Acceptance # on scale may not be reached
on 3/6/11 11:35 am - Des Moines, IA
I really think that there is a "right " point.
I aimed for 165 as an initial gaol, overshot and went to 139. Accepted I looked awful (took seeing a DVD to show me!). Stayed around 145-148 for a couple of years. Now bounce around 148-154.
And that is where my body seems happy for me to stay. I still do some work to keep it there, but it is "comfortable" for me to stay here.
That is why I set such a high initial goal (165) - I knew that I would still be overweight there but I didn't want to aim for something which might be unrealistic. So by doing that, i came out of it feeling positive! Goal achieved and surpassed! Even though it was not a very "good" goal!
So you are right to be happy! You have done a marvellous job!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
on 3/6/11 11:17 pm
My surgeon told me my "set point" the weight at which our body just settles in at would be in the 150 neighborhood (I'm 5' 4") One thing to consider, us obese folks -- at least those of us that have been obese any length of time have much denser bones that weigh more than the general population, and that 's one of the reasons why we usually end up at a higher goal weight. Plus the extra skin. It's totally okay not not finish this journey at a certain weight we had our mind set on especially when you consider most of us are going to have about 20lbs of "extras" that average people don't have.
I think you've done a fabulous job maintaining your weight for this long. You know how many folks struggle with maintenance? Just think you've been doing it all along! Sure you might be able to lose 10 more, but it would be a constant struggle and it probably wouldn't be worth it.
Take Care,
Trixie
The dreaded number on the scale!
First things first - if you are at a weight where your health issues are gone and no long teetering on the borderline of them, then congratulations, you have reached the most important goal in life to be healthy!
The number on the scale takes into account, bones, water, muscle and fat. We all know that muscle weighs more than in fat when looking at the same volume (1 lb of fat takes up much more room in your body than 1 lb of muscle). I struggle with the scale each day. My scale reads between 152-157. When my trainer does my body fat its been holding at 18% which is pretty lean and my size 4 jeans fit perfectly.
I am also 5'6.5" and if I dropped to 125 I would have about 5% body fat. When I competed I was at 139 and very thin. So unless you virtualy have no muscle in your body then 125 is attainable - but you are at all athletic, 125 is absurd! lol IMHO having a decent lean muscle mass for a woman is critical in maintaining bone structure to avoid Osteo and to maintain a high metabolism, so important as we reach our middle years and menopause.
Thats just my opinion - maybe ask your doc how he came up with that number??????
The "Band" isn't Around Your Head
Leslee in Connecticut
3/9/09 240 BMI 38% Body Fat 44% Size 18 Measurements 44-36-45
10/9/2010 139 BMI 22% Body Fat 12% Size 2/3 Measurements 35-27-34
Current 155 BMI 24% Body Fat 18% Size 4/5 Measurements 36-28-35
Highest Weight: 317/Surgery Weight: 267/Lowest Weight: 148
Currently Filled 1.4cc in a 4 cc band APBand
Panniculectomy w/psudeo TT proformed by Dr Bergman 10/8/2009
Need Help With Success? Read a Geneen Roth Book. "When Food Is Love!"
As for the number on the scale...I got to 131.8 (.2 lb below my goal) and didn't stay there very long. My goal of 132 sounds kind of heavy for someone who's only 5'2", but at the time I felt like I was looking a bit scrawny. Now I feel like 135-140 is where my body wants to be. I feel good, I can wear a size 10, I can wear girls' size XL tops and children's size 5 shoes...and it seems crazy to want to weigh less just because of a number on my scale. I'm happy the way I am now.
I think it's great that you're happy with your current weight and able to appreciate all the little things that indicate real success, like your daughter's hug. Thank you so much for posting this, because I think the message of self-acceptance is an important one.
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com