(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.

By the way, VERY smart way of approaching this weight loss thing!!!

Thank you! I've been wanting to post on this for a while. Took me a bit to figure out how to lay it out without coming across as quite the nerd that I am

I like nerds

Oh and I didn't keep a month to month count of loss.. But next Wednesday is my year anniversary. So I didn't make goal at a year but I'm going g to cut some slack to myself and say good girl

Be all the nerd you wanna be!!! I sooo needed this, cuz idk it's just been so hard of late. Thankya, Dr Nerd ;-P

I like nerds Oh and I didn't keep a month to month count of loss.. But next Wednesday is my year anniversary. So I didn't make goal at a year but I'm going g to cut some slack to myself and say good girl

YAAY! You've done great, IMHO!! And you're definitely a help to us peons!

YAAY! You've done great, IMHO!! And you're definitely a help to us peons!

You mean peonies, as in lovely flowers!

I am feeling super successful!

SW 210

CW 133

GW 130

3 pounds to my goal what must that be 98% ? in 10 months! YEA

It always comes back to peonies with you, Laura.

Here ya go!

Start weight 293

Current weight 227

Goal Weight 160

I'm one of those people who say they have "only lost" 33lbs. I know it's silly to complain. But I know there is nothing else I can do differently and I have been at the same weight for almost a month. (I'm concerned that I have lost all that I am going to lose)

Sleeved on October 4th

Start Weight: 217lbs

Day of Surgery: 203lbs

Current Weight: 184lbs

I like nerds Oh and I didn't keep a month to month count of loss.. But next Wednesday is my year anniversary. So I didn't make goal at a year but I'm going g to cut some slack to myself and say good girl

Well Laura you've also set your goal a lot lower than some others who reached goal but had a higher goal weight so that's part of it too, right? But even if you hadn't, you should still say good girl. The difference between 84% and 100% is meaningful personally for you, but from a health perspective and a "hot mama" perspective I'm guessing its negligible. So congrats!!

Here ya go! Start weight 293 Current weight 227 Goal Weight 160

49%! So almost half-way there. Good for you.

I'm one of those people who say they have "only lost" 33lbs. I know it's silly to complain. But I know there is nothing else I can do differently and I have been at the same weight for almost a month. (I'm concerned that I have lost all that I am going to lose) Sleeved on October 4th Start Weight: 217lbs Day of Surgery: 203lbs Current Weight: 184lbs

What do you want to be at goal weight?

You are really awesome, GG

Please help me! Starting weight was 253.4 surgery weight (4weeks later) 237.7, current weight 182.4 goal weight 150. Then maybe 130

I am so jealous of how quickly you are losing. How have you already lost 55 pounds?? I was sleeved 9/16, and I've only lost 21! Would you mind sending me a PM with your average daily food intake and exercise? I'd REALLY appreciate it!!

Laura-ven, I have an even 100lbs to lose also... SW 240 CW 202 GW 140 So I guess that makes 38% loss? I'm 6 weeks out. Now I'd like to know the average % of loss in certain stages (after how long). :-)

I read your stats and I'm further convinced I'm a slow loser and fearful I will never reach goal. My surgery weight was 239. My current weight is 218. I'm seven weeks out. Surely I must be doing something wrong. DEPRESSING