July/August weight loss thread

[ABeezles]

ABeezles, I should give you the benefit of the doubt, but this really seems like a trolling question on a thread titled "July/August Weight Loss Thread." Clearly, before opening the thread, you could tell that most posters would be discussing losing weight. Why is it necessary to question their motivations?

Personally, I have absolutely no shame is saying that I am trying to lose weight primarily (although not solely) for cosmetic reasons. At 5'6" and 137ish, my BMI is 22, which is perfectly healthy. However, I'm heavier than I've been my entire adult life. I'm 29 and my "set-point" has been in the low 120s since maybe age 18. I had a number of stressful life situations over the past two years and put on over 20 pounds (I was up to 144.5). I'm still not "fat" by the "average American" scale, but you had better believe that I notice the extra weight all the time (not only because I ballooned from a size 4 to a size 10, but I notice it when I wake up in the morning and I"m lying on my arm, and my arm isn't lean and hard, and I notice it hugely when I climb hills on my bike and when running). I also am considering a marathon in a little under a year, and I want to drop the weight before I begin serious training so I will have a chance at my goal time. Everyone has a right to decide her own ideal weight without a complete stranger sticking his or her nose in and suggesting that it's unnecessary, shallow, or disordered.

/Rant

I never suggested that any individual's weight loss was unnecessary, shallow or disordered. And indeed, beside my theory for health at any size I am sure there are people who genuinely would like to lose weight here for health reasons.

And despite you stating that I am sticking my nose in, I haven't directly commented on anyone's post, merely stated that—far out—there is a number fixation here. And just that in my experience (and in that of a number of female AND male cyclists that I train with) this has resulted in them doing damaging things to themselves.

I am not accusing anyone of doing damaging things to themselves on this forum, as mentioned above, I am merely suggesting that perhaps there is another way at looking at things. That is all.

[VeloVT]

I suppose I shouldn't continue this discussion here since it's a distraction to the thread. However, I would again draw your attention to the fact that the thread title is "weight loss challenge" and it's laid out in the first post that a spreadsheet will be maintained to help motivate posters to achieve their goals. It's nice that you have an approach that works for you, but it's inappropriate for you to barge in on this thread where posters are supporting each other in working toward their goals and suggest that it looks like "numbers fixation."

If you want to start your own thread about your "fit at any size" theory, go ahead, but this thread is really not the place to proselytize.

[jesvetmed]

Well I have been SO sidetracked for awhile! I missed the end of the last challenge, and totally missed the first part of this one! I'll keep up for the next one! Come fall I'm ready to focus again on maintaining or losing a little weight, instead of gaining again!

GOOD WORK EVERYONE!
Jes

[GLC1968]

I am not accusing anyone of doing damaging things to themselves on this forum, as mentioned above, I am merely suggesting that perhaps there is another way at looking at things. That is all.

Perhaps not, but honestly, coming into THIS particular thread and questioning our motivation is a bit rude.

Yes, in theory, exercising and eating well should make us all healthy individuals. And that's great if you've figured that out for yourself. But there are many of us who find that tracking our weight is as good a number as any to track. There is no 'fixation' here. Hell, look back over the past year of these posts and see how we all have been on and then off again. It's not an obsession by any stretch of the imagination - we are purely looking for camaraderie and motivation here.

And seriously, I'm 5'4" and according to BMI, I'm 30 lbs overweight. According to MY personal goals, I'm 40 lbs overweight. According to the charts and what is 'normal' for my height, I'm 50 lbs overweight. Gee... do I need to lose weight? Aestheticly? For health? For performance? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

[limewave]

Perhaps not, but honestly, coming into THIS particular thread and questioning our motivation is a bit rude.

Yes, in theory, exercising and eating well should make us all healthy individuals. And that's great if you've figured that out for yourself. But there are many of us who find that tracking our weight is as good a number as any to track. There is no 'fixation' here. Hell, look back over the past year of these posts and see how we all have been on and then off again. It's not an obsession by any stretch of the imagination - we are purely looking for camaraderie and motivation here.

And seriously, I'm 5'4" and according to BMI, I'm 30 lbs overweight. According to MY personal goals, I'm 40 lbs overweight. According to the charts and what is 'normal' for my height, I'm 50 lbs overweight. Gee... do I need to lose weight? Aestheticly? For health? For performance? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

+1
Well said.

[solobiker]

I have to agree with the above post as well. I have participated in the other challenges the past few months, just took this one off as I have a lot going on in my life right now. I find it rude to to ask a question like that. People are participating in this for a variety of reasons. I enjoy it for the support..either to recieve it or provide it.

[DirtDiva]

65.8kg this week.

(I should have gone to the gym right before dinner instead of right after... )

[uk elephant]

I weighed myself on Wednesday morning and was very happy, then today I'm up a pound again. Bugger. But I'll keep at it. Today's weigh-in at 215.2. Will definitely need to do that bike ride this week-end.

[katluvr]

Down from last week (which I forgot to officially report since my weight was up).
Not making much progress.
123.4
I don't think I'll hit my goal!