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.

I’d love to join you here please, it’s really nice to hear weight loss chat from people my size. I don’t like to talk about my own weight/size with my friends who are naturally bigger or have more to lose because I totally understand how annoying it would sound to them.

I always used to be 7.5 stone but since kids and life I am now closer to 9 which I’m not happy with. I look the same with clothes on but all my weight gain is between my waist and upper thighs and I definitely could do with slimming down a bit to be my best self. I would like to get to 8.5 first and preferably 8. I think my hips etc have widened a bit since having kids so not interested in getting back to 7.5.

I also used to love jogging and don’t do that anymore. I’m going to start couch to 5k and make healthier choices with diet. I think little tweaks should be effective for me and I’m not expecting rapid results. 0.5lbs a week should be very achievable and long term sustainable and as a starting goal of 7lbs and ultimate goal of losing 14lbs I’m happy with this a goal to reach 8st by next summer

Just reading. I'm aiming for 7 stone which puts me at around BMI 20.5. I wouldn't admit that elsewhere; I know if you wish to go any lower than 24.5 people tend to think you have an ED.

I do martial arts and yoga and have recently brought a walking pad for the desk. I'm fairly strong and fit and find being lighter better for athletic endurance. And I feel better in clothes. I'm hourglass with a butt. Size 8, or 10-12 in pants! Currently 7.6 so not far to go and simply trying more exercise and ditching week day snacking. 46.

Can I join? Another 5 foot 3 currently weighing 63kg and well and truly in peri. Weight loss is hard and very slow. I'm doing intermittent fasting and have been doing it on and off for many years. Find I have to extend my hours or restrict carbs to shift the weight. Initial goal is 60kg with a possible further to 57kg.

When I first started I joined a gym and had a couple of PT sessions to show me what to do. DH has weights at home amd I have gradually added to his collection over the years with some of my own!

I also recommend www.affordableonlinecoaching.com (formally the James Smith Academy) if you just need someone to do you a training program.

Hi all. Please can I join?

I am now 53 kgs (5 feet 1). I lost 5kgs (down from 58 kg) from doing intermittent fasting.

I am ok with my weight now but would love to reduce lower belly fat as it's a problem area for me. Plus I am aware of the visceral fat implications.

I have always struggled with my weight, and at 58 kgs (post lockdown and baby) was feeling pretty down in so many areas of life. I also love sugar and processed carbs too much!

I found Gin Stephen's book (fast feast repeat) and podcast on intermittent fasting and it's been life changing. I wanted to share as I highly recommended. Gin goes through the science behind intermittent fasting ("the health plan with a side of weight loss!"), insulin resistance etc. in a really clear, digestible way and gives many options on how to do it to suit our lifestyle.

I do alternate day fasting with a clean fast (one of Gin's options) and lost the 5kgs in 2 months. But more than the weight loss I love the peace- I don't calorie count, I don't struggle, I understand!

Sorry if this is a goady post but I just wanted to share, and also join this group for support to tackle that belly fat!

Thanks @succulentlove I follow Gin Stephens too and also do clean fasting although it all started with Jason Fung. I have recently started longer fasts but not quite at the ADF stage. Not sure I could do it as yet but great to hear about how successful it has been.

Did you change what you were eating on your feasting days as in reduce carbs?

No Im not changing what I'm eating yet on feasting days. I'm trying to get 100% into a routine with ADF first, and then slowly tweak my diet on feasting day. I feel like doing ADF and trying to eat healthy on feasting day all at once would be too much!

However given I only eat in a 8-10 hour window on feasting days, I naturally can't eat too much snacks late in the evening!

Wondering if I can join? I am trying to gain muscle at the moment without any fat gain. I am 5'4" and weigh 50kg so aiming for body recomposition without fat gain. I lost lots of belly fat last year through just switching to healthier eating, reducing sugar and following the glucose goddess hacks but if anyone has any tips on gaining lean mass without fat I would love to hear them.

@succulentlove where do I find the gin stevens podcst ?

@LoudSnoringDog I listen to her on Spotify but I'm sure she's available on most podcast players. She has 2 - intermittent fasting podcast and fast feast repeat

Very similar stats to me. I’m not sure if I’m peri , but I’m 40 so could be. I do 16:8 fasting and weight loss is slowwwwww

Welcome to all the new joiners. How did everyone get on over the weekend?

I have ran every day since last Monday apart from on Saturday and done approx 25 kilometres in total

Plus stepped up my planking

And been doing IF every day Altho Friday night I had a massive kfc 🫣 and Saturday night steak and chips so my calorie intake is probably not as low as it should be

However : I have not gained weight I've stayed the same

And I kind of feel more toned. And I feel better in myself

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps I am pleased with how the weekend went. We ate out on Saturday but was able to make good choices and it fitted with my OMAD. I followed this by a 36 hour fast so didn’t have anything until this morning.

My steps, exercise, water intake and sleep have been great but I don’t think I will reach my weight goal before my holiday which is fine as I’m looking more toned and feeling confident which means more than a number on the scales!

I’ve done two Caroline Girvan workouts now. I’m doing this epic beginner thing. The day 1 meant I couldn’t walk for two days so had a bit of a gap before doing day 2 🤣aiming for day 3 tomorrow.

I’ve kept up with the 1000 kcal daily limit throughout the weekend, It was difficult yesterday when the family snacked on crisps and chocolate but I declined and did my steps on the treadmill instead. I don’t feel hungry ( I always leave myself 500 kcal for dinner and it seems to be working) but I do crave sweets and general rubbish food. It’s probably addiction.
keeping up with water intake and steps too.

fingers crossed

Well done, everyone.

While going down an internet rabbit hole of researching tips for petites, I found a YouTube channel that actually seems quite sensible. m.youtube.com/@AprilVWhitney/videos

Has anyone else heard of April Whitney? I've watched (well, mainly listened while cooking, cleaning, etc) to a number of these videos over the last week. She's successfully managed to increase the number of calories she eats by focusing on weights/strength training and prioritising high protein & fibre.

I'm normally quite sceptical of any random person on the internet, but would be interested in what any of you think? I'm going to keep working my way through these videos.

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps I have been doing weights (Caroline Girvan) at home for 18 months. When I started my maintenance calories was around 1500, it is now around 2000. The only other exercise I do is 8k steps a day (I was previously only getting around 4k) so I think there is some truth in what she says.

I looked into her. What she says is fine, basically strength train but eat more to build muscle. But she charges a fortune for her program which puts me off. You can do the same thing for free.

I'm petite and am trying to lose some weight but some of the numbers on this thread are triggering for me, so I won't hang around much. I do want to say that by lifting I've got into the smallest size I've ever been even though I'm much heavier than my lightest. So don't get too hung up on the weight and look at how strong you get. If you have more muscles you will look very different in a good way.

@Samphire44 That's really encouraging! I would love to be able to do this. Did you gradually increase your calories? How did you know when to increase them or was it just a case of experimenting?

@safetyzone I'm not considering buying her program, just watching lots of her free videos. It all seems quite sensible, not promoting underrating and lots of focus on feeling & looking healthy/your best (rather than a particular number on the scales).

What Samphire44 said really, if you track your macros and strength train you can work out your maintenance calories, and the more muscles you have, the more you'll burn even when not moving. It works for me as well although I tend to overcompensate on holidays!

It's not unrealistic. I'm 54 and 5'3 and weighed between 8 1/2 and 9 stone, occasionally even 9 1/2 for about 25 years. Over the past year, with change in diet and increased exercise, I've got to 7 stone 9, the lightest I've been since my 20s.

Hello!

I'd love to join.
I am 5' 3.5 (the half is important 😂).
Currently weigh 9 stone 1 or 2lbs.
I look and feel so much better when I'm 8stone 7; and have been trying to get back down to that. However I'm finding it so difficult (age may be a factor as I'm just shy of 40). Have 2 dc (teen and younger).
My biggest issue is binge eating. I wasn't a binge eater until after my second dc, I don't know what happened but it spiralled out of control. I've gone up and down with my weight so many times since dc2. I went shopping in June, and bought a lovely outfit, I was horrified when I couldn't fit into it 😭
I weighed 10 stone 7; and was so annoyed for letting myself get to that weight.
I have been working on myself since June, and have managed to get to current weight.
My weight plateaus for 2 to 3 weeks and then shifts eventually.
It's not so much about the numbers, it's the fact that I have bra bulge and a squishy belly that annoys me.

Someone mentioned bmi calculator (nhs), and according to that I've just entered the healthy range, my weight can go much lower as I'm Asian (so it might sound low but for my build it definitely isn't low).

I've recently pulled my dumbbells out, and hoping to start some weighted work outs (at home).

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps I tend to do a diet check using cronometer every few months for a week or so to check my nutrition is on track in terms of nutrients etc. I got to my goal weight after I lost 15kg at around 8 months into weights and diet changes (mainly just cutting out upf, sugar and starchy carbs). It was at that point I realised I needed to up my calories from 1500 to maintain my new weight. I was quite worried at first and even went to the gp to see if there was a medical reason why I was still loosing weight and upped calories to about 1700 at that point. A further year of weights has upped this to around 2000 for maintaining. I am actually trying to eat more than this ATM to gain more muscle. No medical reason was found so I assume it is just a metabolic impact.