I'll never be normal BMI, and I'm OK with that

earlnabby

I just checked my BMI and I am currently in the middle of the obese category. I started out class III morbidly obese (48.7) so I am thrilled with my progress (94 lb gone in 14 months)! My goal weight is 4/10ths of a pound over the line between normal and overweight for my height. I don't care. I chose that weight as my goal because it is 10 lb more that the weight I was when I looked my best. I was also 30 years younger and didn't have a bunch of excess skin and big, saggy boobs to deal with when I was 25-30 years old. I don't know exactly what I will look like at my goal weight and am open to changing it when I get there, but actual BMI is the least of my concerns.

Anybody else feel this way? I am starting to think that goal weight is a real possibility and wonder what it will be like when I get there. I walk at least 10,000 steps 5-6 x a week and 3 x a week I swim laps for an hour then take an aquasize class so I get a decent amount of both cardio and strengthening. My upper body especially is getting stronger since I started the swimming last November. I have hit all of my interim goals. The next one is Onederland by the Fourth of July. There is a good possibility I will see it by Memorial Day, but I don't want to put that kind of pressure on myself. Just like my goal weight. I would rather set a conservative goal and exceed it rather than set a more aggressive one and miss it. That is the biggest mistake I made other times I have tried to lose, I tried for 2 lb a week and got frustrated when the losses slowed to less than that. This time I set my goal at 1 lb. a week and am giving myself wiggle room, mostly in how many exercise calories I eat back. I eat back anything from most to none, depending on how hungry I am. On average, I eat back about half. Over the last 14 months, I am averaging about 1.4 lb a week so I am exceeding my goal but still doing it safely.

Anyway, I guess these are just some Saturday morning musings rather than an actual question, but I would like to hear from others who are at or close to their goal and are happy with themselves, even if you are not at the six pack stage.

queenliz99

Congrats on your loss thus far!! Love your advice!! Just wanted to tell you that. I really don't have much to add. Keep up the good work

suruda

Nice work! I agree with you and think the goals along the way are super important! It has to be about your health, how you feel inside and your ability to do the things you want to do! Pretty exciting 4th of July goal you are shooting for! It sounds like you are losing at an awesome rate too. Looking forward to seeing your progress and more Saturday morning musings!

usmcmp

I am not one to tell people to try to reach the normal weight category. You've done well at reducing your body fat, which has had a positive impact on your health. That's pretty much the main goal in all of this. Health and sustainability. You have done a great job of showing others that it doesn't have to be a race.

Personally, I've gained enough lean mass that the next time I compete I'll still be overweight despite having very low body fat.