Thread: How do you know when to stop?

What a great post I thought it was just me who thought this type of thought!! I was 17 and half stone (after my son was born!) and despite losing around 2half stone (WOW!! Shocks me everytime!) I still had my "fat head" on it probably took me a year or two to realise that I actually do look a bit slimmer etc but then I got obsessive and was grumpy moody if I maintained or didn't exercise, but finally something clicked and the balance returned, but my hubby said to me, if you are not happy with yourself in your mind now, how do you know you WILL be when your slimmer? That was my turning point, my goal changed and I found happiness and peace within my head first and now I'm losing the weight, but I still have no self body confidence but I'm determined to CHANGE that, but yes it does worry me that I could become obsessive and not know when enough is enough, though i think my hubby and my sisters would definitely tell me!! Sorry for the long reply but I hope you understand what I was trying to say!!

I'm in the same boat, Emowyn, and only an inch taller than you. I got down to 13 stone once and was quite trim. A bit of a belly, but nothing to get excited about. I fit into (admittedly large) size 12s which I believe is the average size for a British woman, so I can't imagine being 10 stone!

Im 10st 10 and cant fit in some twelves!! i think our bodies re all different shapes and sizes - and clothes will fit us all differently.

I know ill never ever be 100% happy with my weight and how i look, but sometime we have to think 'ok i dont look too bad'. im just getting there now!

There is no easy answer. It's only natural to be thrilled with your achievements but then think 'why stop there?' when you know you could be even slimmer. There's nothing wrong with that but if you're seeing fat that's not really there or wanting to be thinner than you should be for health then that could be worrying.

I am starting to feel slimmer now that my goal is jus a few pounds away but I know I will want another half a stone off after that, I am gonna adjust my goal when I reach it. I will still be well within the healthy bmi range so I don't see any issue. If I had a BMI of 18 and still wanted to lose more maybe I would have words with myself! But yes, I agree, you still can see youself as needing to lose some even if you're skinny, I used to be slightly underweight if anything and still thought I could be slimmer which obviously is in your head then.

I want to get back to the size I felt best at a few years ago... I freely admit I could just lose another 10lbs and be back into a "healthy" BMI but I want to look as good as I can, and because I pile all my weight round my abdomen that means getting to 9st (126lbs) to achieve that, so I don't look pregnant or have to always wear draped tops to hide my pooch. I won't go below a BMI of 19 because I don't want to lose all the fat in my skin (yes, I'm vain... )

For me the decision not to lose more weight was a few things

1) My BMI is now well within healthy range

2) My partner has made it clear she thinks i would be gaunt with more weight loss...and look fine now

3) In losing weight i got quite into weight training- and found it very hard to make weight training gains while on a calorie deficit... that was a big incentive to eat more really.