants to stay where it is or if it continues down. What about changing your goal to 160 lbs and reconsidering in a year if you want to go lower. You could use that time to learn to keep your weight down since regaining it is a big risk.

Perhaps instead of focusing on your weight, you could work on your exercise and weight lifting to shape your body the way you want it and then make up your mind if you are at the right weight.

I think if you're happy with how you look and you're healthy then your current weight is fine.

Squid

I agree, dont focus so much on the number but on the way you feel. If you are in your healthy weight range then work on what you feel would help, be that weight lifting or weight loss. I think (at least me) how you feel is most important.

And it is very true that with this eating style you can end up weighin more, but be smaller. That is the case for me. So while I agree it is hard not to get caught up in the numbers, you really sould go more by your mirror and how you feel!

Thanks for your good advice folks.

As I am a fairly "stocky" build I think I will go for the upper level of the recommended weight - after all I started this not for looks but for health reasons.

I didn't want to cheat myself by changing the goalpost without proper reason.

So many of my friends were going down with type 2 diabetes and I did not want to end up with the same condition

Just confirm I am also following an exercise regime too and the experience of being stuck for some time at the same weight has given me an insight as to how little more I will be able to eat once I go into maintenance