Friends, as of this morning, I am obese and I am celebrating.
Sounds counter-intuitive, even crazy, doesn’t it?
Not when you look at my history. When I started my journey to wellness and commited to having weight loss surgery, I weighed 386 pounds. At my height, this meant that I had a body mass index (BMI) of 64.2. BMI is the quick determination of obesity. Roughly, here’s how the numbers stack up. Normal weight = BMI of 18.5 – 24.9. Overweight = BMI of 25-29.9. Obesity – 30-39.9. BMI equal or greater than 35 with obesity-related health conditions, or any BMI equal or greater than 40 means morbid obesity. Greater than 45 with health conditions or BMI of 50 means you’re super obese.
A BMI of 64.2 practically needs its own category beyond super obese. Perhaps mega-obese? Modern medicine hasn’t defined it yet.
So, I was super obese. Every time I see the surgeon for a follow up appointment, he recalculates my BMI. He actually does it on his iPhone. Me, I go to one of the numerous free BMI calculators available on the internet.
This morning when I stepped on the scale I was 239 pounds. (I’m closing in on 150 pounds lost! These last 7 pounds have been slow to come off, delayed by the bit of food frolic in which I indulged while on my Hawaii trip.) Today’s weight gave me a BMI of 39.8. My co-morbidities and obesity-related health conditions of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar have resolved, so this puts me out of the morbid obese category into the “merely” obese! Yes, my friends, I say that’s reason to celebrate! Picture me doing a happy dance around my bedroom this morning. Better yet, do it with me.
In the grand scheme of things, this particular number doesn’t mean anything. I still need to lose more weight. Sixty pounds from now when I weigh 179 I’ll leave obesity behind and join the world of the overweight with a BMI lower than 30. My doctor wants me to go to at least 166. He says that I’ll gain some weight when I transition to maintenance so going lower will give me room to gain a few pounds and still not tip back over the line into obesity. Thank God he isn’t hammering at me to get to normal weight. The thought of losing all of the way to 149 pounds is more than my mind can wrap around.
So how do I plan to celebrate today’s milestone accomplishment? Well, I’m not breaking out cake and ice cream, that’s for sure. I prepared a healthy lunch to bring to work — homemade egg salad and some hummus in romaine lettuce wraps. I also have a navel orange for an afternoon snack. Tonight, it’s Zumba class and a walk with the dogs. I’m partying in my heart and spirit instead of with food, plus I’m celebrating it here with you.
Woohoo!
Weighty Matters 
Congrats!!! 😀
Congratulations! I did a happy dance when I made it to “overweight”; I know EXACTLY how you feel.
I have to get to something like 153 to qualify as “healthy”. I’m in the mid 160’s and there are days when I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. And if I never make it to “healthy”, I won’t care a bit. I’m just doing what I’ve been doing and if my body wants to lose more weight, I’ll let it, so long as it doesn’t go too low. I like a little extra padding as a reserve against illness.
Go, You! Your progress is inspiring!
This is wonderful news, and your happiness really shines through your words. Your activity level is really impressive.
I was practicing yodelling in the car today, so in honour of your accomplishments, here’s a yodel for you–what? you can’t hear it? I’ll have to work harder on that.
Simply put, you rock!
Wow, Susanne. I was out walking the dogs and couldn’t pinpoint the source of the yodeling. Now I know!!
I can’t believe I did something you mentioned a couple blogs ago. I downloaded the BMI calculator and instead of putting 237 I put 337! I was so bummed at first calculation to see I was still morbidly obese until I looked at it again to see what j would be at 200.! Whew. What a relief when I realized I had typed in wrong number.
See, Susie? Those typos happen. You’re doing great. Keep going!
Congratulations! Mary! That is an awesome accomplishment and I’m so happy for you. Keep on keeping on…I know it must seem tiresome at times but you’re doing great.
Yay! Very happy for you! You have made so very much progress. I love to read the enthusiasm and optimism and appreciation you have for all of this. It’s just a pleasure to follow your journey with you.
So excited for you! I am doing a happy dance right now for you!!! You go girl, I am still so inspired and grateful for all that you do for me and everyone that follows you. Thanks for the humor too!