When do you give up on those last 5-10 lbs? - YouLookFab Forum

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When do you give up on those last 5-10 lbs?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Currently I'm almost 10 lbs over my driver's license weight and about 7 lbs over my ideal BMI. Now I know BMI is fraught with with it's own issues, especially for someone like me with a large bone structure.
Although it might be truly muscle, because I just got back into my leather shorts, which used to be too small. I know I'm fitter, I can do more weights at the gym and I'm definitely kicking butt on hikes.
Most of it is diet I realize. I'm having more of social life this summer which means more food and alcohol. But being out and about feeds my soul too. Also there is boondoggle of call, my diet goes to hell when I'm on call because I end up eating a lot of fast food.
Should I give myself a pass until things get more calm in October?

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40 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

Deborah

Veteran

I would:) Anna I think you are looking fantastic and to be honest the thought of you loosing another 10lbs has me seeing skin and bone. You look trim and fit at the moment so under the cirumstances I wouldn't push to hard. If you goal is to loose those additional 5 - 10 lbs, do it slowly and when you can focus well on it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You MUST enjoy life and feed your soul! That's what being happy is all about. I'm sure that your extensive Summer hiking will cancel out all the fast food! And you look great, so don't worry about the extra 5 pounds.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I added in an extra bit I forgot to mention the first time

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I just want to say I think you are looking great
On to your question - it depends what you have to do to get to where you want to be.
If it's one glass of wine rather than two then I would say cut out the extra glass. If it is more drastic then it is such a personal call.
Is there any way you can prepare food & take it to work? Frozen soup or salads washed & ready to go? This sounds like an area to work on

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie and Deborah. I even didn't the gym on Sunday because I got invited to go out on a boat on Lake Washington with friends. I had a glorious time and even jumped in the lake.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

For regular workdays I take a salad for lunch. Last weekend of killer call I had a fridge full of easy healthy food. I just wasn't home enough to eat it.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

"Things eaten on call don't count" is my mantra. Those are the days you need to feed your soul too (or what is left of your soul).

I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially if you fit clothes better. It sounds very muscle-y to me.

Debbie

Veteran

You look fantastic. I say give yourself a pass. You are having a great time this summer and that counts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I would not worry about those numbers. You look amazing and are obviously healthy and fit. And your clothes fit! I doubt I will ever see the number on my drivers license again (uh, it never changed from when I was in my 20s -- the best I can hope for is 5-10 lbs over it).

I was realizing lately that I actually weigh more now than I did right after my wedding 10 years ago but I believe I am actually more toned and possibly smaller in some measurements than I was back then. The number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story.

Diana

Veteran

I wouldn't worry about it, because seriously in your last WIW you look AMAZING. Have you looked at your rear view lately, lady? Super hot. I mean that. Whatever you are doing, it is working, numbers on the scale notwithstanding.

This is why I don't weigh myself much, btw. I know I obsess over the number even though I know it's silly. I try to go by how my clothes feel, or sometimes by measurements.

Irene

Veteran

The higher weight could be muscle. It's hard to 'behave' when in social surroundings or calls, but I would try. Just drink a glass of wine instead of two, pick the salad option versus the fatty one if available, don't go overboard with desserts... that is, if you want to lose what you think you need to still lose. You certainly don't look overweight.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am right there with you. The more I work, the less I can work out or spend time to eat the right things. I grab what I can at either job (both restaurants).
I also think being social and feeding your soul is top priority over abstaining and not sharing with others (for me especially since I may be leaving in a month)
I am taking the road that the last 5 pounds can be conquered when life is more in line with the discipline needed. Don't sweat it (he he he).

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

You look fantastic in your hiking pics so I wouldn't sweat it! You are healthy & fit. Enjoy life.

Anonymous

Weight is not a good measure -- I think measurements and how you feel are more important! And sounds like you are doing fine. You look good!

Isis

Veteran

You look absolutely fantastic Anna. Definitely give yourself a pass until October, and maintain your fab body in its current state. Maintenance is an art anyway, so this can be a period where you practice that art.

And I think you have great priorities in terms of enjoying life, your friends, being social. That's really important too.

Kristin L

Veteran

I wouldn't worry about the numbers. You always look great in your pics and it's healthy to get out and be with your friends. Would it be possible to cut back on the beers/burgers if that's what your worried about?

I know nothing about being on call, but could you keep food in your purse, like some small snacks so you don't have to make a vending machine run?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The number on the scale is only one way to measure, and one of the least accurate. If you fit into your clothes, I wouldn't worry about it. You are looking fantastic.

I think measurements give a more accurate picture, really. So if you're worried, try that. But again, if the clothes fit -- it's all good.

Anonymous

Well, I am having a weight issue ( 7 pounds over my happy weight) and decided that I'm not giving up.That is why I started the interval training workout (insanity). As others said, if your clothes fit fine, no worries. Some of my stuff is too tight to wear. That is why I need to get trimmer. No excuses for me.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Anna- even at my lowest weight (which you guys saw) I was a good 15 pounds over what the BMI says is a healthy range for me. It was not a healthy weight for me- I was working out a couple hours a day and eating a very restrictive diet, and I still couldn't maintain it. I have given it up. I have large bones and lots of muscle. I work out regularly, and eat a fairly healthy diet. I will never fit into the norms of the charts, so I have let it go and am working on loving and accepting myself just the way I am. I hope you can let it go, too. It's just a number, and you look healthy to me.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Honestly? I think you should be strict. I'm not talking about looks or numbers, I'm talking about your own health. Junk food really is junk. When you're stressed is a doubly bad time to load your body full of food that doesn't nurture it. Value yourself. Treat your body with love! It will repay you.

Archer

Veteran

Yep- you are allowed to eat takeaways when on call, for all reasons above.

Laurinda

Veteran

There are many different 'measurements' -- of health, of happiness, of success. I wonder why we (in a general sense) put such a high value on weight in pounds or kilograms?

My weight is high, higher than many here. I will cheer the day when I am down to 'overweight' and no longer 'obese' by the BMI charts, yet that is just one measure. (Figure below shows how BMI can mislead)

For health risk the numbers that seem to matter (this week, science does keep updating) are blood triglycerides and HDL-C. By finding the right diet for me, mine place my cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk in the lowest 10%. I still enjoy a good piece of chocolate, a weekly Gin & Tonic, and I will have a big piece of cake with frosting on my birthday.

As far as fitness, I wish I had better endurance but I know that is a
work in progress. I can make it up a hill to see a lovely vista, and
even if I am not the speediest I can keep up a day-long bicycle trip.

For body image, I feel great. Maybe it is reaching that certain age and just being grateful to be on this side of the daisy line but I have never been more comfortable in my own skin. Yes I am heavy. But I have awesome forearms and curves that some women pay good money for.

Conclusion: Focus on the good, work on what you can, accept and love yourself on everything else.

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Liz A.

Veteran

Personally, I never give up. The question is how much effort do I put in... and the answer is as much as I can muster at the time. If you are getting out and enjoying life, keep doing that. But if you have the time, keep perservering at the gym. You may never lose those 5 pounds, but at least you will be healthier!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

If your clothes fit now, then losing 10 pounds seems like a bad idea - you love your wardrobe!

I say continue going out for dinner and drinks, because you really enjoy it. Continue the hiking and working out, because you enjoy that too. Maybe lose the fast food when on call, since that's not actually bringing you any happiness/pleasure ... are there tastier and healthier quick options where you live? Somehow I imagine that in Seattle one could subsist indefinitely on takeout sushi.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Just had to chime in again. BMI is such a flawed measuring stick anyway (to Laurinda's point). I am relatively small-boned and do not carry extra weight well. BMI charts tell me I would be in a healthy range at 160 lbs but when I was still shy of that mark I was NOT healthy -- I was mostly sedentary and carrying too much fat, not enough muscle.

Right now I'm smack dab in the middle of the "normal" BMI range, yet I would love to be a size smaller. But you know what I love even more? Being able to enjoy a wonderful sushi dinner with my hubby, and split some sake and desert, or to have a cookout with our friends, or partake in the occasional ballpark hot dog. I'm just not prepared to forsake all the things I enjoy for the sake of a few pesky pounds that really, truly have no impact on my life. I am healthy and all of my blood work before my recent surgery shows I'm doing pretty well for someone pushing 50. Those 5-10 lbs I would love to lose are vanity pounds. Those pounds will not reduce my chance of having a heart attack or getting cancer, or anything else.

Does that mean I've "given up"? No, not really. I try to stay vigilant. If my clothes start getting snug, I know it's time to up the exercise and watch the treats. But I guess I really don't agree with that saying, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I guess I never truly give up, I just work at it more some times than others. It comes down to balance. I don't want to have a life where I'm never able to have a treat or a drink or a dinner out. Some months of the year - winter holidays and summer - I know I put on a few pounds from all of the fun things going on. But I put in more cardio time when I'm indulging and once the craziness is over I go a month or so without treats and can get back to where I need to be. I think if I ever got the final 5 pounds off, I'd have to stay treat free pretty much all the time and I really don't want to do that. Sometimes close enough is close enough.

Anonymous

Another thing to consider is, what are you fighting against? Genetics or bad habits? For me is bad habits, again, no excuses.
Everything in moderation is good for the body and the soul. Just don't let your guard down and continue to monitor your diet, and make your summer delights, calculated risks, not over indulgences.
Janet, I guess there are differences even within BMI charts, hence why bother with them. I used to weight 160 pounds for the longest and according to my doctor's chart, that would put me on a 16.5 BMI, which is already on overweight category. I think we are the same height.
Yep, BMI is useless.

DonnaF

Veteran

Don't sweat the scale because it sounds like you have gained muscle mass. That being said, I generally agree with IK about avoiding junk food. IMHO, junk food is never truly satisfying so it leads to a cycle of eating more and more and feeling worse and worse. I hope you can carry around and have in your kitchen more healthful alternatives, like sweet potatoes you can zap in your micro and then top with Greek yogurt as you change into your lounge wear. Slightly thawed frozen berries mixed into plain yogurt (Greek or otherwise) with a little sweetener or sugar is very much like frozen yogurt only better and much more filling. Be kind to your body as it's the only one you have.

Oh, and to me wine and chocolate don't count as *junk* food, LOL.

rachylou

Veteran

7-10 lbs is too small for me to care about (except when it effects the way my pants fit). My doctor says otherwise, but she also tells me I should turn invisible when I turn sideways because I have Asian genes. People with a little weight live longer, anyways. I say I'd rather get a life.

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