When I first started some time ago, I was in the overweight range for BMI. I also discovered that in my ethnic group, the BMI ranges are even tighter. So although I have already lost some weight and am no longer in the standard overweight range for the generally accepted BMI, I am still borderline Normal/Overweight for my ethnic group. Overall, in losing weight, I aim to be more solidly in the middle of the normal BMI range for my ethnic group, closer to my former weight when younger, while also having some other potential benefits: reducing low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and radiculopathy; developing healthier habits so that lipids/cholesterol numbers improve; reducing the amount of visceral fat; and having improved fit/function when doing younger person activities (going uphill, using cross country skis, participating as part of an aircrew ….)