(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.

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

44%! Almost half way.

Thank You!!!

This is so right on. I thought I was a slow loser then I went to my 6 week appointment and I am actually losing at ABOVE average. Ive lost 17% of my excess body weight!

Gamegirl I love that you can do the math with ease.....me, total math phobe!

Can you play the same game with excess weight to loose?

I'm early in my progress, starting my Kaiser Options classes next week, for 12 weeks, won't be able to schedule surgery until sometime in February. They require us to lose 10% of our current weight before surgery.

But I'm curious as to what my excess weight to loose is.....

CW: 244

Goal: 130

Gamegirl I love that you can do the math with ease.....me, total math phobe! Can you play the same game with excess weight to loose? I'm early in my progress, starting my Kaiser Options classes next week, for 12 weeks, won't be able to schedule surgery until sometime in February. They require us to lose 10% of our current weight before surgery. But I'm curious as to what my excess weight to loose is..... CW: 244 Goal: 130

Well to lose 10% of your weight, you'd have to lose about 24 lbs. but when you reach your goal? You're going to be about half the woman you are now, so to speak. You will have lost 46% of your starting weight. How incredible is that? Nothing you own now will come close to fitting you then. You know that, right? Clotjes, underwear, belts, nighties, many of your shoes, none of it will fit. It will twe times too big. Get ready to shop like a mad woman

GG, you are such a star! Ok here are my stats with my new goal

Start weight 223

Surgery weight 207

Current weight 144

New goal 136

Thanks

GG, you are such a star! Ok here are my stats with my new goal Start weight 223 Surgery weight 207 Current weight 144 New goal 136 Thanks

92%!! Woo hoo! Home stretch. So you're lowering your goal weight?

Omg, thanks!!!!!!

Yup, planning to have boob job in the new year, which should take 3-4 lbs off. Felt I could go a bit further weightwise so after surgery that should leave me about 7-8lbs to go to my new goal. But am doing it one pound at a time... Dietician warned that I may get to a point where I look too scrawny but I wanted to get within the healthy BMI range...

Can't quite believe I am almost there - can't believe 92% !!!!! Thanks for this, think you have singlehanded given reassurance to us all. And you really are looking fab x

Tried to edit my last post to say "singlehandedly" but edit wouldn't work :-( Just being pedantic :-)

Following gamergirl's awesome lead on this topic, I created a webapp that does the calculations for you. Now you can check your own progress as you lose. Enjoy.

http://bea.amaya.com/PercentEWL.html

Following gamergirl's awesome lead on this topic, I created a webapp that does the calculations for you. Now you can check your own progress as you lose. Enjoy.

http://bea.amaya.com/PercentEWL.html

That's awesome! Thank you :-)

Holy eff - I'm at 72%, help me understand, is that as awesome as I think it is? I am at 72% excess weight lost? wow, thank you, you just really really improved my mood.

Thanks for your post .. if i did the math correct i have lost 83%

Okay....hit me with the facts gamergirl!

Starting weight - 380

Current weight - 204

Goal weight - 170

Nov. 6th was one year that I was sleeved!!!!!!!

Gamergirl, maybe you should upload a simple spreadsheet to Dropbox or something