Monday 4 January 2010

Healthy Living Or Losing Weight?

Does it have to be a choice? I only have 10 pounds to reach my goal weight. Back before I'd lost the 127.5 pounds that I have lost, it was so much easier. Not only did the weight come off more easily and with smaller changes, but it was obvious that losing weight really was necessary for me to be healthier.

Now I'm only 8 pounds away from a healthy BMI. I've gone from weighing 272.5 pounds to weighing 145 pounds. It is obvious to anyone who looks at me that I am healthier now than I was. I have more energy. I'm stronger. There are a lot of benefits to being more concsious about the food that I am putting in my body and making sure I get enough exercise.

But do I need to lose more weight? My BMI would suggest I do. But what if, in order to lose that weight, I start restricting my calories more? Or maybe the only way to get that scale to come down fast enough for me is by exercising for several hours a day. Would reaching my goal weight in that way still make me healthier just because I could see the right number on the scale?

There comes a time when I have to just say that I am doing what I need to do to be healthy and the number on the scale will either show that or it won't. But it won't change my eating and exercise regime. I'm going to continue to do things in a way that is HEALTHY rather than in a way that will help me lose weight the quickest.

Patience is a virtue, after all.

6 comments:

  1. I think your attitude is extremely wise. The BMI is a blunt instrument that can turn an elite athlete into an obese pig. It should be used with extreme caution.

    You know how much better you feel and I have no doubt that you look great. Stick with your winning formula and don't try to starve yourself in order to reach a meaningless number. It will only mess up your metabolism and you'll start a dangerous yo-yoing weight spiral. As for exercising several hours a day, you have to assess whether it's really feasible on a life-long basis, otherwise, yo-yo here we come!

    My heartiest congratulations to you. You seem to have found a winning formula. Don't mess with it for the sake of--yes, I'll say it again--a meaningless number.

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  2. I hate the huge changes in weight that can occur when trying to maintain or lose just a few pounds. Frustrating! And so difficult to lose a few rather than a ton.

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  3. I think so many of us struggle with this.

    Not only is the weight easier to come off when heavier but it seems like your more motivated to lose it early on, seems like the closer you get, not only does the weight want to stay but... the motivations begins to wane.

    you'll get there!

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  4. I think when you are as close as you are, you realize what you have achieved, be thankful for where you are at, live by the principles that got you here, and lose the rest slowly. Just my two cents worth. I wouldn't worry about a silly number a bit.

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  5. I'd say go for the healthy living. Eight pounds is not a big deal. You've already lost a lot of weight and have worked so hard to get where you are. Go for what you feel is right for you.

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  6. Definitely of the treat yourself right, do good things, don't worry too much about the scale camp.

    YOU know if you're overeating or eating too much of unhelpful foods. You know if you're exercising a healthy amount. From there, I really wouldn't sweat it too much.

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