when is it "good enough"? (the obsession of weight loss)

I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
few too many cookies.

determined wrote:
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.

For one thing, you should probably be within the range for medical
health. That is quite a wide range, but you don't want to be under that
probably. More broadly, if you are happy with yourself at your present
weight, there is no need to lose any more weight. Just maintain. You
can always lose more later if you decide to. The problem the vast
majority of overweight people have is that they fail to monitor their
weight and slip back into old habits of overeating and in a few months
are right back to their old weight. Sounds like it might be time for
you to stay where you are and re- analyse your situation in a few
months...say 3 months. dkw

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my
> own insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed
> and negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have
> reached "good enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on
> personal and fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh
> 127-130 lbs. I am more fit than I ever have been before. I am
> exercising 4 times a week, and eat healthy 90% of the time. And when I
> put my clothes on or look in the mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental
> thing I guess. When I first started, I wanted to reach 22% bodyfat.
> Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I know if it's just vanity or
> a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I want to get down to
> 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But it's killing
> me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising, watching the
> scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just want to
> exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in awhile,
> and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a few
> too many cookies.
You have to change your definition of "eating normal" since that
presumably made you fat in the first place, assuming you were really fat
and not just brainwashed by society.

Second, you need to decide why you want to be 'not fat'. Good to Optimum
health? Look like an Abercrombie and Fitch ad? Get hit on in bars? Be
able to do the activities you enjoy? Be honest with yourself.

Myself, not dying soon was on the top of the list.

del
>

"Del Cecchi" <delcecchiofthenorth@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4r4rdrFpem5hU1@individual.net...
>
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my
>> own insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed
>> and negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
>> "good enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal
>> and fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I
>> am more fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a
>> week, and eat healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or
>> look in the mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I
>> first started, I wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for
>> 18-20%? How do I know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy
>> goal? I think that I want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at
>> around 20% bodyfat. But it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting
>> calories, exercising, watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a
>> "diet" anymore. I just want to exercise a few days a week, and eat
>> normal, and splurge once in awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not
>> have to freak out if I ate a few too many cookies.
> You have to change your definition of "eating normal" since that
> presumably made you fat in the first place, assuming you were really fat
> and not just brainwashed by society.

Well, I have never been really fat. I had a baby about a year ago, and
gained way too much weight, but outside of that, I've never been more than
15-20 lbs overweight. In fact, I've spent most of my life being in the 5-10
lbs overweight category. I decided this time around to focus on bodyfat %,
and tried to figure out where I should set my goals. At first, 22% seemed
pretty good. I've never been that low, even at my lowest weight. Now I'm
at 22% and just expected that I would look somehow more slim/defined. But
the trainer at the gym is telling me I won't achieve a really athletic look
until I get below 20%. This means I need to drop another 7 or so lbs of
fat. I just don't know if I have the willpower to go lower. Maybe I do
need to just sit here for awhile maintaining, and then reevaluate.

Eating normal for me is actually eating quite healthy, with an occasional
splurge. My "normal" day if I wasn't trying to lose would come in around
1400-1600 calories. I can't lose weight unless I cut calories down to 1200,
and add in the exercise. I'd love to just eat at maintenance for awhile and
do my normal exercise without having to be so concerned with every calorie.


>
> Second, you need to decide why you want to be 'not fat'. Good to Optimum
> health? Look like an Abercrombie and Fitch ad? Get hit on in bars? Be
> able to do the activities you enjoy? Be honest with yourself.

Hmmm. Honest huh? Ok, I do want to be able to do activities I enjoy. I
also would like to fit into size 6 jeans and wear a swimsuit next year. I
have no dilusions of looking like a model, but I would like to be the best I
can possibly be without having to have my life revolve around exercise and
eating properly.
>
> Myself, not dying soon was on the top of the list.

That's a good motivation...;-)

determined wrote:
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.

Good enough is whatever you are happy with. If you were happy being 500
pounds, few would object.

determined wrote:
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
> enough".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist-hip_ratio

Check out the items in the "see also" section too.

> I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.

I'm assuming you're a woman.
If so, 22% bodyfat is considered fit.
If you're waist to hip ratio is 0.7,
from a health perspective you're done.
The rest is mental.
--

"Bill Eitner" <kd6tas@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:dHc3h.22439

> I'm assuming you're a woman.
> If so, 22% bodyfat is considered fit.
> If you're waist to hip ratio is 0.7,
> from a health perspective you're done.
> The rest is mental.

hmm. Well, with a 28" waist and 35.5" hips, I come in at .78 ratio.
Unfortunately, I have that apple shape, and as I lose weight, I lose it in
the same proportion. I fear that I will never achieve an hourglass shape at
all! And to be honest, my waist is really the only part of me I'm unhappy
with, only because I either have to wear pants that are super baggy in the
hips to fit my waist, or too tight in the waist to match my hips. When you
look at a woman's size chart, my hips are a size 2-4, while my waist is a
10-12... grrr!

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:ZOmdnUgc-o6UodDYnZ2dnUVZ_uednZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Del Cecchi" <delcecchiofthenorth@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:4r4rdrFpem5hU1@individual.net...
snip
>>
>> Second, you need to decide why you want to be 'not fat'. Good to
>> Optimum health? Look like an Abercrombie and Fitch ad? Get hit on in
>> bars? Be able to do the activities you enjoy? Be honest with
>> yourself.
>
> Hmmm. Honest huh? Ok, I do want to be able to do activities I enjoy.
> I also would like to fit into size 6 jeans and wear a swimsuit next
> year. I have no dilusions of looking like a model, but I would like to
> be the best I can possibly be without having to have my life revolve
> around exercise and eating properly.
What is it about wearing size 6 as opposed to 8? Ain't nothin but a
number. And you could wear a swimsuit right now.

As for life revolving around exercise and eating properly, does your life
revolve around showering and washing clothes? Or are they just part of
the routine that you need to do?

If you are tired of obsessing about food, stop. If your exercise routine
is taking over your life, cut back.

I presume you have a significant other, since you recently had a baby.
What does he (assumption here) think of the way you look? Most men
don't like women who look like boys, for what that's worth.

And that "be the best I can be" is a recipe for failure because it is too
easy to think that we should be better than we really can be. Better to
be accepting of what we are and try to improve what we can. And realize
what is really important.


>>
>> Myself, not dying soon was on the top of the list.
>
> That's a good motivation...;-)

Worked for me.
>
>

On Nov 4, 7:39 pm, "determined" <determi...@comcast.nest> wrote:
> Unfortunately, I have that apple shape, and as I lose weight, I lose it in
> the same proportion. I fear that I will never achieve an hourglass shape at
> all!

Just wondering what you do for exercise. ..cardio? weights? both?



joanne

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
"good
> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am
more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat.
But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.
>
>

*Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?*

Yes, Why not? 16-20% is considered GOOD/LEAN.
21-25% is considered AVERAGE/FAIR

I think it's great that you've gotten to where you are, but did you have
a certain goal in mind before you started dieting?

That should be your determining factor, your goal.

"sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
news:454e0fbf$0$13817$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my
>> own
>> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
>> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
> "good
>> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
>> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am
> more
>> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and
>> eat
>> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
>> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started,
>> I
>> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
>> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
>> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat.
> But
>> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
>> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
>> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
>> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
>> few too many cookies.
>>
>>
>
> *Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?*
>
> Yes, Why not? 16-20% is considered GOOD/LEAN.
> 21-25% is considered AVERAGE/FAIR
>
> I think it's great that you've gotten to where you are, but did you have
> a certain goal in mind before you started dieting?
>
> That should be your determining factor, your goal.

Yeah, 22%. I thought I'd look really good at 22%, given what I looked like
at 32%.

"joanne" <jgrrl2@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162707192.293298.283750@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
> On Nov 4, 7:39 pm, "determined" <determi...@comcast.nest> wrote:
>> Unfortunately, I have that apple shape, and as I lose weight, I lose it
>> in
>> the same proportion. I fear that I will never achieve an hourglass shape
>> at
>> all!
>
> Just wondering what you do for exercise. ..cardio? weights? both?

2-3 days of weights, in a 1 hr "Group Power" class, and 2-3 days of a 1 hr
spinning class. Each day that I exercise, I burn between 400-600 calories,
according to my hrm. I'm sure it's pretty accurate, because my heart rate
is often up around 160 bpm.

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:OO6dnXDiMeSkjtPYnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>
> "sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
> news:454e0fbf$0$13817$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
> > "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> > news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> >> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my
> >> own
> >> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> >> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
> > "good
> >> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> >> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am
> > more
> >> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and
> >> eat
> >> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> >> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first
started,
> >> I
> >> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do
I
> >> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that
I
> >> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat.
> > But
> >> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> >> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I
just
> >> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> >> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate
a
> >> few too many cookies.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > *Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?*
> >
> > Yes, Why not? 16-20% is considered GOOD/LEAN.
> > 21-25% is considered AVERAGE/FAIR
> >
> > I think it's great that you've gotten to where you are, but did you have
> > a certain goal in mind before you started dieting?
> >
> > That should be your determining factor, your goal.
>
> Yeah, 22%. I thought I'd look really good at 22%, given what I looked
like
> at 32%.
>
> I'm sure look fantastic!...That was a great goal to attain!! It's funny
how perspective works...

"sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
news:454e168a$0$13825$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
>
> "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> news:OO6dnXDiMeSkjtPYnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>>
>> "sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
>> news:454e0fbf$0$13817$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
>> > "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
>> > news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> >> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my
>> >> own
>> >> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed
>> >> and
>> >> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
>> > "good
>> >> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
>> >> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am
>> > more
>> >> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and
>> >> eat
>> >> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
>> >> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first
> started,
>> >> I
>> >> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How
>> >> do
> I
>> >> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think
>> >> that
> I
>> >> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20%
>> >> bodyfat.
>> > But
>> >> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
>> >> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I
> just
>> >> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once
>> >> in
>> >> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I
>> >> ate
> a
>> >> few too many cookies.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> > *Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?*
>> >
>> > Yes, Why not? 16-20% is considered GOOD/LEAN.
>> > 21-25% is considered AVERAGE/FAIR
>> >
>> > I think it's great that you've gotten to where you are, but did you
>> > have
>> > a certain goal in mind before you started dieting?
>> >
>> > That should be your determining factor, your goal.
>>
>> Yeah, 22%. I thought I'd look really good at 22%, given what I looked
> like
>> at 32%.
>>
>> I'm sure look fantastic!...That was a great goal to attain!! It's funny
> how perspective works...

Still, I know that if I can lose 5 more lbs, I will be below 20% (assuming I
lose mostly fat), and if I can achieve that, I should be happy. For now,
with holidays coming and a month long trip to Germany, I will be doing good
to maintain this level for awhile, and can re-evaluate in January.

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:9c6dnTnM3dMNvdPYnZ2dnUVZ_qidnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>
> "sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
> news:454e168a$0$13825$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
> >
> > "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> > news:OO6dnXDiMeSkjtPYnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> >>
> >> "sirch" <sirch@sover.net> wrote in message
> >> news:454e0fbf$0$13817$4d3efbfe@news.sover.net...
> >> > "determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
> >> > news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> >> >> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about
my
> >> >> own
> >> >> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed
> >> >> and
> >> >> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have
reached
> >> > "good
> >> >> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal
and
> >> >> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I
am
> >> > more
> >> >> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week,
and
> >> >> eat
> >> >> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in
the
> >> >> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first
> > started,
> >> >> I
> >> >> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How
> >> >> do
> > I
> >> >> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think
> >> >> that
> > I
> >> >> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20%
> >> >> bodyfat.
> >> > But
> >> >> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories,
exercising,
> >> >> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I
> > just
> >> >> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once
> >> >> in
> >> >> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I
> >> >> ate
> > a
> >> >> few too many cookies.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > *Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?*
> >> >
> >> > Yes, Why not? 16-20% is considered GOOD/LEAN.
> >> > 21-25% is considered AVERAGE/FAIR
> >> >
> >> > I think it's great that you've gotten to where you are, but did you
> >> > have
> >> > a certain goal in mind before you started dieting?
> >> >
> >> > That should be your determining factor, your goal.
> >>
> >> Yeah, 22%. I thought I'd look really good at 22%, given what I looked
> > like
> >> at 32%.
> >>
> >> I'm sure look fantastic!...That was a great goal to attain!! It's funny
> > how perspective works...
>
> Still, I know that if I can lose 5 more lbs, I will be below 20% (assuming
I
> lose mostly fat), and if I can achieve that, I should be happy. For now,
> with holidays coming and a month long trip to Germany, I will be doing
good
> to maintain this level for awhile, and can re-evaluate in January.
>
>
Remember there's TWO ways to lose body fat, diet & EXERCISE!
Keep going, you'll do it.....Sauer Kraut, it's a natural fat burner!

On Nov 5, 9:34 am, "determined" <determi...@comcast.nest> wrote:
> lose mostly fat), and if I can achieve that, I should be happy. For now,
> with holidays coming and a month long trip to Germany, I will be doing good
> to maintain this level for awhile, and can re-evaluate in January

Sounds like a good plan - just try to stay on course while on vacation!
Walk alot! (but enjoy the German cuisine!) :-)
I think that once one attain a certain weight/physique you have to wear
it for awhile to become comfortable in it and then its easier to take a
step back and reset/redefine your goals. The thought that if only I was
such and such a weight I know it would be where I want to be is kind of
like when we say oh if I only made whatever in pay$ I know I could be
out of debt etc wonderful bliss, and then you get there and its not
what you expected - the reward is not there. So in this regard maybe
setting health goals instead of pounds/bodyfat %'s lost would in the
long run be more rewarding. The bigger picture instead of just the
scale moving. :-) Sometimes when we dont angst about it, and just keep
at it as a lifestyle change, it (your goals) just arrives on its own.



joanne

your body is perfect...maybe you should see someone about the mental
thing
determined wrote:
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.

determined wrote:
> "Bill Eitner" <kd6tas@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:dHc3h.22439
>
>> I'm assuming you're a woman.
>> If so, 22% bodyfat is considered fit.
>> If you're waist to hip ratio is 0.7,
>> from a health perspective you're done.
>> The rest is mental.
>
> hmm. Well, with a 28" waist and 35.5" hips, I come in at .78 ratio.
> Unfortunately, I have that apple shape, and as I lose weight, I lose it in
> the same proportion. I fear that I will never achieve an hourglass shape at
> all! And to be honest, my waist is really the only part of me I'm unhappy
> with, only because I either have to wear pants that are super baggy in the
> hips to fit my waist, or too tight in the waist to match my hips. When you
> look at a woman's size chart, my hips are a size 2-4, while my waist is a
> 10-12... grrr!

It may be time to consider liposuction or
a tummy tuck.
--

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 23:03:20 GMT, Bill Eitner <kd6tas@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

>determined wrote:
>> "Bill Eitner" <kd6tas@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:dHc3h.22439
>>
>>> I'm assuming you're a woman.
>>> If so, 22% bodyfat is considered fit.
>>> If you're waist to hip ratio is 0.7,
>>> from a health perspective you're done.
>>> The rest is mental.
>>
>> hmm. Well, with a 28" waist and 35.5" hips, I come in at .78 ratio.
>> Unfortunately, I have that apple shape, and as I lose weight, I lose it in
>> the same proportion. I fear that I will never achieve an hourglass shape at
>> all! And to be honest, my waist is really the only part of me I'm unhappy
>> with, only because I either have to wear pants that are super baggy in the
>> hips to fit my waist, or too tight in the waist to match my hips. When you
>> look at a woman's size chart, my hips are a size 2-4, while my waist is a
>> 10-12... grrr!
>
> It may be time to consider liposuction or
> a tummy tuck.

Before that, psychotherapy. This gal seems to have some distorted
image problems. A good theapist might be able to help her look at
things differently.

--

determined wrote:
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached "good
> enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal and
> fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am more
> fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week, and eat
> healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in the
> mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first started, I
> wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%? How do I
> know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I think that I
> want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around 20% bodyfat. But
> it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting calories, exercising,
> watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a "diet" anymore. I just
> want to exercise a few days a week, and eat normal, and splurge once in
> awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not have to freak out if I ate a
> few too many cookies.

Good enough is purely subjective. For my height and build, the ideal
weight is 80kg. My goal is 85-90kg. I am realistic about my life and
my preferences. I will never be a hard-core exercise freak. To me, it
is a necessary evil. Similarly, I will never be an overly healthy
eater. The lifestyle I am choosing will always have me above my ideal
weight.

But I'm good with that. The lifestyle I was at was ridiculously
self-indulgant and careless to the point to danger. While I can't let
my weight run me over again, I also won't live my life relgiously
counting calories and wearing a worry path to the bathroom scales.

>From what you are said, you are well and truly healthy, so you don't
have a "need" to lose any more. Live your life and enjoy it. Just not
to excess.

Chris

I've felt wonderfully beautiful at 145 lbs... I've felt huge at 117...

It has little to do with weigh.. if it gets in the way of your life, get
professional help...

Will~

"determined" <determined@comcast.nest> wrote in message
news:RbqdncKoPZIGvtDYnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> I've been listening to other people here and started thinking about my own
> insecurities and body image problems. Because I have such a skewed and
> negative view of myself, I wonder how I will know when I have reached
> "good enough". I know it's such a vague thing, and depends on personal
> and fitness goals. I am down to 22% bodyfat, and weigh 127-130 lbs. I am
> more fit than I ever have been before. I am exercising 4 times a week,
> and eat healthy 90% of the time. And when I put my clothes on or look in
> the mirror, I feel fat. It's a mental thing I guess. When I first
> started, I wanted to reach 22% bodyfat. Now I wonder, do I go for 18-20%?
> How do I know if it's just vanity or a realistic and healthy goal? I
> think that I want to get down to 122-125, which should put me at around
> 20% bodyfat. But it's killing me to be so obsessed with counting
> calories, exercising, watching the scale, etc. I don't want to be on a
> "diet" anymore. I just want to exercise a few days a week, and eat
> normal, and splurge once in awhile, and just have my clothes fit and not
> have to freak out if I ate a few too many cookies.
>