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Numbers to Know on Your Weight Loss Journey

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Losing weight is like math class—there are a lot of numbers you become familiar with on your journey. But what do they all mean, and just how much should you pay attention to them? 

Below, we explore some measurements and lingo you may encounter on your journey (and how to use them for success).

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) number is an important one to know on your weight loss journey and is commonly used by healthcare providers to help determine if someone should medically lose weight. BMI takes into consideration a person’s height and weight in order to categorize them as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. You can learn your BMI from your healthcare provider or use an online calculator for a quick estimate. 

BMI can be also used to determine if a prescription weight loss medication could be a good fit for someone. For example, someone would need a BMI of 30 kg/m2 (or 27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related medical issue) to be prescribed CONTRAVE by their healthcare provider. 

Side note: The American Medical Association has recently gone public acknowledging the limitations of the BMI scale; namely, that the BMI scale may not always account for differences across ethnicities, sex, and age. It also doesn't account for fat versus muscle mass. It’s important to note that BMI is just one of many measurements and numbers you may come across.

Starting Weight (SW), Current Weight (CW), and Goal Weight (GW)
A person’s starting and goal weights are the weight they weigh when they first begin their weight loss journey and the weight they want to be at, respectively. Knowing these two numbers can help someone, along with their healthcare provider, plan how much weight they should aim to safely lose over a specific amount of time.

These are both deeply personal numbers that can be informed by many different factors. If you’re active in any online weight loss communities, you may see people use these numbers (along with the abbreviations SW//GW) when giving updates about their journey. Current Weight (CW) is also used to set context. You can also use starting weight and goal weight to connect with people in a similar place on the weight loss journey.

Waist Circumference
Wrapping a tape measure around your waist isn’t just something you do when getting clothes fitted—it can be an additional measurement of weight loss and health progress. Waist circumference is used by healthcare providers to estimate the amount of excess visceral fat on the body. 

This specific kind of belly fat is associated with more adverse health effects, such as insulin resistance and high blood pressure. This belly fat is often the first to go when someone begins significantly losing weight, leading some people to see bigger initial changes in their waist size measurement than what the scale says (especially if you’ve been exercising and gaining muscle).

Body Fat Percentage
Another weight loss measurement alternative to pounds lost is the change in body fat percentage. All bodies, even the most healthy and/or athletic, have some level of fat. Fat is essential to cushioning our bodies and protecting our organs, but too much of it can have adverse effects on health. In this way, it’s almost more important to lose fat than just pounds.

You can measure body fat percentage using a specific type of caliper, through a specialty body scan, or using an online calculator. Once you have your body fat measurements, your healthcare provider can offer up more information on how much body fat you can (or should) aim to lose.

CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) and Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)  
The classic method of weight loss is to track the number of calories you consume (Calories In) versus the calories you burn off through exercise (Calories Out)—and when the “calories in” is less than the “calories out,” you should be able to lose weight. But say you’re aiming on eating 1600 calories a day. Does that mean you need to exercise off 1700 calories? 

That’s where the concept of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) comes in. TDEE is the number of calories you burn each day that takes into consideration not just any regular exercise you’re doing, but also your basal metabolic rate (or the amount of energy it takes your body to do the things it needs to survive, such as breathing, muscle contractions, and digesting food). Using an online TDEE calculator, you and your healthcare provider can see recommended calorie intakes and adjust your eating plan based on that information.


Keeping track of your progress using any of the above concepts can help show you a new perspective on your weight loss journey. The ways to think about success aren’t always found on the scale, and there’s so much that a weight loss journey can teach you about your body. These measurements are just the beginning! 

 

CON-1746-001 08/23
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is CONTRAVE?
See More

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
See More

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

What is CONTRAVE?
See More

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is CONTRAVE?
See Less

CONTRAVE can cause serious side effects including:
Suicidal thoughts or actions: One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE is bupropion. Bupropion has caused some people to have suicidal thoughts or actions or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking medicines used to treat depression. Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. If you already have depression or other mental illnesses, taking bupropion may cause it to get worse, especially within the first few months of treatment.

While taking CONTRAVE, you or your family members should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when you start taking CONTRAVE or when your dose changes.

Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family members notice any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking; other unusual changes in behavior or mood; trouble sleeping.

CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18.

Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL, APLENZIN and ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder called anorexia or bulimia; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy), benzodiazepines, or anti‐seizure medicines and stop using them all of a sudden; are taking or have taken medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days; or are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you have: depression or other mental illnesses; attempted suicide; seizures; head injury; tumor or infection of brain or spine; low blood sugar or low sodium; liver or kidney problems; high blood pressure; heart attack, heart problems, or stroke; eating disorder; drinking a lot of alcohol; prescription medicine or street drug abuse; are 65 or older; diabetes; pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

CONTRAVE may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Seizures. There is a risk of having a seizure when you take CONTRAVE. The risk of seizure is higher in people who take higher doses of CONTRAVE, have certain medical conditions, or take CONTRAVE with certain other medicines. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking CONTRAVE unless your healthcare provider has said it is okay to take them. If you have a seizure while taking CONTRAVE, stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider right away.
  • Risk of opioid overdose. Do not take large amounts of opioids, including opioid-containing medicines, such as heroin or prescription pain pills, to try to overcome the opioid-blocking effects of naltrexone. This can lead to serious injury, coma, or death.

    Get emergency medical help right away if you take opioids and you:

    • have trouble breathing
    • become very drowsy with slowed breathing
    • have slow, shallow breathing
    • feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms
  • Sudden opioid withdrawal. People who take CONTRAVE must not use any type of opioid including street drugs, prescription pain medicines, cough, cold, or diarrhea medicines that contain opioids, or opioid dependence treatments, for at least 7 to 10 days before starting CONTRAVE. Using opioids in the 7 to 10 days before you start taking CONTRAVE may cause you to suddenly have symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you take it. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be severe, and you may need to go to the hospital. Tell your healthcare provider you are taking CONTRAVE before a medical procedure or surgery.
  • Severe allergic reactions. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
  • Increases in blood pressure or heart rate. Some people may get high blood pressure or have a higher heart rate when taking CONTRAVE. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start taking, and while you take CONTRAVE.
  • Liver damage or hepatitis. Stop taking CONTRAVE and tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems: stomach area pain lasting more than a few days, dark urine, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, or tiredness. Your healthcare provider may need to stop treating you with CONTRAVE if you get signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem.
  • Manic episodes. Bupropion can cause some people who were manic or depressed in the past to become manic or depressed again.
  • Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Signs and symptoms may include: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for angle‐closure glaucoma and to get treatment to prevent it if you are at risk.
  • Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also take medicines to treat their diabetes (such as insulin or sulfonylureas). You should check your blood sugar before you start taking CONTRAVE and while you take CONTRAVE.

The most common side effects of CONTRAVE include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and diarrhea. These are not all of the possible side effects of CONTRAVE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is CONTRAVE?

CONTRAVE is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help some adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, lose weight and keep the weight off.

CONTRAVE should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

It is not known if CONTRAVE changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke.

It is not known if CONTRAVE is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products.

CONTRAVE is not approved to treat depression or other mental illnesses, or to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation).

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for CONTRAVE.

This website—including the contents and claims—is intended only for residents of the United States ages 18 and over.

CONTRAVE® and GET CONTRAVE NOW® are registered trademarks of Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC.

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CON-1442-001 11/22