How much more weight to lose?

RipleysVest · 2022-04-10T22:31:02+00:00

Am 78lbs down. Thought I would be happy now but still don't feel comfortable, although I do feel much better. Am already getting the 'are you going to stop soon?' comments. Its been so long since I've been anything but 'morbidly obese' that I just don't know what is healthy for me. I don't want to go via numbers/scale, been a slave to that too long. Just how I feel.

Squiff70 · 10/04/2022 23:35

You look fine! Not overweight or underweight! Try to maintain somewhere around this weight/shape if you can. I admire your dedication and commitment!

Original poster

RipleysVest · 10/04/2022 23:47

On the scales/BMI I'm still overweight so I think I would like to get into the green one BMI wise at least. I carry alot round my tum

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byteme1011 · 10/04/2022 23:59

78lbs is incredible! Well done!
BMI is controversial these days - say arnold Schwarzenegger in his bodybuilding days - he would have been rated obese
Do you mind me asking how long that took? I do think once you start losing weight and seeing the differences it does get a bit addictive if folk are starting to worry maybe slow down a bit and you definitely shouldn't lose much more. Just need a bit more confidence :)

Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 00:05

I guess the BMI thing would just feel like an achievement.
I'm 8 months out of the start of my journey.

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MissyCooperismyShero · 11/04/2022 02:13

Amazingly well done. And you look great. If you can stand it, try and get into the healthy BMI. Why wouldn't you when you are so close? The waist measurement is so important for your health.

GreyCarpet · 11/04/2022 07:20

You look pretty similar to me. I need to lose a stone to get to a weight I'm truly happy with. I won't be slim but I'm happier with the way I look and feel at that size and it means my clothes will fit again

myyellowcar · 11/04/2022 07:25

I’d go on BMI, you always get people saying it’s a load of rubbish because of so and so who is the exception but it’s a good guide for most people. Aim for a healthy BMI and see how that goes as you learn to maintain.

What you’ve achieved is fantastic. Well done!

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 11/04/2022 07:31

I've been wondering the same recently. I've lost 9st and everyone says I look great, but my BMI is still in the low 30s and I love to get it under 25. I know BMI isn't the best indicator as it doesn't take into account muscle, but I don't have much muscle so I think it will be fine for me! I've never been slim (this is the least I've weighed since I was about 14) so I don't have a number I'd like to get back to like most people have. I think focusing on whether you feel happy might be dangerous if you have a history with body image as you may never feel happy. I know why you say you don't want to focus on numbers but at least they are objective.

I sometimes wonder if the people asking if you are going to stop soon are worried that you are/are going to be slimmer than them and so it is based on their own worries/feelings about their weight - if you say you aren't happy with your weight when you are a similar size/smaller than them, will they think that is a judgment on them? Or are they just used to you being the 'fat one' and don't want you to get slimmer than them?

ReadyforEaster · 11/04/2022 07:52

Congratulations op what an incredible achievement.

A lot of people say bmi is rubbish but personally I feel best in the green and think bmi is a pretty good tool for most people.

picklemewalnuts · 11/04/2022 08:02

Congratulations! Why don't you maintain for a while, give your body time to adjust? After a year or so have another go at it, if you want to.

I have found after losing a significant amount of weight that it redistributes over time. So I'd initially lose it from my bust first, then over time my bust would increase again even though I didn't put weight on. Presumably it redistributed from other areas of the body.

Now it's so much easier for you to exercise, you could do some strength work as well. That will help with maintenance, too.

Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 09:39

@picklemewalnuts

Congratulations! Why don't you maintain for a while, give your body time to adjust? After a year or so have another go at it, if you want to.

I have found after losing a significant amount of weight that it redistributes over time. So I'd initially lose it from my bust first, then over time my bust would increase again even though I didn't put weight on. Presumably it redistributed from other areas of the body.

Now it's so much easier for you to exercise, you could do some strength work as well. That will help with maintenance, too.

I had a gastric sleeve, so it's not really a choice of 'stopping' although my weighed has pretty much plateaued for around 6 weeks now so I don't think I will lose much more without actively putting effort in, which I do want to do in terms of toning up.

I definitely need to work out but it's a scary prospect.

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Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 10:57

@RenegadeKeeblerElf

I've been wondering the same recently. I've lost 9st and everyone says I look great, but my BMI is still in the low 30s and I love to get it under 25. I know BMI isn't the best indicator as it doesn't take into account muscle, but I don't have much muscle so I think it will be fine for me! I've never been slim (this is the least I've weighed since I was about 14) so I don't have a number I'd like to get back to like most people have. I think focusing on whether you feel happy might be dangerous if you have a history with body image as you may never feel happy. I know why you say you don't want to focus on numbers but at least they are objective.

I sometimes wonder if the people asking if you are going to stop soon are worried that you are/are going to be slimmer than them and so it is based on their own worries/feelings about their weight - if you say you aren't happy with your weight when you are a similar size/smaller than them, will they think that is a judgment on them? Or are they just used to you being the 'fat one' and don't want you to get slimmer than them?

Yes! I've always had comments like that 'liked you better when you were fat' 'oh now you're smaller than me, urgh'

Just weird

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picklemewalnuts · 11/04/2022 12:37

Oh, ok, that's different then. I'd just focus on eating healthily within the limits of your surgery, and gently getting active.

You don't have to do anything scary. Activity contributes barely anything towards weight loss in comparison to your bmr, so don't do anything to burn calories.

Just think about getting to know your new body, enjoying being more active, and getting stronger and more flexible to make the most of life. That's my approach. I do Tai Chi and walk my dog further and faster. I want to do more strength building exercise, either from the physio or from you tube videos, but I haven't managed to catch the habit yet.

It's a very different body from the one I've had for 20 years, so it takes a bit of getting used to!

Grandville · 11/04/2022 12:38

Hi OP

Fellow gastric sleever here. Went from BMI 47 to 23 initially. Gained back during the pandemic to low 30s and now losing again at 27 and aiming for 22-24.

You haven't said your height and weight but 78lbs down is brilliant so well done on that to start.

If you want just to look good then maintenence will be fine as you are a good size now for clothes and suchlike.

I am more interested in health (but still vanity as well lol) and so I go by several measures: BMI, waist measurement and how I feel in terms of fitness, energy etc.

BMI does work as a basic measure for the vast majority and comments on bodybuilders are pointless unless you are a male bodybuilder. Even very muscular female athletes tend to have BMIs on the low end of healthy. Since you said you don't exercise, even in the higher range of healthy BMI, you will likely have unhealthy levels of fat tissue around your organs. This is known as 'skinny fat' body type and the only way to check is to get a body fat read or a scan. You'll still be much better off than being obese but to maximise your health, you want a good amount of muscle which you can get in loads of different ways. Find what suits you whether it's weights, classes, swimming, hiking etc.

Antarcticant · 11/04/2022 12:44

Why not aim to get into the 'healthy' BMI zone, and then move into maintenance eating to see where your weight naturally settles.

Grandville · 11/04/2022 12:46

And I agree with @picklemewalnuts

Don't think of exercise in terms of calories. Fat loss will come from eating at a calorie deficit. You could lose fat eating nothing but haribo if it was under your TDEE but clearly that would be terrible for your overall health.

Exercise is about getting stronger, fitter and healthier. The better you get at whatever your chosen activity is, the better you will feel all round. It will also help with your eating as you will want to plan your food choices around what will help with your goals. I need a fair bit of protein in my diet to guard against muscle loss while losing fat for example. I also avoid eating too much sugar and white carbs since they make me bloated, sluggish and hungry.

Libertybear80 · 11/04/2022 13:01

I've lost 8lbs and that has been challenging. You've lost 78! Wow amazing! Well done.

Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 13:47

My original goal was 100lbs, so another 22lbs. Which would take me to about 10 stone 4.

Which I can't remember being since high-school.

I guess it's trial and error.

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Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 13:48

I'm 5ft now and 11st 11.l so still feel quite big compared to what BMI suggests is healthy

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Catrice · 11/04/2022 14:07

Congratulations! As others have said, you look fantastic! I agree with a previous poster that comments from certain people about not losing anymore weight are often about the person feeling threatened that you're going to be as slim/slimmer than them. Ignore what others say you should do and do what you feel you would like to do. If you were to lose any more weight (through dieting as gastric band is no longer as effective) would you be ok/ happy to maintain that lower weight?

workshy44 · 11/04/2022 14:14

RenegadeKeeblerElf would agree with you here. People tend not to like when their formerly fat friend becomes thinner than them!
V v few people are too thin although it is something that is thrown out there all the time.
I would say another stone ( or 20 pounds) as it will give you a bit of a buffer
Well done on the weightloss, fantastic achievement

crips · 11/04/2022 14:23

@RipleysVest

I'm 5ft now and 11st 11.l so still feel quite big compared to what BMI suggests is healthy

Well done on your loss? Has your height changed or is that a typo

Grandville · 11/04/2022 15:17

If you are 5ft (and haven't missed out inches accidently) then you are still in the obese category at 11st 11lb. It's one of the extremely irritating and unchangeable facts of life that us short women don't need many calories each day.

At your weight and sedentary, your maintenance calories are about 1600. At the top of the healthy BMI, if sedentary, your maintenence will be 1400 calories. That is going to be difficult to stick to forever.

Doing a moderate amount of exercise a few times a week will make you healthier and give you more slack in how much you eat when aiming to maintain.

Original poster

RipleysVest · 11/04/2022 15:54

Sorry I'm 5ft 5.

My BMI is 27 and I'm 'overweight'

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Oceantan · 11/04/2022 15:56

How do you feel in yourself? BMI is a crock of shit, you look great, if you feel great I’d just carry on as you are