to think it’s a bit depressing how little you can eat when you’re short?

Im 5ft 2 and I cant really eat over 1200 cal without weight gain

My 30s were thrown off by having a baby at 34 then losing loads of lbs breastfeeding, but I reckon around age 38 my metabolism slowed right down. I'm 41.

I'm 5ft1 and have never thought about it tbh. Middle age had had more of an effect on weight gain than my height tbh.

it's actually crazy how much nice food there is everywhere and how easy it is to put on weight :(

Yeah, I find the same. I think it's most difficult in terms of pre-prepared portion sizes because although of course my appetite is smaller than someone larger, a biscuit or a slice of bread is the same size for everyone. So if I eat one biscuit, that's a bigger proportion of my daily allowance than if my tall friend eats one biscuit.

Similarly, if DH and I buy a sandwich each in a coffee shop, we can both manage to eat our whole sandwich - a normal sandwich isn't a huge portion, even for a small woman - but I've eaten more than I need without realising.

If I eat over 1200 I put on weight. Im 5 ft and 50. Im not sedentary but I don't do exercise. Work ft, single parent to two, I don't have time or headspace. There's not a lot of wriggle room in what I eat between satiety and too much.

Look at it another way..,. Food is ridiculously expensive. It’s just fuel. you’d be happy if your car had a smaller tank than others but still did the same distance and speed.
You’re saving money. Start totting it up and then treat yourself to something nice like a beauty treatment.

At what age did everyone start gaining weight more easily? I’m 35 and 5ft- I’m wondering how many years I have left eating what I want!

It isn't just about appetite. It's about someone bringing treats to work and asking if anyone will go halves on a donut with you. Or buying a supermarket sandwich and eating half and try to wrap up the rest to have for later. It requires consistently saying no or going against societal expectations, that's hard. Many foods available to us arent really possible to fit in to a low calorie diet even in moderation. The environment we're in and the food options we have around us have a big impact.

First comment has it. Agree with this.

I am 5ft 3 and cannot eat anywhere near as much as most people bigger than me. I don’t find it restrictive at all as I physically can’t eat more. Perhaps due to body type and metabolism more than height but makes sense that bigger people need to eat more.

Definitely the health issues don't help!

I don't enjoy exercise much any more and have torn rotator cuffs in my shoulders and bad knees from skating when I was younger (LOVED that!).

I do belong to a gym but am limited - even recently swimming was ruled out by the physio because it was aggravating the knees, and just constantly advised "gentle exercise and rest". EVEN MORE BORING.

Kids trainers and leg room is absolutely a perk I used to be able to wear kids clothes back in the dark ages 😀

Yes. I'm 5ft3. I've taken up running 3 times a week (around 10 miles total) so I can actually eat some crisps and have a pint on a weekend.

My best friend who’s 5 ft 2 has been a size 18-20 for years. She loves her food however. She’s dieted and lost almost 2 stone recently just by healthier eating and Pilates every day. Over lockdown she got to a size 14 but was walking 30 mins every day too.

Her mum who she lives with is just under 5ft and about a size 6-8, she doesn’t like big meals, often biscuits and cheese.

5ft 1in and I agree and it gets more difficult as you get older. I have some chronic health issues so I can’t get much dog walking done at the moment.
Being able to buy children’s trainers and being comfortable in an air line seat are the only positives I can think about being a shortie?

You could focus on having the most interesting and varied food when you do eat. Portions generally are far too big now and it’s definitely skewed what we perceive as a normal amount of food

Mine is only £24.99 a month and that's for a 24 hour gym and all classes.

Isn’t height just one factor with all this? Obviously current weight is another, a lighter person would need fewer calories than a heavier person to maintain their weight. I’m tall(ish) but fairly light and have the same issue with being careful with calories. I would likely need the same calories even if I was 8 inches shorter and the same weight. The difference would be body composition. I would also say activity levels are key and a sedentary person would need fewer calorie than an active person. So it’s all relative really.

It's also to do with hormones. Men lose weight far more easily than women for good biological reasons. Absolutely infuriating all the same!

I quite like cycling, and the kids do too, maybe we could force a bike ride every weekend. Squats sounds tedious, but I guess needs must. Should definitely check out Caroline Girvan as I have heard her name mentioned before.

We do have a rowing machine, but nowhere to put it at the moment after downsizing.

Thank you.

😂😂😂

@FallenNight get yourself an exercise bike and work on your leg muscles first. Do minimum 45 mins a daily. Increase the bike resistsnce as you get stronger.
Squats, squats and more squats. Build up your quads and glutes.
All can be achieved at home. Consistent daily exercise is vital.

I started doing Caroline Girvan workouts last year and love them. I pay about £10 a month for her app and started with the beginner programme on there which is slow and steady and teaches you the correct form for movements (don't start with the beginner on youtube, it's not actually a beginner programme it's just an introduction to one of her more strenuous programmes for people who already lift). I started out with some 5kg dumbbells I bought from Aldi and it's made a massive difference. I think there's a long running thread on mumsnet somewhere of people who follow her workouts