Does anyone else think that their "Goal Weight" seems a bit too low?

Now, I will never argue with having more motivation to lose weight and stay healthy, but I feel as though 120 as a goal weight is a bit too low for my tastes.  I'm 21, 5' 2.5" and weight about 160 pounds.  Now, I could do with dropping a good twenty or thirty, but despite my weight I'm actually relatively healthy - I do rock climbing and hiking and whatnot, and am fairly muscular for my size.  Is muscle vs. fat ratio taken into account at all anywhere here?  Or just the wrist size measurement? Any clarification or additional information in that regard would be appreciated... perhaps I'm just used to weighing too much, ha.

Also... any suggestions for maintaining healthy eating habits when confined for the most part to college food?  I do try, but there are about six healthy things you can eat on campus, and it gets VERY boring VERY quickly.  (That, and I love chicken wings... *sigh*)

This site does not take into account of the muscle you have.  Do realize if you have a muscular build, your weight will not decrase.  You will have "lean muscle" replace your fat and that muscle has weight.  For advice, don't get on the scale very often.  I am not going to look at the scale for 4 weeks because I have a very muscular build plus I drink protein shakes twice a day and take creatine (helps with muscle recovery after lifting weights).  You don't have to drop down to the weight the website says, just pick an adequate weight for your height and make that your goal.  If you are unsure of the ideal weight for your height, find a website that will give you your BMI and go from there.

Good luck with your healthy endeavor.

For this site, my goal weight is reasonable (133 for a 5'4" medium frame) but when I went on Self.com for my "happy weight" which promised to be reasonable and maintainable, it said I should go for 120!! I haven't weighed 120 pounds since Jr. High.  So....it seems these calculators are a little screwy.

I'm going with losing ten pounds. Period. Then I'll see how I feel.  Good luck!

I too thought my goal weight seemed too low. I am 5'5 and 180 lbs they said I should weigh 132. once many years ago I took diet pills and got to 140, a size 8 and iIwould not ever want to be any smaller than that. I had people telling me to stop there. I am middle age and might be premenopausal so Idon't think I will see that number, But will try.

Hey Hashalee. The healthy weight range (determined by a BMI range of 19-25) for someone of your height, age, and current weight is 107-141 but you need to take in to account your frame. For example, the Met Life Ideal Weight tables say that if you have a large frame a weight of 147 is healthy. 

Despite what any charts and tables say, I think what's most important is how you feel about things. I guess I would recommend focusing on living a healthy, active lifestyle and setting smaller weight loss goals for yourself. I agree with jamck23 - try setting a short term goal of 10 pounds and then reevaluate when you achieve it. 

As far as the college diet goes, I totally understand. I graduated just 3 years ago and always had some type of meal plan in the dining hall and lived walking distance to great restaurants. I don't know what your school is like, but mine was very responsive to healthy requests. For example, my roommate once put in a request for spinach pasta, and about 2 weeks later it was a regular menu item. I also wouldn't deprive yourself of the wings, just maybe start with a salad, soup, or veggies so you don't overindulge.  

If you're talking about on-campus restaurants, I would focus on making healthier choices. I use the Men's Health "Eat This Not That" menu decoder all the time! They have sample menus from different types of restaurants and it will walk you through several healthy and not-so-healthy options that often are quite surprising.  

When I don't want any substitutes for what I'm really craving, I try to eat slowly and really appreciating each bite. I found when I do this I usually end up only eating about half. 

Hope this helps some!

I also agree the goal weight given me on this site is way too low.  I was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers several years ago and they had my goal weight about 15 pounds higher.  I have not weighed 115 since I was a high schooler. So I am just going to take it a day at a time and see how I feel. ANy weight I lose will be great, so I'm just doing my best and I'll see how I feel down the road.

Hi Hashalee,

I'm 5,10 and weigh 150 pound. My volleyball coach/trainer wants me to loose at least 40 pounds. The fact that I"m younger than you does make my situation a bit different but when I think about loosing 40 pound I don't know where it all will come from. I trust my volleyball coach and he says that if I loose 40 pound I will be able to jump higher and move faster.

It sound like you are really healthy and active. Loosing a little but of weight could make all of the activities you do easier. The most important thing to do is listen to your body. You know when YOU are health and feel good about yourself.

:]

Roxy2119 - 5-10 and 110 pounds sounds really unhealthy!  Are you sure your coach really means that much?  Your right, where will it come from?? You are an athlete and muscle weighs something.  I'd get a second opinion on that one!  Sorry to queston your coach!

Original Post by roxy2119:

Hi Hashalee,

I'm 5,10 and weigh 150 pound. My volleyball coach/trainer wants me to loose at least 40 pounds. The fact that I"m younger than you does make my situation a bit different but when I think about loosing 40 pound I don't know where it all will come from. I trust my volleyball coach and he says that if I loose 40 pound I will be able to jump higher and move faster.

It sound like you are really healthy and active. Loosing a little but of weight could make all of the activities you do easier. The most important thing to do is listen to your body. You know when YOU are health and feel good about yourself.

:]

 I'm 5'10" also, and 110 pounds is beyond waif skinny - especially for an athelete.  When I was 16 years old and getting into modeling I weighed 123 pounds and was SUPER skinny.  They told me to lose 10 pounds and that would have been at the height of the waif-model-heroine-chic phase of modelling.

I can't imagine an athelete trying to weigh 110 pounds and having the strength or energy to actually perform.  Models often have to starve themselves or get an eating disorder to maintain that weight.