Living the Lifestyle (LTL) 7 September

Jimb376mfp

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for September are:

Monday - Imastar2 (Derrick)
Tuesday - savignr (Bob)
Wednesday - 88olds (George)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - Jimb376mfp (Jim)

Today's topic: Are you constantly chasing NUMBERS?

I was thinking of changing my GW even though I’m at GW! Just to get at -200 Lbs to be there. My SW was 376 my GW 184 only 8 more pounds to get to 176!

Are there certain numbers you have chased, obsessed, tracked or kept track of important numbers along the WLJ?

Possibilities
Scale
BMI
Daily SPs
Weekly SPs
Activity Points
Fitbit steps
Blood Pressure
Blood Sugar
Weight In numbers

I have seen them all at some time.

savignr

I really focus only on the scale. My current quest is to break into the 230’s. Then I’ll look for 235, then 230. Smaller increments work much better for me than worrying about ultimate goal weight. I do check BP semi-routinely just to make sure it stays in control bit that’s about it.

Jimb376mfp

I’m below GW and think of a number just to get there to reach s number, minus 200 pounds from my SW, 376.

My GW 184 was to be below my High School football playing weight 185.
My Dr suggested 179 to get to a lower BMI. I’m still overweight at my BMI but I will never get to Normal BMI. Too much loose skin in my opinion.

It’s just a number but keeps me aware and keeps me aware to not gain back what I have lost.

podkey

I do like being below 160 at about 158 LB but currently am bumped up against my WW goal weight of 165 LB. Something about the every 10 LB numbers that weigh in my mind. 159 sounds so much better than 160 for example or 169 instead of 170 etc etc etc.

gadgetgirlIL

Other than keeping track of my bicycling miles as well as the miles of the Ice Age Trail that I've completed, it is just the scale for me. I really prefer my scale weight start with 16* than 17* even though both put me in a normal BMI. I've only briefly (like a day or two) been below 160. Just not a sustainable number for me.

Jerdtrmndone

I also focus on the scale and keep tabs on my bp. Once in a while I'll check my sugar.

myallforjcbill

Primarily the trend on the scale and is there one and is it in the right direction. I also focus on blood work such as lipids, blood sugar, triglycerides, etc, blood pressure as indicators of health.

Al_Howard

Pretty much the scale. I do check my sugar every morning.

imastar2

The scale is the number I chase as well as BP. I'm chasing so many numbers at work they all get overwhelming at times. Right now I have an intermediate number of 300 hundred in chasing. That's the number I made it to and then hit a plateau. Instead of heading downward I went upward. It's not something to dwell on just need to focus on the present and move on.

SW 400.8
CW 342.8☹
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0

58.0 lbs Total lost

RedSassyPants

I actually avoid numbers. I mean I kind of have to. I get OBSESSED with them. I am not allowed to own a scale (that's how bad I get) I will get obsessed with numbers of any and all kinds so I kind of avoid them.

countcurt

I”ve looked at all sorts of numbers over the years. In the end, though, there’s only one number that ‘moves’ me and that’s the scale. Especially now that I have a reliable, consistent scale at home.

I’ve just learned over time that I can rationalize just about any other number, or reframe it-

“that was a medium size apple”- calories
“The dryer shrank my pants”- clothing size
“That was very intense level exercise”- activity points
“My body shape/compostion is more muscular than typical”- BMI
“Those were lean, trimmed ribs”- points
“I look pretty good”. (Okay, not a number thing, but the mirror does seem to lie to me all the time.)
Etc., etc., etc.


The big change over the years has been how I view the number on the scale. It used to be an emotional roller coaster. Elation when the numbers were good, torture when I didn’t like what I saw. Over time, I’ve come to realize it’s just a number. An important number, and an objective measure (rolling averaged, of course), but they’re just data points. I am much more able to use the information than sweat over it than I ever was in the past. Even when I’ve had sustained periods when the number has not been where I’d like it to be. OTOH, it does force me to be honest with myself.

minimyzeme

Are you constantly chasing NUMBERS?

Not really. There are some numbers I continue to be mindful of but in a context that works for me. The first one is my WW target of 23 Smart Points / day. I believe in tracking because it has worked well for me. I consider it to be the "price of participation" that helped me get the weight off and keep most of it off this long. So, almost without fail, I'm a daily tracker, even if I go over. Even if I go way (or way, way) over.

The second is tracking steps. I shoot for the general target of at least 10,000 daily, but I'm over and under many days. It's OK for me. Having the daily target reminds me I need to move, especially on those days I'm not getting movement in other forms or I'm just feeling lazy. I don't think the movement does anything for weight loss but I know it helps me in other ways so I do my best to make it part of my day.

The last one I stay cognizant of is my goal weight of 166. As with the other targets, I'm not steadfast about staying at that number. However, I don't want to stray too far from it either. Having lost 80 pounds, I don't get too flustered by 2-3 pound fluctuations. Any more than that though, and I do get very vigilant about the whole 'living the lifestyle' thing and making sure I'm not returning to the one that got me here in the first place.