Realistic goal weight?

[Nailsinthecityy_VSG]

How do I calculate a good goal weight for myself? I'm trying to take all factors into consideration, as I don't want to set an unrealistic goal and then be disappointed in the long run. However, I also don't want to set it too high, and then become complacent.
As of now, I've chosen 160. I'm 5'7, 32 years old. I've had 2 children, and I have a large frame (wide hips and shoulders). My starting weight was 346, and I don't know if I'll be able to do plastics to remove excess skin (I'm hoping so, but highly doubt insurance will cover it). Does 160 seem reasonable?
Thank you all for your input

[char602]

I don't know about everyone else, but I want to be at the high end of a healthy BMI for my height of 5'6", which is 148. I haven't been a healthy BMI in 13 years, so I just want to be no longer "overweight". I actually am happy with the way I look/feel at about 170.

To answer your specific question, I see plenty of 'after' pics in the 160-170 range and the women look great!

[Fast Eddie]

I'm shooting for "smaller than a breadbox"....hmmmmmmm

[Amarquez2021]

I started out at 261 and set a first goal weight of 180....But then I started thinking about it and decided I want my goal to be something that puts me in the normal range...So I just changed my goal to 154. I was sleeved on 8/25/14 and I am at 222 now...Like the little engine that could "I think I can, I think I can" Good luck and aim for a normal range

[mindydoug2003]

I'm 32 and 5'7 as well I have set my goal at 175 lbs. I am willing to go a little bit higher or a bit lower depending on how I look as I get closer to it I think your goal of 160 lbs is reasonable. Best wishes as you continue on your journey!

[bikrchk]

I started out with a goal of 135, (right in the middle of the healthy BMI range for 5'6"). Once I hit the top of the healthy range, (and could wear a size 4), I adjusted up 10 pounds to 145 and maintained there for 3 months, but as I bounce around 5 pounds either side of 145, I think I'd be more comfortable at 135 so I'm working to go ahead and shave another 7 or so pounds. Not working super hard at it, just basically extended my goal range down to 135 and letting it happen slowly. If you're far from goal right now, it may be too soon to tell where exactly you "should" end up. The charts are a good starting point IMHO.

[apythia]

I started out at 261 and set a first goal weight of 180....But then I started thinking about it and decided I want my goal to be something that puts me in the normal range...So I just changed my goal to 154. I was sleeved on 8/25/14 and I am at 222 now...Like the little engine that could "I think I can, I think I can" Good luck and aim for a normal range

Hi Amarquez, we are nearly sleeve twins! I was sleeved Aug. 27 at 260 and my doc set a goal weight of 180 too. You are doing better than me. I'm holding at 229.5. I also decided that I want to aim for a normal range. For me, because I am only 5' 3", that would be about 140. Seems very daunting, but I have been looking at everyone's tickers and it looked like quite a fair few amount of people were able to go well beyond their goal weight and hit a normal BMI.

[VSGSetyoufree]

Goal weight is like pornography. Hard to define, but you know it when you see it. I believe you'll feel when you have reached your goal regardless of the number on the scale. I think BMI is complete BS. My goal is set at 188 because that was when I was in the best shape of my life in 11th grade. If I only get down to 220 (6 ft tall) and I feel good about it that will be fine. Might as well aim high.
For a 5'7" large frame woman, 160 sounds great to me.

[PITSTOP]

Im 5'8" and starting off at 310 lbs. My goal weight is 170 but deep down inside Im pushing for 160 so I have 10 lbs to play around with in the years to come....

[beachgirl22851]

I've set my goal between 160-170 for now. I have not been average size since early middle school (I was 12) so I have no point of reference as to what I will look like at any other weight other than fat. The way I've arranged it with my nutritionist, is that once I hit my first goal weight, we will re-evaluate and see if I am healthy and happy with that weight or if I'd like lower. In my head, I'm saying I want 140 so I can say that I've lost 1/2 of me, but I also don't want to hit 140, and it not be something that I can maintain.

[Metread]

I am 43, 5' 6". My SW was 257, and I set my goal weight at 150. I was at goal for my last checkup, and my doc said I could go as low as 140. I'm at 143 now. the body is supposed to know when to stop. I have not been this weight since Jr. high.

[Amarquez2021]

Hi Amarquez, we are nearly sleeve twins! I was sleeved Aug. 27 at 260 and my doc set a goal weight of 180 too. You are doing better than me. I'm holding at 229.5. I also decided that I want to aim for a normal range. For me, because I am only 5' 3", that would be about 140. Seems very daunting, but I have been looking at everyone's tickers and it looked like quite a fair few amount of people were able to go well beyond their goal weight and hit a normal BMI.

Hey Twin, I saw I actually made a mistake on mine and I started out at 265, not 261 but every pound matters right! I have hit several stalls along the way...But your right we are very close.... I know we can hit our goals!!!!

[BillyJ]

160 is perfect. with your height your range should be 121-159. I say if you don't look anorexic then shoot for it, but if your frame doesn't accept that weight then adjust. When I was a teen my mother took me to size 9 but the Dr's said to make me a size 12 because I looked sickly. I maintained that 12 until I was 18 and off to college. Right now I would be happy to be a 16. My first goal is to reach 200 lbs then I will look and reassess.

[jmw]

I set my goal weight at 170- nearly 40 pounds less that my doctor suggested as a goal weight. I am 5'5.5"(the half matters!) and have a muscular build. I hit 170 this morning and can honestly say that I am not done. I think I have 15-20 more pounds to go before I am "done" if I had to guess. I wear a comfortable 11/12, and can squeeze in to 9/10's. I wear a medium top. I will have plastics to remove excess skin from my stomach(significant), upper arms, and thighs.

So, for me, I am aiming to go lower than my original goal weight. The goal weight that was really my pipe dream weight. And, now, today, it seems completely doable. Eight months ago, I couldn't have said that. I think if you have significant weight to lose, have been overweight for a long period of time, or have never been a healthy weight, a goal weight is hard to set at the beginning. I set mine, loftily, I thought, but with the understanding that it is not carved in stone. It is fluid.

[KimberlyH]

I picked 150 out of the air really! I remember being 160 in high school and since I was/am large framed with an hourglass figure, and didn't exercise, I was soft and squishier than my athletic CA tan friends. I'm 47 and 5'7" so as I've done more research, I'm pretty sure that's unrealistic but we'll see. As I get closer, I'll tweak.

I like this calculator: Ideal Body Weight Calculator - HealthCentral.com