https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 10:19:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115454 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:26:06 +0000 Eva 115454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question on target weight, Medusa. Self magazine ran an article almost a year ago about your "happy" weight. They even included a calculation based on the typical measurements plus age, body type, amount of exercise, desired weight and other factors. The result was that it may not be your "ideal" weight, but you would be happy at the weight. I also use the term (close your ears, Angie) "bikini" weight, which is the weight I feel I would look my best in a bikini (you don't have to wear a bikini, but the phrase gives a sense of what I am referring to). This weight would be on the low end of the healthy weight, which is has a pretty big range. I am not quite at my "bikini" weight, but I am happy with my weight. This is a weight that shows that I am healthy and fit. Maybe it is a new term, my "fit" weight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115444 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:49:46 +0000 Maya 115444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I was 18, I had to drink special weight gain shakes to stay over 90 pounds. Uh, no thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115331 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:47:28 +0000 chewyspaghetti 115331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That theory just makes a lot of assumptions, which for many of us aren't true.</p> <p>I am probably pretty close to my weight at 18, and I am not in a healthy range at all. Actually, I have one more pound to go before my BMI is out of the 'obese' range. That's a big wake up call.</p> <p>It's been really interesting reading everyone's ideas about this- thanks for starting thsi discussion, Medusa! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115307 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:45:51 +0000 shiny 115307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marianna, I know what you are saying. This "rule of thumb" came out maybe 5 years back or so? There was some research study, it was all over the news. And your point - about many teens being overweight today - was made. </p> <p>But basically the main takeaway from the study is this: it is healthier to maintain your weight within a 10 lb range, throughout your adulthood, than it is to yo-yo diet back and forth between extremes. Yo-yo dieting is extremely stressful on your health - possibly more stressful than being overweight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115299 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:59:48 +0000 marianna 115299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sadly, many 18 and 21 year olds are overweight today. I am 22 and if my target weight was what I weighed last year, I'd be at a perfect weight today. Which obviously isn't accurate. :)</p> <p>It just seems odd to determine weight by an age to me. I've never heard that one before and it seems flawed for many people. There is also a huge range between "severely overweight" and "a little overweight." I suppose if you come from a family of thin people and you are genetically predisposition to be slender/average sized it could be more accurate, but if you come from a long line of obesity, determining target weight by age won't be accurate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115274 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:10:48 +0000 shiny 115274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some experts will tell you that you should aim to be the weight you were when you graduated from high school, around age 18. (Only exception is if you were severely overweight.) Also the reasoning here is that we tend to peak around age 18-21 in terms of lean mass - particularly bone. (There is never an easier time to gain lean mass than in your teens, which is why it is not recommended for teens to limit calories... but I digress... ). </p> <p>Even if a little overweight at that age, these health expert will tell you that those who managed to maintain their weight at age 18 (+/-5 lbs) are healthier as adults and live longer. Wildly fluctuating weight throughout adulthood, is more unhealthy than achieving a particular "ideal" weight. And by maintaining your teenage weight, you are effectively maintaining your peak lean mass. (Of course there are exceptions... you can build muscle mass anytime, it's just harder as an adult.)</p> <p>I think 18 is a bit restrictive. I'd pick age 21 instead. Because when I was 18, I weighed 103, but I hadn't yet reached my full adult height, and I don't think that is uncommon at all. I grew into my whopping 5'0" sometime in college. So instead, I go by my college graduation weight - 107 lbs. Then I pick a range, +/- 5 lbs from that weight. Because it's normal to fluctuate and it'll drive you batty trying to stay at an exact number. </p> <p>Through experience I know that if I drop too much below 107, I feel weak and sickly. I can be happy and like the way I look with my weight up until about 115. Once I go over 115, my blood sugar tends to go all whacky on me, and I get horrible heartburn. And clothes start to fit not so well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115255 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:27:19 +0000 Steph 115255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was never overweight until about eight years ago, when I gained weight and ended up losing 35 pounds. I ended up pretty thin, and although I loved the way it looked, it was too difficult to maintain. To be that small I would have had to diet (and feel hungry) constantly. Through that process I was basically able to look at my body and figure out where my equilibrium point was: the tipping point where my body looked good but I could still eat more than salad. For me, that's actually a range of about 5-7 pounds. When I'm on the higher end I don't look quite as good as when I'm on the lower end, but it's all acceptable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115244 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:05:09 +0000 ChristineB 115244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knew I had a medium body frame, so I figured out the weight that would put me smack dab in the middle of the BMI for my height &amp; shot for that. Then when I got there I decided to keep going a few pounds. I wasn't sure if getting back to the weight I was when I got married was realistic because I was only 19 when I got married, but it turns out that's a fine weight for me, and the weight I stopped at (and the weight I was before Christmas &amp; a Disney vacation added 3 more lbs). Right now I'm working on taking off the Christmas weight. I might do another 5 lbs, but I'm not sure. I'm 5'6" and about 137. I might see how 130 looks. I might not. We'll see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115062 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:01:01 +0000 medusa 115062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much, everyone! Maya, Marianna, Khris, Sihaya, Ele, Julie, Louise, Fiona, Kristen, Kim, Kimlee, Srujana, Sarah, Angie, kellygirl - hearing your perspectives is very helpful. I'm grateful.</p> <p>Angie, to answer your question - I don't really know. In the last few years I've lost a fair bit of weight and also become a lot more fit, and I love the results. I'm 5'6" and 130 pounds; a while ago my weight was around 150-155 and I didn't have as much muscle. I kind of automatically think I should be thinner, but I want to question that belief and make a thoughtful decision about the right weight (or size) range. I definitely still have no shortage of body fat and sometimes I become overly focused on that. I don't think that it's healthy for my goal to be "no visible body fat". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115057 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:54:01 +0000 Kari 115057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My "ideal weight" is partly based on what is a healthy/mid-range BMI for my height, and partly based on the fact that I'd like the clothes I currently own and love to fit better/less tightly. (I've been at that size before so I know what it looks &amp; feels like.) I tend to gain and lose weight fairly evenly throughout my body, so it takes a substantial loss for me to drop a dress size. I'd rather be close to or at the same dress size I'm at now, but be a bit sleeker and more toned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115052 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:45:19 +0000 Anonymous 115052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still working on my target weight as it will be where my blood glucose is most stable and in line. Most of my adult life I've been about 110 (5'4") give or take 10 pounds. After 40 the weight crept up to almost 150. Now I'm at 118 and was as low as 113. I looked too thin but the blood readings were better than now, so I suspect I need to be 110 again. I plan to get there by more exercise and smaller portions at meals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115029 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:34:14 +0000 kellygirl 115029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question, Medusa. I've been thinking along the same lines lately and haven't really come to a conclusion. I've probably gained 10 lbs in the last couple of years. Like you, I am at a healthy weight and am physically fit but I feel like I look better when I weigh less. Losing and keeping the weight off would require a lot more exercise than I'm currently doing and I haven't decided whether it's worth it or not. I think my goal for now is to split the difference and make a conscious effort to lose 5 lbs and see if I can keep it off without having to resort to double workouts Interested to hear how you resolve this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-115010 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:45:34 +0000 Angie 115010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that a healthy weight (the number itself) is highly debatable. You need to look and feel good in your skin, AND be able to maintain that weight without killing yourself. Life is too short to not find joy in everything that you do.</p> <p>Back to your question Medusa, do you feel like you’d like to weigh less than you do? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114899 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:37:09 +0000 Sarah 114899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been overweight my entire life, too. It is very hard to imagine myself as thin and lean.<br /> I focus on health. I do what I know I'm supposed to and we'll see where my body stops. I care far more about body fat percentage than actual weight, but through graphs and charts and what not I can figure that my weight will probably land somewhere in the 130 range. I have medium bone size and am 5'6.5".<br /> I have also talked to a physical trainer and my doctor, so I made sure I'm not aiming too low.<br /> Strength is as much a part of health to me as being thin or lean. I won't weigh as little if I keep up with weight training, but I dont' want to be skinny or small, I want to be fit and healthy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114898 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:31:12 +0000 Srujana 114898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been overweight since I was probably 4 yrs old. I went from being a super skinny toddler to a chubby child to consistently being about 15 lbs more than where I wanted to be during my teenage/adult years. I've been on the high end of those height/weight charts all my life....<br /> I looked and felt my very best about 5 years ago, when I was running about 6 miles a day and eating healthy...and managed to get down to about 130lbs. I'm just shy of 5'4" and really wanted to hit 125, but never made it. Ever since then, I've fluctuated between 135 - 145....until last year when, for various reasons, I let it creep up another 10 lbs.<br /> I try to let go of the numbers....but honestly its a little depressing to see a number on the scale that's never shown up before. This is definitely the year to get that aspect of my life back on track! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114842 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:51:01 +0000 kimlee 114842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As someone who struggled with an eating disorder during and immediately following my collegiate years, I am very wary of focusing on a number when it comes to my appearance. Instead, I try to go by the fit of my clothing. I have a few strategic pieces that are my favorites - when they start to feel too snug, I stop and evaluate my habits - am I working out properly, eating more junk food then normal, and I make small changes accordingly. </p> <p>That being said, I think the best measure of an ideal weight it not the number on a chart but rather the number where you feel your best! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114839 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:43:32 +0000 Queen Mum 114839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I go by "feel" as well. I feel best in my clothes at around 130. When I am up from that, I see it in my face and I really don't like that, plus I don't like the way clothes fit me (even if it's a bigger size- it just doesn't feel right) I"ve been under 130 and love that even more, but found it near impossible to maintain- so I have to go with what is do-able as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114835 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:45:09 +0000 Louise 114835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since stopping slimming world last year i've only weighed myself a couple of times. I prefer to go on the fit of clothes, especially my skinny jeans. When they start feeling a bit tight i know it's time to cut out the junk x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114828 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:49:16 +0000 Kristen 114828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I talked about this at length on my blog last month. </p> <p><a href="http://lowfatdressing.blogspot.com/2009/12/thinky-thoughts-on-value-and-meaning-of.html" rel="nofollow">http://lowfatdressing.blogspot.....ng-of.html</a></p> <p>To distill it to one paragraph, I have been overweight pretty much my entire adult life. I NEVER knew my optimal weight was supposed to be, except from charts that seemed unsustainable. But now I have seen and documented at what size I am most comfortable with myself, and that's what is my goal. I still don't know the exact pounds I want to me -- I was too focused on losing and on numbers when I was there the last time -- but I will be figuring that out this year. It's more important to me that I know how I want to look in the mirror; that's how I will know when I am there, not by an arbitrary number from a chart. That was a powerful revelation for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114826 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:40:57 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 114826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that it is a lot harder to shift a small amount of weight than a larger amount!</p> <p>I know that I feel good at around 65kgs (143 lbs) and am probably at my best a couple of kgs lighter than that (so around 136 lbs). I am not tall either - 5ft 4inches, so if you go by BMI this would still put me in the top end of the healthy range. I really couldn't imagine going any lower than that without either extreme under eating or over exercising (and realistically probably both!). My body just isn't build that way.</p> <p>I think initially it is good to try and obtain a healthy BMI and then focus on the size of clothing you would like to fit into. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114815 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:39:41 +0000 Louise 114815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wanted to drop a dress size and with the advice of the slimming world leader went for 2 stones. However when i dropped a dress size i had only lost just over a stone and decided to stop there as i didn't want to get too skinny x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114799 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:12:57 +0000 RoseandJoan 114799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before pregnancy I weighed about 125 lbs, which at 5ft 8" was slim but healthy weight for my frame. My ribcage and hips are now larger and I consider my ideal weight to be around 133 lbs. At this weight I can afford to have a few indulgences.</p> <p>I originally set my weight loss target at 140 lbs but did not feel happy at that weight.</p> <p>Christmas has been a disaster for me as I have been eating whatever I want whilst being unable to get out with the pram (20 days of snow, living up a very steep hill which is not gritted and having five stone to push around). I have only gained three pounds but aim to have lost them by the end of January. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114787 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:24:26 +0000 Ele 114787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Maya and Sihaya, I based mine on when I looked/felt my best. Strangely (given that I'm a shortie too!) it's quite a bit bigger than theirs- 115lbs. At that weight I felt slim but still curvy, and very healthy. It might be because I have a medium frame and naturally carry a lot of muscle, so need to take that into account. I'm currently about 5 lbs over that, and I'll echo Maya that it's SO HARD to lose that tiny amount of weight. My body just seems stuck, and it's very frustrating!</p> <p>(This is embarrassing: my Canadian passport is expired and I need to apply for a new one. I started filling in the forms but immediately stopped when I got to the box asking for my weight. I just didn't want to put my current weight in there! Perhaps a little white lie would encourage me to try harder? Or maybe I'll just put off getting the passport... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114785 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:51:51 +0000 Sihaya 114785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been 110lbs whenever I've thought I've looked perfect. It fits me in my height and bone structure and was the weight I was before kids. I might be dreaming to think that I can go back to pre-kid weight - who knows? But that's my dream and, like Maya, the 10 lbs that I need to lose. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114777 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:47:53 +0000 chewyspaghetti 114777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did some research online- used a bunch of different charts/calculators and theories- then I talked to my doctor. Like Marianna, I didn't have a reference weight because I have always been overweight. I'm aiming for a weight that I have never been in my adult life. I may have to adjust that as I get nearer, but for now that is my goal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114776 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:35:54 +0000 marianna 114776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am aiming for 160-170 pounds, which I know sounds big for most, but it would be ideal for my height. I have never been at that weight, but I start to look much better when I start to near that range. I have pictures from when I weighed around 190 pounds and I looked great (I didn't think so back then though!) Listening to my gut instinct, 160-170 lbs would be my target weight. I'm giving myself a range because I like to eat. Nothing scientific here!</p> <p>I'm sure I would be healthy at 140 pounds too, but I can't imagine myself that thin (thin for my height). Just doesn't feel like me. Maybe I'll reevaluate once I reach my first goal weight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114763 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:48:32 +0000 Maya 114763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not hard for me. I felt best at around 105 pounds. That's all I needed to know to figure out my ideal weight.</p> <p>I know that seems skinny but I have been under 100 pounds for most of my adult life, so it's actually quite normal for me. I'm short and very small boned. I haven't checked the scale in a long time out of sheer anxiety, but last I checked I was 115. Not terrible and certainly not fat, but I know I would be a lot more comfortable at 10 pounds lighter. 115 pounds is what I weigh after months of inactivity and eating whenever I want, so I *know* it's not the right weight for me. Also, I wasn't an apple until that point. At 105, I was filled out enough not to look frail, but thin enough to have a comfortable shape with no odd squishy spots. </p> <p>Unfortunately as most people know, the last ten pounds are the hardest...and even harder when they're the only ten pounds. So I'm not sure how to go about it. I'm hoping that now that I am more active, it will just happen on its own. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-how-did-you-choose-your-target-weight#post-114762 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:41:31 +0000 medusa 114762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is partially inspired by Anne's recent thread where she asked us to talk her out of a crash diet. </p> <p>Trying on clothes and looking at pictures of myself has me thinking about what weight/size I want for myself. My current weight is healthy and I look fine, so I don't feel that I NEED to lose weight. On the other hand, I could be skinnier and I also do weight-limited sports where I could perform better by losing body fat. I don't have a good sense of how to find the right balance.</p> <p>So how did/do you do it? I would love to hear others' thoughts and decision-making processes. </p>