What if the doc is happy with your weight loss but the sig.

RiverRat99

I'm 5 foot 5 and now weigh 152. That's after joining a gym and this website. I started at 200 pounds in January of 2011. I saw my doc about 10 days ago (I have adult onset diabetes) and I asked him what he thought at 157. He was satisfied with my BMI at that point, he said, although according to the chart at 57, the upper "normal' weight range peak is 149-150. I'm not really trying to lose more at this point, but am staying at a fairly low calorie intake with daily exercise. I'm retired. When I lay on my back, my stomach area sinks in, and you can see and feel my ribcage. I mean, I can actually grab my lower rib. My g/f says that she sees and feels bones she never saw on me before and she's not happy in many ways (I won't go into all). I do weight training and walking primarily. She and my sis both hammered me several pounds ago about looking "gaunt". So what now? This is really frustrating.....thanks for any pointers....

Talieowl

You need to do this to be healthy. Others in your life need time to adjust to the new you. They may worry that with the changes you've made that they will be left behind. Or the may feel jealous. If you can sit down with them and get to the bottom of their concerns while sharing why you have to make healthier choices so you can be around to love them longer....

Whatever you do, don't let their reactions lure you into backtracking. You'll need just as much focus to maintain your loss as you did to get there-- at least until it becomes second nature.

Aljos

Probably they are not use to seeing you like this, I don't want to judge and the best way is to know where they are coming from.
Good job by the way, maybe you can bulk up and do weights to show some muscles and fill up. Lifting is good for your health too.
Goodluck..

heybales

I'm 5 foot 5 and now weigh 152. That's after joining a gym and this website. I started at 200 pounds in January of 2011. I saw my doc about 10 days ago (I have adult onset diabetes) and I asked him what he thought at 157. He was satisfied with my BMI at that point, he said, although according to the chart at 57, the upper "normal' weight range peak is 149-150. I'm not really trying to lose more at this point, but am staying at a fairly low calorie intake with daily exercise. I'm retired. When I lay on my back, my stomach area sinks in, and you can see and feel my ribcage. I mean, I can actually grab my lower rib. My g/f says that she sees and feels bones she never saw on me before and she's not happy in many ways (I won't go into all). I do weight training and walking primarily. She and my sis both hammered me several pounds ago about looking "gaunt". So what now? This is really frustrating.....thanks for any pointers....

First, BMI was intended for populations, groups, not individuals, worthless number really.
Here are some possible ideas for goal weight - http://www.cordianet.com/calculator.htm

Second, depending on how big a deficit got you here, your body training may not have been able to accomplish much at all.

Since you are at or near goal weight, you might see what your healthy BMR is, and move up to at least that level.
Tools - BMR calc.
That's metabolism if sleeping all day, or really, coma.
So you should be above that if exercising regularly, especially with weight training. I mean, if you want some payback for the time spent there.

So eating above that is still below your total daily needs, so you'll still be in weight loss mode, but the body can get enough resources to actually make improvements your workouts could be providing.

BeetleChe13

Not sure what to say about the weight loss. You are close enough to the normal range to not worry about those last 7 lbs, in my non-medical opinion. I agree with heybales about upping your calorie intake, and as far as your gf and sister, they sound just like my family. It could be that their view of "normal" or even just their view of you is skewed. I would emphasis to them that your doctor is (mostly) satisfied with the progress you have made health-wise. You are much healthier. They just can't see it.

nisemac

you could also have them come with you to your next appointment and have the doctor explain how your health was at 200lbs and what your health is now. good luck to you!

Lolli1986

First, BMI was intended for populations, groups, not individuals, worthless number really.

Even though bmi was intended for populations it is still a useful number.

On a scale of 'healthy at this bmi' to 'not healthy at this bmi', as determined by other parameters (like weight vs bf%), for any given number within the healthy range the population will fall along a bell curve. That bell curve will be very very narrow for the mid-range 'healthy' bmi, and it will widen as you reach the upper and lower limits of a healthy bmi. While it is possible, you are quite unlikely to be among those for whom bmi does not give a reasonable estimate of 'healthy weight'. Men and women of very thin frames often fall into the 'underweight' category inappropriately, and men with a lot of muscle mass or women with large breasts will often fall into the 'overweight' category inappropriately. For the rest of us, bmi works quite well.

My point is that it is certainly best for your body to keep the doctor happy. I'm sorry that your sister and girlfriend are worried... is it possible that they were concerned by the rate at which you lost weight (some find this frightening) or how much activity you now do (my mother worries about this... she thinks running is bad for you)?

RiverRat99

Appreciate the comments. Well, unfortunately, I got frustrated enough last night to fall off the wagon and ate a piece of pie and topping late. Gained 4 pounds, so apparently the scale effect isn't accurate. I'll take my weight again in a week, with that kind of fluctuation. Anyway....yes, the g/f does complain that I exercise too much, and I think my sis doesn't see me as often and the change seems drastic in a short time. The other factors may well be that both would be considered overweight, my sis maybe even close to obese if not over. The only persons that give me real support toward my BMI is another specialty physician and a relative that's been VERY successful here.

Talieowl

I understand the tumble from the wagon. When I start gaining, I go to the scale every two days--it's too frustrating for me to wait a week because if I gain more in that week, then I'm really down and figure what's the damned point (but that's me).

Getting healthy means putting ourselves first--even before ourselves, meaning our non-fitness interests. But, maybe you can find a way to include your girlfriend in your excercise? Walk with her or ask her to be your spotter? If she's not physically fit enough to do those things, maybe start slow with her and add a lap on your own or break your exercise into two sessions?

If you can afford it, you might want to join weight watchers or check at your local health center/hospital to see if they have support groups. I personally hate weight watchers, but I think they can be good for finding others to help support you. I'm lucky that I've been able to find support through my friends and family.

Don't give up on MFP and don't give up on yourself. When your girlfriend is ready, she'll make the change and you can be her inspiration.

BullDozier

The other factors may well be that both would be considered overweight, my sis maybe even close to obese if not over.

I think that's the key right there. For whatever reasons (jealousy, insecurity), those in your life who are overweight themselves aren't always the most supportive of your weight loss if they aren't ready to lose weight themselves.

If your g/f is overweight and complains that you exercise too much, invite her to work out with you.

heybales

Appreciate the comments. Well, unfortunately, I got frustrated enough last night to fall off the wagon and ate a piece of pie and topping late. Gained 4 pounds, so apparently the scale effect isn't accurate. I'll take my weight again in a week, with that kind of fluctuation. Anyway....yes, the g/f does complain that I exercise too much, and I think my sis doesn't see me as often and the change seems drastic in a short time. The other factors may well be that both would be considered overweight, my sis maybe even close to obese if not over. The only persons that give me real support toward my BMI is another specialty physician and a relative that's been VERY successful here.

Ah, the old "slice of wedding cake and 3lbs gain the next day" syndrome.

As long as you know this was glucose stores being topped off, with required water.

Even if the whole mess was converted to fat, which doesn't have water weight with it, you know it wasn't 4lbs worth of food.

So you are safe. Glucose stores is actually a good required thing. Keeps the body from having to dig into muscle to keep the blood sugar up.

RiverRat99

Exactly right! Thanks! Well, now I'm not even 150....so I guess that's a non-issue! Thanks for your response, though!