Are you short (no more than 5.2"), at least 50 yo and have managed to lose weight?

[BloggersNetwork]

If so I'd love to hear how you've done it. I started keto 4 months ago, I've been 85% religious about it, no alcohol, sugar, anything processed, starches, etc. I am exercising a bit (e.g. 30 min jog every other day, the shred a couple times a week and some weights thrown in the mix), but my scales haven't budged. Yes I have noticed some changes in my body and some clothes feel a little loose, but not that much in relation to the sacrifice and effort. I have a stone and a half to lose.

[missyB1]

Hi I’m a tiny bit taller (5ft 3). I lost a stone in the last 12 months by doing 16/8 intermittent fasting. I do it 4 days a week and eat between midday and 8pm. I was also swimming 3-4 times a week before lockdown.

[GreyBudgie]

Are you counting calories? I 'm your height, 57 years old and have lost 2kg over about 4 weeks on 1400 calories per day.

[Fanthorpe]

Bloggers I only lose weight if I calorie count, do at least 10,000 steps a day ( half of which at a too-fast-to-hold-a-conversation pace), drink plenty of water and get good sleep. I can’t go much over 1200 cals and two meals a day. I need my head to be in the right place though which it definitely isn’t at the moment.

[fishonabicycle]

I'm 5 foot, 55, and lost about 6 kilos maybe 4 years ago counting calories and weight training (to improve my shape).

[BloggersNetwork]

Thank you everyone. I guess I need to be honest with myself and consider that even though I am not eating large amounts (and I'm really not), the increased fat demand of Keto might have pushed my calories up.

What sort of weight training would you recommend?

[modernfemininity]

I am in your category!
I have lost 1/2 a stone by low carbing : avoiding white and beige carbs most of the time and also doing the 5:2 (two days fasting a week and having only one lowish carb veggie meal and one snack on those two days).

The 5:2 fits for me to make up for any portion size errors, carb errors/desires or party events I might have on other days of the week.

For you-A stone and a half is not too much (though will I am sure make a huge difference) and you are doing all the right things!!!! I reckon you have built muscle (weighs more) and changed shape but your Portion Sizes maybe need adjusting downwards, for the calories you burn.

Also menopause messes up your hormones. My boobs are the biggest they’ve ever been! (. ) ( .)

[BackwardsGoing]

Tell us about the other 15%....

[modernfemininity]

For all of us shorties it’s the 15% that is the problem. That’s one day in every seven.

Bigger women can have pie and chips, or a lasagne and wine, and still be inside their TDEE .... but our small height, weight, size and age, means we need to eat less than average.
It is horrible to learn this.

[BloggersNetwork]

Tell us about the other 15%....

Ha ha, excellent question.

The 15% encompasses the following:

days I truthfully don't remember, where chances are my eating has been disorganised (but not necessarily bad) because I am very busy wfh. This means that I probably haven't eating leafy vegetables which require prepping.

a daily diet coke

a piece of 85% dark chocolate with a handful of brazil nuts

no exercise

cream, yes actual cream, in my coffee

not enough fluids

[BackwardsGoing]

That's not too bad.

For me (5'2", nearly 47) I have to cut out all alcohol and all sugar for a month to lose weight. I'm also very active at the moment (8 miles of open water swimming, 2 sessions of weight training a week). I have a normal BMI but had a fat-ish middle.

I was very convinced by Gary Taubes "Why we get fat". Have you read it?

[BloggersNetwork]

I have not had alcohol or sweeties, ice cream, cakes biscuits or savoury snacks since lockdown. I don't ear bread, pasta, rice or potatoes. I don't eat processed food.

Being short is pants.

[modernfemininity]

You are so right Bloggers !!!! Being short is pants!

Have you actually eaten less than you were eating before?

I ate a lot during lockdown - cakes and wine and pies - and have only cut down in July. I have lost a bit. Why haven’t you lost weight? (I sympathise sooo sooo much, more than you know).

[BackwardsGoing]

Don't give up! Maybe body measurements will give you more motivation I'd you say your clothes are looser.

Are your scales accurate/reliable?

[BloggersNetwork]

I have eaten way less and so much cleaner. I have not been snacking either.
Don't get me wrong. There's some visible change, but really nowhere near proportional to the level of effort, and the scales haven't budged.

[Fanthorpe]

People laugh when I say I don’t eat much, but I really don’t. Being short means you don’t need as much as an average person. I think people think I’m a secret eater, or deluded. I’m just short!

[Smellybluecheese]

Being short really is pants. I am 5 foot nothing and 47. I lost some weight last year on low carb 800 calories a day. It went straight back on afterwards. It's hard to accept we can't eat like a standard sized person. I've just started calorie counting again but I'm trying 1200 a day this time (this has worked for me in the past but I was 15 years younger). I also need to lose about 1.5 stones. I find it hard as I have a young DD who is a very fussy eater and basically only eats carbs. And it is a massive pain having to make 2 (or 3) separate meals every time. So low carbing takes an enormous amount of effort. Hence the calorie counting this time. Which is also a pain! Good luck. I feel your pain.

[modernfemininity]

I am losing weight again by cc & fasting but I have been here before.... I lost a stone and put it back on.
I am still in the healthy band - going from 8st 3 to 9st 3 is okay on the chart - but I look dreadful in a bikini over 9 st and my jeans don’t fit and I get a double chin.
I am going to aim to be 8st to give me some flex.

Has anyone lost weight and kept it off?

[Mostlikely]

Hi OP. I'm (almost) 5'3" and I lost over two stone a couple of years ago. It took me about two years, sometimes losing only a pound a month! I just plodded away at a healthy diet, with some walking and swimming, and I stopped eating after 6.00pm, unless for a special occasion. I also have a treat of some kind every weekend - something to look forward to if I'm having a bad day.
I did have to accept that my body just doesn't need as much food as a tall person's body. And that includes everything. Even treats have to be in proportion to me! My slice of cake is never as big as my husband's, but why would it be? There's not so much of me to fill. It took me a while to recognise that though.

[threecats333]

I think after 4 months trying keto you can say it doesn't work for you. Try something else - calorie count/5:2. I don't think low carb works for everybody. I have had a month of no sugar and no alcohol and lost nothing.... I'm doing it slowly trying no snacks and smaller portion size and limited wine, I've lost 4lbs in 2 weeks. I will add 5:2 soon once weight loss stops.

I find calorie counting tiresome unless you buy ready meals or eat the same things everyday. I don't buy convenience foods so trying to work out calories is a complete pain. I last a few days and give up. Any tips to make it easier!

50+ and short is not fun. If I didn't have teenagers who eat loads and bake all the time it would be easier!

[huuunderickssss]

I'm 5 foot and 46.. I've lost 2 stone in lockdown with SlimmingWorld .

[SqidgeBum]

My mom lost 4 stone at the age of 52, dropped from a size 16 to a 10, and has kept it off by doing slimming world. It did take about a year. She tried every diet under the sun since having me and my sis nearly 30 years ago, but nothing worked for her until she stuck to SW like it was law. It was a complete diet and lifestyle change.