Almost at my goal, not happy with the results.
MZC386
Posts: 21 Member
I was 315ish (years ago) at my heaviest, down to 247 with a goal of 240. How I pictured myself at 240 (6'1) is nowhere in sight. I was down to 240 in the past and was happy with the results, that's why 240 was my desired weight. It's pretty discouraging. I definitely see a difference between now and then but it looks like I'm going to have to grind a lot more to get down to a weight closer to 210-215ish. Any one else face this issue? Giving up isn't an option for me but I'm not looking forward to the grind like I was before.
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Replies
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I haven't experienced this yet. I am close to where you were when you began your weight loss journey. I am less than a month in. I am 6'2" and at my most active (extremely active) I hovered around 195-210. My current goal is to get to 200. I am no where near as active as I was then and I expect that when I am close to my goal, I will not look as I remember or be happy with the results.
One thing to keep in mind, is that you (now) are more knowledgeable and health conscious than you (before). What this means, is that the criteria you are using today is much different than it was back in the day.
Life is a series of goals that we set for ourselves. We attain them and then set new ones; or, we fail, learn from it, then begin again. Don't think of this as not meeting your goal. Achieve your goal of 240 and celebrate it in some way. You've worked hard to get there.
Then, evaluate what you want for yourself and set a new goal and begin a new journey. Maybe even do something different to keep it fresh.
Hope this helps.
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1) What specifically are you not happy with?
2) Have you been doing a strength training program during your weight loss?3 -
What don't you like about it? 240 seems a high goal unless you are like 6 ft 8 or taller. Depending on height it could still be obese or overweight bmi.
Also you might have had more muscle at 240 before because body fat percentage makes a big difference in how a weight looks6 -
I was wondering how quickly you lost the weight? If the rate was too aggressive, you may have lost quite a bit of muscle and not have the same composition as before. Or, as a previous poster mentioned, maybe your standards have changed? At any rate, maybe you would benefit from a shift in your goals (while still monitoring your calories) to more fitness-oriented goals? Wish you the best 3
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I agree that it may be body composition. Usually without use the body turns muscle into fat. And VLC dieting only help lose muscle.
I'd look into recomping or bulking/cutting.1 -
I haven't experienced this yet. I am close to where you were when you began your weight loss journey. I am less than a month in. I am 6'2" and at my most active (extremely active) I hovered around 195-210. My current goal is to get to 200. I am no where near as active as I was then and I expect that when I am close to my goal, I will not look as I remember or be happy with the results.
One thing to keep in mind, is that you (now) are more knowledgeable and health conscious than you (before). What this means, is that the criteria you are using today is much different than it was back in the day.
Life is a series of goals that we set for ourselves. We attain them and then set new ones; or, we fail, learn from it, then begin again. Don't think of this as not meeting your goal. Achieve your goal of 240 and celebrate it in some way. You've worked hard to get there.
Then, evaluate what you want for yourself and set a new goal and begin a new journey. Maybe even do something different to keep it fresh.
Hope this helps.
I feel like a Debbie Downer after reading your response. You're right, it is something to celebrate. But damn, it would have been awesome to see the "me" I had in my mind. Thanks for your response.5 -
TeacupsAndToning wrote: »I don't know how long ago it was that you were 240 but it's possible that over the years through aging and holding onto more weight that your body composition is different than what it was before.
Are you strength training?
You may be onto something but I definitely wouldn't have thought the difference would have been so much. I was 24 or 25 when I was 240, I'm now 31 and look a lot fatter now. I have been weight training about 3 times a week, probably about the same as when I was younger.0 -
What don't you like about it? 240 seems a high goal unless you are like 6 ft 8 or taller. Depending on height it could still be obese or overweight bmi.
Also you might have had more muscle at 240 before because body fat percentage makes a big difference in how a weight looks
I look a lot fatter now at the same weight. I've never been a thin guy, always been chubby or just flat at obese so my goal weight reflects that...... and I'm terrified of going lower than that because of loose skin. You make a good point about having more muscle before than I do now....... I'm stronger now though........ interesting1 -
I was wondering how quickly you lost the weight? If the rate was too aggressive, you may have lost quite a bit of muscle and not have the same composition as before. Or, as a previous poster mentioned, maybe your standards have changed? At any rate, maybe you would benefit from a shift in your goals (while still monitoring your calories) to more fitness-oriented goals? Wish you the best
Well this time around, I started at about 280ish maybe close to 3 months ago. Would that be considered aggressive? I work overnights and rather not eat at work, so I never hit my calories for the day. Believe it or not, I've never set fitness goals before. I guess now is as good a time as any to start. Thanks for the response.3 -
Sorry for the late responses guys and gals.0
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sounds alot like my issue.. im not far off from my lowest weight ever but im alot pudgier this go round. i was doing a mix of strength training before so i obviously need to incorporate that again. i miss being leaner.. also i re-discovered pesky bread so thats an issue as well1
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Add a bit of cardio in too. Keep up the great progress you've been making. Remember you are losing more fat than you think if you are also building muscle. I bet you also have higher standards now than you did in the past. Don't give up!2
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tiffaninghs wrote: »sounds alot like my issue.. im not far off from my lowest weight ever but im alot pudgier this go round. i was doing a mix of strength training before so i obviously need to incorporate that again. i miss being leaner.. also i re-discovered pesky bread so thats an issue as well
I've been weight training, I guess not as much as I should have been. I was too focused on the number in the scale going down. Ive never given up bread, I don't have that kind of strength lol1 -
I was wondering how quickly you lost the weight? If the rate was too aggressive, you may have lost quite a bit of muscle and not have the same composition as before. Or, as a previous poster mentioned, maybe your standards have changed? At any rate, maybe you would benefit from a shift in your goals (while still monitoring your calories) to more fitness-oriented goals? Wish you the best
Well this time around, I started at about 280ish maybe close to 3 months ago. Would that be considered aggressive? I work overnights and rather not eat at work, so I never hit my calories for the day. Believe it or not, I've never set fitness goals before. I guess now is as good a time as any to start. Thanks for the response.
Okay, this may be part of your problem because, yes, that is too aggressive, and you've likely lost a lot of lean tissue as a result. By my calculations, you're averaging over 3 lbs loss per week, you need to slow that down to 2 lb at the most, and preferably 1 - 1.5. Try incorporating more high calorie foods, stuff like nut butters, avocado, oils for cooking or dressings, dark chocolate, full fat dairy, so that you can reach your daily calorie goal. Also ensure you're getting adequate protein to maintain existing muscle mass (aim for 0.6-0.8 grams per lb of body weight).7 -
Same here I've dieted the last year or so I'm almost down to a weight I'm happy with but I'm still not happy with how I look..... So I'm starting an exercise routine too starting with brisk walks and yoga, see how I go from there. X1
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I was 315ish (years ago) at my heaviest, down to 247 with a goal of 240. How I pictured myself at 240 (6'1) is nowhere in sight. I was down to 240 in the past and was happy with the results, that's why 240 was my desired weight. It's pretty discouraging. I definitely see a difference between now and then but it looks like I'm going to have to grind a lot more to get down to a weight closer to 210-215ish. Any one else face this issue? Giving up isn't an option for me but I'm not looking forward to the grind like I was before.
@MZC386. At 6"1', if you are looking to get to the upper end of healthy BMI (24.5), then you should be shooting for 186 lbs.
I'm 5"9' (mesomorph build) and shooting for 165 lbs. May end up aiming at 154 lbs depending on how I feel/look at 165. (Was 201 at the start of the year, 179 now).
BMI is only a guide. Depends on your body type as to what a "healthy weight" should be.
Once you near or achieve a goal, you need to spend some time evaluating if it is where you want to be.
If you develop the right habits, slowly adjusting weight (up or down, 1lb per 2 weeks) should be easier than the hard grind you have already been through. The hard bit is developing the right habits in the first place (otherwise in 2 years you are likely to be back where you started).
3 -
Loose skin is better than fat.2
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You may need to readjust your target weight, or consider overshooting by a bit ... 225-230 and then doing a recomp/bulk.
You've probably lost a little muscle do to the rapid loss.
Also, you've still got 7-10 lbs of fat to go before you hit 2401 -
I had the same issue. I set my original goal to my favourite adult weight, when I got there I realised my favourite and best weight in my 20's didn't apply any more in my 50's.
So over an extended period of time I lost a few more pounds in a series of steps of maintenance and weight loss.
Just periodically reassessed myself honestly based on:
Would I perform better, look better, be healthier at this weight or should I lose a few more pounds?
You may find the same as me that the last few pounds makes a relatively large difference in appearance compared to the earlier weight loss where progress seems imperceptible.3 -
Have you thought about adjusting your macros? (More healthy fats and protein with less simple sugars and carbs while maintaining your calorie deficit?)
If your skin is flabby you are young enough that you might be able to help it "shrink back" as long as you are feeding it with the proper nutrients.
Your muscles and skin need good fat and protein to maintain elasticity.
Here is a great article about "clean eating" from an athlete's point of view and examples of how he incorporates healthy fats and protein into his daily diet.
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/mens-health/fueling-modern-athlete/
Here's a great article about the role of healthy fats:
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/know-your-fats-introduction/
http://mypureradiance.com/eat-fat-for-younger-skin/
Here's an article about the role of collagen and protein and skin / muscle / organ health.
https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/
(No promises, but, you'll look and feel better anyway!)2 -
craigo3154 wrote: »I was 315ish (years ago) at my heaviest, down to 247 with a goal of 240. How I pictured myself at 240 (6'1) is nowhere in sight. I was down to 240 in the past and was happy with the results, that's why 240 was my desired weight. It's pretty discouraging. I definitely see a difference between now and then but it looks like I'm going to have to grind a lot more to get down to a weight closer to 210-215ish. Any one else face this issue? Giving up isn't an option for me but I'm not looking forward to the grind like I was before.
@MZC386. At 6"1', if you are looking to get to the upper end of healthy BMI (24.5), then you should be shooting for 186 lbs.
I'm 5"9' (mesomorph build) and shooting for 165 lbs. May end up aiming at 154 lbs depending on how I feel/look at 165. (Was 201 at the start of the year, 179 now).
BMI is only a guide. Depends on your body type as to what a "healthy weight" should be.
Once you near or achieve a goal, you need to spend some time evaluating if it is where you want to be.
If you develop the right habits, slowly adjusting weight (up or down, 1lb per 2 weeks) should be easier than the hard grind you have already been through. The hard bit is developing the right habits in the first place (otherwise in 2 years you are likely to be back where you started).
mostly this. you are still about 60lbs from the top end of the healthy BMI range for a man your height.2 -
I was wondering how quickly you lost the weight? If the rate was too aggressive, you may have lost quite a bit of muscle and not have the same composition as before. Or, as a previous poster mentioned, maybe your standards have changed? At any rate, maybe you would benefit from a shift in your goals (while still monitoring your calories) to more fitness-oriented goals? Wish you the best
Well this time around, I started at about 280ish maybe close to 3 months ago. Would that be considered aggressive? I work overnights and rather not eat at work, so I never hit my calories for the day. Believe it or not, I've never set fitness goals before. I guess now is as good a time as any to start. Thanks for the response.
Maybe a little, but the rule of thumb is, a person can safely support the loss of 1% of their body weight/week, so at your starting weight, 3 lbs/week wasn't outrageous. You would probably be better off dialing it back now to 2lbs/week or even 1, especially since your original comment implied you weren't particularly enjoying the process.
You need to have a calorie goal & activity level that are sustainable for you for the very reason that you won't find it a *grind* and be tempted to stray or give up altogether. I understand what you're saying about your schedule making it difficult to hit your calorie goal, but as long as your logging is accurate, being under isn't really desirable, especially since you are needing to fuel workouts. It's terrific that you are already lifting weights- your sculpting what's underneath so that when the bulk of the fat is gone, you will like what you see! As another poster said, keep up your protein to support that goal.
You've had tremendous success so far and should celebrate that & enjoy it! Try not to compare to the past and just focus on the best body you can build for yourself now. 0 -
Yeah I'm not happy with the look of my body. I'm about 10 pounds away from my 3rd goal weight, but I still have tons of body fat. Strength training should help a bit but I'm not sure what else to suggest besides that.0
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I set an original goal of 180 when I was 260. I couldn't even imagine being that weight again, but as I approached it, I knew that I could lose more and be healthier. I've dropped an additional 25 lbs since then, much slower than my initial rate, and figure another 5-10 lbs can come off now. I think it's hard to know exactly where we'll find ourselves satisfied with a mix of fitness, health, appetite, and appearance when we start from so far away.5
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Bro, you're heckin cute, don't let this get you down! These are just data points. There's no way to be exactly the same as you were before, but you can be better.
Keep grinding, keep dreaming, keep aiming to get better instead of aiming to get smaller.2 -
My original goal was 140 because I was ok with that when I was in highschool but once I got there it didn't seem the same and I wasn't happy with it so I revised the goal down to 125 and then revised it again to 115. While it wasn't intential, I think ending up with multiple revised goal weights was actually nice because that just meant I got to celebrate making it to the original goal and was a good chance to re-evaluate what i wanted to do fitness-wise eachtime.2
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First off, dude... you lost like a whole first-grader's worth of pounds. High five to that. Bask in that for a minute!
Now, I think at 6'1, a goal of 200-215 is more realistic for what I think you're looking for in yourself if you aren't pretty muscular. All the men I know who are 230 -250 are also between 6'3" and 6'6". I speak from being of an exclusively tall family and dating very tall men. Even speaking for myself. I'm 6ft and my goal is 190 - 200 because that was my strong and schmexy weight before... But that was early 20s with no kid and a very active lifestyle. So with my current lifestyle, I might actually have to suck it up and be more like 185 (which looked grossly thin on me before).
It's all about how much muscle you have vs fat. So since you're already close to your goal, if you are not lifting heavy weights, try going that route and I think you'll find satisfaction. (Still, I think in the end you'd be more like 220 than 240 -- but that depends on your natural body type)3 -
I'm a bit confused. 240lbs at 6'1 is heavily obese with BMI of 35.
Why is this your goal?1
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