I'm getting too small !?!?

I'm 13 months out, still losing weight. My family and a few friends have been telling me that I need to stop now, because I'm getting too small.  I've been told that I look healthy & beautiful, but if I loose anymore weight I will not look as good. I'm 5' tall and I currently weigh 143 lbs. Size 8 pants/shorts & medium/small shirts. I'm only 8 lbs from my goal weight. I really want to achieve my goal weight and then my husband & I are planning for another child. So what should I do?

Highest Weight = 267 lbs.
Surgery Weight = 249 lbs.
Current Weight = 143 lbs.
Goal Weight    = 135  lbs

If you are eating healthy, and exercising normally and your body is still losing, well--it isn't done yet.  Only your body knows what your true goal weight will be.  Don't get stuck on a certain number--trust me--it will stop when it is done.

Congrats!

Kim

I am eating healthy & exercising.  I'm still doing everything my doctor has been telling me to do.  I love my weight and I don't feel that I'm too small.  My family/friends has never seen me this size so maybe that's why???

Thanks for the advice!!

You are correct--their brains still see the "old" you.  Also, in that first year, your body kind of deflates and looks saggy.....but the good news is that once you get to goal, all your parts start to settle back in and you won't look so "deflated"! 

I'm really surprised when I look at pictures from when I hit goal and then one year later.....I look much better now.

Keep up the great work and tell your family that your DOCTOR is on top of your situation and is fine with your progress.

Kim

I couldn't agree more Kim!!!  My body just was no where near done losing at my goal weight of 150.  That was just the number I had remembered weighing the least in my adult life.  Looking at pics back then of me weighing 150, I was really chubby.  So, I kept eating right & the proper amounts  and exercising (like I still do) and my body simply stopped losing when it was done. I've been here for 17+ months.

I now know that the thinner person I have become is who I am supposed to be and it is easy to maintain this weight by making proper choices and following protocol.  The only way I will gain is if I start eating differently and change my habits.  Period.  So I know my body is happiest here (no more losing, no more gaining) and I am now one of those thin, healthy people I always wished I could be.

*I* was the one that always deprived myself of this my whole life and I welcome it with open arms. My friends, family, etc., just never saw me like this before so it took a while to get used to a healthy, happy Lisa.  Now it's no big deal because this is how "I am." :)

Great advice you gave to the original poster!

Hi,

 

As long as your healthy, go as small as you want or your body allows you to. It seems very common for friends and relatives to say that we're getting, "too small". They're used to seeing you much bigger, so of course you look very small to them. They don't have to live in your skin, you do.  It's all about you girl!!

 

Congrats!!

Keep going. They'll adjust to your new size or have you committed, lol. No but seriously, lose as much as you can. Taking in consideration that possible weight gain from bounce back or pregnancy.

One of those you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. YOU need to think about YOU, do not worry what everyone else THINKS.

 It is a good plan to get down to 20 or even 30 pounds under your goal weight.  That is a wise plan even if you look too skinny at the lower weight.  For almost everyone, the RNY takes off about 100 pounds and then the weight loss stablizes.  

After that happens, there is a continuation of the honeymoon period.  For a period of time after the weight stablizes, there will little or no change in weight no matter what you eat and what exercise you do.  It feels like obesity has been magically cured.

But the honeymoon period ends and then the bounceback period begins.  That is somewhere between 18 months and the end of the third year.  When bounceback weight happens you gain about 20 pounds quickly and with no changes in eating.

Many people gain a lot more than 20 pounds.  Some gain back all of their lost weight and more. The bounceback weight is very hard to lose.  You are adding pregnancy to the mix.  That can also cause women to gain weight and be hard to lose after the baby is born.  

The smartest thing you can do is to not listen to other people, stick to a food and exercise plan and get rid of as much weight as possible during the time in your life when weight loss will never be easier.

Tell them to relax, that this is normal to "bottom out" and that there is always a bounceback. Also, your weight will redistribute over time so that you don't look like a deflated balloon. They need to chill.

I second the advice to not get stuck on scale numbers. Go by your health. If you get too thin, your health will show it, even if "too thin" is not reflected on the scale.