March/April weight loss thread

[Susan Otcenas]

Trisk -

Sometimes I don't communicate well in writing.... Thank you for being encouraging, and for being concerned about me. It's really appreciated!

5'4" and 135 is a very healthy and perfectly normal body weight for me. It puts me smack in the middle of the BMI charts for someone my height. And, at 39 years old, I believe my age isn't a factor at all. I look great in my clothes, I feel great, I'm getting tons of exercise. In short, I'm very possibly in the best shape in my life. That feels wonderful!! I could pretty happily live at this weight for the rest of my life, and be very healthy doing it.

But...

I want to see what I'm capable of attaining. I have some aggressive goals this year, chief among them a couple of triathlons (which I have lots of experience doing) and my very first ever half marathon in October, to celebrate my 40th birthday.

I want to build muscle throughout this year, and lose the inches I can still pinch on my belly and my thighs (from the waist up, I'm very lean now, but from the belly button downwards, not so much.) But don't worry - I'm a sensible eater. I eat very heathily, I listen to my body, and I would never ever sacrifice my health to be thin or skinny. I want to be lean, fit and muscular, NOT skinny, scrawny and unhealthy.

That's why I said that at this point I don't really care about the number so much. I care about inches and muscle mass. I do think that I will end up losing more fat weight than gaining muscle weight, so ultimately I think my weight may still come down another 5 pounds or so. My WW goal is 130. As I get close, I'll readjust my goals based on what my body is doing and telling me.

Susan

[tulip]

Susan, good for you for reaching for those goals. I think I understand your point of view. For most of my adult life, my setpoint was 142. Of course, that was well within the normal range for me, and I felt "fine," everyone said I looked "fine," but I wanted to be more than just "fine." I was consistently a size 10-12. I didn't try, that's just what it always was. When I turned 39, alot of things changed and I lost 20 lbs in a few months, which was a bit too thin, but man I loved my new me! Now I've slowly gone up to 130 over the winter, which is okay, but for me, I prefer to be a bit lighter.

I've slacked off on my Pilates and riding over the winter, but my eating is still very good. Everyone has a different comfort point. Mine is about 125 and not less than 120 (at which point I am too thin). (For me, at 5'-6", that makes me a size 4-6 in these new times of inflated sizes). I feel better at that point, I ride better, I just have a better attitude.

Best wishes for reaching your goals.

[GLC1968]

FWIW - Susan, I think you look great!

I also totally understand your feelings on this. When I was at my leanest, I was 138 (I'm also 5'4") and was at a 19% body fat. Most people would have been thrilled with that, but like you, I felt that my lower body still had lots of room for improvement. I still had visible fat on my legs! While I was extremely strong and fit and I was happy with my overall size, I felt that my body composition could have used additional improvement. I had a VERY hard time explaining that to people who had just seen me drop 35 lbs - they were always asking "WHY???". People thought that I must have an eating disorder because when you looked at me in street clothes, I looked fine. Only a person with an eating disorder would want to keep leaning out, right? Ugh. The only other people who 'got' it were other athletes. Anyway, aggressive performance goals and tough standards for yourself are fine, as long as they are in perspective and from what you've posted here, its obvious that they are for you.

I've also seen you eat...so again, I totally get it. You are being 100% smart about this and I find it truly inspiring! You are a great role model for women who want to be healthy and fit and still live a full lifestyle.

God knows, I'd like to get back there myself!

[Susan Otcenas]

FWIW - Susan, I think you look great! ..........

I've also seen you eat...so again, I totally get it. .........

Well, thank you! And yes, you HAVE seen me eat, so you know I can put it away, eh? :-) Especially if it involves sushi!

And speaking of food (minor thread hijack here) - you can watch me put away some more food on Saturday at Lupe's Escape IF you'd like to come riding with me and some friends on Saturday. PM me if you think you can make it. The weather is supposed to be grand!

Susan

[Blueberry]

God knows, I'd like to get back there myself!

Erm- go easy on yourself Birthing baby goats is hard work

Great blog entry

[Aggie_Ama]

I get what you are saying Susan. What I meant is there may come a point where you still aren't completely where you want to be on tone but the weight is right. Or your weight is right but you are miserable, back in 2004 I thought I would be magically happy at 125 but I was so miserable I felt trapped in my weight loss goals. Somewhere we find a happy medium. Like right now I am not sure 135 will be right this time because I need to tone up. I am around 140 but my thighs are still heavy, my stomach is still flabby. I need to start working on getting lean, last fall it was mostly about pounds now it is about the whole package. Which coincidentally may add pounds but I think I still got some fat to take care of.

[Triskeliongirl]

You hit it Aggie, its about being LEAN. I am much more interested in how much body fat I carry than what I weigh. When we have a lot of weight to lose, indeed just focussing on weight is fine. But, as we get closer to our ideal body fat percentage, its all about body recomposition. Indeed that is what I am working on now. I haven't participated in the challenge cuz I have no idea if my weight will change, but I wouldn't mind getting a tad leaner.

I have said this before, but when one is at this point, then being sure to eat adequate protein is crucial to maintain lean body mass. I just won't repeat my mistake of dieting off all my muscle again! Yeh, I wouldn't mind getting to 135 either, and while I am 'trying' I still don't know if its realistic or not. So, I am just working on riding more (commuting to work every day on my bike) and eating less by cutting down on deserts, snacks, and alcohol, but still eating lots of protein and veggies.

[Susan Otcenas]

... but my thighs are still heavy, my stomach is still flabby. I need to start working on getting lean, last fall it was mostly about pounds now it is about the whole package. Which coincidentally may add pounds but I think I still got some fat to take care of.

That's exactly where I'm at.

Along these lines - I bought one of the Gaiam balance balls a few weeks ago and have been doing the core workout routine that came on the enclosed DVD. It's been great. It doesn't *seem* that difficult when you're doing it, but the next day? Wow. Takes me at least 48-72 hours before I'm ready to do it again. It's only been a few weeks, but I"m already seeing some changes in muscle tone in my stomach and lower abdominals.

I keep meaning to find a good pilates class, but there are only so many hours in a day....

Susan

[Laterider21958]

Going down - at last!!!! 151.14 for 3/04/09 weigh in. It took being sick to lose though. Dr weighed and measured me and says my BMI is 25 - I felt good for a second and then he said the upper level for women is 24 He went on to say he wasn't going to be picky about it. I've got a few muscles - surely they weigh more The Dr smirked when I took my sunglasses off so I wouldn't weigh heavier. I responded with "Everything counts!"

[Veronica]

Down 2 more pounds - 152 for me this morning.

Tucker Cat weighs 16. 187 pounds.


Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

That's exactly where I'm at.

Along these lines - I bought one of the Gaiam balance balls a few weeks ago and have been doing the core workout routine that came on the enclosed DVD. It's been great. It doesn't *seem* that difficult when you're doing it, but the next day? Wow. Takes me at least 48-72 hours before I'm ready to do it again. It's only been a few weeks, but I"m already seeing some changes in muscle tone in my stomach and lower abdominals.

I keep meaning to find a good pilates class, but there are only so many hours in a day....

Susan

DH and I got those balls for Christmas and love it. But finding time is hard so I have to admit my abs aren't where I want them to be. I did the lower legs the other night and oh-my-word it is torture! I am really trying to commit to 3x a week for core because it is only 20 minutes, it is a great workout.

I forgot to weigh. Check in tomorrow!

[minn]

134 today