I'm not quite sure what to do.

[cmcole]

Initially, I was looking at fitday charts with a weight goal in mind.
However, I am recently wondering if that needs a re-evaluation, and that size of clothing is a better way of determining.

I realize that mybodycomp still considers me to be overweight, as do any of the height/weight charts that I look at.

My hubby, just the other day, called me his "tiny" wife.
His grandmother didn't recognize me - thought he had traded me in on someone new.

I've gone from a size 14 or more, to recently buying anywhere between a size six and eight (and have even purchased a size four that fits).

Except for some toning, I'm not sure that I really need to get lower in sizes (clothing).

Should I consider heading to pre-maintenance?

I've been doing this since the 21st of September, 2003, and have progressed through OWL with no major concerns. Now, I do not constantly eat starchy veggies or grains or even legumes, but I allow myself them when I wish to have them.

I don't certainly plan to sit down to previous portions of high carb-laden foods, and I am quite happy with my menu. I am just wondering if I should consider that my goal is practically (or, for all intents and purposes) met, and that I should be thinking about maintaining, rather than continuing to lose?

Or, am I just trying to find an excuse to give up?

Your thoughts, especially any of the moderators who have reached that target, would be most appreciated.

[MotherOfGizmo]

This is just my personal opinion, but I think if you are comfortable with where you are now and how you feel and look then maybe you should reevaluate your goal. After all it is just a # what really matters is how you feel! If I get to a point where I feel good I will definatley give my goal a second look--it might be a lower weight and it might be higher, it is not set in stone just a ballpark # that I picked but also keeping in mind that I may change it at some point down the road.

[Perry]

Everyone has an idea what their ideal weight would be. I thought hard about dropping into the 170's (high school weight) but realized it would not be easy to get there or maintain. I let the comments from my family judge when I stepped off the ketosis train. I'm very comfortable at this weight even though I still 'giggle a little' in places. LOL

[MotherOfGizmo]

Perry, do you "giggle" or "jiggle" ? :wave

[Perry]

Whoops! I'm gonna fire my proofreader! LOL

[MotherOfGizmo]

Whoops! I'm gonna fire my proofreader! LOL

I don't know, I kinda liked it when you called it "giggle" instead--it sounds cuter. :yes

[Esdios]

Don't listen to anything mybodycomp.com tells you. it is a good place to track your measurements but doesn't have a lot benefits past that in my opinion. This site still tells me I am in the mid 60% range for bodyfat despite 106 pounds lost (nearly a third my starting weight), a hydro tank test give me an 18% bodyfat count.

[book]

well I have not reached my target, but I have been a size 6 in the past, in fact my wedding dress at 21 was a 4, and a 4 is very tiny. If you can fit in those sizes, I would wrap it up and call it done. I am sure you look gorgeous! Keep exercising, and start adding in those carbs until you stop losing, then you will have your Critical Carb Level for Maintenance... the holy grail for us Atkineers....

I am proud of you and it sounds like your family is too. Good job!

book

[TerriC]

Hello,
I am at the same point. I have lost 32 pounds and am now somewhere between a size 4 and 6. Bodycomp tells me I could stand to lose more around my middle. I say nahhh, at 41 years old, this is good!
Ive always carried a bit of a tummy so its not a big deal to me!
I guess its all about where we are comfortable.

[dixiefoxtrot]

cmcole,
I'm practically the same size as you now and we sort of have/had the same goals. I think, that if your health indicators (your BP and blood work) are good, you feel good (and you promise to keep exercising), and your husband is happy with your weight program to date...you should start working on pre-maintenance...definitely. As you say you aren't going to return to your old way of eating, I have a lot of confidence that you will learn how to maintain where you are now within 5 pounds or so. I have a sneaky feeling that I'm going to "come to that point" before I get to 120, too. I was, in and around, 132 pounds last summer...starving and living at the gym...but I looked better than I'd looked in years. I did it while my husband was deployed. He described it as his "best homecoming, ever." LOL. So, I think on the WOE, when I get back to 130-ish, I'll be harder and fitter than last summer and "look" lighter than 130...hence I may re-examine too.

Dixie

[dreamof145]

I agree with the others. If you are happy with the way you look and comfortable, then go into maintenance. To go lower sounds like it is causing you unnecessary stress; which will not help during weight loss. Stay where you are, and later if you decide you want to lose more -- then do it.

Perry, I also like the 'giggling when you walk'.

[zula]

I do think that a focus on the numbers is unhealthy, and have this conversation with my best friend all the time. She lost 30 pounds through diet, excercise and finally getting on medication (Metformin) for PCOS, which very much helped her to go from 185 to 156. Now, she is a PERSONAL TRAINER and by theory alone has to look good and be healthy. She looks FANTASTIC and is very happy with her size 8 frame, but because of muscle (she competes in ju jitsu) she weighs 156 even though she is small (5'4''). On the charts, she's 'overweight'. I think that going by body fat percentage is a much more healthy way to go. She tells me that some women (including models) are 'skinny fat' people because they weigh 120 but have body fat ratios in the 30s or more because they've starved their bodies of lean muscle. If you feel great then ignore the pre-made lists of what you should be. You should be very proud of what you've done so far, and now don't worry about things anymore and just enjoy your life and the slimmer you.

[weiner]

Your starting weight is very close to mine. I'm at 141 right now and into size 8 clothes from 14's. My body fat is at 33%. I've decided that my goal is to get my body fat down to 20%. That is my goal! I'm not going to watch the scale. If you feel good then stay where your at. People tell me right now not to lose any more weight but I'm not listening to them. I want a very buff and tone body and I'm not settling for any thing less. I have an image in my head of how I want to look and when I get there I'll go to maintance. Enjoy your new body.

[Dionnesupermom]

I'm 5'2" as well but my hips must be wider than yours...lol... to fit in a size 6 and even a 4 is great! I wear a size 8 know and am at 112lbs. Of course I need to tone really bad! I still have my baby belly and my hips are wide. I think you are doing great!

[2big4mysize]

Don't use the charts to decide if you are at goal or not. It has become a very big issue with many long time Atkins WOL that the number the chose when they started (on old weight of their youth) isn't realistic. If you have been doing your Atkins correctly you have been exercising and adding lean body tissue weight to your frame as you burned up the stores of fat. Check your body fat levels and if you are in the healthy range the celebrate you have created a very healthy smaller version of the old you and go about your business focusing on eating the correct foods and doing the right amount of exercise to maintain that great new you. In six months when most of the body fat redistribution has been complete you can look at yourself and measure and see if you do need to or want to lose some more.
Please don't allow the energy and efforts you have made correcting your obesity to turn you into an eating disorder anorexic. Our fat goggles are firmly welded to our faces sometimes. I know mine were. If I get to 15% body fat at 164 then I do and if I don't then I'm very happy with the smaller healthier me that can play with the kids in the kids toys at the pizza place and that was what my weightloss was all about anyways.

EDIT

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