Have I lost too much weight?

daot13 · September 2021

coryhart4389 · September 2021

Obviously no!! I will give you the praise you seek!! You look great and keep it up....

cmriverside · September 2021

No.

If people in your life tell you you have, give them the stare-down.

I remember when I hit goal weight after losing 80 pounds and a few people had those little back-handed comments like, "Your face looks gaunt." or, "Wow, you look skeletal, look at those collar bones."

No.

I was obese.

Now I'm a normal BMI weight. 5'8" and 142 is not, "skeletal." It's just people were not accustomed to seeing me at a normal weight.

spiriteagle99 · September 2021

You are very thin. Are you happy with the way you look? Is the level of calories needed to maintain that weight sustainable? Then enjoy your new body. You are the only one who has to be happy with it.

When I first lost weight down to my high school weight, I found I couldn't sustain it in maintenance. To maintain 120 lbs. with limited exercise, meant eating only 1400 calories a day, which wasn't enjoyable or sustainable for me over the long term. Later, when I was running more miles regularly, I could maintain a lower weight because I could eat 2000+ every day. I know that if I were not exercising as much as I do, I would be much happier with an additional 5-10 lbs. that I could sustain without feeling seriously deprived.

BrightEyedAgain · September 2021

I don't think so, but it's all in how YOU feel. It can take time to get used to a new size, so I'd give yourself a little while at this weight and then see if you are happy. If you feel too small at this weight, maybe focus on strength training for awhile and see how that feels. It's all a process.

sollyn23l2 · September 2021

*Feeling cute, might go back to maintenance calories 😆*. But in all seriousness, you look great. And should do whatever you feel is best for your body.

kshama2001 · September 2021

Why would you wonder?

If this is a serious (as opposed to an attention-seeking) question, next time you ask it don't include pictures with pouty lips.

I'm not one of the 4 people who flagged your post, but they likely felt it was not a serious question, and having less posed pictures would help people take you seriously.

springlering62 · September 2021

kshama2001 wrote: »

Why would you wonder?

If this is a serious (as opposed to an attention-seeking) question, next time you ask it don't include pictures with pouty lips.

To be fair, that generation probably pouts and doesn’t even realize it. Just like mine said “Cheese!” Who ever decided it was a great idea to say cheese before a portrait?!

I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt.

In all seriousness @daot13 , how do YOU feel? Do you feel healthy and energetic versus tired and rundown? Are you somewhere in the normal BMI range?

I dropped down to lower end of normal BMI. In my uncertainty of where goal should be, I thought I “should” be back to the weight I was when I got married, which was slightly underweight. I was within a couple of pounds of it.

My 73 year old trainer, who is a loving caring person was the only person brave enough to call me out. Even my husband wouldnt do it for fear of upsetting me. My girls are a continent and an ocean away, and, well, thanks COVID, couldn’t provide feedback.

I wouldn’t listen to my trainer. It wasn’t until she sent me these photos along with a few others, that I realized how awful I looked

I felt fine, but I was gaunt and skeletal, and my face was cadaverous.

I have since put intentional weight back on. I feel better. I’m stronger. Muscular. My face filled back out. Ironically, I continued to lose waist size as I’ve put that weight back on. Even though I’m “heavier”, I’m in a 100% better place than I was last Christmas.

Unless you have an ED and need support, you need to make your own decision, using your own valuable common sense. Don’t rely in the judgement of others to dictate how your body should look, unless it’s someone who’s earned the right and can provide valuable input- Like my trusted trainer (who could kick my *kitten* with one arm behind her back, for the sheer joy of being able to do so. I’m determined to be like her.)

daot13 · September 2021

Hello all and thanks for responding. I really didn't mean to offend anyone and have been feeling really stressed and down recently about my body and working out. For many reasons, I have stopped feeling positive about my progress and feel I have lost my way with it. I found the photos I had on my phone which showed my body and did not take these on the day I posted. I should have included more photos in between because there may have been a point when I feel
I was strong and fit but not too thin. I feel too thin because my skin has started to get a bit loose and I have lost all of my chest. Since having my daughter six years ago I have tried to get fit and do it for mental health more than anything else. I can't afford a personal trainer and nutrition is a tricky area for me in that I don't know how much I should be eating. I really struggle with my legs which you can't see but they carry a lot of weight and gain cellulite quickly. This is the reason I have lost so I have weight on my upper body; it takes a long time before it starts to come off my legs. I feel like I could lose more fat on my legs and my bf% is actually still very high. I have loooked into a condition called lipedema which I ma have as it seems to be a problem with the women on my dad's side of the family. Honestly, I wish someone could just tell me what to do to because I work hard but feel it is useless.
Again, I am very sorry if I offended anyone.

cmriverside · September 2021

daot13, you didn't offend anyone...I don't know why some people made snip little comments, but I guess that's just the internet for ya.

You look beautiful in those images. I'm a woman and I have some curves too. It's not a bad thing! You're just not 13 any more. I remember as a young woman being mortified at my rounded belly, thighs and hips. Aaack! I think you are a lovely woman with a fantastic figure. Cellulite is also part and parcel of being a grownup for some women.

I hope you'll be kind to yourself.

springlering62 · September 2021

@daot13

Sweetie, we are our own worst critics (raises hand and shouts Me! Me! Me!) No one is harder on us than ourselves.

First of all, speaking as a soon to be grandmother (woot!!!) and not meant at all creeperly, I think you are hot.

You might look up Body Dysmorphia. That’s when people’s brains and eyes haven’t caught up with the changes in their bodies. You literally still “see” the old you in mirrors. Stick the term in the search engine here in this forum and you’ll find lots of discussion of it. It really is a thing.

I “suffered” with it the first year and a half of my weight loss (which is why I got so low). Even though I went from a size 22W to a 4, XXL to XS, my brain couldn’t adjust. I saw fat, I saw rolls, I saw misshapen lumps. I still saw me, many many pounds heavier, and I was still soooo critical of that me.

It was crushing and depressing to have lost so much weight and not be able to see it.

What helped me, once again, was my trainer, who insisted on sending progress photos and videos every week. One day, it just clicked. I could see “new” me in the photos and was finally able to see me in the mirror.

Could you have your husband or a trusted friend take regular photos of you?

Also, I see your photos are at the gym. Are you doing weights, group classes , or more cardio related exercise like stair masters, elliptical, treadmill etc?

Weights have helped me develop a shape I like and am proud of. My weird mish-mash of running and power-walking has helped thin my legs and thighs out.

As far as loose skin, that will improve with time. I’m almost sixty and my skin is still elastic enough that it continues to shrink. You’re young. It’ll probably be faster for you.

One other oddball things I’ve noticed with weight loss, if my skin gets fine, crepe-paper like wrinkles, particularly around my inner elbows and kneecaps, it’s usually a sign I’m dehydrated.

You are beautiful and strong and will be such a great role model for your little one!

PAV8888 · September 2021

In the pictures you showed, excess fat, ANYWHERE, is NOT one of your current problems!

Not sure if you made a comment about maintenance calories and then deleted it; but if you're not already eating *at least* at maintenance... you probably should!

callsitlikeiseeit · September 2021

We are women. we have cellulite. at every weight. even models. even celebrities. they airbrush it out. trust me.

loose skin. it comes with weight loss. the good news is .... that at your age, it will likely tighten back up. probably nicely. stay hydrated. good genetics helps too, but you have no control over that. age can help trump that. takes time. and if you dont believe me - ive lost almost 200 pounds. im older than you. 43. i have about 40 more pounds to lose. even with all the weight ive lost... i dont have any loose skin. now that could change, but considering ive literally lost more than what i currently WEIGH... i think im doing ok. lol

you also had a baby not long ago (at my age 6 years is not long ago LMAO). that does a number on us women and how we feel about our bodies in general.

I have a feeling that what you may really want to look into is recomp. and you may balk at the idea when you hear you have to eat MORE, and start to lift heavy things, thinking you are going to gain weight (and you will) and build muscles (and you will) but what will NOT happen is you getting fat, or looking like some muscle bound body builder. What WILL happen is your body getting tighter, and leaner, and LOOKING smaller. You will see more muscle definition, in your arms, abs, back, and legs. even though you will technically, weigh more. because muscle weighs more than fat. You may lose some more fat (errr if you have any, anywhere...) right at the beginning, but I think this may be something you might really want to look into, truly.

springlering62 · September 2021

Awesome threads to share:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10689837/does-this-uterus-make-my-stomach-look-fat/p1

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/977538/halp-heavy-lifting-made-me-supah-bulky#latest

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10842208/moment-of-realness/p1

daot13 · September 2021

Thank you all so much. The picture where I'm a bit curvy is about 3 years ago and I just wondered if I should be a bit more in the middle then the other pics. You've made me feel better about the skin and I think I am definitely dehydrated. I love running abs think it was best for my legs but was worried about losing too much weight and getting more loose skin but I think if I eat at maintenance and lift weights three time a week it might work. I'm going to try for a month a see if I see any improvement but am also aware that I need to try and be more body positive. Thank you all for your time, kindness and inspiration xxx

callsitlikeiseeit · September 2021

daot13 wrote: »

Thank you all so much. The picture where I'm a bit curvy is about 3 years ago and I just wondered if I should be a bit more in the middle then the other pics. You've made me feel better about the skin and I think I am definitely dehydrated. I love running abs think it was best for my legs but was worried about losing too much weight and getting more loose skin but I think if I eat at maintenance and lift weights three time a week it might work. I'm going to try for a month a see if I see any improvement but am also aware that I need to try and be more body positive. Thank you all for your time, kindness and inspiration xxx

If you do decide eventually to work on recomp, keep in mind it will take longer than a month. just letting you know

daot13 · September 2021

Thank you, I am still trying to figure it out. Now I seem to be gaining weight rapidly and feel that I must go back to the drawing board.

Lietchi · September 2021

Did you make any changes to your routine (food and /or exercise)? Rapid changes (few days to a few weeks) are more likely to be water weight related or related to food waste in your system, fat gain is usually something that happens gradually and can be noticed over a longer period of time (weeks to months).

cmriverside · September 2021

daot13 wrote: »

Thank you, I am still trying to figure it out. Now I seem to be gaining weight rapidly and feel that I must go back to the drawing board.

If you're actually gaining weight rapidly and not eating a whole lot more, maybe see your doctor. Lots of women have hormonal issues including thyroid that need to be treated.

Have I lost too much weight?

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