Taking a vote: should I lose more weight?

For a limited time only, I have a few belly shot photos, as well as a front and back photo taken just yesterday, posted in my gallery, because I'm taking a vote!! Do you think I should lose another 5 lbs or so?

I am 5'0 tall and currently at 111, one pound from my original goal of 110. According to various calculators that use body measurements, I am currently at around 19% fat (down from 28% in January).

Realizing I am 41 years old, and have realistic expectations of never having a teenager body again (!), what do you think? Think I should settle in here, or shoot for another 5 lbs? (I don't think I'd go any more than that, because it would probably mean losing my chest, which I happen to like).

Yes, no matter what, I'll continue to "tone." The question is whether dieting to lose a few more lbs is necessary.

And for anyone who questioned me when I claimed that I still had stretch marks even though my youngest baby is 13 years old - take a good long look at belly shot #1 and you can see the stretch marks are indeed still red and noticeable, and never faded to silver or white!!

Act now and cast your vote before I delete these embarrassing belly photos! :-)

What do YOU Think you should do?

I think that toning from here and replacing fat with muscle sounds like a good aim :)

I think you should tone rather than try to lose more weight.... Atleast try that for a while and see how it turns out.

By the way, I love your hairstyle!

I agree toning is the way to go

I think you look great, but if you feel you want to lose more, go ahead.  I think you could tone and not lose anymore...great job!!!

not just "tone" but lift some serieous weights and challenge your body. you might want to try and get your body fat percentage checked and work on that number as opposed to the number on the scale (oh, and not just the measuring ones online, I mean the kind you would get at a fitness center)...best of luck

Hmmm... what do I think I should do?  I'm truly on the fence! I am pretty comfortable at this weight - all my clothes fit well again, which was important to me. And all the running I've been doing, I do feel much more toned than I have in years.

But part of me looks at these photos and thinks another 5 lbs would reveal the toned muscles underneath. Also another 5 lbs would give me a nice cushion to work with, so I could, for example, go on vacation and not fret if I gained back 5 lbs.

And I'm kinda in the zone now, with the whole 1200-1400 calorie routine down pat. I'm not sure I'm ready for maintenance level, although I do practice that a few times each week.

I guess I want to keep going as I have been doing, and see where my weight falls naturally. But I also do know that I really, REALLY should pick up some weights one of these days. I've been putting that off, for fear of injuring myself.

Yet if I lost more weight, I fear I'd lose it from my chest next. Or lose even more from my butt... it's practically nonexistent right now as it is!!

Thanks, ahsa!! I had to get it cut really short, because these darn hair bands wrecked my hair and caused a lot of damage and breakage!! They are the new ones by Goodie, designed to hold your hair tightly during sports. Needless to say, I don't recommend them at all!!

But I actually like the hair cut a lot... soooo  much easier to maintain.

Swearimn, I've had my bf% tested using calipers before, and I don't think the online calculators are that far off. My ideal is around 13%. Agree with you that I should concentrate on that number, more than the scale.

In the past when I've lifted weights, I've been as heavy as 125 but with 13% body fat, measurements about one inch less all over than what I currently have (see my profile if you want to know). Still didn't have a defined stomach, though it was certainly better than it is right now. And I had a much nicer butt back then!!

I told myself once I reached 110 I'd start lifting again, so I guess I'd better begin to put my mind to that promise. It's just that the last time I lifted, I strained my back and ended up in incapacitated for months. So I'm very hesitant about it, even though I know right now I'm in much better shape than that last time.

Replying again with another thought...

A big part of it is answering the question, "Just how much time and energy do I want to commit to perfecting my body?" And the truth is, I don't have the interest in committing like I did over 10 years ago, when I was into body building!

I have zero interest in joining a gym and becoming a major gym rat. It's just not my thing anymore, at 41. I don't mind doing resistance bands at home (which I know will only get me so far), but beyond that, I can't see myself spending hours in the gym.

I'd much rather spend more time out on the road running, and working on my distance.

Jen, I have back problems as well.  Have you thought about doing the weight machines as opposed to so many free weights?  The machines can still be set to a very heavy weight, but it restricts the movement in a way that helps keep people from straining muscles that shouldn't be strained.

If I were you, I would keep a small deficit to lose another few lbs gradually - looks like you would be very happy to lose a bit more fat.  Right?  And if you continue to work out & tone, I bet in a few months you'll be even happier than now!

Congrats on that weight loss, & good luck w/ whatever you decide!

Peaches, I have more problems with the machines than with free weights! The problem is that I'm short - only 5' tall - and even worse, my legs are stubby, only 26 inch inseam. The vast majority of machines out there are designed for taller people. When I sit in them, I can't position myself right, and my back is far more susceptible to injury.

Our Y just put in a gym for preteens, and I even asked them if I could use it, figuring the machines for preteens were built for shorter folks. But they won't let adults use them. :-(

I'm assuming you want an honest answer right?  Sometimes my wife tricks me by asking me these kinds of questions (and no she needs not lose any weight, you can see her in my profile pics)... but since this is here I'm going to just go with my gut and give you my true opinion.

Here goes.

I think you could lose a little fat around your stomach area.  Yes yes we all know there's no telling where your weightloss will come from if you do progress, however you can monitor your weightloss through a simple $0.88 walmart brand measuring tape.

So from here on out if I were you I'd be aiming to do some serious toning up.  Not just the stomach muscles but the back as well.  Even at your age (which isn't that far of mine or my wifes) you can certainly see some extra results for the effort.  And even with back problems you can do some back muscle exercises (heck it may even help your back problems to tone up those muscles).

Just each week forget the scale and put extra time in measuring.   If you find that you lose some in your chest, then stop completely the dieting, eat maintenance plus a little and continue the exercising.   You can sculpt your body even without losing any more weight, however that extra fat on your stomach won't completely disappear but you CAN lessen it's appearance through toning up and maybe even have it pretty well hidden.

Ok so that's it, My real opinion.  I'll be expecting the same back when I post my result pics.

Oh and hey on the whole butt issue... if you have access to one, use a stair stepper machine.  Running is great and all, but if you want a little extra shape in that area then the stair stepper will become a great ally to that cause.

I don't think there's anything here to be embarrased about.  I think there are plenty here that would love to be where your at in this process.   Heck I'd love to be at that last pound... but I've still got another 20 to go to get there.

Thanks Night! I certainly wasn't fishing for compliments -I'm pretty objective and I agree with your assessment.

It's funny, but often I will post my stats, and people will say something like, "Why are you here, you don't need to lose weight -you're well within a healthy BMI." But a picture and the eyeball test tells a different story, huh?

I am apple shape and that means I gain first in my stomach, and lose it there last. It is sooo true that pear shapes can carry weight better. If I was a pear shape, my stomach would be a washboard by now! But instead, my hips and butt nearly disappear, and my stomach still has flab. I've always been this way, even when body building 5x's a week, doing major ab work, and running much more than I run now.

Www.dietitian.com gives a range of 90 to 110 lbs for someone of my height and age. Now you can see why they give that range, and it's not too ambitious. If I could get down to 100, I would have a better-looking stomach, that's for sure.

But I haven't weighed even close to that since middle school, when I was a full inch shorter. I graduated from high school at 4'11" and 103, college I was 5' and 107. I was very unfit back then - I am actually *more* fit now, believe it or not!

I know what will happen if I pick up the heavy weights again: my arms and shoulders will get much more definition, but they will never look graceful and slender. My butt and legs will look awesome - they respond very favorably. But my stomach will remain about the same. Even with additional fat loss, I have leftover excess skin from the pregnancies that only a tummy tuck would improve. But that's okay... I guess at the end of the day, I no longer need to be perfect. As long as I have my health and I can fit into clothes and look good in them, I suppose I'm happy!

The funny thing is, I actually DO have strong abs, according to my physical therapist!! Because of my back problems, apparently I've overcompensated in this area. You just can't see the muscles, because of the flab over top.

I totally know how you feel - I would like to loose 5 more pounds, but overall I am ok with where I am.  What I have been doing is splitting the difference in my deficits - instead of 400 to 500, I just shoot for 200ish.  I still have the maintenance weekends.  Sometimes, I even go over on the weekends - but then I make it up during the week with a larger than 200 cal deficit.  I figure if the 5 pounds comes off this way, then so be it, but if it doesn't, then I am ok with that too.  I really am not in active "weight loss" mode anymore. 

As far as working on the belly area, you might try some pilates to tighten up your core.  If nothing else, it will help with posture (which helps the appearance of the stomach area) and help with your back issues.  I think that yoga/pilates (videos) would also help with overall toning without having to go to the gym and lift weights - much more low key.  I am also a fan of good ole push ups and other body weight bearing toning exercises (e.g. squats, lunges).

I think you look fantastic whatever you decide!  Incidentally, my 5 pounds is on my thighs - ugh.  But hey, I still look pretty good!

Cheree, I really like the idea of pilates! I've been tempted to sign up for a class for ages, but I keep procrastinating, I've only gotten as far as identifying pilates studios near my house. Mostly because I'm not really a "class" type person. But I figure it's one of those things that you should attend a class to learn, before trying on your own at home. But I do like that idea far more than the prospect of joining a gym and doing the weight training again!

You are right - it would probably do my back a world of good.

Thanks for understanding!

Jen, our stories sound nearly alike..we must be CC Twins *lol*

I think Pilates is a GREAT idea...I adore it. I would concentrate on toning and aerobics at this point. You look great :)

I must chime in with the above opinions - you look great!
I sense that you might be more comfortable with a pound or two more weight loss, but I'd do that with slowly increasing calories toward maintenance.  Pilates sounds like a great idea; any help you can give your back now will be a great benefit as you get older :)

Further running and toning may eventually have an effect on the apple shape - I'd give it some time before making a decision to lose more than a couple of pounds.  I also agree with your philosophy of not doing exercises now that you're not willing to maintain in the long run.  Be healthy, feel good... live life, not be tied to an exercise regimen to create or maintain a super-body.

Thanks for sharing your pictures!  (I like your hairdut, too!) 

jen, i don't think this is a decision that should be made by committee.  it's your body, your decision. 

Jen,

Hey one more thing... just a refrence point if you looked at the picture of my wife in my profile... she's 5'4" and 106 pounds.  We've had 3 kids, all delivered through cesarian.  So the extra skin thing I know what you mean... but my wife still managed to get definition in her stomach muscles to show despite this.   So i know it's possible.

I just don't want you to think it would be freakish to loose a few more pounds if you really want to.  Just keep measuring and make sure it doesn't come from somewhere you don't want to lose inches.  And somehow find some good exercises you can do for the back muscles.  There are some situp type benches at my gym for working stomach muscles, but one you lay in face forward and you can work your back muscles with.   Add in an 8 pound medicine ball once you have them in better shape and you'll see some results in the stomach as the skin tightens.  Good ole fashioned pushups or exercise ball assisted pushups will help .

Heck this may be the time to get into Yoga for the body shaping benefits.

Oh and one last thing, I know right now i'm in better shape than i was at 20yrs old (even though i was skinny back then).  I can run further, bike further, heck I can even do a full front flip on our trampoline (landing in seated position, but still a full flip).   Part of my goal all along has been to get in the best shape of my life.   There's still more weight for me to drop and more muscle to build, but it's nice to see how far I've come.