Ideal weight or 10 of 20?

[Kamille]

I've been debating about posting this thread for awhile, considering a few of the "skinny-body" obsessed threads we've had on here. I don't want to contribute to unhealthy attitudes to body image. But I'm just so proud of myself: I finally lost ten pounds!

 

A few years back, I started gaining weight, for probably not other reason than my metabolism slowed down. I gained a total of 20 pounds, thus reaching the high end of what is considered a healthy BMI for my body type. I had mixed feelings about the weigh gain. Men seemed to love it. My already curvy body was reaching vixen proportions. At the same time, I felt like my body was out of control. When would the weight gain stop? What was I doing that made me keep gaining weight? Back in April, I made an appointment with my doctor who referred me to a nutritionist.

 

Thanks to the changes I instituted then, I lost ten pounds! That's a healthy, slow-paced, 2 pounds a month. I did it the hard way. I started working out harder and cutting out some of my higher sources of fat. Cutting down on higher sources of fat meant, in my case, cutting down on chocolate, avocados and nuts. I upped my workout regime by starting to run. I also joined a cardio yoga class and an african dance class which just whipped my ass into shape. I work out every day, even if sometimes it's just a walk and some yoga.

 

A part of me would like to reach the weight I had before I started gaining. At the same time, my body is different now. My ribs are already starting to show and I hate when my ribs show. So, another side of me is happy at my current weight. I also probably have more muscle tone than I did back in my twenties.

 

What do you think... Should I switch to a maintenance diet or continue with the current diet? How do you switch from weight-loss diet to a maintenance one, all while keeping the hard-won healthier eating habits? When do you know you've reached a healthy weight? And how do I stop the "five more pounds and I will be happy" voice in my head?

[laRubiaBonita]

why not just see if you like the results you get with the maintenance diet. it is possible that you may still lose some weight, but most likely not as rapidly as with a diet geared towards weight loss.

 

ad as time goes by you can tweek what your doing to either lose or maintain.

 

as for teh voice- tell it to shut up, that you are happy and you do not want to hear it!

 

GL!

[Kamille]

Thanks LRB

 

The problem is, I have no idea how to switch to maintenance.

 

I think I'm gonna keep with my current work out regime for the weeks I have left abroad and indulge in a bit more chocolate, nuts and avocados. Hmmm. avocados.

 

I'll make an appointment with the nutritionist and see her when I get back home.

[Veronica K]

Love that enthusiasm.

 

It sounds to me like your body composition has improved by a lot. You have gained muscle, so I don't think aiming for the weight you were before gaining would be a good idea. Those numbers on the scale can be very deceptive - most important is how you feel, how healthy you are.

[Kamille]

Love that enthusiasm.

 

It sounds to me like your body composition has improved by a lot. You have gained muscle, so I don't think aiming for the weight you were before gaining would be a good idea. Those numbers on the scale can be very deceptive - most important is how you feel, how healthy you are.

 

Thanks! I do feel great and I think I will keep focusing on that. My goal will be to keep feeling great and not to lose more weight. I will keep monitoring my weight just to make sure I don't start gaining.

 

Treated myself to chocolate covered almonds yesterday. Nuts and chocolate together! A marriage made in heaven.

[Leigh 87]

How tall are you, how much do you weigh, and what body type do you have?

 

Personally, I like to be the thinnest I can for MY particular body type; which is about 116 - 120 lbs at 5 ' 5 - 5 ' 6. I have an hourglass figure with breasts, so I can never be skinny.

 

I have experience with trying to be as slim as possible; but I only advocate doing it in a healthy manner.

 

Here are some tips I have picked up over my years of tryingt o prefect my body:

 

EAT CLEAN! AVOID: ALL chemicals; refined sugar. THINK how humans would have eaten throughourt our evolution, and see how evil and disguisting the newly created chemicals are! Our bodies have note volved eating such chemicals that are added to our food ( and most of our make up and such products), and our bodies HAVE NOT adapted to chemicals well.

 

ALWAYS have clean, healthy foods with you such as : any sort of raw nuts, cold hard boiled eggs ( they taste good cold too), Cans of salmon or tuna, you can also cook sliced chicken and beaf in advance and take sliced protein with you ( as it taste good cold), or a piece of fruit OR dried fruit if you are hungry and need more energy than just 1 piece of fresh fruit.

 

COOK your lunches, snacks, and/or dinners days in advance; making a large batch of soup is handy as it saves you making lunch the next two or 3 days.

 

Go to www.calorieking.com, or www.caloriecount.com for a free online calorie calculator. I use them when I want to lose a couple of lbs - you just weigh your food, or measure it in cups/tablespoons, and then you simple log your food in. It tells you how much you need to reach your goal weight, and how much to eat to maintain your goal.

 

Switch to goats milk or sheep milk cheeses and yoghurt. If u like fetta cheese, then goats or sheeps fetta is the best.

 

Having the odd bowl of pasta at night is fine, too. In fact, eating carbs at night does not impact my body, as long as the total amount of calories eaten are maintenance amount.

 

However, it makes more SENSE to eat carbs duringt he day, as our bodies will function better seeing as we run best on sugar.

 

And of course, remember to not eat UNDER what your body needs, as you do not want to get a slow metabolism!

 

I have a fairly normal body type and the above works for me, and I have tried everything; high protein, vegan, microbiotic, etc.

 

Only eating REAL foods, and none of the chemicals, is what has helped the most, although eating balanced meals DOES help a lot, too.

 

Avoid low fat, diet products, as they ARE NOT food, they r loaded with chemicals.

[Kamille]

Thanks Leigh, those are good tips. I have been eating a clean diet for years now, which is why the weight gain took me by surprise. My problem wasn't what I was eating but the quantities I was eating.

 

I am happy with my body. I must be one of the only women I know who doesn't think she looks good at her thinnest. Right now I look toned and healthy. That's why I think I want to switch to maintenance even though I haven't lost the full 20 pounds I took on.

 

I have purposefully left my stats out of this thread because the important thing is that I decide, in cooperation with my doctor and nutritionist, what is a healthy weight for me. I am now well within what both the doctor and nutritionist consider to be healthy. When I first consulted, I was at the cups of healthy bmi and both the doctor and the nutritionist felt I had nothing to worry about. They offered guidance and support so that I could figure out why I was gaining weight.

 

They cleary did a great job!

 

I have used calories counters at the suggestion of the nutritionist and am currently really into nutrition.self.com It's a great site to figure out how to balance your meals so as to get maximum nutrients.

[Leigh 87]

I'm happy to know that you have already gained the benifits of eating real food, lol, seeing as how much of a difference it makes in the functioning of our bodies.

 

When is say I think I look best at my thinnest, I mean the thinnest that I LOOK GOOD at, lol; meaning that if I look TOO thin, it IS too thin. Furthermore, having clear, nice skin, and health hair and a bright smile are also signs of health and in turn, phyciall attractivness.

 

Obivously, to look good, it is more then just losing weight! And feeling good is also the result of eating a clean diet.

 

Did you cound calories when you gained the weight? If it was me, and I KNEW I was eating a certain amount, and I suddenly gained weight on the SAME amount I was previously maintaining on, I would worry and see a doctor to test my thyroid function.

 

However, you never said if you did count calories b efore gaining. Most people don't count calories. I don't always do it, but am going to start again cos I want to lose 2 - 3 lbs vanity pounds.

 

Good luck maintaining, caloriecount.com really is the best site i know of for people who want to maintain - there is even a forum called : maintaining: , which as the same suggests, is for people who are maintaining and need advice or support.

 

Lastly, I remember when I was BMI 24 or so, it was very large on my body type. So although it can look good on some people, I honestly felt unhealthy and was eating huge amounts of chemical ladden foods.

 

I am trying to figure out if i CAN lose those last vanity lbs, or if I should also maintain.

[SpanksTheMonkey]

Congrats! you really do sound like you are approaching your weight from a healthy place mentality im glad it worked out well for you..

[Kamille]

I struggled with anorexia as a teenager. My whole life revolved around the scale and counting calories. I was miserable. So I didn't want to do that to myself this time.

 

So no, I wasn't counting calories when I put on the weight and was actually worried about starting to count calories again. I counted calories for a month, just the time it took me to figure out where most of my calories came from... The main culprits were... Avocados. I really ate way too much avocados. Like, half an avocado every day. My skin looked great! Avocados are great for the skin. But I was packing on pounds. Now I limit my avocado intake. They're a treat and not an every day occurrence.

 

Since I started losing weight, I stopped counting calories. If ever I see myself gaining again, I will count calories for awhile, only to figure out where the extra calories are coming from. I occasionally check the nutritional information of a food I really like on nutrition.self.com. I love the section : "the good" and "the bad" they have about every food. It really helped me figure out how to eat even healthier.

[Leigh 87]

Half an avo is NOTHING for me. Seriously. Fo rme to gain the weight from being underweight, I recently ate like, 2500 cals a day, and I didn't even gain fast! Whats more, is A LOT of girls need like 4000 cals to gain. BUt they r trhe ones with smaller body types to begin with.

 

 

I ate like, cups of nuts, like one cup on some days, during the binge cycle that often occurs during anorexia.

 

So for me to cut back and think in terms of limiting myself to only half an avo, is just . it feels like it is restricting for me.

 

I do not eat avos any more, I hate the taste for some reason. Used to like them.

 

But I can eat like, a large hand ful of nuts, and not gain weight. I do not think I have a fast metabolism either.

 

 

But yes, I know that I should not be trying to lose weight. But it is just vanity. If I have to resort to restricting my food to an extent where I cannot sleep, and do not have the capacity to perform my jobs, I would rather stay at 120 lbs, than look better at 115.

 

After anorexia, do you think 1600 - 1800, WITH exercise, is too restrictive, for a 120 lady like myself?

[Kamille]

 

After anorexia, do you think 1600 - 1800, WITH exercise, is too restrictive, for a 120 lady like myself?

 

I honestly don't know. While I was anorexic I restricted my diet to 1600-1800 calories with exercise. I'm taller than you and I likely have a bigger frame. My gut reaction is to tell you to aim for 1800 calories.

 

I know that the generally recommended calorie intake for average women in their twenties is 1800-2200, and more if you're active. But you have to decide for yourself, with the help of your doctor and nutritionist, what is best for you.

 

Since you know your current weight is healthy, let's forget about the number on the scale for a second. Focus on how your body feels. Do you feel energetic? Calm? Strong? Healthy? Do you like your body? Do you like how it looks? Do you like how it feels? If you answered yes to all of these, than I would tell you to keep doing whatever it is you're doing.

 

Just realized: I answered yes to all of those questions!

[Leigh 87]

While there is nothing good about anorexia or your struggle with it, I have to say that at 1600 - 1800 calories during your anorexia would probably not have messed up your metabolism as much as the women who starve on 1000 or less calories. Or perhaps it did, that was not an assumptionm, but just a logical outcome that could have resulted ( but might not have! Your metabolsim may have lowered significantly).

 

I was maintaining 110 - 114 lbs at 5 '5 - 5 '6 on 1700 ish caloriesd for the past 2 - 3 years. It is only in the past 3 months that I started to aim for 2500 calories to gain to BMI 20 ( 120 lbs).

 

I have recently stopped eatingt he 2500 calories, and am have thought about if I want to just eat the 2000 with exercise like most women of my size do, or weather I want to lose to my ideal VANITY weight.

 

Of course, it is normally very unhealthy to want to lose weight for a former anorexic, however, if it is within the healthy limits for my body, then I like the way I look at 117 - 115 ish and would like to be it if it is healthy.

 

I like doing Pilates and keeping my body in good condition, and on my body type I like looking slim. But not too skinny at all - that does does NOT look good, because it is not healthy for my body type. I have dd breasts and am not tall like a model, so I am nto destined to be thin and I accept this.

 

I like my body shape actually! I just prefer the look of it and feel best when I am the slimmest version of my body. MOst people do not get as much satisfaction out of being their slimmest weight, but I just so happen to enjoy it.

[shadowplay]

Thanks LRB

 

The problem is, I have no idea how to switch to maintenance.

 

I think I'm gonna keep with my current work out regime for the weeks I have left abroad and indulge in a bit more chocolate, nuts and avocados. Hmmm. avocados.

 

I'll make an appointment with the nutritionist and see her when I get back home.

 

avocados are awesome, and they're healthy!! You shouldn't give them up. I mean I'd imagine it would take A LOT of avocados to have a real effect on your weight. How much do you typically eat? Maybe just the chocolate since that has sugar, which will give you an insulin rush and make you want to eat more.

 

what's a typical food day for you like? If those are your only guilty pleasures, then it sounds like you eat very healthy.

 

Do you eat a lot of bread? It can put on a lot of weight, and like sugar it also gives you an insulin rush because the body processes it as sugar.

[shadowplay]

I honestly don't know. While I was anorexic I restricted my diet to 1600-1800 calories with exercise. I'm taller than you and I likely have a bigger frame. My gut reaction is to tell you to aim for 1800 calories.

 

I know that the generally recommended calorie intake for average women in their twenties is 1800-2200, and more if you're active. But you have to decide for yourself, with the help of your doctor and nutritionist, what is best for you.

 

Since you know your current weight is healthy, let's forget about the number on the scale for a second. Focus on how your body feels. Do you feel energetic? Calm? Strong? Healthy? Do you like your body? Do you like how it looks? Do you like how it feels? If you answered yes to all of these, than I would tell you to keep doing whatever it is you're doing.

 

Just realized: I answered yes to all of those questions!

 

Interesting, I typically eat 1700 calories a day, in order to maintain my weight (always have)...and I don't consider that unhealthy.

 

Unless a woman lives a very active lifestyle, anything over 2000 will gradually put on weight.

[shadowplay]

While there is nothing good about anorexia or your struggle with it, I have to say that at 1600 - 1800 calories during your anorexia would probably not have messed up your metabolism as much as the women who starve on 1000 or less calories. Or perhaps it did, that was not an assumptionm, but just a logical outcome that could have resulted ( but might not have! Your metabolsim may have lowered significantly).

 

I was maintaining 110 - 114 lbs at 5 '5 - 5 '6 on 1700 ish caloriesd for the past 2 - 3 years. It is only in the past 3 months that I started to aim for 2500 calories to gain to BMI 20 ( 120 lbs).

 

I have recently stopped eatingt he 2500 calories, and am have thought about if I want to just eat the 2000 with exercise like most women of my size do, or weather I want to lose to my ideal VANITY weight.

 

Of course, it is normally very unhealthy to want to lose weight for a former anorexic, however, if it is within the healthy limits for my body, then I like the way I look at 117 - 115 ish and would like to be it if it is healthy.

 

I like doing Pilates and keeping my body in good condition, and on my body type I like looking slim. But not too skinny at all - that does does NOT look good, because it is not healthy for my body type. I have dd breasts and am not tall like a model, so I am nto destined to be thin and I accept this.

 

I like my body shape actually! I just prefer the look of it and feel best when I am the slimmest version of my body. MOst people do not get as much satisfaction out of being their slimmest weight, but I just so happen to enjoy it.

 

You do realize that 114 lbs at your height isn't at all unhealthy, right? Also, 2500 calories is a lot to consume in a day unless you're constantly working out. I can't imagine eating that much and not feeling stuffed.

[shadowplay]

I struggled with anorexia as a teenager. My whole life revolved around the scale and counting calories. I was miserable. So I didn't want to do that to myself this time.

 

So no, I wasn't counting calories when I put on the weight and was actually worried about starting to count calories again. I counted calories for a month, just the time it took me to figure out where most of my calories came from... The main culprits were... Avocados. I really ate way too much avocados. Like, half an avocado every day. My skin looked great! Avocados are great for the skin. But I was packing on pounds. Now I limit my avocado intake. They're a treat and not an every day occurrence.

 

Since I started losing weight, I stopped counting calories. If ever I see myself gaining again, I will count calories for awhile, only to figure out where the extra calories are coming from. I occasionally check the nutritional information of a food I really like on nutrition.self.com. I love the section : "the good" and "the bad" they have about every food. It really helped me figure out how to eat even healthier.

 

wow, you sure you were really gaining weight because of 1/2 an avocado a day? Typically when I've gained weight it's because I'm eating like three cookies and a huge piece of cake in one day or something.

[shadowplay]

 

After anorexia, do you think 1600 - 1800, WITH exercise, is too restrictive, for a 120 lady like myself?

 

No, it's not. Btw, I've counted calories since I was 15, every day, and it's never been a problem for me. I don't think counting calories is something bad that you should inherently avoid. It's the other compulsive behaviors that go along with anorexia you want to watch out for.

 

Counting calories is pretty essential to maintaining a healthy diet and weight.

[Kamille]

wow, you sure you were really gaining weight because of 1/2 an avocado a day? Typically when I've gained weight it's because I'm eating like three cookies and a huge piece of cake in one day or something.

 

I ate half an avocado or more on top of everything else I was eating. What I meant was that since I am a health freak already, the nutritionist helped me identify which foods I should perhaps cut down on. These were: Acocados, nuts and chocolate. I didn't cut them entirely out of my diet. They are good for you. I just stopped having these every day in the quantities I was eating them.

 

My eating habits have greatly improved and my typical food days - exercise routine now have helped me lose weight. I just needed to become aware of the calorie-fat content of the foods I ate in order to improve the choices I made.

[Kamille]

Btw, I think I ended up replacing the avocado and nuts with leaner proteins: tuna, chicken, etc.

 

The nutritionist loved seeing my food journals. I introduced her to some products she didn't know. My diet, for the last few years, tends to revolve around making salad bowls. I love salads. Thing is, it's very easy to stick too much nuts and avocados in salads.

[gypsy_nicky]

What do you think... Should I switch to a maintenance diet or continue with the current diet? How do you switch from weight-loss diet to a maintenance one, all while keeping the hard-won healthier eating habits? When do you know you've reached a healthy weight? And how do I stop the "five more pounds and I will be happy" voice in my head?

 

You need to find your maintenance calories per day to keep the current weight you want, if you went on a restrictive diet to begin with. This has to do with your BMI. There's loads of calculators, google.

 

Depends on what you mean by healthy; look healthy or just be healthy internally?

 

If you want just general health you need the bmi scale, anything over 25 is overweight (unless its muscle mass). If you want to 'look' healthy, bmi should be under 25.