Can I realistically be 8 stone in my 40s?

[MissBlueskies]

I am 5 ft 1 and around 11st 4 pounds. I would love to be 8 stone as I think this would be the right weight for my height. I've spoken to a couple of friends who say that it would be really hard to achieve this given my age (41) and the fact I've had a baby fairly recently (well two years ago). I'm wondering if I should rule out ever getting to this weight, given my circumstances and aim for maybe around 9 stone? I've definitely noticed that it is so much harder to lose weight since I reached my 40s and after having a baby. Can anyone advise? Thank you.

I don't think the age is the barrier. I have a friend that age and that weight (I am guessing). She is very petite and it is the natural weight for her. I couldn't reach that weight easily (and don't want to).

I'm 42, 5ft 1 and weigh 7 stone 13. I don't have children but it is hard to maintain and if I put on a few pounds I feel awful and sluggish. I run five times a week or do exercise classes. I'm not really bothered about cakes or sweets but I love savoury stuff but I do have to be disciplined. I also like a drink or two. The weight piles on quickly if I don't exercise.

That's a bmi of 21. Perfectly doable but probably harder to maintain than it was when you were younger. I'm taller so weigh more but find a bmi of 21 ideal. I'm also 41 and had a baby three years ago. My bmi is stuck at 22.5 and I'm finding it hard to get below that.

I don't think age is a barrier to getting there either - it's just whether you would look good at that weight which you'll only know if you get there.
I'm in my 50s, 5'6 and have recently gone from 12st6 to 9st12. It's the lowest weight I've been since school! But still only a 22ish BMI. But - I'm looking pretty skinny on my top half, very bony neck area and lost a lot of my boobs. Bottom half has obviously lost weight too but still have a big bum (which I don't mind) and a flabby stomach (which I do).
I'm going to keep going for a little longer to see if the flab does eventually go, but will stop if my top half gets any skinnier. So yeah - I could probably get to 9st and 8st3 is the lowest 'healthy weight' I could go for (BMI 18) but I suspect that would have me looking like I have an eating disorder.

Robinia that's just what I found with my shape. I think I'm probably best to get to just under the highest healthy bmi weight and then work on toning up.

You might be setting yourself up to fail by aiming for such a big weight loss.

I would suggest breaking it down into small steps; losing a couple of pounds a week or half a stone in a month?

Concentrate on how you'll feel better in yourself and avoid obsessing about what the scales say. Weighing yourself once a week is plenty enough.

Think of it as a permanent change in eating habits, rather than a restrictive diet and allow yourself occasional treats.

If you've been around 8 stone before, it's achievable but break that down into smaller targets. You'll feel way better just losing a stone. Good luck.

Definitely doable but make sure you do it relatively slowly and in a healthy way, so that you can maintain it when you get there. Aim to lose the weight over 18 months slowly and steadily by changing your eating habits and exercising. That will enable you to enjoy your child as well, because with a young child it can be hard to lose weight and have energy for them. Do it, if you want to.

I'm late 30s, about 5"1 and this time last year, I weighed 11st5. I'm now 8st 4. I'm happy where I am now and am trying to maintain. It is doable but depends very much if you're in a place to do it. I was chronically sleep deprived when my little one was 2, so I couldn't have begun and stuck to a diet then.

What I've learned, which sounds totally obvious but I just didn't get:

1. Smaller women need less calories than our 5"6 friends. It's not fair but it's true.
2. A weekly calorie deficit is needed week in, week out to lose weight. There's great calculators referred to on the 5:2 diet threads where you can work it all out.
3. I eat vegetables and protein and a very small amount of carbs.

I think that weight is a terrible measurement and everyone should throw away the scales. It's more helpful to know your body fat levels as muscle weighs more than fat. You can have whatever body shape you want at any age (unless there's health problems obviously). Eating a healthy diet, cooking things from scratch etc. and a good exercise regime will make you feel great too. I'd not pay too much attention to your weight as long as you're not obese (which you're not) and concentrate on healthy diet and lifestyle and you'll be able to look how you want and be happier with the results IMO

My mum is 49, 5"1 and 8 and a half stone. She is able to maintain that easily with a healthy diet and moderate exercise, but I think 8 stone would require a lot of work for her. I say try it, but maybe set your sights slightly lower.