Need to take my own advice, I guess! x-post
Ok, I've been a proponent of setting a goal about body fat percentage rather than clothing sizes (too much variation) or weight on the scale (too many factors make it unreliable or unrealistic), or pretty much anything else you can name.
I'm currently at 137.
I want to be 130. No particular reason, I just want to be 130.
Had my body fat checked today. It was a Tanita scale at the surgeon's office, so not as accurate as a dunk test, but far better than the hand-held testers.
It has me at 22% body fat. Assuming that it underestimates by about 2% (the best guess I've seen from trainers and such), that puts me into the "fitness" category, better than Average but not to Athlete, especially for being 57. It's where i'd like to be.
So - I really can't lose those 7 pounds. I haven't got them TO lose safely, even if I could manage it.
Nevertheless, I'm kind of mourning the loss of my 130 want. I really do need to take my own advice, celebrate the 22% body fat and 137 pounds, because that's a whole lot of bone and muscle.
And I guess I can also celebrate that my skating coach complimented me twice today, and generally all I get is a "well, it's coming" from her. I must really be improving!
I'm currently at 137.
I want to be 130. No particular reason, I just want to be 130.
Had my body fat checked today. It was a Tanita scale at the surgeon's office, so not as accurate as a dunk test, but far better than the hand-held testers.
It has me at 22% body fat. Assuming that it underestimates by about 2% (the best guess I've seen from trainers and such), that puts me into the "fitness" category, better than Average but not to Athlete, especially for being 57. It's where i'd like to be.
So - I really can't lose those 7 pounds. I haven't got them TO lose safely, even if I could manage it.
Nevertheless, I'm kind of mourning the loss of my 130 want. I really do need to take my own advice, celebrate the 22% body fat and 137 pounds, because that's a whole lot of bone and muscle.
And I guess I can also celebrate that my skating coach complimented me twice today, and generally all I get is a "well, it's coming" from her. I must really be improving!
Rebecca
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135.
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135.
I completely agree about body fat % being the best measure of being a healthy weight. I ride the line between normal and overweight BMI, but wmy body fat %, by several devices is 24-25% which is what the guide from my hospital says is in the "optimal" range for a soon-to-be 50 year old, female, non-athlete. (Yes, it is the high end of the range, but still...) For someone who spent most of her life being SMO, it is a HUGE accomplishment.
I understand wanting to be 130. That was my "dream" goal (and, like you, i cannot even give a rational reason for choosing it) even though I knew it wasn't very realistic given my body type (big boobs, muscular thighs). I have struggled with not being a single digit size (I am a 10/12, often a 14 on top)... Somehow that was what I had in my mind as the measure of "success". I am still working on letting go of that. Maintaining my weight and BF% where they are at is a much better measure of success, especially as I approach my 5 year mark.
Hopefully you can let go of that desire to be 130 since clearly it wouldn't be healthy for you. Being 137, fit, healthy, and able to do the things that you want to be able to do (like the skating) is the real goal, right? You are there!
Lora
I understand wanting to be 130. That was my "dream" goal (and, like you, i cannot even give a rational reason for choosing it) even though I knew it wasn't very realistic given my body type (big boobs, muscular thighs). I have struggled with not being a single digit size (I am a 10/12, often a 14 on top)... Somehow that was what I had in my mind as the measure of "success". I am still working on letting go of that. Maintaining my weight and BF% where they are at is a much better measure of success, especially as I approach my 5 year mark.
Hopefully you can let go of that desire to be 130 since clearly it wouldn't be healthy for you. Being 137, fit, healthy, and able to do the things that you want to be able to do (like the skating) is the real goal, right? You are there!
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
We both are there, Lora! It's just our danged heads that don't get it! I guess we just keep on keeping on!
Rebecca
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135.
Circumferential LBL, anchor TT, BL/BR, brachioplasty 12-16-10 Drs. Howard and Gutowski
Thigh lift 3-24-11, Drs. Howard and Gutowski again!
Height 5' 5". Start point 254. DH's goal: 154. My guess: 144. Insurance goal: 134. Currently bouncing around 130-135.