Petite support for losing a few pounds/getting to our 'happy' size

[ACuppaAlwaysHelps]

Hi all. Following on from the thread that @SprayPaint started yesterday, a few of us (@Waiting9 @Horriblehistoree @FaceofSpades) seemed keen to have a thread to support each other in reaching our weight loss/body shape/fitness/health goals.

All petites are welcome on this thread, but it seemed like it would be particularly helpful to have a corner of Mumsnet for those of us who are petite/small framed and officially a 'healthy weight' but know we feel/look better a few pounds lighter (which would still be within a healthy weight/not underweight).

Maybe we can share goals, progress, struggles, things that are working, etc.? It would also be lovely to hear from any petites who are at a 'happy weight' and what you are doing to be successful.

Someone (maybe @FaceofSpades?) posted some helpful thoughts on the thread yesterday.

Please share how you all think this thread could be helpful.

Feel free to share as much or little as you like. Height, current weight, goal weight or other body measurements, nutrition, calories, exercise, NSV, etc.

Hello, the thread for me! Jumped over after reading the other one. I’m 5’1 and currently at 8st 11, down from 9st 4. I am ideal world be 8st again but I think at the age of 45 that’s probably unrealistic, so I’ll settle for 8st 5ish.

At the moment what’s working is intermittent fasting, eating between about 11-7, which is doing sterling work at cutting out the evening snacks that were dangerous. I’m eating healthier, though I wouldn’t say it’s that healthy tbf. Just seems that something about the intermittent fasting is working for my body at the moment.

Welcome @TheHorneSection Sounds like you're making good progress. I'm looking forward to a thread where we can all support each other.

Hello, thanks so much for the thread! It’s a brilliant idea @ACuppaAlwaysHelps

I’m not sure how tall I am, I think I’m 5ft at least if not 5’1. I’m 27.

I weigh 62kg - overweight BMI. I need to lose 5kg to reach a healthy BMI.

However I’m not going to stop there, my goal weight is 48kg based on always being that weight in 2021. The difference is this time, I want to build muscle so the scales might be higher. When I used to weigh less, I was still chubby in areas and this time around I want to get a toned stomach/bum.

@TheHorneSection intermittent fasting seems to work for me too. Congratulations on your weight loss so far. How many calories would you say you eat daily, if you don’t mind me asking?

one thing that has helped so far is cutting out alcohol. My skin looks better for it too

@Waiting9 I'm also working on building muscle. I recently started Caroline Girvan workouts. I've been reading some things about 'skinny fat' and I think that describes me. I'm 8st6(ish) but have far too much belly fat and really just feel and look bigger than my 'happy weight'.

I'm wondering if I actually need to increase my calories, alongside more strength/weights exercise. It feels a bit scary to increase my calories, but something isn't quite working for me.

I'm feeling freshly motivated to find a sustainable and healthy way of making progress and hoping the mutual support here will help.

Plan for tomorrow:

• Caroline Girvan workout
• High protein
• Start Intermittent Fasting at 7pm tomorrow
• Continue to log all food on Nutracheck (I've been doing this for 3 months) and decide if I should increase my calories and by how much

hey, trying to lose a bit of weight too. Am 5”3 and 62.5kg at the mo. Want to get to 60kg as a milestone and see how I feel from there. Am 40 and have two small dc.

I started intermittent fasting (16:8) in June and have lost 3.5kg so far. I tend to fast for around 18 hours and have an eating window of 6 hours. Have also been drinking less.

Really need to introduce some exercise…

Welcome @jumpintheline

Do we all want to have a regular check-in or just do ad-hoc? I've seen on some other weight loss threads they have a regular day of the week that they all check-in but then also update, encourage each other and get support throughout the week.

Please may I join?
I’m 5”2 and 54.9kg. I used to be much smaller but age and medication made me go from 6 stone to 9.5 stone. I’ve lost some and although I don’t want to go back to 6 stone I think 7.5/ 8 would suit my frame more.

I honestly don’t know. I’ve had an awful diet for most of my life - being petite with a fast metabolism meant I never really had to pay any attention to what I eat. I’ve always eaten decent dinners but have now cut out sugary breakfasts and evening snacks and making a concerted effort that daytime snacks are more in the crackers and veg mould.

One thing I like about intermittent fasting is that I feel like I’m not making a big effort and calorie counting, which was something I could never manage. This I can do without thinking too much about what I am doing.

Please may I join?
I’m 5”2 and 54.9kg. I used to be much smaller but age and medication made me go from 6 stone to 9.5 stone. I’ve lost some and although I don’t want to go back to 6 stone I think 7.5/ 8 would suit my frame more.

Welcome @Radiolala I also think around 8st is probably a good target weight for me. I'm also 5ft2 but very small framed so these few extra pounds are really showing on me.

Well done on what you've lost so far. What's your strategy? Any tips?

Thanks @ACuppaAlwaysHelps , I’m going on holiday soon so sticking to OMAD at the moment but I work out 4 times a week with a PT, 15000 steps minimum a day (a 10 mile walk once a week as well), dance and Pilates weekly.

OMAD really seems to suit me.

May I join? I'm 5 ft 1 and 57kg. I'm muscular and athletic but the peri menopause has added a layer of fat! My happy weight is 52kg and I look great at that. I've drastically cut down on carbs, gone gluten free for inflammation and thyroid, cut right down on alcohol and upped the protein. I'm also hitting the gym. The bloating is going but my weight is very slow to shift 😩.

What is OMAD please?

Can I join please

44, five foot 2 and currently 9 stone 4 😩😩🥺🥺 . I look best at 8stone but prob this won't happen at my age so 8 stone 7 will do me I guess

I've always been slim and ate what I wanted within reason so I'm worried this is finally the dreaded middle aged weight gain ...I gained 5 pounds in a week recently just being on holiday and eating what I wanted. And since being back I just can't get back on it . am weighing myself every day and seem to be gaining every day it's like being bloody 8 months pregnant

I feel so shit about myself 💩

I plank every day to try to keep my waist and keep a flattish stomach and I used to run more or less every day but not done that for weeks. But I did go this morning

And I do intermittent fasting almost all the time (unless on holiday)

Welcome @LakelandDreams and @iloveshetlandponies It's lovely to have found other people who are at a similar height/weight. Hopefully we can all encourage each other and share tips/support.

@iloveshetlandponies - Yes, I also find that I gain weight so easily and then really struggle to lose anything.

Does anyone here count calories?

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps
Thank you

Glad I've found this thread

I can't tell anyone in rl I want to lose weight as I'm not "fat" . Some people don't get that you don't have to be overweight to want to lose a few pounds

In answer to the calorie question- no I don't

@LakelandDreams one meal a day. Intermittent fasting of sorts.

Can I join too please! I need to lose a stone to feel good about myself it seems impossible though!

what do people eat to make sure they get enough protein?

Welcome @Helpisneeded100

I try to base all my meals around protein. Eggs, egg whites, tuna, salmon, chicken, Greek yogurt, beans, lentils.

This thread has eating disorder plastered all over it.

I’m 5ft1 and 8 stone 4. Pre babies I was 7 stone 7 and super fit! I got back to 8 stone after first baby and I’m currently stuck at 8 stone 4 having given birth 9 months ago. I’ve got zero time for exercise so that’s something I need to prioritise. I’m also still breastfeeding so tbh that extra few pounds is very likely extra boob!

I think tbh I’m less bothered about the scales and more what I see in the mirror. I want to tone up.

I’m assuming in the interests of fairness you also post this helpful comment on all the threads where people are overweight?

@buckingmad by definition people who are overweight can afford to lose weight...

I'm guessing you're not petite? It can be hard for other people to understand these numbers as they sound low. But if you put these numbers into a BMI calculator, you'll see that all of us are aiming for targets that are within the 'healthy' weight range.