(if you can't see this post without a bunch of extra HTML code, go here: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/you-may-be-doing-better-than-you-think/)

Or math games geeks play.

So I see people posting how they’ve lost a lot less than those who were sleeved the same day as them. “I’m 3 months out and I’ve only lost X but everyone else has lost so much more than me.” Theoretically we all understand that if someone has a lot to lose, they will lose faster than someone who has less to lose.

But here’s an example to make it real. There’s me, with 80 lbs to lose, and there’s my friend Emily who has 180 lbs to lose. Mine are actual results, and I made up the results for Emily.

Wow, I’m doing really badly. I’ve “only” lost 35 lbs in 3 months and Emily has lost 79 lbs! Obviously, I’m failing.

But you want to know a secret? I didn’t entirely make up Emily’s numbers. Look at the picture below. Can you guess what I did?

Yup. I messed around with the numbers until Emily had lost exactly the same as I had in terms of percent excess weight to lose. I have 80 lb. to lose, she has 180 lb. to lose. In order for her to match me for percent of excess weight lost, she has to lose considerably more than I do during the same time period.

Poor Emily is having to work a lot harder to get the same results I am. And what do you know, I'm doing just fine.

This is why I strongly believe that we should move away from total pounds lost, and move to percent excess weight lost to gauge where we are in our journeys.

Here’s how to calculate your %EWL:

• [Total weight lost/(Starting weight - Goal Weight)]*100
  
• [35/(230-150)]*100
  
• (35/80)*100
  
• =44%
  

Who knew Math could make you feel better hunh?

Btw, if you're total math phobic, give me your start weight, your current weight, and your goal weight and I will do this for you.

Hi Dr. U - math whiz!

Here's mine:

Start weight: 253

Current weight: 179

Goal weight: 150

Thanks for doing this :-)

How tall where u?

Hi Dr. U - math whiz!

Here's mine:

Start weight: 253

Current weight: 179

Goal weight: 150

Thanks for doing this :-)

How tall were u?

I can't see the formula, can you repost it for me please (loads of code) My stats : Highest weight 318 Current 261 Goal 147

You are 33% or a those of the way there! How long ago were you sleeved?

You are 33% or a those of the way there! How long ago were you sleeved?

Yay! That makes this 20 day stall seem more bearable. Was sleeved October 2nd, so 6 or 7 weeks

Yay! That makes this 20 day stall seem more bearable. Was sleeved October 2nd, so 6 or 7 weeks

You're doing very well then! if the stall is getting to you, amuse yourself by reading some of the articles I posted here that explain WHY stalls happen.

http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/this-is-a-public-service-announcement-regarding-weight-loss-stalls-and-plateaus/