Why are people telling me to lose more weight?

Edit. I meant to say not to lose more

I really really dont get it. My bmi is 23.3 so im hardly emaciated. Ive just crept into a normal bmi.

My family have told me to stop losing weight now.
My surgeon during a follow up said " have you lost more weight? Are you doing a crazy extreme diet? I dont want you to lose any more weight. I can see your hip bones sticking out,"
My GP said ive lost weight too quickly (really? 47lbs since mid july isnt an extreme rate)
My other dr said ive lost enough now and she doesnt want me to go too far

Is it because they are used to seeing me fat? (i was 205lbs now 157lbs). All i can see is fat so I still want to lose more.

Im confused. Any thoughts?
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Replies

  • waronmyfat
    waronmyfat Posts: 322 Member
    here's my two bobs ... DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.. Feck everyone else around you... it's your body and your weightloss journey.. if you want to continue then you do it...
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    Great job on your progress! I bet your health has improved in so many ways. It doesn't matter what other people say, get to the place where you feel best/healthiest as long as you stay within a healthy range :).

    Our society is so used to people's average size increasing a 23.3 bmi is actually small to what most americans weigh honestly. That could be a reason for why your doctor made that comment? Also if the rest of your family is larger than they would think that you are getting so small. Also, if you have a lot of muscle it makes you look even smaller. Just hypothesizing.
  • A BMI of 23 is hardly too thin. That is a healthy BMI! I went to the doctor and she was pleased with mine. (I have the same BMI). She was totally fine if I lose 10ish more pounds.

    Do you have a large frame? Maybe test your body fat? Is your doctor overweight or your family? That kinda scews perception.
  • why do you have a surgeon? and two doctors?
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    You've had three medical professionals give you their opinion. Do you honestly think you'll get better advice from a bunch of us nitwits on MFP? Your doctors aren't telling you that you are too thin, but they are expressing a concern that maybe the manner in which you are losing weight is not the healthiest and that they don't want you to lose too much more. FYI - nearly 50 lbs in a few months is very rapid. Maybe ask for a referral to a nutritionist and focus more on nutrition than on weight loss.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    why do you have a surgeon? and two doctors?

    GREAT QUESTION! *applauds*
  • IreneAdler221
    IreneAdler221 Posts: 185 Member
    What is your height and why are you seeing so many doctors? Is it weight related?
  • derbyind
    derbyind Posts: 2 Member
    People say that to my sister a lot. She is a very lean, but very healthy weight. I don't get the doctors, but lots of people will comment due to their own jealousy and insecurities, especially if they are used to you being larger. Make sure you're strength training to keep up your muscle %, but at the end of the day do what you know is healthy - ignore the rest.
  • chubbygirl253
    chubbygirl253 Posts: 1,309 Member
    You've had three medical professionals give you their opinion. Do you honestly think you'll get better advice from a bunch of us nitwits on MFP? Your doctors aren't telling you that you are too thin, but they are expressing a concern that maybe the manner in which you are losing weight is not the healthiest and that they don't want you to lose too much more. FYI - nearly 50 lbs in a few months is very rapid. Maybe ask for a referral to a nutritionist and focus more on nutrition than on weight loss.

    I agree with this!
  • My concern would be your comment that all you see is fat. It may be that loose skin looks like fat on you but the skin only shrinks so much. All the posters have mentioned valid points, but if 3 doctors advise not losing any more weight you might want to consider making an appointment with a plastic surgeon to get their take on what is fat, loose skin or wasted muscle. Ask what can be dieted or exercised away and what is never going away without surgery.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Beverly beat me to the punch. You have three physicians expressing concern for you, and you say "All i can see is fat so I still want to lose more."

    Taper off. Spend some time lifting weights and doing cardio. Stop thinking so much about numbers and fat and worry about health and maintaining stable weight.
  • Maybe you should listen to your Doctor, if your hip bones are sticking out yet you still believe you are fat, then it could be that you are going too far and not realising it.
  • lauryn0392
    lauryn0392 Posts: 22 Member
    To the person/people who asked why i see a surgeon and two other drs...

    Isnt that obvious? When people have surgery they generally need a surgeon...
    Everyone has a GP
    And I see a specialist Dr for a health reason.

    I dont se why I need to share my private health problems with strangers.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    Do you know your body fat %? Weight and BMI particularly can be very misleading depending on BF%. With your family and friends it could very well be that they aren't used to seeing you looking like this. With you health care professinals - well maybe you should listen to them.
  • dovesgate
    dovesgate Posts: 894 Member
    47lbs in 4 1/2 months averages out to about 3.4lbs/week. How much of what you see as "fat" is really loose skin? It can take time for your skin to tighten back up to the way it is supposed to be when you lose rapidly.

    23.3 BMI is fabulous and healthy. Congratulations and well done!

    You pay these doctors to look out for your health. Let them do their jobs?
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Because they don't want you to look better than them. They don't want you to rise above the standard of ordinary and become extraordinary. Tell them to go **** themselves and do what you want to do.
  • dovesgate
    dovesgate Posts: 894 Member
    Because they don't want you to look better than them. They don't want you to rise above the standard of ordinary and become extraordinary. Tell them to go **** themselves and do what you want to do.

    Yes, I'm sure that's why her 3 DOCTORS are telling her to stop losing weight.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Do you know your body fat %? Weight and BMI particularly can be very misleading depending on BF%. With your family and friends it could very well be that they aren't used to seeing you looking like this. With you health care professinals - well maybe you should listen to them.

    ^ This! Listen to the doctors they have no use in lying to you right? There is no benefit to them to do that and BMI readings are not always correct for everyone. What is your body fat %? Do you have an eating disorder? No offence I just am wondering..
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    Because they don't want you to look better than them. They don't want you to rise above the standard of ordinary and become extraordinary. Tell them to go **** themselves and do what you want to do.

    This.

    Unless your doctor(s) says otherwise, of course.

    In my experience, fat people are used to looking at other fat people.

    When I was at the high end of my healthy BMI, people told me to stop. I'm small boned. I have narrow hips. Through trial and error I have discovered my body likes being on the low end when given healthy nutrients.

    To experience a healthy rate of loss, you should be losing 1 to 2 lbs a week. You may experience losing 3 to 4 lbs a week when you first start. This was what happened to me, anyways. Don't be dissuaded by the haters.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    To the person/people who asked why i see a surgeon and two other drs...

    Isnt that obvious? When people have surgery they generally need a surgeon...
    Everyone has a GP
    And I see a specialist Dr for a health reason.

    I dont se why I need to share my private health problems with strangers.

    Now I'm confused. Didn't the OP start a conversation here (with strangers) about her health and whether she should lose more weight or listen to three medical professionals who have examined her?
  • To the person/people who asked why i see a surgeon and two other drs...

    Isnt that obvious? When people have surgery they generally need a surgeon...
    Everyone has a GP
    And I see a specialist Dr for a health reason.

    I dont se why I need to share my private health problems with strangers.


    See..that's just it..no one asked you to share ANYTHING. You posted your concerns on the forum..so why the eff are you offended that someone asked a question?

    That makes no sense.

    These people are trying to help you. If you have a problem with the advice they are offering..or their questions.......deal with it, or go to your doctor(s) for advice next time.

    Geez!!!
  • vytamindi
    vytamindi Posts: 845 Member
    I was just wondering that....

    I'd listen to your gaggle of health professionals. Not saying any doctor is completely unbiased or anything, but you're shooting 3/3 here.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Yes she did Sherry. Either way...if not 1...not 2..but 3 different doctors...3 different MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS tell me what they've been telling you..I'd listen.

    You ask "why?".....Maybe talk to them and get their reasoning for what they've said so that you understand where they are coming from. But if a GP, a specialist and a surgeon all say the same comment...I'd listen in a heart beat.
  • Lns25
    Lns25 Posts: 130 Member
    Without a photo of what you actually look like OP, none of us can speculate to whether you are too skinny, still have weight to lose or just right.

    Really prominent hip bones isn't really an attractive look.... so perhaps you are too thin?
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    You've had three medical professionals give you their opinion. Do you honestly think you'll get better advice from a bunch of us nitwits on MFP? Your doctors aren't telling you that you are too thin, but they are expressing a concern that maybe the manner in which you are losing weight is not the healthiest and that they don't want you to lose too much more. FYI - nearly 50 lbs in a few months is very rapid. Maybe ask for a referral to a nutritionist and focus more on nutrition than on weight loss.

    I agree with this!

    Yes.
  • msshiraz
    msshiraz Posts: 327 Member
    You've had three medical professionals give you their opinion. Do you honestly think you'll get better advice from a bunch of us nitwits on MFP? Your doctors aren't telling you that you are too thin, but they are expressing a concern that maybe the manner in which you are losing weight is not the healthiest and that they don't want you to lose too much more. FYI - nearly 50 lbs in a few months is very rapid. Maybe ask for a referral to a nutritionist and focus more on nutrition than on weight loss.

    I agree with this!

    Yes- this- my first thought- 50 lbs in a few months is very fast- how did you lose it? Were you on meds or was in natural?
    What is your goal weight?
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    And to add...

    The reason someone might ask what the surgery is for.... is perhaps they or someone they know has gone through the same surgery and can give you a few theories/insight.

    But, as I said earlier, I'd ask the doctors straight out and get it from them.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    A body mass index in the 23 range is pretty good I would say, though not really the best indicator of general health/fitness in some individuals.

    Losing 47 pounds since July is hardly what I would call "extreme," but that is a pretty decent rate! Good job, and as far as my own recommendation.. if you like what you see in the mirror and you like how you feel.. stick with that.
  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
    To the person/people who asked why i see a surgeon and two other drs...

    Isnt that obvious? When people have surgery they generally need a surgeon...
    Everyone has a GP
    And I see a specialist Dr for a health reason.

    I dont se why I need to share my private health problems with strangers.

    Yet you are posting your concerns about your weight loss, your dr's opinions of said weight loss and asking our opinion about this on a public message board.....hmmm, not sure why people would ask for more details?!
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Because they don't want you to look better than them. They don't want you to rise above the standard of ordinary and become extraordinary. Tell them to go **** themselves and do what you want to do.

    Yes, I'm sure that's why her 3 DOCTORS are telling her to stop losing weight.

    Oops, guess that will teach me to read the *entire* post before replying. Doctors are one thing, and the fact that all the OP can see is fat, then there's a psychological component here that certainly needs to be addressed.

    Losing too much too quickly does jeopardize muscle mass, which can lead to a metabolic slow down that can ultimately lead to a weight gain. It wouldn't hurt to slow things down a little bit....Keep measuring your body fat and make sure that you're not sacrificing LBM.

    ETA: You should talk to my friend, Staci. http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/