What is a reasonable expectation?

[Kim_in_TN]

I'm sorry that I am obsessing over my next appointment and finding out how much weight I have lost but I can't help it!!!:o

As I have stated previously, I have not weighed myself at all ... as I want to be "surprised" at my appointment AND be sure I have an accurate scale comparison. It will have been 6 weeks this Friday and I still have 2.5 to go. What do you all think a reasonable weight loss expectation for 8.5 weeks should be? I am so afraid that I will be disappointed as I KNOW I will burst out in tears and be a total wreck! :eek:

In my own mind, I am shooting for 10 lbs ... is that good or not?

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[Keezheekoni]

According to most sources 2 pounds per week is reasonable. I'm on Weight Watchers and they like you to lose no more than 2 pounds per week, sometimes it happens to be less than a pound per week. It just really depends on what your metabolism is and what you've been eating and doing for exercise in order to lose the weight. Your 10 pound goal is definitely within reasonable limits. :)

[princesslinda]

Kim, I know how that trip to the scales can cause stress...but ANY amount you have lost is a blessing....as even a small amount means you're being proactive for your health.

I think those of us who are quite overweight see a bit more progress early on than those of us who are closer to normal weight.

The main thing is YOU know how hard you've worked, you've done the best you can. If you get 10-12 lbs..great, but if you get a 5 lb weight loss that STILL better than where you started out. Its a journey, and you'll get there! No tears, celebrate the small victories as well as the big ones!

[Kim_in_TN]

Thank you, Rikki!
Linda, I know you are right as that is exactly why I haven't weighed all of this time. I told myself that feeling better was what was MOST important and I have definitely accomplished that. Also seeing some changes in the mirror and in the way my clothes fit is a reward in itself. I "almost" wish I could go something like 6 months without weighing but I know THAT would never happen! LOL!

[Jan B]

Kim,

If I were you I would weigh! However, if I'd been going 6 weeks without weighing, it might be hard to finally give in. Can you explain why you won't just give in and weigh? You are more important than that number. You already said you have gotten comments from those close to you. I know you are fretting over every little 1/2 pound or so! Simple water retention or loss can change your weight on a daily basis. I'm not advising . . . just curious! I remember being obsessive over the weight thing . . . getting on the scales several times each day! Now, I weigh probably once or twice every couple weeks -- judging more on how I feel and fit in my clothes, instead of letting the number tell me how I feel about myself! I'd think you would lose at least 10 pounds in 8 weeks.

Hugs to you

[Kim_in_TN]

Kim,

If I were you I would weigh! However, if I'd been going 6 weeks without weighing, it might be hard to finally give in. Can you explain why you won't just give in and weigh? You are more important than that number. You already said you have gotten comments from those close to you. I know you are fretting over every little 1/2 pound or so! Simple water retention or loss can change your weight on a daily basis. I'm not advising . . . just curious! I remember being obsessive over the weight thing . . . getting on the scales several times each day! Now, I weigh probably once or twice every couple weeks -- judging more on how I feel and fit in my clothes, instead of letting the number tell me how I feel about myself! I'd think you would lose at least 10 pounds in 8 weeks.

Hugs to you

It's just that I know how self-defeating I can be and AM for the most part. I have struggled for years with and will always have depressive illnesses, so I can be my own worst enemy.

I tend to be an all or nothing kind of personality. I have a very difficult time with the "norm" range. When my husband and I met 17 years ago which was just after my divorce, I weighed only 98 lbs. I had been "dieting" for several months and obsessing over every ounce on the scales. I was devastated that I had gotten up to a "horrid" 112 or 114 pounds after my babies. Looking back now I could kick myself!:confused: Anyway, I would tend to say that I was borderline anorexic back then as I was also over-exercising and taking ex-lax. I even saw 96 on the scales at one point and was still afraid of gaining!

I can almost bet my life on it that those days completely shut down my metabolism because once I started onto anti-depressants and quit seeking "skinny-dom", I started gaining and didn't stop. I now have no doubt that Celexa increased my appetite but at the time, my mental / emotional health far out valued my figure.

I haved rambled here but basically I am afraid that I will self-defeat and give up my new healthier lifestyle just based on numbers on the scale. Too bad I can't go back to over exercising! :D

[Kim_in_TN]

It's just that I know how self-defeating I can be and AM for the most part. I have struggled for years with and will always have depressive illnesses, so I can be my own worst enemy.

I tend to be an all or nothing kind of personality. I have a very difficult time with the "norm" range. When my husband and I met 17 years ago which was just after my divorce, I weighed only 98 lbs. I had been "dieting" for several months and obsessing over every ounce on the scales. I was devastated that I had gotten up to a "horrid" 112 or 114 pounds after my babies. Looking back now I could kick myself!:confused: Anyway, I would tend to say that I was borderline anorexic back then as I was also over-exercising and taking ex-lax. I even saw 96 on the scales at one point and was still afraid of gaining!

I can almost bet my life on it that those days completely shut down my metabolism because once I started onto anti-depressants and quit seeking "skinny-dom", I started gaining and didn't stop. I now have no doubt that Celexa increased my appetite but at the time, my mental / emotional health far out valued my figure.

I haved rambled here but basically I am afraid that I will self-defeat and give up my new healthier lifestyle just based on numbers on the scale. Too bad I can't go back to over exercising! :D

Just wanted to add that all of this behaviour mentioned before nearly certainly caused me to become diabetic! I don't mind saying that I weighed in at 188lbs. at my last appointment. I have nearly doubled my weight since "those days". :(

[fgummett]

You can't say with any certainty that this behaviour caused your diabetes... try not to be so hard on yourself ;)

[Jan B]

More hugs to you! I also have a nice touch of that all or nothing personality. I've weighed as much as 185 (pregnant) and as little as 112. I remember when I was at 112, wanting to lose more. Now I'm at 125, which used to be my ideal weight, but since I made it to 125, I want to lose more. When people tell me I look a little thin, it's very hard to believe it. OR, I think, well good, at least I don't look a little fat! I've said for as long as I remember, moderation and balance are key, because they are soooooo hard to achieve! When I look in the mirror, some days I look thin and some days I look heavy. The scales say I haven't changed. I, like you, have depression and I'm not ashamed -- it's me. I am well controlled on 100mg/day of Zoloft.

Kim - 2 of my favorite women are over 200 lbs., and they look beautiful to me. They ARE beautiful. They don't bother me (much) about being a little thinner, and I certainly don't mind them being bigger. So there!!! Oh, my friend down the street is following weight watchers. She has a bunch of sheets printed out on her refrigerator pilled together with a big clip . . . started with 70 lbs to go, 69 . . . 68, etc. She weighs one time each week and tears down the sheets as she loses the weight. Every 5 lbs, she has a little present written down for herself (manicure, pedicure, new "toy" for collection, etc.). I pet sit for her & last time I was there, she was down to only 51 lbs left to go. She's happy and not too hard on herself when she has a setback. I'm impressed.

[Kim_in_TN]

Jan, you are a real sweetheart! (((HUGS))) According to the health charts for my age, height, etc., 125 to 130 is where I should be as well. Seems like a looooooong way to go but I'm going to give it my best shot! :)

[Handybear]

My scale is second only to my meter. I check my weight several times a day. I guess I am sort of obsessed. I also am able to check body fat and percentage of water. It has a feature that lets me set a goal and tells me how good I am doing towards it.

As for weight loss, 1.5 to 2 lbs a weeks is good. I was heavy so I lost a bit more initially, but have now am staying at my current weight of 175.

[alicat61]

[QUOTE=Kim_in_TN;313377]It's just that I know how self-defeating I can be and AM for the most part. so I can be my own worst enemy.)

ME to I have a self distruction button If its working then I have to break it.


I tend to be an all or nothing kind of personality.)


I can relate to this also. years a go i would go to arebics twice a day ride a bike swim my blood sugars were 3-6mmols I lost up to 20 kilos. Then I stopped everything.:eek:


(I am afraid that I will self-defeat and give up my new healthier lifestyle just based on numbers on the scale. )


i can understand were you are at. I too get discouraged by the scales.so I try not to weigh to often. as if the loss is only small or non excistant I give up!! I have been trying to loose weight all my life. I manage for a while and then it's what's the use.:D
I try to go on how my clothes fit and how i feel. I think if you feel good and your blood sugars are OK stick to weighing occasionally.
Take care from Alicat61:)

[Kim_in_TN]

Handybear, I know too well about scale obsession! I would weigh after I drank water and get disgusted!!! Now that's bad!

Alicat, thank you for the support! I think one thing that is really helping right now is being able to sort of use my meter as my "scale". For some reason the new low numbers on it sort of make me feel like they are corresponding to my weight. So as long as I keep my BG readings at a low then I have been satisfied not knowing what the scales would say. Hope I can keep that mentality for quite a bit longer! ;)

[mzteacher]

hi kim...good luck at the dr.'s....i am sure your hard work has paid off....and congratulations on the improved numbers...
susan

[davef]

Handybear, I know too well about scale obsession! I would weigh after I drank water and get disgusted!!! Now that's bad!

From somebody who attended Weight Watchers (and lost 56 pounds) back in 2001, I know about the temptation to Weigh frequently. The fact that we supply equipment to WW in Ireland means that I'm surrounded by scales. One thing, when you go to get weighed, try wear the same clothes you did when weighed 6 weeks ago, if at all possible try get an appointment at the same time of day as the last appointment (we weigh lighter in the morning) and don't drink lots of water before being weighed.

Alicat, thank you for the support! I think one thing that is really helping right now is being able to sort of use my meter as my "scale". For some reason the new low numbers on it sort of make me feel like they are corresponding to my weight. So as long as I keep my BG readings at a low then I have been satisfied not knowing what the scales would say. Hope I can keep that mentality for quite a bit longer! ;)

Try not to stress out too much, the average weight loss for a woman (according to WW) is 1-1.5 pounds/week, sometimes more weight is lost in the first week. Your goal of 10 pounds is possible, in the unlikely event of not reaching that bear in mind that if you had not tried you may have put on weight. One mind trick I have used to keep motivated over the years is that every pound the scales tells you that you have lost, could nearly be considered as 2 pounds, the one you lost plus the one you did not put on;) The other way of looking at it is, a knee surgeon once told me that for every pound you weigh your knees are subject to 4 times that weight in stress.

I know you will do great when you get weighed,

[ant hill]

Just wanted to add that all of this behaviour mentioned before nearly certainly caused me to become diabetic! I don't mind saying that I weighed in at 188lbs. at my last appointment. I have nearly doubled my weight since "those days". :(

Kim, When I was diagnosed in '71 I was thin, So thin my ballet teacher was wondering how did I get that way. Well we all know that when you come from a hospital you gain wieght and when I was back to the barre the teacher fainted and I had to lose it again and that was hard work and drank water like a fish.
So '77 I had to quit ballet due to too many lows. :( No meters then. :mad:

[Lulika]

Kim, first of all let me say I totally sympathise with your issues with weight. I too have had to struggle with my weight all my life. Before I got married I joined Weight Watchers and lost 30lbs flor my wedding.Then my babies came along and I put it all back on and then some. I seem to have spent my whole existence weighing myself.
Even now, I hop on the scales every morning. If the scale shows I have been "good" then I put on my more snug outfits and go off to work feeling good. But if the scales show that I have put on weight or not lost any, I get really down and despondant.
I cant stop weighing myself but I am rather an "instant fix" kind of person, I have to know if I lost weight or not.
As far as the 10lbs goes, I would say that is a realistic expectation but it might be more or less. Whatever it is, please try to love yourself for the fact that you're trying.You are being really strong in your quest and I will send you good vibes from China...good luck!! :)

[kgm0612]

((( HUG )))

Kim............just wanted to wish you good luck at your appointment and weigh in. I know how determined you are to lose the weight and you're doing a great job, so keep at it!

Fortunately for me, I have stayed the same weight for the last 5 years, give or take one or two pounds. I do not weigh myself at home......ever! I get weighed 4 times a year at the endo and once a year each at the PCP & GYN office.

Good luck!

Karen

[Kim_in_TN]

You all are being so nice and supportive ... I truly appreciate it so much! I feel like I will be taking each of you with me during my weigh-in for support! :)

Dave, I have been racking my brain trying to remember what I wore at my last visit .... from now on I am going to start writing it down! ;)

[davef]

You all are being so nice and supportive ... I truly appreciate it so much! I feel like I will be taking each of you with me during my weigh-in for support! :)

Dave, I have been racking my brain trying to remember what I wore at my last visit .... from now on I am going to start writing it down! ;)

We'll be there right beside you, but I promise not to step on the scale with you ;)

When I attended WW I used to have "weigh-in" clothes, I'm sure people in the class thought I only had one set of clothes :) , I even wore the same ones after losing the 56 pounds when I was weighed. Don't worry too much about it, if you can't remember just wear whatever you normally wear day to day. Do try remember if you weighed bare foot, cause that can make a big difference.

When I was attending WW the things people used to do when getting weighed was incredible, some people would take off all their jewelry, some women used to want to take of the skirts! Maybe that's what kept the men attending ;)

[fgummett]

When you are visiting your doctor you ought to have your shoes off anyway... make sure they check your feet :fight:

[Keezheekoni]

Kim you will probably be surprised and have lost more than you think. :) Definitely weigh in with the same clothes if you can remember what you wore.

I always WI with my shoes on, since I don't know what kind of weird fungi the people before me have...! I do wear similar, if not the same clothes, to WI. I have a certain pair of jeans and about 5 variations of the same shirt, thank you Wal-Mart. :) The jeans are going to have to change in the next 5 pounds or so, since they are getting way too loose. I bought new walking shoes, and those are about a half-pound less than my old ones. I had a bigger than normal loss the week that I changed to the new shoes, so I weighed them at home on my postal scale.

Don't stress too much about the appointment, just do what you're doing and try not to sway too far off course with it. :)

[Kim_in_TN]

Dave, you may hold my hand but, yes, please do not step on the scale with me! ;) I'm surprised you didn't have to pin your pants up after losing 56 pounds!

Frank, I am very shy about my feet. My hubby has a thing about them but that's where I draw the line... lol! I always keep my shoes on unless my DE insists on me taking them off. In the summer months I wear flip-flops most of the time so he can peek at them some then!

Rikki, now I'm going to have another reason to buy a postal scale. I was already considering one for selling on e-bay now I have another excuse to invest in one! Should I weigh my socks and undies too? *snicker, snicker*

[fgummett]

Shyness is one thing but loss of sensation leading to possible ulcers and possible amputation is quite another. I agree with the comments about keeping your feet covered when walking around the doctors office BUT PLEASE get your feet checked at EVERY visit... I don't even ask anymore, I just sit down and take my shoes and socks off :D

[Keezheekoni]

Shyness is one thing but loss of sensation leading to possible ulcers and possible amputation is quite another. I agree with the comments about keeping your feet covered when walking around the doctors office BUT PLEASE get your feet checked at EVERY visit... I don't even ask anymore, I just sit down and take my shoes and socks off :D
Frank, my doctor's office has a sign in every patient room, "If you're here and you have diabetes, take your shoes and socks off!" I guess not too many people remember to get their feet checked.

[fgummett]

Frank, my doctor's office has a sign in every patient room, "If you're here and you have diabetes, take your shoes and socks off!" I guess not too many people remember to get their feet checked.I like that attitude.. Burning fire (Chippewa) :D
We only get the two and can't go too far without them. :thumbsup:

[Kim_in_TN]

I like that attitude.. Burning fire (Chippewa) :D
We only get the two and can't go too far without them. :thumbsup:

I guess I assumed that I am too "early" in my DX to have foot problems. I have had a few strange sensations from time to time, but I think it was after I wore shoes that put more of my weight on the balls of my feet and my toes. I seem to be pretty good in my athletic shoes. I guess eventually my DE will ask me to take my shoes off again but I would feel really awkward going in there and asking if I could! :o

[fgummett]

Don't feel awkward about asking... you don't even have to say anything... just take your shoes and socks off and sit there waiting :D

I don't think any of us are too young to start keeping an eye out for problems... catch 'em early :top:

[Alice]

My last two endo checked my feet every visit (4x a year)...I've now decided I probably wouldn't be wild about an endo that doesn't ask...if they don't ask...you definitely should peel the socks off! My last endo told me my feet looked "too good"...not sure what that meant but I decided to take it as a compliment after 42 years of this wonderful disease. (I figure they see some pretty bad feet problems)

I have a friend who was only diagnosed when he went to the doctor with severe foot problems. After poor advice, he is finally on a better track, but lost much of his foot in the process.

[Keezheekoni]

I like that attitude.. Burning fire (Chippewa) :D
Yes, I know what my name means...:T I'm Chippewa and speak the language. :)

[Alice]

Kim, I almost always lose just a little each week at WW...but I'm happy with any number written in my record that has a (-) in front of it! For the last 3 weeks, I lost .4 or .25...but it keeps adding up. This week, I dropped two lbs, but that is rare for me and I'm thinking my decongestant taken the night before maybe had something to do with water loss.

I'd rather have 4 weeks of -.25 than 4 weeks of +1's!

So, I celebrate the little losses. They do add up. And for those of us who are running tight control and have to feed a few lows, the loss may be a little slower. That's ok. Overall, I just need to eat less.

I agree about having a "weigh-in" outfit.

[Kim_in_TN]

Kim, I almost always lose just a little each week at WW...but I'm happy with any number written in my record that has a (-) in front of it! For the last 3 weeks, I lost .4 or .25...but it keeps adding up. This week, I dropped two lbs, but that is rare for me and I'm thinking my decongestant taken the night before maybe had something to do with water loss.

I'd rather have 4 weeks of -.25 than 4 weeks of +1's!

So, I celebrate the little losses. They do add up. And for those of us who are running tight control and have to feed a few lows, the loss may be a little slower. That's ok. Overall, I just need to eat less.

I agree about having a "weigh-in" outfit.

I know that slow and steady is supposed to be the best way, but I have always been such an impatient person! :o I hope to be able to continue long breaks in between weighing again after this next visit. I think it would help with not having to see the daily fluctuations.

[Scrabblechick]

I have to force myself to weigh no more than once a week. I can become scale-obsessive, myself. I'm thrilled I've lost 27 pounds, and that lasts until I think, "Yeah, and I've got at least 80 or 90 to go." I live or die by that @#$% scale, sometimes. Happy when the numbers go down, depressed if they don't.

I don't know if I'll ever reach my "ideal" weight, as determined by the insurance charts, but I'd be satisfied to weigh what I did in high school.

[Kim_in_TN]

I have to force myself to weigh no more than once a week. I can become scale-obsessive, myself. I'm thrilled I've lost 27 pounds, and that lasts until I think, "Yeah, and I've got at least 80 or 90 to go." I live or die by that @#$% scale, sometimes. Happy when the numbers go down, depressed if they don't.

I don't know if I'll ever reach my "ideal" weight, as determined by the insurance charts, but I'd be satisfied to weigh what I did in high school.

I know just what you mean about looking at the total goal, mine would be 53 to 60 pounds or so. Right now I am just trying to set mini goals. Like right now my goal since starting my new "lifestyle" is to have lost 10 lbs. at my weigh-in on April 1st. *fingers, toes and eyes crossed* :T

[davef]

I know just what you mean about looking at the total goal, mine would be 53 to 60 pounds or so. Right now I am just trying to set mini goals. Like right now my goal since starting my new "lifestyle" is to have lost 10 lbs. at my weigh-in on April 1st. *fingers, toes and eyes crossed* :T

Kim,

I think you are so right to set mini-goals, most weight loss organisations work in the same way. If you set out to lose 50-60 pounds it's so easy to get dis-heartened along the way. I'm working along the same lines. I'm aiming for 1-2 pounds a week, some weeks (like this one) I lose more (3.5), but once I'm losing I'm happy. I've now lost 45.5 :) total, which I'm thrilled about. Clothes are beginning to hang off me, keep having to add new holes in my belt to tighten it, and that is a great motivation, I'm also loving getting clothes out of the wardrobe that haven't fit me in years. I found two pairs of trousers in the wardrobe that still had tags on but were too small for me, now I'm wearing them when I go out with friends.

You are so strong being able to avoid the scales, you'll do great on 1st April, I have the date marked on my calendar make sure you tell us how you get on.

[adiantum]

I agree with the small targets within a decent time span.
I was becoming obsessive by weighing each 3 or 4 days. Then one day I found I'd gained 1kilo & was devastated.
I'm a little dissapointed in having only lost 5kg in 3 months but in all honesty, I dont exercise enough.
I think it's time for me to look at joining an exercise group for seniors.
Kim,I'm looking forward to hearing of your weight loss in April even if I dont quickly recall imperial measurements :)
It takes me ages as I mentally say 1pound = about half a kilo

[Kim_in_TN]

I agree with the small targets within a decent time span.
I was becoming obsessive by weighing each 3 or 4 days. Then one day I found I'd gained 1kilo & was devastated.
I'm a little dissapointed in having only lost 5kg in 3 months but in all honesty, I dont exercise enough.
I think it's time for me to look at joining an exercise group for seniors.
Kim,I'm looking forward to hearing of your weight loss in April even if I dont quickly recall imperial measurements :)
It takes me ages as I mentally say 1pound = about half a kilo

Thank you adiantum! To be honest, I'm almost afraid to know the amount as I'm afraid it will be disappointing. I just can't be satisfied, huh?:T

Kim,

I think you are so right to set mini-goals, most weight loss organisations work in the same way. If you set out to lose 50-60 pounds it's so easy to get dis-heartened along the way. I'm working along the same lines. I'm aiming for 1-2 pounds a week, some weeks (like this one) I lose more (3.5), but once I'm losing I'm happy. I've now lost 45.5 :) total, which I'm thrilled about. Clothes are beginning to hang off me, keep having to add new holes in my belt to tighten it, and that is a great motivation, I'm also loving getting clothes out of the wardrobe that haven't fit me in years. I found two pairs of trousers in the wardrobe that still had tags on but were too small for me, now I'm wearing them when I go out with friends.

You are so strong being able to avoid the scales, you'll do great on 1st April, I have the date marked on my calendar make sure you tell us how you get on.


Thank you so much, Dave! That's so sweet that you marked your calendar! I'm sure I'll need support if the scales aren't as kind as I had hoped!;) A 45.5 weight loss is wonderful! I hope to be able to say the same some day! You are right ... just knowing that I am losing is a great motivator!