Over 40 percent of American women are now "defined" as obese, according to recent research.
We say that in quotes because, no, a BMI (body mass index) of 30 of more does not define beauty or intelligence or talent or individual health risks—and it especially doesn't define worth.
What numbers like BMI can do, however, is show an important trend: Women are becoming obese in greater numbers and at a faster rate than men—and public health professionals are concerned. They're not the only ones. Women themselves are concerned and, contrary to what some people out there might think, it's not just because they want to conform to a certain standard of beauty.
With these women's weight-loss goals also come challenges. And, yes, someone trying to lose half her body weight will have a very different weight-loss experience compared to someone who is trying to drop 15 pounds, says Rachel Goldman, Ph.D, clinical psychologist in NYC specializing in health and wellness and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine. For these women—and maybe you, too—reaching big weight-loss goals requires evaluating every aspect of life, both physical and emotional. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)
So, we talked to five awesome women who are trying to lose 50 pounds or more. We asked them about their goals, their journeys so far, and what they wished others knew. What they had to say will make you reevaluate both your own goals, and how you support other women trying to reach their weight-loss goals.
It's not about fitting into a pair of jeans, it's about not dying
Goal: To lose 50-plus pounds and improve her health
"I'm a mom to a 6-year-old son and, as morbid as it may sound, I realized that if I want to be healthy and alive for him for a long time, then I need to lose weight," says Cyndi Suckow, of Denver, Colorado. Because her primary focus is her health, rather than a certain number or size, she gets frustrated when people don't take her weight-loss goals seriously.
"When one has come to a point where they are trying to lose 50-plus pounds, it no longer becomes a matter of 'Oh, I’m trying to squeeze into this pair of jeans' or 'I want to trim down for a special event'," she explains. "For me, it's a matter of I don't want to get diabetes or heart disease. The stakes are a lot higher for me than for people with less weight to lose."
This is especially difficult, she says, when people push unhealthy foods on her or tease her about being a "stick in the mud" for sticking to her Weight Watchers points plan—especially when junk food is served at almost every gathering, meeting, and public function. "I need people to be supportive, not a saboteurs," she says.
Related: 'How I Lost 300 Pounds Without Living In The Gym'
Losing weight is just one step in helping me achieve bigger life goals
Goal: To lose 80 pounds and get off her medications
After five heartbreaking years of trying to have a baby, Jasmine Snyder, of Victoria, British Columbia, got some devastating news. "I found out my excess weight had rendered me sterile; it was heartbreaking to know I would never have kids," she explains.
Now, she's working to regain control of her life and find fulfillment, and losing weight is just one part of that. She is working to combat the depression that has stemmed from the news of her infertility, learning to prioritize time with her wonderful husband, training with a personal trainer, and working on integrating more activity into her daily life.
And she has learned to celebrate all of her accomplishments, however small, along the way. "It's not the big, obvious things like running a marathon that make the difference, but the incremental gains and short jogs that got you there," she says. And it's working. She's already down 40 pounds.
Related: Jillian Michaels Says These 6 Easy Tips Will Help You Lose Weight Like You're On 'The Biggest Loser'
I Love The Person I'm Becoming
Goal: To lose an additional 100 pounds
Losing 100 pounds sounds daunting to many people, but Brittany Staires is confident she can do it—because she already has. Last year the Austin, Texas, woman lost her first 100 pounds using Weight Watchers and Orangetheory workouts, and so she knows she's on the right track to lose the last 100 pounds.
"I want to be the best person I can be, to be proud of the person and woman that I am," she says. "I also want to be able to walk the hall at work and not be out of breath. I want to play with my nieces and not have to stop after a few minutes. I want to travel the world and not have to fly using a seatbelt extender."
That said, she wishes that others understood what a long, exhausting journey weight loss can be. "I'm constantly trying to find new ways to motivate and inspire myself," she says. "I look in the mirror and see a completely new person. I stay motivated by committing and rededicating myself to my goals every day." It's hard, but it's so worth it. "I love the person I'm becoming!" she adds.
Check out Mama June's incredible weight loss transformation:
Losing Weight Isn't The Solution to Every Problem
Goal: Lose 60 pounds and get back to her pre-pregnancy weight
After having her first baby, Kasandra Raux of West Babylon, New York was surprised to discover how difficult it was to lose the pregnancy weight. Even though she worked with a dietitian, she still wasn't able to get down to her pre-pregnancy weight before becoming pregnant with her second child.
She's due to give birth again any second (good luck Kasandra!!) and she's already making plans for what to do next. But she also knows to be patient and that, at this point in her life, other things are important, too.
"I know it’ll be hard while adjusting to being a family of four—while being a working mom with a toddler and a newborn," she says. "So I’m not going to rush it. There’s so much pressure on new moms to bounce back to being skinny but it doesn't always work like that."
She adds that she's currently in therapy, another key tool in her weight-loss plan. "People think all their issues will magically go away when they lose weight, but that isn't true at all."
Related: 6 Things You’ll Have to Give Up if You Want to Lose Weight FOR GOOD
I Wish Others Would Help Keep Me Accountable
Goal: To get to 165 pounds and/or a size 12
Meghan Simecek lost 80 pounds in 2012. Unfortunately, though, she gained it all back.
"The thing that has surprised me the most is how hard it is to just get started this time," says the Houston, Texas native. "Six years ago, I was able to work out twice a day, eat super clean, and lose weight. This time, it's all I can do to fit in my workouts and choose cleaner foods. I often find myself halfway through a 'mistake' before remembering that I'm trying to make healthier choices."
She needs help. Both to lose the weight, and to keep it off this time, she says. She wishes that the people in her life would remind her of her goals and help to keep her accountable. "I'm not sure if I can this on my own," she says.
