I don't know where to go from here

I'm still trying to figure out if I'm in denial or healthy acceptance. Now that I think about it, maybe my body fat estimate from the gym last year was wrong. Maybe I was higher and I have lost some body fat since then.

YAY!!!!! Don't you feel like such a weight has lifted?? And YAY for Sparkcat, too!! You guys are inspirational.

current weight: 134.2

138 136 134 132

130

Once i got in my goal, i found out that if i just stayed with my program 4 days instead of 5, the weight stays down. Just don't get carried away with your "off" days. will have my 1 year annivery in August.

current weight: 139.0

180 167.5 155 142.5

130

It really is needless emotional turmoil. I decided to put an end to it. I put away the scale last night. This morning I reset my goals and erased all my weight-loss related data from Sparkpeople and switched to the Spark 5 program. As of now I am starting over where I am now, healthy. I have no weight goals, no calorie goals. Instead, my goals are to continue eating healthy, exercising, running, doing yoga, and loving myself.

I just wanted to say that I can totally relate to your struggle. It's totally a mental struggle, huh? Try this. What if I went to you for the exact same problem--what advice would you give to me? Pretend you're an advice columnist and somebody wrote in with your question. How would you answer them? A lot of times that exercise is how I make tough decisions!!

current weight: 134.2

138 136 134 132

130

I think that depends on what your goals are!

If your goals are being healthy -- absolutely, you're doing it, with the better-than-ever eating habits and the running goals, and the fact that 25% body fat *is* absolutely in the healthy range. You are at a level of body fat that is totally normal and healthy for women, which is awesome! I think you'd be hard pressed to find any medical studies showing that losing more would provide any health benefit -- if you're concerned about where you should be, ask your doctor.

No, you are not near the bottom of the healthy range, so if your goal is "to look like a fitness model in my bikini", you still COULD lose more weight without it becoming a health RISK to do so.

But, on the other hand, you've found a stable point where your body is happy and where you are happy with your body. It's a healthy weight and a healthy % body fat, and maintaining it is not a constant struggle (as it might be if you decreased your weight a lot). Don't let the fact that you theoretically COULD lose more drive you crazy or make you forget about the awesome achievement that you've made!

Bottom line, I think you should discuss with your doctor if you're having doubts... but if you are feeling good about yourself and you are meeting your health goals, don't let the fact that you COULD be skinnier drive you crazy.

I'm about 5-8 lbs above my "goal" weight, and at just under 22% body fat when last measured. I've been hanging out here for about a half year now. I definitely COULD lose more weight, sure, and I might make it closer to goal eventually, but I'm also not in any particular hurry to get there... and if I never do, that's also FINE with me.

current weight: 173.0

191 185.75 180.5 175.25

170

I think you are doing wonderful. I found three links that may or may not be helpful to you. But it looks like you are what they call average. I think if you are happy with the way you look and feel it is just as important as the numbers. In my opinion if you are training for that half a marathon maybe you'll burn some of that off without trying too hard.

www.tanita.com/MessageForWomen.shtml
#

www.weightlossforall.com/fat-percent
ag
e-ideal.htm

www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.h
tm

Bree has some pretty valid points there! Because some of us have been heavy for so long, and unhappy about it for so long, I wonder if it is kind of "built in" to us to think we should be ever slimmer. I agree that if your clothes fit fine, it's not a problem. You may just be where you can maintain with relative ease, as opposed to struggling to maintain a weight that might not be the best for you. But, above all, you do have to be happy with yourself. If you hadn't had that darned test, maybe you would be happier with yourself. It's a shell game!

Yeah, I can appreciate that.
But also I think where you "should be" IS where you are happy! :D

current weight: 195.0

195 181.25 167.5 153.75

140

I guess it's just a mental struggle between being happy where I am and worrying that I'm not where I should be.

I think if you were happy with your body and your clothes before finding out your BF%, then you should be now too?

Maybe that's just me though! If it really bothers you that your BF is at 25% then I suppose try to get it down to where you'd personally like it...

current weight: 195.0

195 181.25 167.5 153.75

140

I got my body fat estimated this morning by DXA, which is supposed to be one the most accurate methods. I am quite disappointed to learn that it's 25%. I thought I would be 24% or lower. The bad news is I have gained a few pounds above my goal weight. The good news is, my clothes still fit the same and I have better eating habits than ever. I don't know what to do with this information now. On one hand I think I should throw away the scale and not worry unless my pants get tight. On the other hand I think I should keep tracking my food and lose a few pounds since I know I have plenty of fat to lose.