Am I done losing?

I'm at a point where I am not sure what to do. I've lost 149lbs since summer 2016 when I first saw the nurse to begin this journey. I'm 5'9 and now sit at 175lbs. It's insane to me! I have family members telling me not to lose anymore and that I'm "thin/skinny" enough. They guessed my weight to be about 30lbs lighter than I actually am. I like the way I am looking (except for the loose skin/wrinkles from loose skin) for the most part. I do have more weight to lose I'm sure. My legs could be skinnier for sure.

In my head I'd like to lose another 11lbs so I'm half of what I was but I don't want to "concern" anyone over saying I want to lose another 10-15lbs because I know it will.

The centre wanted me at 199 - so I'm under their goal. My original self goal was 175.

When do you know you are "done" mentally losing? I still step on the scale and hope for it to be lower - so is that a sign I want to lose more?

I got a dexa scan (cost me $125), that told me where my body fat was. My goal was a healthy body fat, so once I hit that I started to try to maintain. that is the only truly objective measure.

Frankly it is hard to get an objective perspective anywhere after weight loss, people who knew you fat will think you are too thin...You will always focus on areas to improve. Take it from someone who lost 15lbs after she started trying to maintain...the weight does not necessarily come off from where you want it to. I could easily lose 10 more lbs from my legs, the problem is, that is not where I'd lose it from...my body likes to keep my fat on my legs...I would continue to lose from my face (can't afford that) and from my chest (you can already see my ribs through my shirts).

Also be aware that maintenance is hard because we become addicted to the loss, to seeing the number drop on the scale. It feels like success. There are a percentage of people post WLS to do become eating disordered, it is one of the reasons I try and use objective measures and keep things in check and recognize trying to get to a number on the scale just because or to see if I can, can become unhealthy if I let it.

My legs have always held weight onto them the most. It's the only reason why I still am in size 10-12 pants depending on the store. I should really be in a size 6-8 because of my waist. Shirts I am in 6. It's so frustrating but better than the size 28 I WAS in before. I'll take it.

I lose in my waist mostly.

I may look into the dexa scan. Thanks :)

I can see that I'm addicted to the losing because I really enjoy seeing the number go down on the scale and my clothes getting bigger and bigger. Maintenance will be hard because of that I feel.

This is how I feel as well. I don't know when to stop...I had a goal of 140 (at 5'3) that's a normal BMI.

I'm at 146 - but my rib cage is showing through my chest as well, I can't lose more in my face and aside from the skin...I don't mind my legs and butt.

In the same vein as Travelher - I'm getting BODPOD done and would like to know my body fat %. I will strive to be in the right range there and then I will probably stop.

I'm about 6 pounds from goal...in my mind I'd always want to be smaller, and I WOULD like to get to goal...but after that I have to shift ...

Good luck to you...it is interesting for us...b/c we've been obsessed with numbers for so long. And I'm aware because I'm only 7 month post op that there will be a bounce up...so we'll see...life long journey...

Same here..waist tiny, hips and legs big...so hard to buy clothes that fit properly. I am secretly hoping that once I lose all the weight that things will even out, although I'm not holding my breathe! LOL!

Barb

interesting topic. I don't know the answers, but I will be following this thread to see how others feel about it.

thanks for posting

People often say to lose past your goal to cushion yourself for the inevitable re-gain. I'm 5'11 and had originally set my goal at 160. I bounce between 172 and 175. I'm not sure I would look healthy at 160. I'm not dilligently trying to lose more but if I did I would be okay with that, although others say I've lost enough. I haven't officially said I'm in maintenance. If I could get into the 160s that would be great. Realistically though I'm not sure it will happen unless I truly go back to the weight loss phase and calorie range (800 or less). Right now I'm playing with my maintenance diet to see what will work for me.

A couple of months ago my mother told me she liked the fat me better! Way to go mom, a couple weeks ago she asked me how much I weigh now and when I told her she said "that much??" You just can't win. Do what feels right for you, and just change the subject when others bring up your weight.

Same! I'm not sure if i'll look healthy at 160! I guess we will see once/if I get there. :)

I think I'm going to try to get down that 10-15lbs in case of the regain that may come.

I'm also eventually going to get my stomach/breasts done. Wasn't going to do legs/arms but we will see. I'll try to get those toned up as much as I can. The stomach and breasts aren't going to happen on their own.

Hello!

When I had weight loss surgery back in 2011 my starting weight was 270lbs. The weight I was when I stopped weighing myself oodles of times a day was 142 lbs. I last a total of 128 lbs. I am 5'7" tall. The weight of 142 lbs in my opinion was to small for me. when I look at photos I was to small, I am considered "bigger boned".

I was on the scale constantly, in my mind I know this wasn't healthy so I asked my husband to put it away because I felt I needed to start living without depending on the scale for reassurance 24\7

from then on I weighed myself one a week. I started eating a more balanced diet (along with my family). long story short I gained back 20 lbs so today I way 162lbs.... no mater what I eat or drink I seem to stay at this weight give or take a few lbs up or down I always end back at this weight. This tells me that this is a perfect weight for me. My body is happy at this weight. I feel good and know at the end of the way, if I was to get the flu and loss weight my body has some reserves to get me through.

I just want to point out one more thing I think may help. There is a point when your body levels out it "rebounds" so to speak and absorption goes back to normal. It gets back to calories in verses calories out so regain begins to be possible.

This is not medical advice but having been down your road. Take the opportunity and loss the weight you want to lose, your body will eventually settle at a happy weight that is best for you, it knows.

In regards to the people in your life giving opinions. They are not in your shoes, make decisions that are best for yourself. In my experience where weight is concerned people are jealous in general not saying everyone but people seem to want to sabotage people who succeed at losing weight as its a struggle for most.

follow your own intuition, it knows best

All the best on your weight loss journey

Ann