Monday 26 April 2010

The thing about losing weight is that it brings along all sorts of little benefits, like increased mobility. Last week I went over to one of my students to demonstrate a technique. She was sitting and instead of dragging a chair up like I usually do, I spontaneously knelt down next to her AND got back up after I was done without the help of a crane. The thing is I didn't even realise that I'd done this until I was walking back to my desk and then I was well cuffed with myself!

Some of my colleagues have begun to notice my weight loss which brings along pluses and minuses. An obvious plus is that my efforts are paying off and my body is changing noticeably. A minus is that on two occasions when I've been asked what my goal weight is and given my answer. The people who have asked have freaked out, telling me that that's too low and launching into a mini lecture about why I shouldn't and couldn't possible go down to 55kgs=120lbs.

Firstly, I don't get why anyone would care what weight I decide I want to be, I mean to each her own, right? Secondly, it's not like 55kgs is bordering on anorexic ... and I didn't just pull the figure out of my ass. Based on the various weight height charts used by doctors and insurance companies, at 162.5cm = 5'3" my recommended weight is between 50-61kgs =111-135lbs. In addition, 55kgs was the weight I've felt the most comfortable at and all the doctors I've ever had, have agreed that it is a reasonable weight for me. Most importantly for me however, it is the weight range of women in my height range, who experience the lowest mortality. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather be in the group with the the lowest mortality rate that not. Now, I wasn't going to say all that as a response to the mini-lectures, because I just hate feeling like I need to justify myself to anyone. Instead, I smiled and nodded and changed the subject as soon as I possibly could. I think my strategy in the future if I'm ever asked that particular question again, will be to avoid giving a figure and simply say: 'that's in my doctor's hands'.

Anyway, on to more exciting things, I've been drinking my 3 liters (12 8oz cups) of water everyday. My little system of drinking just one cup in the hour, made things very manageable and made me realise that maybe I was struggling before because I was trying to drink too much at once. This isn't to say that I'm now a happy water drinker, it just means that for now I have found a satisfactory system that seems to be keeping me on track and my reward ... drum roll here please ... was to lose 2.2kgs = almost 5bls. this week. WOW!!! Guess my counsellor was right, I needed to drink more water. This means I've reached and surpassed my first weight goal to reach 85kgs. YAY!!!

My plan this week is to get on the elliptical for 1/2 hr M, W, F and continue walking 10,000 steps on T, Th and possibly S,S. My elliptical is on my balcony and it was so lovely this morning being outdoors in the fresh Spring air watching life return to the garden.

P.S. I'm now 84kgs = about 185lbs.

13 comments:

  1. Great work! I know what you mean about the people at work noticing, I find it a bit rude when people ask you what weight you are trying to get too.

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  2. How odd. I agree that 120 pounds for your height is reasonable. My sister is 5.6 and she weights 120 and no one bats an eye at how thin she is. That's actually happened to me to: I've told girlfriends (who are also heavy) that my goal weight is 130 pounds and they are like, "Oh, so you want to be thin?" Of course I want to be thin! A healthy thin=healthy. I suppose they would want to hear that I would want to weigh 150 pounds.

    Remind me, how much do you weigh now?

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  3. My nutritionist says that commenting about someone's weight (without their prompting) is akin to asking how much money someone makes. I am one of those people who starts to regress when others notice my weight loss. She suggests to me that I change the subject and most people get it. It's a two edged sword. I want people to notice but I just don't want them to say anything.

    Your goal seems reasonable to me given your height. Maybe instead of answering the next time that this question comes along you can give them a number that you want to lose and dare them to ask what the final weight would be. Most people don't have the guts to do that.

    Kudos on the weight loss.

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  4. I think most people in western societies are so overweight that they have no idea what a healthy weight is anymore.

    When people tell me I'm thin enough and don't need to lose weight (even though I need to lose 6 kilos to get down to a BMI of 22), I just think that they are really just trying to convince themselves that they don't need to get off their ar%#.

    I also have learnt to only talk to people who are actually interested in losing weight and getting fit. You will be able to spot these people because they will be supportive of your aims and have good suggestions to help you.

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  5. Well done - 5lbs is brilliant.

    I've had all the naysayers too - mostly it's just misplaced guilt at their own inability to get going or fear that you will become thinner than them!!

    I must admit, I found I wasn't happy with how I looked at my thinnest - maybe it was too extreme a change for me at that time. I'd like to see whether I feel differently if I lost gradually down to that weight but 9 stone in one go was a bit too much for me!

    Anyway - good luck in your venture, you seem very focussed!

    Lesley x

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  6. I lost nearly 4 pounds last week - and this week I gained 2 of them back! I do know why though and I have great hopes for next week.

    I think your answer to rude questions is brilliant. The thing is, it's just a number. 120 on you looks very different than 120 on me - we have different bones, different shapes and slightly different heights.

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  7. I love working out outdoors! I was just saying the other day that the fresh air gives me extra energy :) Great job on your weight loss!

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  8. Congrats on the recent loss! That's inspiring about your water-drinking plan- I definitely need to implement that strategy. I used to get very overwhelmed at the thought of having to drink what seemed to be an impossible amount of water every day but the way you've broken it down makes it seem very manageable.

    You've been conquering all of your goals so consistently! Any inside tips on what your plan entails?

    Hugs!

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  9. You have some great ideas - like drinking a cup of water every hour. I'm going to try that today because drinking enough water has always been a problem for me. I also love that your elliptical is out on your balcony. How cool is that!

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  10. You know what? I love your voice. It's so invigorating and funny!

    I think your reply to rude people is genius! I think I'll adopt it too if you don't mind. Congrats on the loss, and on the kneeling and standing. And the water.

    Girl, you are doing amazing. Sign me up.

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  11. Thanks for visiting my blog:) I love your sense of humor! I did a post a while back about how people choose their goal weights. Seems a lot of very sane maintainers let their bodies pick the weight! I have a number in mind but only my husband and I know what it is.

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  12. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Don't you just love how everyone becomes an expert on what the ideal weight is for everyone else....argggg!
    Congratulations on the 5lb loss!

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  13. Hey thnx for reading up on my blog.

    And as far as what other ppl say. Pffft to them. You are doing great and I agree your goal weight is not that low.

    Sounds like you have a great view as well for your workouts!!

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