How did you decide on your goal/target weight and size?

[W9956]

Ive been Fasting 16:8. Then after I'd lost the weight,I started to slowly re introduce more food. Now I fast on alternate days. Ive maintained at 10-10.7st for a few months. Was 13.9 before. I am 5ft7.

Been debating whether to try and push to get into the 9s and even into a smaller clothes size.

I feel slim and I'm happy with my success. But I am thinking about getting that bit slimmer.

Would I need to cut back even further on eating and fast everyday?

I was very pleased with how I looked and felt at 10st4 and I’m 5ft4, so if I were your height I’d have been delighted!

Sadly I wasn’t able to maintain and now could stand to lose a stone again.

If you are maintaining at that weight relatively easily, I’d stick with it instead of trying to lose more. But only you know how you feel.

I should add I was lifting weights and running so my body was in good shape.

@Lizzieregina well I haven't gone past 10.7 or below 10 for the last 4 months.

It's just something I've been thinking about. Now I've lost the weight.

Do you do any exercise?

I still lift weights and even though I’ve put on some weight, my pants still fit!!

Maybe some strength training might get you down that extra size.

At what weight do you feel the best? If you think about it - skeletons are not attractive!

If you've been higher and settled at a weight then it's very important to stay there for the same amount of time as the initial diet to lower your bodies set point.

If you're happy now then is there any point going lower? Will it make you happier? Probably not.

How long have you maintained your current weight for?

You've lost more than 20% of your body weight so I think after such a big loss, your body might benefit from a period of maintenance/ adjustment to the new weight before you push it any further.

You don't want to overdo it and then end up flipping back to where you were before.

@MsFrost I've been at my new lower weight for around 4-5 months now.

@Lizzieregina I walk everywhere and do a mix of walking and jogging everyday. Im trying to build up to running. However, not getting anywhere fast!

Something I can maintain but still like in the mirror.

I have an hourglass figure with a flat tummy. A BMI of 25/26 looks great on me, and I can maintain this weight easily being lightly active despite coffee and cake a few times a week, a blowout meal on a Saturday and drinking wine every night. Food is a joy for me. A cardio heavy time (marathon training, etc)- it falls off, so I get to eat more.

I could strive to fit in a smaller clothes size, but it would require a lot more work to maintain, which I wouldn’t enjoy.

Is a smaller clothes size or lower number worth constantly thinking about food?

I would absolutely maintain a weight for a year or more, before trying to drop lower.

I would want to know that weight was really a long term goal and then if I felt I could eat less each day long term (ie to lose then maintain an even lower weight), I might consider dropping.

I agree with PP about finding the right balance between liking how you look/feel but also being able to eat in a way that maintains that weight forever and not feel constantly deprived.

I was thinking of going lower, as it might help with my running.

I do find exercising a lot easier, now that I am lighter.

I get what you're saying.

I am a little shorter than you, and at full racing fitness, I like to have a BMI under 20. That is still within healthy, but at the low end. Also, my frame is such that I generally look/feel best with BMI around 21/22, and that is where it is at times when I'm not racing much (like now)

The question for me is whether you're serious about your running performance, or if you're using that an excuse.

What are your running goals?

@AuntieStella I've been looking at doing a 5k run. So was looking at training towards doing that. I've always enjoyed walking everywhere, but since I've started jogging, I enjoy it more. It gets my heart rate up and I feel better after doing it.

With it starting to get dark earlier, every night, I don't want to get into the habit of staying inside and eating!!

Thanks for the replies so far.

I was almost exactly the same as you, same height and starting weight. The lowest I got to was 10 stone 7 but I found I really had to focus on it all of the time to keep my weight at that.

Im happy at 11 stone as i still feel confident but it means I can eat normally and as long as I keep up the exercise then I stay the same. It’s been 2 years now and I rarely weight myself.

@Squishedstormtrooper I guess we all look/carry weight differently.

Well done on keeping it lost. You are doing amazing!

A healthy weight and fuelled body will help you with your running. 10.7 at 5 foot 7 is a healthy weight. If you were 20.7 I might recommend weight loss at to lessen the strain on your joints- but I don’t really see how a smaller clothes size at your height will be the be-all of you improving your running.

I’m not an elite, but I run a 23 minute 5k and a 1.54 half marathon- that has all been done at a BMI of about 26. Overweight!

Don’t get me wrong- the fastest women are teeny tiny. But that’s genetics and their natural build combined with heavy training. Lighter is not always faster.

I would forget about clothing sizes and instead focus on strength training and going out running!

I suppose you're right.

I think if you want to improve your running then look up techniques/ ideas to improve your running, rather than focussing on weight loss. There will be plenty of exercises for leg strength, cardio, nutrition ideas for runners, etc. that you can focus on.

You are a healthy weight so if you just want to get better at running then make that your goal.

I will do @MsFrost

I think I'll just keep building up to 5k. Then see how I feel.