86 lbs lost, goal weight achieved

CLICit
CLICit Posts: 17 Member
edited November 2022 in Health and Weight Loss
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I set my goal weight to a previous one I had felt my fittest in my adult life. 134 lbs at 5"3. I was 220 lbs in july 2020, my highest weight ever, 40 lbs gained right as covid hit (March). Quite overweight.

The weight looks different than the last time, sort of. Surprisingly not hanging skin, but I have 4 additional stretch marks, 2 on each side of my belly, and the ones I had from childhood.

I just don't feel it is the end, I'm still in deficit, -250 cal on average daily per week. I don't feel hungry, while I do end up binging sometimes ob weekends, but the binge usually just puts me into my TDEE. Sometimes I wonder how that effects me. I want more muscle and I don't know what I can get in deficit most of the time, I do have definition not highlighted in the image. But I think I'd like more and more strength.

I was initially very pleased when I fit my old clothes, that was probably the best and not the weight. But I feel like this can be a slippery slope, when is it good enough?

Replies

  • protein_17
    protein_17 Posts: 6 Member
    Congratulations on your hard work!
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    You look great! You’ve done well!
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,801 Member
    CLICit wrote: »
    .

    The weight looks different than the last time, sort of. Surprisingly not hanging skin, but I have 4 additional stretch marks, 2 on each side of my belly, and the ones I had from childhood.

    I just don't feel it is the end, I'm still in deficit, -250 cal on average daily per week. I don't feel hungry, while I do end up binging sometimes ob weekends, but the binge usually just puts me into my TDEE. Sometimes I wonder how that effects me. I want more muscle and I don't know what I can get in deficit most of the time, I do have definition not highlighted in the image. But I think I'd like more and more strength.

    I was initially very pleased when I fit my old clothes, that was probably the best and not the weight. But I feel like this can be a slippery slope, when is it good enough?

    I want to emphasize first that you've done an awesome job. Losing that amount of weight takes commitment.

    I understand feeling ambiguous about reaching your goal weight. I reevaluated my goal weight several times - I first aimed for a normal BMI but adjusted downwards based on how I looked.
    At the moment, I'm still not fully happy: I looked good dressed, but still some 'flab' hiding, but I'm now holding my weight steady and aiming for a slow 'recomp'.

    The fact that you're having binges is a bit of a red flag for me: I would honestly suggest increasing your calorie intake gradually, for example increasing your daily calorie goal by 75 calories each week while monitoring your weight. In the hopes that this would stop the binges, and perhaps it might boost your metabolism ('reverse dieting'). And simply give your body a break, it's stressful being in a calorie deficit.
    If you want to build some muscle and improve your body composition, being in a calorie deficit isn't the best strategy either.

    And just give yourself some time to think as well. It's normal to feel awkward at our new size, our brains need some time to catch up. I would focus on stopping the binges and maintaining for a while (an important skill to learn) and possibly reverse dieting for a while.
    You can still reevaluate your goal later on, nothing is set in stone 🙂

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member
    Great job btw. As far as binging on occasion you really can't blame yourself simply because focusing on a deficit for that long have consequences. I would suggest that periodically to eat more maintenance calories or slightly above with an increase on weight resistance, rinse and repeat. I found this vital for my journey many years ago where I was looking to lose weight from 245 down to 190 and have now kept in this range for a dozen years without dieting 90% of the time. Cheers
  • LiveOnceBeHappy
    LiveOnceBeHappy Posts: 448 Member
    Nice job! I think your use of the word, binge, is a trigger for some. Do you mean you splurge/indulge?

    I lost 50 lbs and kept adjusting my goal weight down. After about 4 or 5, “just a little more to lose” adjustments I finally settled on a weight and have made that my life goal. An internist at Mayo suggested not going below a 22 bmi. I’m just below that but feel good about it. You’ll find yours. Maintenance is tough at first, but you’ll get there!

    You look great!
  • CLICit
    CLICit Posts: 17 Member

    Lietchi wrote: »
    I want to emphasize first that you've done an awesome job. Losing that amount of weight takes commitment.

    I understand feeling ambiguous about reaching your goal weight. I reevaluated my goal weight several times - I first aimed for a normal BMI but adjusted downwards based on how I looked.
    At the moment, I'm still not fully happy: I looked good dressed, but still some 'flab' hiding, but I'm now holding my weight steady and aiming for a slow 'recomp'.

    The fact that you're having binges is a bit of a red flag for me: I would honestly suggest increasing your calorie intake gradually, for example increasing your daily calorie goal by 75 calories each week while monitoring your weight. In the hopes that this would stop the binges, and perhaps it might boost your metabolism ('reverse dieting'). And simply give your body a break, it's stressful being in a calorie deficit.
    If you want to build some muscle and improve your body composition, being in a calorie deficit isn't the best strategy either.

    And just give yourself some time to think as well. It's normal to feel awkward at our new size, our brains need some time to catch up. I would focus on stopping the binges and maintaining for a while (an important skill to learn) and possibly reverse dieting for a while.
    You can still reevaluate your goal later on, nothing is set in stone 🙂

    Thank you for that thoughtful response and sharing your experience. I agree with you, and like the idea of the steady 75 calorie goal increase, it feels like it won't be a shock to me mentally and might relieve the binges slowly.

    Time to think is also logical, there is no reason to rush to a different body. I'm fine and my health could probably improve by eating a little more on a regular basis. I eat around 1400 cal at least 4 days of the week and I don't hit all the nutritional goals I should. I am also a more active person now and even though I'm smaller I move a lot more. Time to increase step by step.

  • CLICit
    CLICit Posts: 17 Member
    neanderthin wrote: »
    Great job btw. As far as binging on occasion you really can't blame yourself simply because focusing on a deficit for that long have consequences. I would suggest that periodically to eat more maintenance calories or slightly above with an increase on weight resistance, rinse and repeat. I found this vital for my journey many years ago where I was looking to lose weight from 245 down to 190 and have now kept in this range for a dozen years without dieting 90% of the time. Cheers

    That's amazing that you've maintained for so long, to not be dieting all the time to maintain is very ideal. I'll try that, I think I'll work my way up and take sometime building strength this winter.
  • CLICit
    CLICit Posts: 17 Member
    LiveOnceBeHappy wrote: »
    Nice job! I think your use of the word, binge, is a trigger for some. Do you mean you splurge/indulge?

    I lost 50 lbs and kept adjusting my goal weight down. After about 4 or 5, “just a little more to lose” adjustments I finally settled on a weight and have made that my life goal. An internist at Mayo suggested not going below a 22 bmi. I’m just below that but feel good about it. You’ll find yours. Maintenance is tough at first, but you’ll get there!

    You look great!

    *trigger warning mention of disordered eating habit*

    Unfortunately I can't find a way to edit the post any longer, I'll keep that in mind.

    But no I do the real binge. I have since I was a 8. I often end up feeling ill (never purging), because of the amount of food. Sometimes I eat more than I would in a day in a sitting or 2-3x more. I fluctuate between over indulge, and binge. An overindulge can be a slippery slope for me. Less binges in my current life, but a problem at least monthly. It is how I end up gaining a lot of weight in short periods of time when my coping skills are poor and life is especially bad (like 40 lbs in 4 months).
    **

    That's awesome, I'm glad you found somewhere you're happy and can maintain.

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