(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.

I started from the first day of pre op liquids Which was a little over a week before surgery.

Ok that makes since. I was thinking s*** I'm movin then lol so then 265 from pre op diet start. Why don't I know these things

Yup, me too. Started counting from pre-op liquid diet, which started one week from surgery.

Ok, late to the party & super math-impaired. I think I did it wrong, so I'm asking for help!!

SW: 239

CW: 176

GW: 120

Thanks, GamerGirl!!

I believe that puts at 52% loss zenandnow! If I'm correct lol :-) just thought I'd help GG out with all this math she's been doing for us lol.

Oh, do me, do me. I was just commenting on a fb sleeve forum the other day at how dissapointed I was only losing 22 lbs in 4 mths. Someone then told me I had lost 50% of my excess weight in 4 mths (22 lbs to goal - started lower at 174 - was a band revision). Here's my stats (I'd do it myself but I eeked out a C in college algebra and barely passed college stats):

SW: 248

CW: 152

GW: 130

Oh, do me, do me. I was just commenting on a fb sleeve forum the other day at how dissapointed I was only losing 22 lbs in 4 mths. Someone then told me I had lost 50% of my excess weight in 4 mths (22 lbs to goal - started lower at 174 - was a band revision). Here's my stats (I'd do it myself but I eeked out a C in college algebra and barely passed college stats): SW: 248 CW: 152 GW: 130

Try 81%! How cool is that??

REALLY!! Is this how everyone calculates there weight? I've only been tracking since my surgery date. Sheesh GG your right doesn't matter how I lost it just that I did. K can we do me again??? Pretty please HW at first apt to get stated on my insurance approval in Feb was 278. CW 196 GW 150. Wish I would have thought about the other 29 pounds Before sx. lol Is everyone counting the pre op weight?

Omg! 64%. Count everything! 64%. Almost two-thirds of the way there. How crazy is that?

cheese and Rice....... that's not the number wise % I would have ever thought to be something I could do. Sad as that sounds geesh It's amazing how we think of ourselves huh. Thanks miss GG your so natural finding the right way to see and express things.

Cheese and Rice....... that's not the number wise % I would have ever thought to be something I could do. Sad as that sounds geesh It's amazing how we think of ourselves huh. Thanks miss GG your so natural finding the right way to see and express things.

Well but now I want cheese and rice!

LOL SORRY!!! I just made BBQ Pulled chicken in the crockpot. So Heavenly......but with cheese and rice would be amazing! Sadly I'm not eating the rice yet! I'm having a carb fobia right now when It comes to pasta, breads, rice ect. SNIFF SNIFF not hard dealing but Taco Rice and Cheese (TRC) sound so great! MMMMM Sorry I'll stop not now. Not to turn your topic!!

You mean peonies, as in lovely flowers!

:So sweet!!

...

Starting: 239

Current: 225

Goal: 145

My starting weight 298 my current weight 244. My goal weight is 175. Thanks in advance!

Starting: 239

Current: 225

Goal: 145

you are 15% of the way there already. When were you sleeved?