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.

It's so annoying when your body's not playing the same game as your mind!

I've done my shortest run of the week. I went for that one as I knew my body would feel icky after a break. Just knowing that it will feel icky helps.

Appetite down today. No bad thing under the circumstances. I've also done a fridge clearout of wilted salad ready for a fresh shop. That will help with getting on track. I just need to buy fresh food in now...

We get a fruit and veg box delivered from our local greengrocers and a couple of pieces of fish (for me, DP is vegan) so that tends to keep our plant consumption high as it’s always a battle to get through it all. But my white carb consumption has been going up through lack of planning. I’m restocking all my dried pulses and stuff though as those are heavily depleted. I need to get back to always having some on the soak as my body feels much better when every day is a pulse day!

I dusted off some ancient chickpeas last night left from the multi-pack that DH randomly picked up in Costco 5 years ago. I did joke "is that enough quarantine to be free from Covid?"

I had already hit a cooking slump by the time he bought them. I also didn't have the air fryer then (I toasted them in spices with sultanas)

DS reminded me about them last week because DH was chatting about rationing and hoarding with an eldery relative and DS grinned and whispered "chick peas" to me- he was only 9 and still far shorter than me when DH bought them 😂

I'll buy some fresh food later. I shop on Tuesdays anyway and I CBAed to change routine and head out especially yesterday.

I've been terrible over the last few weeks, consuming way too many calories, not enough decent food and I've had a break from exercise.

Back on the exercise this week and trying to rein in the eating too. It's just so hard fitting exercise in around kids who aren't old enough to be left yet. I have to rely on my husband being at home to look after them and all it takes is something that doesn't go to plan and it knocks out the whole week. I don't have anybody I can ask to keep an eye on them for an hour especially when it's last minute for whatever reason. I've signed up for a babysitter for if I need one for long runs because it would be so rare we can suck up the cost but anything more is just too much..

How does the ordinary person manage to fit everything in?!

I got into the running because it could be squeezed in at random times including late at night after cluster feeds in the first place. It was very much when the opportunity arose in the early days. I began to feel happy doing short runs in the holidays when mine were 9/11 and in the last couple of years it's built up. Now when I say that I'm going for a run and it will be x time they grunt in bewilderment that I'd even tell them something so random. Before that it tended to be early/ late when DH was around.

Scales calming down. 1kg of bloat shifted already, so I'm back at the upper end of the range that I'd been bobbing around at last month, so not too bad after 2 weeks of carbs and struggling to exercise. I'm surprised Garmin didn't start a search and rescue mission

It's very very hard when you have younger children, and even more so if you work as well. Something has to give. Don't be too hard on yourself and remember that while it's really good for your mental health etc. exercise isn't really that important for weight loss. If you can't get out for a walk/run/class etc. just focus on the diet part of things and you'll still see the weight come off.

I don't have kids! I honestly have no idea how anyone with small kids manages. Through work, life, and exercise, I'm knackered enough as it is. My sister has two young kids and I'm amazed she manages to get out for runs as well as work full time, but her and her husband both work from home so I guess that is the answer.

Even short bursts like 15/ 20 minutes can make a big difference and arguably are most effective value for time with diminishing returns. They're less intimidating and obstructive to fit in and help keep the momentum going.

When I worked F/T when the DCs were little I could squeeze in one or two 20-30 min runs in the week, did a class 9am Sat and long run on Sundays. I managed a half marathon in that phase because it took 1-2 hours training time for that longer run. I get a lot of motivation from feeling better when I'm more active so that helps with overcoming inertia. It was also my little window of "me time" which also helped.

I find exercise really helps too. For me, I took a couple weeks off gym/cardio after being sore. I have just been doing weekly Pilates classes which is quite low intensity for 45 mins. It’s not enough exercise on its own.

I still found that my fitness hasn’t dropped off yet and my body is metabolising food well, because I haven’t gained weight and still look fairly toned although I haven’t been watching what I’m eating. I still weigh around 48kg.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is some exercise is better than nothing and you’ll still reap the benefits when you have an off day.

@Pickingmyselfup I can’t remember - is it running you do or do you go to a gym? Have you tried home workouts?

I have to do all my exercise at home (apart from walking). I mainly do these at around 6am in the morning, in the living room. But if I ever have a bit of time in the evening (not often!) I’ll watch TV on one screen and follow a workout on another screen.

@Waiting9 This is so encouraging and inspiring. Well done! I am still struggling to lose the few pounds I’m trying to lose, but you give hope that it is possible!

I’m still battling with knowing how many calories I should be trying to eat to get the balance of being in enough of a deficit to lose fat, but eating enough to fuel workouts and an active lifestyle. I guess I’m still eating too much as I’m not losing fat, but it really doesn’t seem sensible/healthy to cut calories too low.

I have to say, I don't set time aside to work out. I just don't stick to it.

So, I make things I have to do into workouts. It helps I don't have a car so I walk everywhere. I've increased the speed of my walk to work (currently 25 mins each way), power walk back from the supermarket (10 mins) with bags full of shopping.

Lunge whilst hoovering/sweeping/mopping. Run, I stead of walk upstairs.

Basically, I am experimenting with making my every day life as physical as possible. I love walking so regular weekend big walks (lucky to live near great coastal and inland walking spots) adding weight to my rucksack.

So far, it's certainly making me feel better.

Hi All, I have been AOWL for a bit, but reading your updates am inspired.

I haven't run for about a year which is depressing, just because we have been so busy, no injuries or anyting. Haven't fitted in any classes or home workouts but like @ObelixtheGaul trying to be active within normal life. I too have a 25 min walk to work and back, will walk into town at the weekend, have just moved to a house with a lovely big garden, and I am getting more steps in just putting the bins out! I haven't sat and watched TV in the evening for months, just being active has kept my weigh stable as my diet has been a bit rubbish.

I would really like to get some regular Pilates in but cant find a class, so will be searching for something I can do at home.

It's been a positive week.
Disruption bloat shifted and now a couple of sub 63kg weigh ins which is progress. I've touched into this zone so it's looking a bit more secure now.

Back into fitness routines. Garmin's gone from "unproductive" to "overreaching" in a week. Cheeky sod, I'm just pushing back to normal load 😂

Well done @BogRollBOGOF

@Hoolahoophop I have been using The Girl with the Pilates Mat. But let me know if you’ve found anything else. I’ve been trying to do a couple of Pilates sessions a week, along with Caroline Girvan weights and walking.

Checking in after a while... I got down to 59kg for a while, then went on holiday - have been back a week but haven't weighed myself yet. I didn't feel the need to go all out while I was away, which I think is a win - though simply eating out every day and the food being bigger portions than I have at home, I'm bound to have put some weight on. I'm training pretty intensely at the moment too (martial arts and strength training) and my appetite is reflecting that.
Trying to focus on eating natural foods, eating well (plenty of meat, fruit and veg, sensible carbs or treats). Fingers crossed it works!

@BogRollBOGOF I had a similar thing with my Fitbit, was doing lots of walking plus a couple of runs while on holiday and my watch told me I was overtraining. Half the time I was sat by the pool & I was getting so much sleep, don't think I was particularly at risk of stressing my body out!

nb. I am not petite, but I lurk on this thread as I do feel it's relevant to me based on the OP : "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)."

I have a goal I want to reach for my holiday in 4 weeks time. I'm fine and slim, but I want to lose a few lbs to be at my comfortable, happy size - the size I have been all my adult life. TBH, my mid 50s healthy weight is probably where I am now, so there is a psychological element to me wanting to drop a few lbs. But I like my holiday clothes and bikinis and want to wear them and feel good.

You folk are welcoming and supporting and 'get' it.

So, 2 weeks ago the scales said I needed to lose 1lb a week to get to my personal goal.

I have lost 1 1/2 lb so am 1/2lb above my target.

Well done @rosemarble. Subtle differences do make a difference.

My natural variation is up today and easily explained by tired muscles and body going into retain mode.

Welcome @rosemarble and well done on your progress so far.

I’ve been lurking on this thread for a few weeks to retain motivation- and really want to join now if that’s ok. So impressed by all the progress on here!

A bit about me- I had my 2nd DC last December, and in February time decided I wanted to try and shift the lbs. I’m 5’2 and historically have always been happy around the 8 stone 9 mark.

I had to cut breastfeeding short due to exceptional circumstances beyond my control and I think subconsciously as a response I’ve responded by throwing my energy into this goal (I guess it’s something I could control!).

In February I was 10 stone 7, and now I’m down to 9 stone 3 through maintaining 1200 calories a day, and a high protein, low carb diet. I’m really starting to see the loss slow down and now struggling to lose more than a lb every 3 weeks- so have introduced post partum friendly exercise.

I’ve only got 7lbs to go but it feels so far right now. Really hoping by joining this group I can maintain motivation- it’s also quite isolating doing this in ‘real life’ and not something I feel that others around me understand.

Welcome @Greenwichresident Well done on your progress so far - you’ve done so well.

As you’ve hopefully seen from this thread, many of us understand and can relate to where you find yourself now (last few pounds being slow and not being able to talk about this in ‘real life’ as we ‘only weigh …’).

We're quite similar! I'm a similar height and was about 10 stone 11 and feel best when I am 8 stone something like you. I have now managed to get down to (just) under 9 stone officially yesterday - 8 stone 13.8! So we are very similar to each other. It's been a lot of hard work when you're this height and don't have the outside encouragement as @ACuppaAlwaysHelps says - we're "only" a low number to much taller people. But actually with my ethnicity, finally dipping below that 9 stone barrier has meant I am finally back into "normal" BMI - at my ethnicity 9 stone was an overweight BMI! I am really pleased but know I have to keep working hard to keep this slowly slowly pound by pound coming off until I am at my happy and healthy place

Thanks so much @ACuppaAlwaysHelpsfor the lovely welcome- it’s lovely to find a place where there’s zero judgement, and I’m so inspired by how everyone’s done.

@Lostfirsttimebuyer - wow well done! That’s so fantastic that you’ve managed to get down to 8 stone 13- you’ve done so brilliantly.

Luteal phase finally ended. I think I'm a bit water-retentiony from the heat too. Mojo has been ropey for the past 10 days.

Mojo is too hot. Mine has decided to give up and eat toblerone.