How do you know when you're 'done'?

With weight loss, I mean. Not with staying healthy and active, but with working towards a specific goal.

Background: Exactly a year ago I decided I had enough of feeling icky in my own skin, and ordered P90 and started tracking my food on Livestrong My Plate. I weighed 152 at the time and was wearing a size 10 (I'm 5'1"). I set my initial goal at 125 lbs. I hit that in about March. Then I set another goal of 120 lbs. I hit that in June. I now exercise regularly, running and doing barre classes, and I eat pretty healthy still although I am definitely more relaxed. I had sort of set another goal of 115 lbs, but I keep bouncing back and forth anywhere from 117 to 120. My body is still changing/getting more toned but the number itself isn't going down. When I hit 125 I was wearing a size 4. Now I wear a size 2 easily, sometimes a 0. So Now I'm wondering if I'm at a point where the number just doesn't matter any more? I'm pretty happy with my body, obviously I have problem areas but I am active and will likely continue to get more toned, right?

Last time I went home to visit my dad commented that I looked like half the size of a year ago. I thanked him and said I was really close to my 'final' goal (115). He looked at me kind of incredulously and was like "you don't need to KEEP losing weight forever, you know."

Thoughts?

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

It's really hard to say because it took me a very long time to come to the conclusion that I didn't always need to be on a diet. I just made the decision one day to try my best to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle and as long as I like the way my clothes fit, and how I look in the mirror, I am okay with just maintaining it and not constantly trying to lose more. That's not to say that there aren't times when I need to rope myself back in if I have been lazy or eating too much junk, and really try to be strict in order to maintain.

For me, there was a very fine line of wanting to be fit and thin, and being obsessed with it and pushing myself to the next level. So, I guess I didn't really help you, lol but I think only you really know when you are truly happy with how you look and feel. But, for what it's worth, based on pictures that you have shared, you look fabulous!

Edited to add that letting go of my number on the scale has helped me tremendously. I am 5 feet tall and flucuate anywhere from 115-120 but I am more toned than I had ever been, even when I was 100 lbs. I try not to weigh myself too often because i know I will get annoyed with the # so I really try to go off of how I feel, and how my clothes fit. That stupid # on the scale plays head games with me!

Message edited 11/15/2012 11:13:33 AM.

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

Message edited 11/15/2012 11:30:23 AM.

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

That is an a amazing accomplishment! if your body keeps bouncing back to that weight, that's where it wants to be. I'm 4'11 and my goal was 105lbs. Guess what? My body doesn't want to be that thin.I'm about 110-112 and I look fit and strong. Some people are just not meant to be skinny, ya know? You sound like a perfect weight! Keep up what your doing and don't obsess over the scale.

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

Message edited 11/19/2012 5:17:51 PM.

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

I stopped losing when people started telling me I was too thin. When my DH told me that my boobs looked "sad" I stopped trying to lose and started to focus on maintaining. I am bouncing back and forth between 148 and 152 these days. I also am loving those extra 400 calories a day on MFP!

Right now I am just focusing on toning and more performance goals-running faster, longer, etc. instead of calorie goals. I am also doing more yoga, and I notice that my shoulders and back are getting pretty ripped, lol!

How do you know when you're 'done'?

If you feel good and you are happy with how you look then I would say stop trying to lose weight and work on maintaining your weight. Depending on your frame size you could potentially still lose more weight and still be considered to be within a healthy range. I think this is a personal decision. I am six inches taller than you and have a small to medium frame and I find I feel my best between 123-127. If I go below 123 I start to look too skinny.

Message edited 11/19/2012 9:55:11 PM.

Re: How do you know when you're 'done'?

I am struggling with the same. I had an original goal of 125 (I am about 5' 4", maybe a little more). I hit that fairly easily, and then changed my goal to 120. That's been much harder to achieve and I keep getting back to around 123-125. My issue is that I don't exercise, at all, and I need to be more active. I need to focus less on the # and more about how my clothes fit and becoming healthier.

How do you know when you're 'done'?

First of all, you look awesome.

Only you can tell when you're done. People will make comments about how you look. I got that all the time. You will try out different weights. You will find one weight is easier to maintain than another. It's all about trial and error. Your body will tell you what is best for you. After I lost my weight I fluctuated between 117 and 125. There was no magic number. It really depended on my lifestyle at the moment. 117 was a great number when I was training for half marathons and working out 2x a day. 125 was a better number for when I was TTC and the doctor told me to gain weight. So it also depends on where you are in life and what works at the moment.
But like I said, either way, you look awesome!! You will find that balance- it just takes time!