Hello, do I need to keep losing weight or?

Thomaslol
Thomaslol Posts: 42
in Health and Weight Loss
I really struggle with my body as I don't feel happy.

I have been doing Insanity. Done it once and am trying it again, but haven't got the motivation. Not sure if that's because I've already done it once over or not. I have nearly finished week three.

I don't know what I'm really asking.

Here are some pictures:

http://s15.postimg.org/mofgpxaqj/back.jpg

http://s18.postimg.org/sbiwi2v2x/side.jpg

http://s23.postimg.org/ezlxh0rwb/front.jpg

I weigh about 12 and a half stone and am 6 foot 1. Went to the doctors and was told I was the perfect weight. Since doing Insanity my scales are actually saying I'm heavier (was about 12, 2)! Not sure whether this is muscle or not.

When I look in the mirror though I see someone who is overweight, with lots of stretch-marks, loose skin from previously being 19 stone.

I'm very obsessive with my weight and it holds me back. I need to do my Insanity workout today, but I keep putting it off.

What do you think I need to do?

Thanks, and sorry. Just at a bit of a stumbling block.
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Replies

  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
    I wouldn't worry about weight, if you are still unhappy try recomposing your body. This can be done with weights and there are some great threads about body composition on MFP. You will probably even gain weight, but the results will be more what you are looking for.
  • kennie2
    kennie2 Posts: 1,170 Member
    dont lose any more weight
    lift heavy
    also probably go see someone about seeing things
  • BennettV72
    BennettV72 Posts: 43
    Personally, I would not say you need to lose more weight. I see ribs in that front view pic!

    If you're not happy with the way your body looks, maybe look into toning, etc? But I think losing any more weight would be a mistake as I see you as quite thin.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I don't think you need to lose any weight. You might be happy if you actually gained some muscle. Try eating slightly above maintenance and lift heavy. If you gain too much fat that way, try eating at maintenance. But I don't think you have too much fat, so my suggestion is to eat above maintenance for now.
  • Arthursmama
    Arthursmama Posts: 23
    You are not overweight. You are slim. Really slim. Perhaps, if you like, you could do with some more muscles. But if you have already realized that you are obsessive with your weight and you really see yourself as overweight, it is really time to go and see a doctor. You may have a Body Image Disturbance...
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    You are not overweight. You are slim. Really slim. Perhaps, if you like, you could do with some more muscles. But if you have already realized that you are obsessive with your weight and you really see yourself as overweight, it is really time to go and see a doctor. You may have a Body Image Disturbance...

    It's Body Dismophia I have so same as Body Image Disturbance I would imagine.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    Yeah I probably need to start lifting.

    I wouldn't know where to start.

    I don't particularly like going the gym.

    I'll have to Google different stuff. I'd prefer to buy some weights, but I know they can be expensive.
  • AliciaStinger
    AliciaStinger Posts: 402 Member
    I looked at all of the pictures, and you're thin from all angles - and the side one especially makes you look VERY thin. I agree with the others on here...you should listen to your doctor, and if you're still seeing the person you were at 19 st. then you'd probably be better getting help than trying to lose more weight. If you feel like you have loose skin, then definitely try lifting/toning, because that will fix that, or at least improve it greatly.

    You have worked so hard - losing seven stone is no small feat (and this is coming from an American who has, yet again, forgotten what a stone is in pounds...I know seven times that is a lot, I think right around 100 pounds). Please continue to take care of yourself by doing what's best for you: find a way to see yourself as the thin and healthy person you are, and be proud of all you've accomplished!
  • AliciaStinger
    AliciaStinger Posts: 402 Member
    I used to be 145 pounds. And thought I was fat for some reason. Now, although I want to lose a few pounds (I'm 173 now.) I'm fairly happy with my body. You are just being insecure tbph. Grow up, learn to accept yourself and if anything, gain some muscle mass.

    Cheers

    Just because you added your personal experience to your opinion, that doesn't make the way you phrased it any less insensitive or disrespectful, "tbph". Telling someone who may have a body image disorder to simply "grow up" is not going to change the way he feels about himself.
  • Nightwing1990
    Nightwing1990 Posts: 17
    He does need to grow up and accept himself for who he is. I meant what I said, and reality is harsh sometimes.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    He does need to grow up and accept himself for who he is. I meant what I said, and reality is harsh sometimes.

    Yeah it's true, but it's very hard when you see something that a lot of other people don't see.
  • Nightwing1990
    Nightwing1990 Posts: 17
    No, what's very hard is being homeless... Or having cancer. Gl htough
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    I have Jillian Michael's 30 day shred and I might try and do that. My motivation and determination has really plummeted. I just want to go out and buy a massive tub of ice cream or big bar of chocolate to myself.

    I just need to get some weights.

    Sometimes I go the gym but I find it too intimidating using the weights.
  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
    You might be at a place where you would be happier trying to gain some weight. Have you had your body fat percentage tested? The recommendations I've read are to cycle between 10 and 15% body fat. You look like you might be close to that range. There are plenty of people on here that could give you good advice about lifting. Also, check out bodyrecomposition.com

    It might also help to find some sport that can give you fitness goals that are separate from how you look.
  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
    You could also start with body-weight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, etc.) if the gym intimidates you. Of course, if you can afford a personal trainer, a good one could help you get comfortable in the gym pretty quickly.
  • cathylopez1975
    cathylopez1975 Posts: 191 Member
    This might be a little off track, but you sound rather down to me. When you mentioned a massive tub of ice cream or big bar of chocolate, that sounded like emotional eating responses, as well as plummeting motivation. I've been at weight loss for a LONG time and I become weary at trying. I'm just wondering if your mood is impacting how you feel about your body. Do you have someone you can talk to?

    I also struggle with weight training at the gym, and am thinking about getting a trainer for a few sessions. I think it would help me with the loose skin from so much weight lost.
  • Nightwing1990
    Nightwing1990 Posts: 17
    I have Jillian Michael's 30 day shred and I might try and do that. My motivation and determination has really plummeted. I just want to go out and buy a massive tub of ice cream or big bar of chocolate to myself.

    I just need to get some weights.

    Sometimes I go the gym but I find it too intimidating using the weights.

    Doesn't sound like you want to gain muscle, and because of that you aren't going to.

    Cheers
  • cathylopez1975
    cathylopez1975 Posts: 191 Member
    Also, you've done an AMAZING job with your weight loss! I just looked up stone to pound conversion. Are you eating any goodies on maintenance? With as much as you've lost, and if you are at goal, maybe a little ice cream or a fun size package of candy would fill the urge you are feeling.

    I understand looking at yourself and not seeing what others do. I'm 5 pounds from goal, but still see a lot of fat. Others don't see it because the clothes cover it and I pick things to wear that make me look good. But by all the charts and measures I am no longer overweight and I also have a normal amount of body fat. I just have to accept that my body is not ever going to look like the body I had at 16, or like what I THINK other people have.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I really struggle with my body as I don't feel happy.

    I have been doing Insanity. Done it once and am trying it again, but haven't got the motivation. Not sure if that's because I've already done it once over or not. I have nearly finished week three.

    I don't know what I'm really asking.

    Here are some pictures:

    back.jpg

    side.jpg

    front.jpg

    I weigh about 12 and a half stone and am 6 foot 1. Went to the doctors and was told I was the perfect weight. Since doing Insanity my scales are actually saying I'm heavier (was about 12, 2)! Not sure whether this is muscle or not.

    When I look in the mirror though I see someone who is overweight, with lots of stretch-marks, loose skin from previously being 19 stone.

    I'm very obsessive with my weight and it holds me back. I need to do my Insanity workout today, but I keep putting it off.

    What do you think I need to do?

    Thanks, and sorry. Just at a bit of a stumbling block.

    I put image tags around your pictures so others could see them too.

    You don't need to lose any more weight, as you are thin enough. However, I strongly suggest talking to someone about your body image issues, which are skewed. No amount of weight lifting, exercise, or weight loss will make your feel okay about yourself, but figuring out WHY you hate your body might.

    Best of luck to you. :smile:
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    This might be a little off track, but you sound rather down to me. When you mentioned a massive tub of ice cream or big bar of chocolate, that sounded like emotional eating responses, as well as plummeting motivation. I've been at weight loss for a LONG time and I become weary at trying. I'm just wondering if your mood is impacting how you feel about your body. Do you have someone you can talk to?

    I also struggle with weight training at the gym, and am thinking about getting a trainer for a few sessions. I think it would help me with the loose skin from so much weight lost.

    Yeah I feel down today. Don't know why.

    Yeah I can talk to people, but they just say I don't need to lose weight etc.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    Also, you've done an AMAZING job with your weight loss! I just looked up stone to pound conversion. Are you eating any goodies on maintenance? With as much as you've lost, and if you are at goal, maybe a little ice cream or a fun size package of candy would fill the urge you are feeling.

    I understand looking at yourself and not seeing what others do. I'm 5 pounds from goal, but still see a lot of fat. Others don't see it because the clothes cover it and I pick things to wear that make me look good. But by all the charts and measures I am no longer overweight and I also have a normal amount of body fat. I just have to accept that my body is not ever going to look like the body I had at 16, or like what I THINK other people have.

    I lost the weight over a long period of time.

    Not recently, although I have been trying to lose weight. I always am though.

    I don't follow my maintenance/calorie intake. I just try to do exercise and eat healthy.

    I did start tracking my food on here at one point. Something I'm going to get back into so I know exactly how many calories I'm eating.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I personally don't think you need to lose weight. I would definitely look into lifting some weights, google new rules of lifting and then you can get a plan together of where to start. But I don't think you need to lose any weight, you look slim already.I hope it all works out for you :-)
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Do you have a friend who could be your gym buddy? Having a buddy makes learning the weight room less intimidating. Otherwise, working out at home can be great. I do it a lot. Body-weight exercises: push-ups, lunges, pistol squats, planks, pull-ups (I have a door-gym) done in sets, add weights when it gets too "easy."
  • scull611
    scull611 Posts: 3 Member
    Hi just looked at your photos you do not need to lose any more weight - try and be happy with where you are - remember you were once heavier you have done a fantastic job dont beat yourself up
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    Thanks everyone.

    I'm not sure I'll ever be happy with my body, but I can try which is what I do.

    At the minute I'd feel happier if I could find some sort of DVD or programme that I could do at home.

    I enjoyed Insanity the first time around, but I am just bored of it now. It is so high intense that waking up at 5 in the morning to do it before work doesn't help either.

    I'd like to incorporate some weights into my exercise. I do have some, but they're not very good.

    I'm thinking of starting Jillian Michael's 30 day shred tomorrow. Today is my rest day on Insanity, but come tomorrow I doubt I will continue and just change it up instead.
  • Ophidion
    Ophidion Posts: 2,065 Member
    Don't be intimated by the gym, most people who lift are there for themselves and are not focused on you. Gym membership usually cost about the same as a reasonably priced latte (a day), would you give up one coffee a day to feel better about your self? I know I would and did.

    If your equipment is an issue consider body-weight training.

    Convict conditioning,You Are Your Own Gym etc time to ramp up the resistance training, develop and maintain that sweet LBM or muscles.

    I think you most probably have the blues because you are at or close to your goal weight and don't see what you expected to see, and with all the weight loss and cardio you have most probably lost a fair amount of LBM.

    Good luck OP
  • sophiauoa
    sophiauoa Posts: 29
    I agree, you shouldn't loose any more weight. We can actually see your ribs, so I say you're pretty thin. What you need to do, is tone your muscles, sculpt your body.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You look great, IMO. If you want, eat at maintenance and try to bulk up some, but you look really good!
  • loneaffliction
    loneaffliction Posts: 81 Member
    Don't be intimated by the gym, most people who lift are there for themselves and are not focused on you. Gym membership usually cost about the same as a reasonably priced latte (a day), would you give up one coffee a day to feel better about your self? I know I would and did.

    If your equipment is an issue consider body-weight training.

    Convict conditioning,You Are Your Own Gym etc time to ramp up the resistance training, develop and maintain that sweet LBM or muscles.

    I think you most probably have the blues because you are at or close to your goal weight and don't see what you expected to see, and with all the weight loss and cardio you have most probably lost a fair amount of LBM.

    Good luck OP

    ^^^ This.

    I think you feel the need to lose more weight because you're still not happy with your appearance, even after coming so far, but as you said, some of it is just the result of the loss, loose skin, stretch marks, as you noted. Some, or possibly even all, of this will go away with time and continued work. I think you're feeling unmotivated because you know you don't really need to lose more weight, but you're not sure what to do next. Beginning weight training is intimidating for a lot of people. Listen to your doctor, as it seems you're at a healthy weight, but find something that you can do that you can enjoy.

    If you feel uncomfortable working out at the gym, invest in a set of weights for home, even if you just start out with a set of dumbbells of varying weights, a kettlebell, or resistance bands. You can probably purchase used weights to start. Check craigslist or some other local posting for someone selling their equipment. Even a few basic pieces could get you on your way and would probably be comparable to what you'd spend in a year at a gym.

    The tip about bodyweight exercises is especially good. It would be an easy way to break into some strength training without going out of your way or spending a lot of money. You Are Your Own Gym, either the book or the app can help you with this, and also, you can find demonstrations of bodyweight exercises and various lifts using barbells/dumbbells/other equipment here by muscle group: http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html. Also, it wouldn't take a lot of time each day to start incorporating this. 20-30 minutes to start building some muscle and confidence.

    There is a plethora of information on the internet to break you into strength training. Do some research. There are tons of videos to show you proper form and sites that offer beginner routines to teach you how to start incorporating it without the use of a trainer. Though, if you are especially uncomfortable, it might not be a bad idea to work with one for a few sessions to learn some basic lifts and work on your form.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/850719-strength-training-the-basics
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/902569-barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells
    http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Lifts
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/852401-proper-form-and-technique-sources
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/864338-f-cking-strength-training-101
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/equipment/id/1/equipment/dumbbell
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    You look great, IMO. If you want, eat at maintenance and try to bulk up some, but you look really good!

    Thanks. I find it hard to believe, but thank you.

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