BigMoFos Week 23

[WigWamBam]

Nice shiny new thread ...

That's still four pounds over three weeks [isn't it? lemonaid tries to count half pounds on fingers] which is a very respectable total. My weight loss also tends to go in a few weeks of staying the same or losing half a pound and then a big drop, with no discernable difference in behaviour between those weeks. BigMoFos helps me not to get dispirited in the less-insipring weeks and stick around for the payoff rather than get upset and eat the contents of my fridge.

That is still good isn't it, hub2dee? I expect the weigh-in will be up and down weekly but you are going overall in the right direction and four pounds in three weeks seems good to me.

Oh yes, it's all still good... I was just remarking that the (exciting) big drops inevitably get clawed back / evened out by a slower 'recovery' IYSWIM as (almost always) it's a bit of dehydration or lighter clothes, or you missed breakfast befoe weigh-in or some other stuff like that. And that before accounting for hormoans.

Ah, you see, you need to adjust to thinking of it as an exciting big drop preceded by a slower plateau, rather than an exciting big drop followed by a slower period . It seems much more positive that way. (In light of Other Threads, I must point out that I do not offer that advice in a holier-than-though way but in a spirit of sharing and general bonhomie )

P.S. I always weigh in in the morning, after breastfeeding and toilet visit (TMI there, I'm afraid) but before shower, to catch myself at my absolute lightest. I have no shame in my pursuit of every extra ounce of weight loss... In fact, I may take to trimming my toenails first as well.

Interesting psyhcological approach, lemonaid, LOL.

Hub2dee - my weight losses are like that - completely frustrating. In the last few weeks I've done 3.5lb off, 2lbs on , 1lb off, 2.5lb off, so I'm steeling myself this week for a stand still or worse...

Having said that, bizarrely, 2 people at work have asked me this morning if I've lost lots of weight - and I'm not even their boss!

Before shower, lemonaid? Is that in case you absorb a bit of water in the shower? I've really tried hard not to strip off too much before I weigh, but have tried to stick to the same time each week - you're right, I also weigh less in the morning.

Hi peegeeweegee. Welcome to the BigMoFos.

I have a 'sod it' approach to weighing - my WW class is at 7pm so I have my tea as usual at 6pm and figure if I've lost weight it's not going to matter as long as I carry on being weighed at the same time each week.

And in case that sounds too pious, I'd better admit that I have been known to try to figure out which pair of trousers weighs more - do tend to wear my lighter clothes on WW evenings..!

Hi all, thanks for making me feel so welcome

I will join in the weekly weigh-ins and post my weight loss - anything to keep me motivated!!

My 5 stone target is over the next year or so, will aim to go steady...

It will be great to share with you guys, all my RL friends are happy with their weight so whilst they are supportive, they don't really understand....

I am not following a set diet as such - more like a healthy eating plan, no biscuits in the afternoon, no chocolate after dinner when dc have gone to bed...

It does not help that dh is slim and can pretty much eat whatever he wants...

My ultimate motivation for this is that dh and I have agreed we would like dc3 at some point, but that my weight at the moment is causing health problems and pregnancy may be a struggle as a result.... Also, am terrified of putting on another 3 stone with the pregnancy, so any weightloss and long-term change in eating habits will be hugely beneficial to my health....

I can relate to the tales of weighing naked and before breakfast and after going to the loo - I do the same..

Anyone see this BBC page about obese men...

I was reflecting on it overnight. IMHO all these men look fine, and although I appreciate the mathematical nuances of muscle mass vs. fat or hip / waist ratio etc. I was just wondering if it's likely that society has become accustomed to seeing so many larger people (through the increase in obesity presumably having a knock-on effect in that average weight is tending, by definition, to be higher), and whether infact we've lost sight of quite how 'lean' 'normal' is supposed to be IYSWIM.

(I know that's all a bit topsy turvy twisty)...

I saw that one, hub. They all look fine to me too, not obese at all. But hasn't there been some controversy about the BMI things recently, that they were devised quite a while ago, and so are not actually as accurate as they might be (in the way that the weight charts for babies in the red books are misleading if your baby is breast fed, iyswim). And there's the whole muscle/fat thing too - just shows it's not clearly a right/wrong judgement, I think.

I guess it's just because of the definition of normal > overweight > obese that you only have to be packing relatively few extra pounds (and actually look really quite 'normal') to be defined as obese...

A 15 1/2 stone bloke, at 5' 11 is BMI 30.3 (ie just obese by definition) I imagine such a guy would look well-built but neither fat nor thin IYSWIM. Whereas just losing a few pounds (neither here not there) would make him instantly only 'overweight'.

To reach the top end of 'healthy', he'd weigh about 12 1/2 stone.

Just thinking aloud really...

All but one of them did look a bit tubby to me, I'm afraid, although I was surprised that a couple of them were 'obese' rather than 'overweight'. They were well dressed and took pride in their appearance, and none of them looked bad, but they were on the big side.

There is a very tempting slippery slope from the legitimate criticism of the BMI that it would rate elite sportsmen as 'obese' to a less legitimate "and therefore it's also totally unreasonable to class me as 'obese', because clearly I'm just like an elite sportsman".

I have made it down into my recommended BMI range a couple of times (and I will do it again, for good) and agree that yes, if I'm over my upper BMI healthy limit then I am overweight. Mind you, if I ever got down to my lower BMI healthy limit I would be skeletal, so there is room for variation of builds -- but that variation is built into the BMI, too.

Hi everyone

I've had a very busy weekend and I'm glad to be back at work for a bit of peace and quiet!

Hello to peegeeweegee, well done to hub2dee on your overall 4lb loss and dottydot on your noticably slimmer self!

No19, good on your dp for his support! I loath clothes shopping because it always depresses me! I have problems with things fitting the 'chestal' area too and have found Bravisimo do some brilliant tops and jackets; I'm size 16 really curvy which makes me feel good and it fits beautifully and buttons do up without gapeing!

Had a quick look at the obese men article and would agreed that some of them looked a little chunky, though not necessarily obese! Mind you, I know my dh looks pretty ok when he's dressed but unclothed he has a definate pot belly thing going on and could do with losing a stone or 2! Maybe it just doesn't show so much on men?

I think BMI can be a little inaccurate, as can the ideal weight range things, but I always thought the idea was to use them as a guide rather than an absolute?

My Mum really hacked me off yesterday... Had bought me a cardigan/jumper thing and said if I didn't like it to tell her and she'd take it back. It was a size 22... As I took it out of the bag she said the size bigger was also there if necessary. I was really pissed off because yes, 3 - 6 months ago I was buying 22 - 24 clothes and that's fine if that's the size I am. But I'm now an 18 for tops - can't see she that??!

She asked how my weight loss was going and I told her. Her response: "yes well you look much better now". Like I'd looked bloody awful before...

Feel a bit silly posting this because I know some of you have much worse relationships with your mothers. But the one thing my Mum can't do is positive affirmation! I grumbled to dp and she said well that's what your Mum's like - rarely positive about anything - everything has to have a negative connotation. Which is true, but quite upsetting sometimes.

By the way - definitely NOT a criticism of sizes 22/24, or whatever - just about my Mum choosing not to recognise that I'm now smaller - how come everyone else can say nice things but she can't..?

herea a hug dotty dot, I hope it helps!
hug

Hi Dottydot - many of us on here can certainly relate to the lack of positive affirmation from our mothers, and I certainly think it can be as damaging as negative feedback. All children (and adults) need to feel valued and special, and it needs to be through explicit words and actions, not subtle "you always knew I loved you" sort of statements years later. I bet you that all of us are incredibly positive with our own children and that our own children will always know how special, adored and valued they are.

Sorry your mother has p*ssed you off. Don't let it make you fall off the wagon. Chocolate won't make it feel any better. (Blimey, I wish I could listen to my own wise and slightly patronising words )

Dottydot, that would really irritate me. Does this sound simplistic but would it not be possible to look at the pressie and when she point out the larger size in bag you smile brightly and say "oh! thanks very much but guess what? I am actually three sizes down from 24 - isn't it great?"

Thanks - numbernineteen I wish I could, but she'd probably give me a hard stare and go "mmm" in an unbelieving way, which would upset me even more!

When I joined weightwatchers in the summer I remembered that I had been before - 20 years ago when I was about 16/17 - my Mum was despairing at how 'big' I was as I was starting to wear size 14 clothes and she said something along the lines of 'once you hit the teens in clothes sizes, you'll never be slim'.... Turns out she was right but there's always been pressure for me to not get too big. My starting weight at weightwatchers then is my goal weight now!! I'm 5'8" so a size 14 would suit me fine.

Oh well. Just bugged me. But you'll be pleased to hear I haven't reverted to chocolate!!

I went on a bike ride with my dad today. A massive number of completely evil hills. Was pleasantly knackering. Something horrible happened though: One stretch we were going downhill (fast, these are country lanes) and a rabbit ran across the road, got startled by dad's bike (he was infront, I was on the brakes !) and turned around afte he'd just scraped past and ran back into his bike.

It was obviously extremely badly injured (no blood though), couldn't move etc. I felt awful, and also felt bad for just leaving it there. I can't kill things though, so couldn't put it out of its misery etc. I suppose it's just the cruel cycle of nature IYSWIM and if it wasn't one of the bikes it could have easily been a car etc. Still, it's fairly haunting.

Awww - Hub2dee that's horrible - I'd feel awful as well - but nothing you could do and nature will just do what it does. Reminds me of when I ran over an obviously very stupid sparrow - must have been about 15 years ago but I'll never forget it - cried buckets.

Back on the wagon today after 4 days eating whatever I wanted. Put 1lb on. Cold has now gone and I have done a workout tonight, so feeling good. Have a good week everyone. x

I'm sorry I joined in week 18 and then buggered off

I've been to the dietician today and want to come back if you'll have me

Hi MamaG - I'm lying low a bit (too pissed off and kindly not sharing my grumpy self with the world) so you've barely posted less than I have! Did your dietician have any interesting to say or have you heard it all before?