Author Topic: The LAST 10 pounds?  (Read 3886 times)

Doug Varrieur

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The LAST 10 pounds?
« on: August 28, 2010, 07:45:11 PM »
Ahh...the last 10 pounds. I was asked in another thread to comment on whether the last 10 pounds came off slower than the first 90 pounds. The answer in short form is YES the answer in long form takes on a whole different thought process. What are the last 10 pounds? Is it FAT you need to lose, excess skin mixed in from heavy weight stretch, soft tissue in need of toning or is it an unrealistic goal? It will be different for each of us depending on lots of factors but for me it was a mixture of soft tissue in need of toning and an unrealistic goal... In my case I'm a goal driven person and FTS is a program that allows people like me to reevaluate and reset weight loss goals lower and lower and lower....why? because the body will continue to eat away at the FAT stores for as long as you deny it outside sugar sources.

My first weight loss goal was to reach 195 pounds...under 200 for the first time in years was a mile stone for me. My next goal was to reach 179 pounds...yeah I know...why not 175, It just seemed to me that breaking 180 would be cause for celebration, I think I was 180 when I was born!  :o Well, 179 came and went and the next goal was 169.....the infamous last 10 pounds.....It took a while and I must admit at this stage I found myself truly recognizing how little food I needed day to to day compared to the quantities I ate 95 pounds ago.. I also found myself in need of toning soft tissue so I picked up some 20 and 30 pound dumbells each day, did sit ups and even stepped on Sherri's dreaded treadmill once or twice. It seemed to take forever, around 90 days but sure enough the scale finally read 169 pounds. At this point I should have stopped but......how about that "last" ten pounds, maybe I could make it to 159!

Once again I hit the mark and once again I reevaluated my weight loss goals and my current weight....158....... 158! But, guess what...I STILL felt FAT! For the first time in my life I understood how a slender woman might feel when she says she's fat at 115 pounds! Here I was a grown man almost 6 feet tall thinner than I ever dreamed I could be. It was time to really evaluate where I had landed.  I sat down with Sherri and asked her honest opinion... I asked her if I looked FAT to her? She laughed in my face and suggested that maybe, just maybe I had actually gotton too thin...but I didn't FEEL too thin if you can understand that. Finally I decided to stop. I concluded that the proper weight for my frame was probally 10-15 pounds heavier than I was. I also decided that the scale would always tempt me to lose that "last ten pounds" so I turned my back on it. Instead I went with my waist size, 32-34. For me this put an end to the "last ten pounds" and instead kept me focused on 32-34. 8 years later I still wear the same size jeans, still fit into my Kevlar riding pants, eat all the FTS food I want and never have too exercise to maintain my size. I'm proud to say I haven't stepped on a scale in two years.

So here's the question.....Do you really have ten pounds left to lose? Are you at the size you want to be? Are you happy with the way you look and feel....OR

IS THE SCALE DECIDING FOR YOU?    
« Last Edit: August 28, 2010, 08:13:07 PM by Doug Varrieur »
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izzet

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2010, 08:02:37 PM »
Excellent post Doug!  I like your theory of let your pant/waist size determine instead of the scale.  I just got into a size 12 pants from a 16!  I still feel fat but I still have a ways to go on my journey for my frame and height.

You are such and inspiration!
Peace and blessings,

IzzeT

Total Lost on FTS 37lbs: Maintaining size 8 and feeling great!



Doug Varrieur

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2010, 08:05:10 PM »
Thanks Iz  ;) glad you feel better....congrats on the smaller size...VERY COOL!!!!!!   ;D
Keep The Faith, Stay The Course, Spread The Word on Facebook and Twitter  8)

TTnomore

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2010, 10:31:35 PM »
Great post, Doug....as usual ;) I know that getting back to where I was 15 years ago is unrealistic which is 20 lbs less than where I am now, so I think 10 is a good compromise. I got there a few years ago and then had some health issues that put me in a funk so here I am trying to "release" those 10 lbs again. I know the scale is not the be all to end all, but it tends to keep me more honest with myself. Thanks for caring and really being a "hands-on" teacher and friend.
Gail

katary

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2010, 11:54:49 PM »
thats cool doug ;D,



DoreenBar

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2010, 10:04:18 AM »
Kudos Doug!!!!..Thats the exact old trap I dont want to fall into...Im just eating this way forever..If my body dips below a weight where I feel and look sick then I'll just mess around with the carbs a bit...In my case I do know I need to tone..Although at my age and the weight Im losing I probably need it all cut off to weigh a lesser amount then Im trying for...I feel healthy and fantastic so I just cant imagine eating any other way....
I refuse to let that scale control my emotions....I love when my clothes feel and look bigger!! ;D
Live each day as if it was on purpose.

paulachappell

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2010, 04:42:22 PM »
Thanks for that Doug.  My husband says I have NO butt left (I hope that's not TMI) but I still have fat on my abdomen and a bit of muffin top.  I think another 10 is reasonable for me.  I am currently in a size 10 jeans and think an 8 would be good for a 5'6" and almost 57 year old woman.  That will be the end of the scale for me too!  September is going to be the month!  Never will I eat sugar or simple carbs again. 




Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

izzet

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2010, 05:37:33 PM »
WOW congrats Paula
Peace and blessings,

IzzeT

Total Lost on FTS 37lbs: Maintaining size 8 and feeling great!



umpa

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2010, 09:31:27 AM »
I am happy for you Paula!  Women especially don't know when to quit.I am 46 and I am a size 8-10.I am very happy with that! I can maintain it with almost no effort.I threw out my scale 5 years ago when I called my father in tears (again) whining about my weight.He said"Baby why do you put yourself through this daily weigh in?You don't know when your pants are getting tight,you need to push away from the table?"It was so simple and it worked for me!There is nothing in my house that can hurt me.When my pants get tight I  go back to 20 carbs or less.I refuse to buy a bigger size.I work with the public so clothes are important,how i look represents my company.

SouthCarolinaLady

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Re: The LAST 10 pounds?
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2010, 11:22:45 AM »
I agree with you Doug -- 158 for a 6' man is probably too thin!  But if you are happy -- then that is what counts!  I have actually known women who have lost too much and looked "more aged" from the weight loss and less attractive.  Paula, I'm happy for you that you only have a few more pounds to lose.  I am a 10/12 size currently and plan on being happy at a comfortable 10 -- I have never been an "8" and I don't think that is realistic for me for life.  We appreciate you, Doug and Sherri!!! Thanks for sharing with us.  Hope everyone has a great day and wise eating choices!!!   :)

SouthCarolinaLady (Susie)