Vanity vs Health Goals

lucyholdcroft363

My current weight is around 157/58lbs putting my BMI at 21.5 for my height. I originally aimed for a BMI of 20.5 but after getting here from a BMI of 26-27 I am just tired of dieting. For vanity reasons, I wanted to lose those last seven pounds to put me at the 20.5 but now I'm further into my loss, I am also aiming for goals like running a 10k, increasing my endurance, losing fat and gaining muscle...and increasing my overall health. The thing is that I am not 100% happy with how I look...so my question is: Would it be better to just lose the last 7 pounds and then work on my goals and endure the ten or so more weeks of dieting, or to instead focus on body recomposition and my health goals?

vismal

No one can answer this for you. It's a personal choice. I can't tell you if looking like you want, or reaching endurance and health goals will be more fulfilling to you. On a positive note, body recomposition will probably help accomplish both goals.

peleroja

I think you're the only one who can answer that.

But for what it's worth, if you really are just tired of dieting (which I get!) you can always switch to maintenance/recomp, eat a little more, and see if you're still feeling unhappy in a couple months. At that point you can always go back to a deficit if you want to. It's not like it's going to be a backtrack, just a pause.

terbusha

It's a very personal decision. I was at that same place a month ago. I was trying to get very lean. I was at a lower calorie level than I really wanted. I chose to focus on performance. I work hard at increasing strength, intensity, and muscle mass. If you focus on being able to lift more over time and eating well, your body physique will improve as a byproduct. It is slower? Yes. Will it set you up for much better long term success? Yes. Patience is key to winning at this long term.

I would start a slow reverse diet to get your calories up and help you to work harder for exercise. Check out this video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3gTGLulLnI). I'm doing this now too. If you have questions, hit me up. I'm always happy to help out.

DeguelloTex

In your holiday post, you sounded pretty happy with how you look. Either way, it's personal preference.

rosebette

I came to a similar position as OP and posted a thread about it: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10199653/time-to-choose-maintenance-or-cop-out#latest

My issue was not the low calories on a day-to-day basis, which I could manage because I'm small with a low metabolism, but that I enjoy eating out a couple of times a week with spouse or friends, or may have a social event that involves food. To reach my goal, I would have to eat only salad at those events or starve for the day to "save up" for them. I have decided that enjoying my life is more important than the last 5 lbs.

ExRelaySprinter

I totally understand OP.
I initially wanted to get down to 118ish but decided to stay at 128 and do a Body Recomp.
118 pounds won't give me the body i'm looking for (i'd just end up looking scrawny), and i want to have muscle definition while still looking relatively slim & healthy.