Weigh in Time Ladies

delirium · Aug 15, 2002

How much weight do you have to lose, Rhona?

I'd only opt for surgery if nothing else has worked, only because I've had so many surgeries for other things, and because there is always a risk involved.

I have a few friends who have had the gastric bypass done and had major, life-threatening complications. I know this isn't the norm, but I would encourage people who think about this kind of surgery to really and seriously investigate the risks involved.

I try to stay out from under the knife as much as humanly possible.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2002

MsPurp

I have to lose close to 200lbs. give or take. I'd be happy around 150. Right now I weigh 319.

Cynthiann · Aug 15, 2002

I just wanted to point out something that I constantly see on this thread. Many of you are aware that it is not a good thing to constantly get on the scale. This is a very easy way to get yourself discouraged. Your weight is made up of lean mass and fat. Lean mass being everything else other than fat (bones, muscles, water, etc.). I personally can easily flucuate up to 7 lbs within 1 day. I doesn't necessarily mean that I've gain 7 lbs of fat. I would have to eat 24,500 excess calories to gain that much fat. This usually happens to me when I've consistently eaten low sodium foods for awhile and drink lots of water. Then the next day I drink a little bit of water and eat high sodium foods I would gain a lot of water weight.

Another reason a number on a scale does not mean anything to me is because while I've lost 2 sizes in the past few months the scale hasn't budged. So many times I've heard others say that they've lost weight but haven't gone down in size. More than likely that person has lost water weight and muscle with very little fat loss. Another point I want to stress is the importance of muscle. If your body feels deprived and starts to burn your muscle for energy, this may look good on a scale because you lost weight but the end result will be disasterous. Loss of muscle means loss of metabolism. So your body will need less energy to maintain itself. So in turn you have to eat even less to maintain.

Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now. If I didn't make any sense somewhere please ask me and I'll be more than happy to answer. If I never decided to go into nursing I would of gone towards something like a major in exercise physiology or be a nutritionist. Being healthy (mind, body and soul) is very important to me and something I'm very passionate about. Thanks for listening (reading).

SusanRN2004, RN · Aug 15, 2002

Originally posted by Cynthiann
I've lost 2 sizes in the past few months the scale hasn't budged. So many times I've heard others say that they've lost weight but haven't gone down in size. (reading).

Cynthiann, Are you lifting weights? You said you have lost 2 sizes in two months...how did you do it? Thanks

Cynthiann · Aug 15, 2002

Yes, I am lifting weights and not just 1 and 2 pound dumbells. I lift heavy until failure with 8-12 repetitions. And don't think I'm muscular, I'm far from it. Lifting weights has given my body a nice shape while helping me burn the fat. I also do cardio a few times a week. Usually either the treadmill or the stair stepper. Susan, are you lifting weights too?

SusanRN2004, RN · Aug 15, 2002

Cynthiann,

I bought a weight bench last Christmas for the family....have only used it a few times...I plan on starting again next Monday. One of these days I will follow through...have a 3 year old treadmill I plan on using too!

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2002

Hi all. Just wanted to say that I kept with it today although i did munch some cookies tonight. Not exactly on my program. But I will see what damage it does when I get on the scale in the morning. I hope that everyone that has weight issues will feel free to post. the more the merrier. Good night all

Kiwi Ali · Aug 16, 2002

Well I dont know whether this thread is depressing or motivating me!! lol

I used to go to aerobics 3x a week and work really hard outside landscaping at my brand new house, then I became a student and sat in class on my b*m every day and night. I used to weigh 85kg (which was still big, but not this big!!) now I weigh 105 kg, I'm 165cm tall. In a 22 size clothing. Thats all in 2 years. boo hoo :-(

Kathylynn · Aug 16, 2002

Great job everyone on their success! I have been at it since June 2002, I weighed in at 210 and now I am down to 178, I am so pleased with the results. My goal is to be at 150 lbs. I am 5'9", so that seems reasonable. My problem will be when I start back to class next week if I will keep up working out and eating right, hopefully I will. Good Luck everyone :)

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2002

Good morning everyone. I just poped in to say have a great day everyone. I did my exercise today and I hope I eat better than last night. lets just say I feel right off the wagon.I am dragging my big butt back on this morning. I was so hungry last night. oh well back to it today.

babynursewannab · Aug 16, 2002

Hey to all!

Cynthiann made a good point. However, there is a second possibility to going down in sizes but the scale not budging.

For those of you/us who do work with weights, it is important to know that a pound of muscle takes up about 1/2 the space as a pound of fat. So if you are working with weights, have gone down in size but haven't lost weight, what's happening is you have lost fat AND gained muscle (which is good, good, good). So since the muscle takes up less space pound-for-pound, YOU are smaller.

I, myself, had the flu or something last night/today and have artificially lost 6 pounds in 8 hours! I don't think that counts!

-Alyssa

Hooligan · Aug 16, 2002

LOL Alyssa!

Those flu-diets are rough on the old system! I hope you're feeling better!