Losing the last 5 lbs.

I am off to go rollerblading during Brooke’s nap (she is going to take a nap at my mom’s house) but I did last a full 12 minutes on the elliptical earlier today:)  I usually work out first thing in the morning but I went at noon today instead and I decided 12 minutes into it that I was so over the elliptical… went home and had a delicious lunch.   

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Jess and I were talking about the ‘last 5 lbs’ the other day on our trail run (below is an extra amazing picture that I attempted to take as we were running).

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So many of us think that we just need to lose 5 more lbs even if we are fit and at a great weight.  I know that when I was at my absolute thinnest (NOT a healthy weight at all) I was still not happy and thought I needed to lose more weight (I know… it was a sad time in my life).  

So often we talk about just needing to lose a little bit more, tone up some more or fit into our old jeans.  But before you keep telling yourself you need to lose the last 5 lbs, ask yourself these questions:

Are you eating healthily (not perfect but healthy:)?

Are you exercising enough? 

Are you getting enough sleep and drinking enough water?

If you can answer yes to those questions then your body is probably at its favorite place to be.  We all have set points where our bodies naturally tend to go when we are eating right, working out and treating it right… So why are we constantly trying to kill ourselves off to get below where our body naturally feels best?  I think if you are living a healthy lifestyle then you are right where you need to be:)  Your body actually fights to stay at that set point or weight range that your body is programmed to be at.  

Just some food for thought:)  Let me know what you think about set points etc in the comments!!!!!

PS this is all just my opinion, but I like to think of it all this way and I understand there isn’t a universal rule for everyone but I think this applies to a lot of people and their set points.  

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Dr.  Bennet (801-513-1078.. he doesn’t have a website and a bunch of people ask me for his information so here it is) made my feet feel 400 times better. First he reactivated these fun little feet muscles.  

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And then we did the whole ‘scrape metal on a really sore’ area thing again and I walked out feeling like a million bucks.  

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Also, still getting my previous injury worked on… muscle reactivation where the groin muscle attaches.  Also, my favorite part of the appointments… getting adjusted.  I think I may actually go a long time without getting injured again this time around:)

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Went shopping to fill my apartment with a bunch of fake flowers.

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And our favorite crockpot lunch of chicken and sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes cooked in the crockpot are amazing)!!!!

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PS you can read about my treadmill tips HERE.  I am kind of loving the treadmill a lot lately.

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PPS I used the Instyler to curl Brooke’s hair yesterday.  The first time I have ever curled her hair!

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I hope you are having an amazing day!!!!!  

Let me know what your opinions are on the set-point theory or your experience with wanting to lose the last 5 lbs!!!!

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93 comments

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I actually like running on the dreadmill a few times a week. What do you put in the crock with the potatoes & chkn? What else do you serve it with? Like on top or for seasoning/flavor?

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Yes, I want to know this too!!

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I was wondering the same thing!

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HEY GIRLS!!! Sorry that took me so long. I just put some water in there and some taco seasoning on the chicken. I love bbq sauce and I put that on after I take the chicken and sweet potato out. Super easy but the crockpot just makes everything so tender/moist/heavenly:)

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Yes, I truly believe the body has a set point. Just feed it well, move it well and rest it well and it should all settle into its happy place.

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LOVE how you said it. Thanks Susan!

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Set point theory is so true. My body loves being anywhere from 8-13 pounds above my “goal weight”. Mind you, the weight my body likes is smack dab in the middle of my “healthy range”, I just prefer to be at the lower end of my “healthy range”. I blame the media! lol

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I listened to Lauren Fleshman at a marathon expo not too long ago and she talked about having a B+ diet. She doesn’t want anything to do with a diet that doesn’t allow chocolate (me too!) so she aims to eat primarily healthy but still enjoy the things she loves without feeling guilty about it. I’ve been trying to live by that ever since then. If I want a cupcake, I’ll have a cupcake. I just don’t need 10 of them. And as long as I’m still getting in fruits/veggies and all the good nutrients my body needs, that cupcake won’t hurt a thing!

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I got my degree in Exercise Science and that’s a real thing they taught us. Set points are real. My body has settled in nicely at a point I’m not too fond of. haha I would love to lose 5 more lbs. I actually have stopped weighing myself very often though, so really I just have a certain fitness I want my body to be at. I think that’s a healthier approach, at least for me.

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I think you look incredible Alyssa and you have the best heart around (I know that personally)… don’t ever forget that!

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haha thank you, Janae :) You’re the sweetest!!

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Scraping metal on sore spots… hurts so good! What is muscle reactivation? I went through a lot of PT/sports med docs and never came across that term and am curious if it’s just another term for something I have had done or heard about! Also just curious- is your doc comping your visits or anything like that?

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Hey Jennifer! Yes, it hurts so good… it mainly just feels good for me after he is done ha. Muscle reactivation is a technique used to determine which muscles are weak (which causes overcompensating) and then jumpstart the tight/weak muscles to help balance out the body and get the muscles to fire properly again. I hope that helps! Have a great night!

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Love it and agree 100%! Happiness is not on the scale is it!?!

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It took WAY too much work to maintain my lowest weight – I eat basically whatever I want now, exercise 5-6 days a week, and am 10x happier.

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I love this idea. Even when I got to “goal weight” I still wanted to lose 5 more pounds. And I’m sure if I would have lost those 5 then I would still not be happy and want to lose another 5 lbs. I think if you are living a healthy life, then that is all that should matter.

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Can you please curl my hair too?!

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Maybe I’m not the norm. But I’ve never had an issue with food or weight. After each pregnancy I just didn’t want to spend $ on new clothes since mine didn’t fit. I don’t weigh myself. My parents never brought up weight.
But I was insecure and wanted boobs. I just pray my kids are secure with themselves and if not I can teach them we all have issues and it’s about loving yourself and treating yourself kindly.

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I feel the same way. Always pretty happy with my weight and looks. Always bums me out to read how so many people are unhappy with themselves. My Mom has always hated her body. I can’t imagine going thru life feeling that way about myself, so I chose not to do it.

Funny about the boobs tho. I was so miffed when my Mom bought me my first bras. I was so upset. I threw them in the trash.

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Christina and Stephanie! That is awesome… way to go girls!

HAHAH I love that you threw the bras away!

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I agree. I tend to hover around 140 pounds. Whether I gain or lose in either direction I tend to gravitate back to that 140 like clockwork.

I always wanted to weigh 135 just because. But now I realize I can be healthy most of the time and active most of the time and maintain 140. So I stopped fighting it.

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This is me too! 135 is my magic, I will be happy weight, but whenever I’ve gotten there in the past, I can’t maintain it for long and I go back to 140 and stay there easily! I’ve really been trying to work on my attitude about this.

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I’ve never in my life even thought about “the last 5 lbs” theory in that way. That makes SO much sense!

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On the other hand, many people who hit their weight loss goals are happy with their progress and maintain their weight :)

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Very true Linda! Thanks!

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I lost 80 pounds so I can’t say I would like to be back at that weight at all or ever again. Having said that though, I will say it taught me I will never be happy with my body no matter how much I lose.

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You are very right now with the “last 5 pounds”. Unfortunately, I think we live in a society that makes many of us feel we need to be better than what we actually are (did that make sense?). We must obtain an ideal image. A couple of years ago when I began my journey to change my eating…which of course turned into losing weight, many people would ask me what my “goal weight” was. I honestly never had a goal…not one that I verbalized, anyway. Like others have commented, there was a number that I THOUGHT I wanted to be. But that thought would be followed up with the thought of “then what…what happens when/if I hit that magical number?” Would I suddenly be thrilled and love my body. Uh…I knew the answer to that was no. That being said, if I lose weight without going to crazy, or unhealthy, extremes…then my body feels that it can rid itself of that weight. It has been a struggle…but I have learned to love my body (most days…I am human…and I am female : ) ). I have not lost any weight in about a year-ish, yet my body continues to change as I continue running/yoga/weights, etc.

Sometimes I wish I could live in my own little bubble…because that would be the easiest way to filter out a lot of the garbage that our society fills our heads with now. :)

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Aimee! I completely agree with you about the society we live in today. I am so glad that you have learned to love your body and I like your bubble idea!

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Yes! I love it! I totally agree with this statement. After years of disordered eating, my views of what I “should” weigh are WAY off. I’ve been taking your advice and not weighing myself and it is such a burden off my shoulders! Now I just need to talk myself into accepting the fact that I really don’t need to lose 5 more pounds because I AM eating right and I AM exercising. I’m just not meant to be a stick!

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I totally agree with this theory. I used to struggle with disordered eating habits, and even when I was stuck in those habits and LOOKED way too thin, my body didn’t stray far from my “set point.” Now my eating habits are MUCH healthier but I’m only a few pounds above my weight during the bad habits, though I look wayyy more healthy (and happy, I might add!). I’ve always thought the concept of a “set point” was really interesting!

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Wow, VERY interesting food for thought on “the last 5 lbs.”

I’ve had weight issues my whole life. After having gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago and losing enough that I’m closer to being happy with my weight, I’m now getting to a point where even though I want to lose another 25 lbs, maybe where I’m at now is where I’m supposed to be at. I’m not sure since this is an entirely new concept for me.

I’m also a “weigh every day” kinda gal and I’ve taken on a challenge on FB to stay off the scale for 1 year. I’m not sure how it’s going to go but I’m going to take each day at a time and work like hell toward it!

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YAY for going off of the scale for a year… quitting the scale made me a lot happier!

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ooooo, I totally love this topic!

Most everyone I know wants to lose those last 5 lbs and have been working on it for YEARS!!!! Which is sad mostly because they’ve been sad about it.

I’m a huge fan of Intuitive Eating and they talk all about just accepting your body weight if you are doing everything right–bc your body has a comfort zone.

I love that theory but honestly…that would be really hard for me to do if I wasn’t happy with my body weight. Somehow I got to the the weight I’ve always wanted so I ‘m not sure how it feels. I do know it would be super tough. Thanks for bringing it up Janae!

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TOTALLY and absolutely agree with you on the “losing the last 5 lbs” thing! Been there, done that. No more fighting my body. I think it’s pretty happy with where it’s at, and I’m much happier, so we’re staying put. ;)

I also have a quick question: Where is that blue vase with the fake flowers from?! That would be PERFECT in my living room!!

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HEY GORGEOUS! I sure miss you! They are from HOBBY LOBBY… I spend way too much time at that store!

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I am still wanting to lose those last 5 pounds! I look the best I have ever looked but I weigh the heaviest I’ve ever weighed… aside from when I was pregnant. So why do I still feel like this? I ask my man his opinions sometimes. He loves me unconditionally of course, and is always telling me I look amazing.. So it sucks that I still feel like I look like I look like a busted can of pillsbury rolls. I’m not really fighting for anyone’s attention. I am loved by so many people and they don’t care what I look like. This image problem I have is really sad and confusing.

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GWYNN… EMAIL ME!!!

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Sorry you feel that way, Gwynn. But if your boyfriend and other people who love you say you look great and you say you look your best but you’re still feeling less-than, maybe there is something else going on. I am sure that if you’re healthy, you look great. But it’s more important that you focus on how you feel. Appearance isn’t everything. Being your best, healthiest self is.

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You’re totally right about bodies and their “happy weight.” I found myself going to the doctor and saying how my weight was “up a little,” and after a year he told me I had been exactly 138.5 at every single appointment and to let it go. I’m curious to see what my body does post-pregnancy because I’ve definitely become thinner over the past 9 months (with a healthy belly, of course) since I was eating healthy and cut all the wine! I’m definitely guilty of hoping my body’s new happy weight might be more like 128 :)

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How do you cook your chicken in the crockpot? Just yesterday I was looking all through your blog to see if I could find it and didn’t come up with anything. I need a good quick and healthy way to do the chicken in their–a recipe without tons of fat I guess.

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Hey Kristin! Sorry that took me so long to get back to you! I am super lazy with the crockpot… I just put the sweet potato in and chicken (with some taco seasoning on top) and about a 1/2 cup of water and let it cook away:) I LOVE bbq sauce and so I top everything with that once it is all done. I love how tender the crockpot makes everything. I will be on the lookout for some yummy recipes to make and post. Have a great day!

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I love that perspective and it’s really how I’m trying to shift my perspective recently. If you feel healthy and you feel great your body will follow suit, there’s no point in stressing and trying to push yourself too far!

Also I would love to know how you cook chicken and sweet potatoes in the crockpot as well!

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Hey Elizabeth! So happy you are feeling healthy and strong! I am lazy with the crockpot… I just put chicken with taco seasoning on and a sweet potato in there with 1/2 cup water and let it do its magic:) The crockpot makes everything taste good. I top everything with BBQ sauce afterwards. Have a great evening!

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Totally agree about the last 5 pounds. It seems like all girls have gone through this. Why can’t we just be happy with ourselves. I feel like I finally am. I am at my lightest weight, but that’s not why I’m happy. I’m happy because I eat a ton and all I want.! My running has allowed me to do this. I don’t want to lose more, but I’m happy.! Glad you post positive things.

And omggg. I lovery sweet potatoes. I fry them for snacks. But the crock pot would be awesome to make them in.! Yum

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Jessica! I am so happy that you are at such a happy place right now! Way to go!!!

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Can you post a recipe for your chicken and sweet potatoes in the crockpot?!?! Don’t keep us guessing!!!

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Hey Darcy! Sorry that took me so long, I was away from my computer! I am pretty lazy when it comes to the crockpot because pretty much everything tastes good when cooked in there:) I put the chicken in with taco seasoning, then the baked potato and half a cup of water. I let it cook for a few hours on high and then I top it all with BBQ sauce (I am obsessed with that stuff). Hope you have a great night!

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As women, our bodies are constantly in a state of change. Our healthy weight can fluctuate 5-7 pounds a day! We place WAY too much emphasis on weight and not enough on energy, strength and other health indicators. I agree, if you think you still need to loose those last 5 pounds, check in on your eating (I just blogged about this); nutrition is key. And really evaluate how you feel, NOT how you look.

P.S. I love both the treadmill and the InStyler. Two of the best inventions ever!

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Couldn’t agree more!!! I call it “the 5 vanity pounds” because it comes from a place of how you look rather than how you feel. Women especially need a little bit of fat on our bones (aka those last 5 pounds) to get pregnant, which is a state that our body is designed to be in.

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YES YES YES CHRISTA!! Love that you call it the 5 vanity pounds… so true!

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I agree that my body seems to want to stay at a certain weight, and if I am eating healthy and exercising I try to be happy with this weight :) Sometimes we just expect too much out of our bodies, and we need to stop! Or at least I do ;)

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Great article! I’m gonna work my way up from the bottom.
Brooke is so sweet & beautiful. Reminds me of my youngest at that age (she’s 17 now!) Such lovely curls.
I saw your post on Runner’s World earlier today, have it bookmarked to read. Cool!
A full marathon on the treadmill? I’m intrigued. Miles are miles?
The best part, though. A comfortable, natural weight. I so groove this! It’s been on my mind for a few weeks. I still have a little goal in my head, but it’s becoming less and less important to me. I’ve made pretty much all the big lifestyle changes I have thought were important (social eating is my last obstacle). I’ve done my first full and have more scheduled, and I feel better than ever at age 40. So maybe I’m there? Maybe I’m where my body wants to be? This is such a relief, this possibility. After being on the infamous roller coaster since was 12, wow.
So thank you for writing this, wishing you all the very best in your new chapter!! xoxoxo

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I like your three questions I just worry that people may have skewed ideas of what eating “healthy ” means. For example they may not be eating enough but may think that it’s not healthy anyway…and therefore feel like they could still eat less to lose weight. I feel like when I really focused on eating lots of natural unprocessed food I stopped paying attention to how much I weighed and started to feel so much better overall. Luckily running help keeps the weight in check too:)

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I think you two were spot on about the last five pounds. My weight is 10lbs more than it was a decade ago in college. Of course now this is after several marathons and a significant amount of cross training. I still wear the same clothes but the number on the scale is different. That entire time, if I’m honest, I’ve wanted to take off “the last five pounds.” I try to remind myself to ignore numbers and glurps of fat that seem to come with age, but sometimes I’m not good at it. You’re right that health, good eats, and exercise are the real conversation points. Thanks for the reminder!

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I totally feel similar on the whole 5 pounds thing. I used to always believe that there was more to lose, whether it was when I was in a bad place or when I was happy with myself. But after regaining balance in my life, I noticed that simply eating healthy and exercise brought me back to where I needed to be. Recently I’ve been losing weight unintentionally (I think due to the stress of graduate school and moving) and it makes me feel so uncomfortable. The body has it’s own set point, literally, and it’s time for people to accept and appreciate it!

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Yes! I love you thoughts on the last 5 lbs! I just came to that conclusion recently. After 30+ years of trying to loose, the mental habits sneak back in often, but I go back to those same 3 questions and refocus. It is very empowering!

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I definitely have found my body has a set weight and I think it changes based on what type of exercise I’m favoring (strength vs cardio). The past few weeks/months I’ve found my clothes tight and while I could stand to improve my diet by 20% I’m feeling pretty good but frustrated my clothes that fit a year ago don’t fit! I tried on one of my fall skirts and had an awakening! I need to decrease my stength work and balance w more cardio even though it’s harder for me! Anyone else find their set weight changes based on workout regimen?

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I tend to view the last 5 pounds as the can I eat a little cleaner, can I have a little more discipline pounds. For me it had nothing to do with looking better because I looked worse without those pounds, but the perfection of my food choices, my ability to say no to treats, and my sense of accomplishment from being good at doing those things.

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I’ve never tried scraping, but I’m going to look into it. I love that you said a healthy diet isn’t perfect. I do my very best to eat well, but it’s definitely not perfect!

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I’m still at the “need to lose 5lbs” stage but mainly because I always calculated by ideal weight based on the formula I learnt in nursing school:
100lbs for the first 5ft + 5lbs for every inch over 5ft (for women with a “small frame”)
I’m 5’3″ so my goal weight has always been 115lbs.

Right now I am over that weight and I can feel the “heaviness”. When I get down to 115lb (or close to it) I don’t feel that sluggish. Fortunately I’m past the days of diet pills and crash diet fads (those were some very dark times) but I can always eat better, get more sleep, and drink more water.

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I probably needed to read this today. I have been trying to lose the last five pounds for a while. Last year I lost about 10 pounds. I felt great but it took absolute perfection to keep my body at that number. It was miserable. Now I’m a little heavier but my body feels right at the number that is on the scale (I know it’s not suppose to be about the number on the scale, but for me it is!) Anyways, thanks for the reminder that I need to be happy with where I am instead of always trying to lose the “last five pounds.” Let’s be honest, it’s always something when it comes to women and our bodies….wish it weren’t so but it’s true :-/

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Last 5 lbs is torture and not worth it! Plus you don’t really look different 5 lbs thinner or larger. I always tell people that the number on the scale does not define you!

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Hi! So two things. In regards to the 5 pounds I feel like girls will never be satisfied I had a goal weight which I met a month ago and of course I now have a new goal weight even though I am probably the healthiest I’ve ever been it’s a vicious cycle, we all need to be kinder to ourselves. Second thing is A quick question about the crockpot and this sweet potatoes, i’m not sure if someone asked this already but do you put the whole potato in with the skin and everything? And how long do you cook at four with eight hours be too long? Okay thanks sorry for the novel of a comment!!

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I truly believe in set point. After years of disordered eating I learned that its not about the food or numbers. I had to learn what I was running from and face it. Focusing on weight distracted me from everything including relationships. I don’t own a scale and by the drs scale I am naturally on the thin, “underweight” side. If they aren’t worried and I’m honest with myself then that’s all that counts and my true beauty shines through. People tell me now that I have more color and am more outgoing and my personality isn’t hiding behind a dishonest disorder. I take pride in standing up to society and living a heathy life no matter what. It’s so worth the 5 or however many pounds.

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I can relate with the “last 5 lbs”. I lost 35 pounds a couple years ago, but still wanted to lose another 10. After a while of trying to lose that 10, I realized that I COULD lose it, but I would have to really be obsessive and cut back even MORE than I already had. 1. You can only “cut back” so much when you are training and working out so much, and 2. There is more to life than obsessing about a stupid number. I had lost weight. I felt healthy. I felt strong. I exercise. Eat healthy. I’m good. I don’t care anymore about the number on the scale. I gauge things according to my clothes. If they get too small, it’s back to “obsessing” – until I fit in them again. haha. But for now, I’m ok with where I am. Skinny doesn’t always mean healthy and skinny doesn’t define you. :)

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I always always love reading hrg but pretty lady you hit a cord with this one. You are such an inspiration <3

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I SOOOO believe the body has a set point, even if that set point isn’t where I want it to be ;) At my ‘set point’ I can eat some treats (not binging, but not restricting) and skip a workout here and there and stay virtually the same weight. If I want to dip below that weight (those last 5lbs or so like you said) then I have to rrrreally try hard. My workouts are on point and not missed and I have to limit myself to 1 treat a week. And I go back and forth every day, or maybe 40x a day, on whether or not it is worth it. One day I am like ya! Lets do this! I am going to set this goal, and work hard and achieve it. The next day I am like. Meh. I need to learn to love myself and will it really make me a happier person to lose 5lbs? Would it even be noticeable? Then the next day I am back to wanting it again. lol. #crazygirlproblems

Seriously though Janae. You are beautiful inside and out. 5lbs isn’t going to change what kind of friend, mom, sister you are. No one will like you MORE for it. I mean, if it were health issues, of course, lose the weight. But it’s not – you look fantastic. Your body is happy at this weight. So I hope that you will be too. I love you girl!

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I have to be in a wedding in a few weeks.. so it would be really nice to be down 5 lbs for the pictures… but as a high school teacher, I just don’t have a lot of time besides working-out for an hour to really fixate on a number. Therefore, I just don’t think about lbs anymore or a # and just try to be active during the school-year to keep my body and mind balanced–and after the gym, I just feel a great rush of endorphins.

However, I didn’t always feel so content. I used to fixate on the number.. however, then I started reading your blog and a few other healthy-living blogs, and your posts always motivate me to be physically active and become stronger each day.. not weigh myself ever or worry about numbers.

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This is a great thing for me to read. Being kind to ourselves and our bodies will only make us stronger women, wives, mothers, sisters.

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I completely agree with you! There once was a dark time in my life where I got to a dangerous low weight just because I had set that number and decided that’s what I had to be! Our bodies are so smart! We just need to treat them with respect by exercising, eating healthy, eating chocolate, and sleeping and our bodies will thank us in ways we can’t even imagine!

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I know I would feel better 5# lighter. After I divorced 4 years ago, I lost a LOT of weight and looked horribly unhealthy. I gained the weight back and then a couple of extra lbs. I can tell in my running times that I do better when I’m a little lighter. I know I cld get there if I didn’t eat like crap….really trying to work on that.

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P.S. I know how much you love grapes like I do. PLEASE tell me you have tried the cotton candy grapes? If not, you NEED to drop whatever your doing right now, and go get ya some. Your welcome. :)

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i just tried those the other day!!! verdict = OMGGG!

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Lol. I know right?! Best thing ever!

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I totally agree…For years I maintained a fairly low weight for my height, but thought this was my “norm.” Once I started running long distances, my weight started creeping up a bit…I found that I just couldn’t run very well with a BMI on the borderline underweight side. I won’t lie, though, gaining those 8 lbs. has been a bit stressful even though rationally I know that having a BMI of 20 is still on the slender side. I’m slowly but surely focusing on the fact that I feel stronger at this weight, have some curves for the first time in years, and frankly, really enjoy not counting every. single. calorie. (so tedious!). Now, it seems that as long as I exercise regularly and eat reasonably healthy (I’m a big fan of the 80/20 rule!) I really don’t have to count calories and my body just naturally settles around 118. I’m not a size 0 anymore, but I’m a fit, strong 40-year old mother of two, and I’m way over defining myself by my dress size!

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My body always fights me to be in a certain weight range. I have fought back and tried to stay under that range and it never works for very long. I end up hungry and binge eating treats. I love how you explained this and it is just what I needed to hear today. I’m trying hard to find a middle ground. Thanks for this post!

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Thanks for this great post! Appreciate the treadmill tips too. I often worry that I won’t be up for the “outside” world (wind, heat or cold, hills, etc) in a race if I only train on the treadmill so it’s great to know you’ve done it!

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Love the idea of the last 5 lbs. I’ve never thought of it that way, and it makes perfect sense. I got it into my head that I had to be 110 lbs and on top of excessively working out, I would deprive myself of food just to maintain that weight. Fast forward a year and a half, and I have finally realized the number on the scale doesn’t mean anything… its all about how I feel. Now I go months without weighing myself whereas before I weighed every day. I did step on the scale a couple of weeks ago just to see where I was at, and was surprised to find that I had gained 15 lbs, but I honestly feel that now I look better than ever. I completed my first half marathon in June and do Crossfit 5-6 times a week… I also have a more balanced diet than before and allow myself to have dessert when I want it. It is so freeing when you accept yourself and let go of calorie counting and overexercising!

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I completely agree with this!! The “last 5 lbs” is true for me since having a baby. I never used to weigh myself but now when I go to the doctor I can’t help but look. I’m 10lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight and my body has fat in places it didn’t before but I’m trying not to focus on it! If we remember what’s really important then the “last 5 (or 10!) lbs” won’t seem like a big deal. I’m working on getting back into running, eating healthy and taking care of my baby girl who I am incredibly blessed to have…when I think about that I realize “who cares about the extra pounds?”. Not me, not my husband, and not my daughter!

Pregnancy body changes aside, I also completely agree with the “set point.” Whatever weight/size you are at when you are eating right and exercising a reasonable amount is the weight you are supposed to be. Trying to weigh less than that will require exponentially more effort and might not be healthy or sustainable. Not everyone is going to look the same and we need to embrace our individual shapes/sizes without so much comparison to others. I saw a meme once that said “Comparison is the thief of joy.” That includes comparison to your old self! When I was in college I ate whatever I wanted and didn’t exercise but weighed 10lbs less than my pre-pregnancy weight. Now that I’m in my 30s I eat much healthier/cleaner, exercise more and even though I don’t look like the 20-year-old me, I feel much better and have more energy than I did back then!

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Thanks for this post Janae. It’s a nice reminder. I think I emailed you last year to get some insight on your diet/eating methods as a fellow runner. I always struggle with a 5-6 lb weight gain each year and especially during race training. It’s so easy to get down about it. I just have to remember to keep making good food choices and to back off on the froyo! (Struggling with that right now).

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I remember how much I weighed I was when I was working out almost every day, and I’m within a 5-lb range of that now, but I don’t feel healthy at all. Due to a crazy year healthwise, I’m unable to do a lot of the physical activities I could do before I got sick. My inactivity is turning muscle into fat, so while I’ve been losing weight since January, I feel weak and lame.
I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, but it’s difficult when I don’t have any funds or local, consistent support.

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I absolutely believe in “set points.” A couple years ago I started losing some weight and thought it was because I was running a bit more. Fast forward through a few extra doctor’s appointments and I was diagnosed with CANCER. No joke. So, yea, I lost those last five pounds… and that’s why. Now I’m healthy and in remission and feeling strong. I’m back to my “set point” weight and even though I would like to see that lower number again, I feel like my current weight is just an extra, daily reminder that I’m cancer-free. Yay! :)
Another thing… I think there is also a set point for pregnancy weight gain. I was surprised to gain the same amount with both my pregnancies even though my eating and exercise habits were very different!

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I did scraping on my IT band and hamstrings and recently had it done on my facial muscles/tissue and jaw + upper back and shoulders for my TMJ. YOWZA!

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This one really hit home for me. I have been about 10-15 lbs lighter than I am now, but I had very unhealthy habits of overtraining (which resulted in a pretty serious injury) and binging/purging. It is hard to accept myself now bc I feel like a failure both as a runner and as a woman as I have not been able to “keep it together”. I know inside that even 5 lbs lighter I would not be truly happy bc I have been at that weight & lighter, and still went to unhealthy lengths to push my body and lose more. You are so right about needing to relax and trust that our bodies are where they need/want to be but it is a daily struggle for me. Thanks for this post!

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Janae,
This is SO empowering! I was literally in tears reading your post and all of the comments below from women who are experiencing exactly what I’m going through. Food restriction and obsessive exercise got me down to a skin-and-bones weight, but it came at a price. I developed severe iron deficiency anemia (never had a problem before, and now that my nutrition is on point, my Hgb levels are normal), hyponatremia (from chugging water to distract me from hunger) and of course it stemmed from and also fed back into some serious self-hatred issues. Now that I’m 10 lbs up from my lowest weight, I’m healthier, happier and so much more ready and able to accept who I am.
It’s so important for fitness-loving gals to remember that if we aren’t listening to our bodies, caring for our bodies and loving our fitness, then there really isn’t much of a point to any of this. What good does it do to be a size 00 if we are so full of self-loathing that we can’t enjoy our lives and our relationships?!

THANK YOU for inspiring me to keep living my healthiest life!! :-)

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I couldn’t agree more with the “last 5lbs thing”. I still tend to be self critical to myself sometimes but more about laziness / flabbiness vs what size or weight I am. The word “diet” actually makes me cringe because I would so much prefer healthy choices and taking care of themselves vs. people constantly being hard on themselves and on a “diet”. I love the saying “the road doesn’t care how fast or how far you run – just that you showed up.”

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Great post! Quick question… does Dr. Bennet recommend any doctor in the Portland, OR area that does similar work as he?

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Janae, this was a great thought about the last 5 lbs. I am also back into shape after having Juliet and I know once I reach my goal I will still be thinking those thoughts. I agree, sometimes we do seem to just be fighting our bodies to maintain something that isn’t natural for US. It might be for someone else but our bodies are different. At least mine is. ;) Here’s to finding a healthy balance!

PS, Haven’t been commenting in a long time, life has been a bit crazy for us, but I’ve been ready and am so happy for you to be in your own place and that you are doing so well!

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I love this post! Wise words!

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Yes! I loved this because I tend to forget this too. I worry about those last 5 lbs. I shouldn’t worry about the number on the scale but how my body feels. If I am feeling good, healthy, having good runs and clothes fit comfortably than no need to worry.

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whew when I saw the title of this post I was really concerned but you said the perfect thing :)) I completely agree, I’ve been underweight too and it takes a lottt for me to be that tiny. Life is so much simpler when you settle in at your right weight.

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You are so so right. I fell into this trap twice in my life so far. So much wasted time. Five pounds don’t mean anything in the grand scheme of life. I finally had enough with fighting my body and I’ve easily maintained my weight. My body likes where it’s at.

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Hi there, I’ve recently been following your blog and although this has nothing to do with the “losing 5 more lbs. topic” which I completely agree with, I just have to say I am excited to see that your doctor did the Graston technique on your foot! (That’s what that metal scrapey thing is, isn’t it the best? It hurts so good, right?) I had that done on my foot as well to break up some scar tissue and to help me start running again. Thanks for your posts! I don’t run near as much as you do, but it sure is fun to follow your blog once in awhile. :)

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