Effects of big weight loss

After I graduated college (about 6 years ago), I lost over 80 pounds in less than a year.  I learned how to eat a balanced, healthful meals and exercise regularly.  I currently weigh 125 and am 5'1".  When I enter my BMI it puts me at just barely "healthy weight".  I've been working extremely hard over the past six months to get myself down to a "healthy" BMI.

I have gotten to the point where I worry that I am denying myself the calories necessary to maintain my lifestyle.  I have been following the recommendations of CC as far as calories and exercise in order to lose the weight I need to but I just don't feel good.

I teach middle school and I find that I am extremely tired all day long and find it difficult to find the energy I need to teach at my best.

So here is my question, since I lost a large amount of weight in a short period of time, is it possible that the extra skin that remains could account for some of the extra weight on my body?  I understand that BMI calculators can be inaccurate, in that they do not consider muscle mass and I have been wondering about the possibility of weight from loose skin.

I don't have a lot of extra skin but I do see that it exists on my stomach, arms, and thighs.  Should I be considering this when I step on the scale?  Am I really at a "healthy weight"?  Do I need to continue to try to lose weight?

 

Only your doctor can tell you that. I would say get bodyfat percentage testing, but that might be inaccurate, counting your extra skin as 'lean mass' if it's the electric type, and skin calipers wouldn't be accurate, either.

But, if you lost so much weight in so little time, even if you have to lose more yet, slow down and maintain for a while, let your body get used to what has just happened! Let your new weight become your new 'setpoint'! You're not at a dangerously unhealthy weight, so it's perfectly cool to just sit here and enjoy your progress thus far. After a year or so, you can give it a go for round 2, and it will be much easier as you've stabilized and gotten used to the body you have. I really beleive that before you get going again, you need some time to reconnect with yourself physically and get comfortable where you are.

I agree that you should maintain for a while and see what your body does.  Also, learning to keep the weight off is a task in and of itself.  Don't worry about numbers as much as how you feel.  If you are always tired, something is off.  Give yourself some grace and chill a bit.

I guess I worded this wrong. I've maintained my weight loss for about seven years but I have struggled to reach the "healthy" BMI.

haha ooooOOOooh, I missed that part about '6 years ago' lol!

I don't think BMI's are accurate no matter how you shake it. Bodyfat percentage testing is the only way to find your TRUE Body Mass Index. BMI formulas are just guesstimating.

When I was a gymnast, my BMI was in the 'slightly overweight' category, and I had 16% bodyfat! BMI formulas dont account for body structure, athletic builds, muscles, etc.

Get a health professional at your gym to test you and see where you're at!

I think you bring up a good point about loose skin. If you are really close to being a "healthy" BMI it is entirely possible that your loose skin might make the difference.

Don't get me wrong I am not saying to go have any of it removed. Check with your doctor (I know I hate that saying) you may be at a "healthy" weight and just need to keep on maintaining.

Awesome job by the way of losing the weight and keeping it off!

Hi Rebecca,

I really wouldn't go much by the BMI, I'm not saying to ignore it but do not depend on it. At 5'1 and 125 I think you are at a very healthy weight. You should also consider how you have been feeling these past 6 years with your weight? If you feel good about it then I would say stay with it!!! I myself am 5'1 and my goal weight is about 120 or so. However if I get to 130 and feel good about it then I will stay at 130. BTW Congrats on your weight loss and keeping it  off all this time!!!

I remember seeing an operation show on tv where a person had lost a lot of weight and was having the excess skin removed - it came to 40 lbs of skin!! So I would say if you have some excess, it coud very well be accounting for that "extra" weight. Plus....BMI is not an accurate measurement and when you are fine-tuning like you are, should not be used as a goal. Just a couple of extra pounds of muscle, or denser bones, can throw it off.

If your body is not happy with what you are doing, restriction-wise, listen to it. You won't lose the extra skin by restricting - only time or surgery will do that. You have accomplished something really amazing - not only did you lose the weight but you have KEPT if off, that is impressive. Don't let some arbitrary cut-off make you feel any less accomplished!

 

Wow!  Thanks everyone for the advice.  I'm proud of the weight I've lost but I just haven't been able to determine when enough is enough. 

I think I'll see my doctor first, but I'd like to just maintain from here on.

 

Everyone is no nice!  I love it!

BMI's are very inaccurate. I was 125-130 in high school and we did our BMI in health class and it said I was in the 24 range now Im at 141 and My BMI is about 25.90. Really dont under stand that. I honestly think that it should be done away with and just go by weight range to determine if your over weight normal or under weight.

The general weight vs height BMI is only partially effective for general use on people who are absolutely standard.  If you are athletic, large frame, have had large weight fluctuations, etc, it cannot be used reasonably for you.  If you don't feel well, consider all the things in your life that could be the reason and list them.  Just like keeping track of calories opens your eyes to your eating habits, this can help you realize what might be the major stressors in your life.  Your weight seems healthy, but if you don't feel well every day then you should consider a medical opinion.  The extra skin will make it harder to do some standard tests, but find a good doctor/kinesiologist/etc and get your body fat %.  That is far more indicative than the generalized BMI.  It could also be something not really connected to your weight or weight loss too!

BTW, 5'4 and 165 lbs in high school.  Size 11 with 21% body fat.  I did sports in and out of school and did construction on the weekend.  BMI puts that at moderately overweight.  Just a thought.