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.

Weigh day today and it's a 9 stone 6 starting point. First step this week is cut out all snacks. (I've been snacking a lot!) official weigh day will be Fridays from now so I can have a treat day at the weekend

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps thank you. Im having Tuna, not really fish eater other than that. I’m so fussy its untrue 🙈. I do like yoghurt so will try your recommendation I’ve seen an Air fryer recipe for roasted chick peas so will try that. I used to find cottage cheese quite filling too so will add that to my shopping list. I’m trying to change my eating habits as opposed to reverting to slim fast, though in all honesty, i do actually enjoy a chocolate slim fast and fins the quite filling and an easy option when i’m at work, Im pushing myself to get back into exercise. Being immobile for so long due to an op was no good for my weight ie mental health.

Still in the disruptive throes of half term, but the cold I had at the weekend has passed the "slug embedded in my sinuses" stage and I'm feeling more human so have picked up the running. I'm aiming for short, gentle sessions this week just to get my body moving.

I need to get back on track! Completely lost my way after being so good before the holiday. I seem to be all or nothing so maybe I need to be super strict again for a bit?

Fridays weigh in was 9stone4 so I've lost 2 pounds this week. Would be great to start December under stone!

Well done to those who are seeing progress.

To those who are not (including me!) - let's keep going. Remember - progress can be really slow for us petites.

I'm generally happy with my nutrition and exercise, so just trying to trust that it will eventually result in progress.

Are many of you counting calories? How many do you aim for per day? I'm aware we definitely need a lot less as petites, but also that the answer isn't always to restrict too much. (I'm also not wanting to cause unnecessary controversy by asking this! - Just remembering the original thread that prompted us to start this thread!)

I'm at the stage where it feels so much more difficult to shift any sort of weight.
It's taken about 10 days to see the scale budge slightly.
I'm supposed to be eating 1200 calories, but I've never been able to stick to that, and always feel hungry. However, at this stage I need to really try and stay within 1200 (or slightly under) if I want to see results.
I've tried to cut out breakfast (so just two meals) to try keep the numbers low; but it's difficult and I'm absolutely starving before we even hit midday.
So I'll have a day where I've managed to stay (just about) within my calorie count but it's usually followed by me having a day where I've lost track 🤦🏽‍♀️
I've added weighted workout to try and help, hoping I'll tone up (one can dream 😂😂)
I've also hit peri menopause and it's really not helping (also have pcos).

Hello all.

I’ve been on previous shorties threads (many usernames ago!) and seen great progress with all the camaraderie and support. I am losing weight but still a good stone to lose plus inches especially around my middle and on my back.

I’m peri, 5 foot 1 and currently 9st 13lb. I have 8lb I think to lose to finally be within the healthy BMI. My frame is small though, so I only look in proportion at a BMI of about 22. I’ve lost nearly a stone and a half so far after my weight got completely out of control. I’m calorie counting. I need to go back to the gym, that’s my goal for the week.

It’s so hard to lose weight quickly as a shortie! Im going to read through the thread now to see where everyone is in their progress.

An example of how weight on the scales is misleading is for shorties is that I’m 9st 13lb and wearing an M&S size 16 trousers and jeggings. I’m sure my taller friends would think that 9st 13lb on the scales would mean at least two dress sizes smaller than a 16!

I'm around the same league of weight- loitering around 10st (at 5'2"), but my build is pear-shaped and muscular so remain a size 8 at the top and a 10 at the bottom. My calves are 15" each and pretty solid when I tense them. I have got handfuls under my belly button and generally look a bit softer than I did a few years back.
I could argue "BMI... athlete..." and while I doubt that my BMI 25 is causing harm at the moment, it's an inconvenient fact that my weight is creeping up, and being in my 40s, it's just getting harder to manage and reign in. I'd rather be managing it now than letting it creep into a bigger issue in a few years.

More iminently, I don't want the expense of replacing clothes that are getting snug and not fitting at their best

Fresh start in the morning. This is strategic with the return from half term. The success of this week has been getting myself out for a daily run/ walk since feeling better with my cold shifting. I've been using early C25k podcasts so I know they're easy and not going to strain me.

Short, curvy woman problems include socks always looking crap because I can't pull them up my legs as they're not wide enough so have to fold them in half so half are always inside out 😂

Please may I join? I was also on the shorties thread up to early last year. Not weighed yet but know I’m heavier than I’m comfortable at as my winter coats are tighter than last year now I’m wearing a jumper as well!
5’2” always kept my weight under control but now I’m 68 it’s creeping up and I’m not happy! Ideal for me is 9 st but I think I’ll have to settle for 91/2. It def helps my arthritic knees if I weigh less
Im prob about 10/101/2 at the moment but will kickstart for couple of weeks and weigh later. Sounds silly but it doesn’t dishearten me as much!
Cutting out all biscuits crisps cakes and generally doing healthy meals. I don’t drink alcohol or fizzy drinks so that’s no sacrifice.
Im trying to be very mindful of what goes into my mouth and be realistic about changing body shapes in later life !

Hello @Storynanny1 ! I remember you well. Lovely that you’ve come into the thread too.

I had a whoosh overnight! I’m a daily weigher (I know, I know, but it works for me) and I’ve somehow ‘lost’ 3.5lb overnight. I’m long enough in the tooth to know that this is a fluctuation, but it was great to see (even if it doesn’t last into tomorrow!). 9st 9lb for the time being and for the first time today, someone commented on it. I’ve lost 1st 10lb now and that was the first time anyone has said anything! I’m well chuffed.

I’m telling myself that my socks have shrunk in the dryer 😆

Hello! Can I be a late joiner?

I’m 5’3 and I think I’m a bit over 9 stone. I’d like to be 8.5 stone. Small hourglass/pear build, extra weight goes on my arms and legs - and face 😫.

I don’t own scales and don’t really want to get any so there will be a bit of guesswork involved! My upper arms and jawline will tell me how I’m doing …

I know I’ll never stick to calorie counting but I think IF could work well. Definitely need to stop the evening snacking. And reducing white carbs tends to work well for me too, although autumn is hard for that!

I am going to batch cook some veg based soups and dal to have for lunch which be filling and hopefully stop me reaching for the cheese and bread. And NO AFTER DINNER SNACKS. (Shouting at myself here). Also need to stop eating the kids’ leftovers in the name of “avoiding waste”.

I’ve totally fallen off the rails last week! Back on it today. I did 2 weeks perfectly then didn’t see results and just ate what I wanted last week.
got 4 weeks to wear a sparkly skirt that’s a bit too tight today.

Welcome to the new joiners. The more the merrier. It really helps to have an active thread so that we can all keep encouraging each other and share tips for what is working.

Please do still comment if you are not seeing progress/having a difficult week - I think just being in a group and on a thread with people who understand the unique struggles of being petite can help us all to keep going.

Chelseaboots had just had a baby when the thread was in full swing!

Can I be a late joiner too? I'm 5 foot 1 and am at my happiest at 7st 12, the weight I've been pretty much all my adult life barring pregnancy. Even at that weight you wouldn't even think I was skinny, just average-sized! Never had to do that much to maintain it, just a normal, healthy diet and dog walks etc.

Now I'm just over 9 stone thanks to a winning combo of peri-menopause and a recent increase in my workload which means I'm stuck to a chair all day.

I'm intermittent fasting (well, skipping breakfast) and calorie counting. Oh and I've cut out alcohol. I have to do the fasting just to be able to have a decent lunch and dinner. Am also upping the walking and exercising but it's hard with work.

Been doing it for a week and have lost the grand total of 0 pounds. Agree with others weight loss is so hard as a shortie!!

My 3.5lb ‘loss’ went back on overnight! I think I probably had half my foot on the floor when I stepped on the scales yesterday 😆

Hi all, I haven’t posted in a while. Just wanted to update that I’m finally under 60kg! I weigh 59kg now - getting to around 48kg is my dream but just so happy I’m under 60kg again. I think 60kg was a set point for me, it took a while to get below that!

That is brilliant well done

I haven't even lost a pound since I started about six weeks ago 😞

Despite running most days , intermittent fasting religiously and planking every day

It's getting me down

Welcome to the new joiners. Do any of you have a plan and or specific goals?

Well done @Waiting9! Can you identify anything that's helped or do you think it's just a case of being consistent?