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.

@iloveshetlandponies thank you! It sounds like you’re working hard and you’ll start to see the scales move soon. My weight loss journey has been stubborn too. Because you’re running often, maybe you’re body composition is changing and you’re building muscle alongside weight loss.

@ACuppaAlwaysHelps thank you. I stopped eating supermarket ready meals/sandwiches, ordering takeout, eating out etc. Been trying to cook at home instead and eat more fruit/veg. I eat about 50% less in portion sizes - I had a bad habit of clearing my plate/eating everything in sight. Trying to change all this.

Smaller plates helps.

We've got a Denby set so have a choice of the smaller plate. Last night was baked potatoes so the smaller plate stopped the potato looking lost in the middle.
I've also got my two large brimmed student plates from the 80s that have the same flat suface as the smaller Denby.
My old bowls are great for reducing pasta portion because the base of the bowl is smaller and I can put more of the nutritious meat/ veg/ sauce on top. It manipulates the portion proportions subtly.

I’ve lost all of one pound this week despite being super strict with myself. I know it’s a loss, and I will take any loss, but it’s so disheartening sometimes. I’ve upped my protein and lowered my simple carbs a lot, so I feel fuller for longer, but it’s still quite consuming. Also trying to do more exercise, I’m unfit so need to start gently.

Im looking the other way when I’m shopping as all of the coffee shops are promoting their festive drinks!

Harissa salmon for dinner with brown rice and veg.

My weight is super stubborn, I've been jumping up and down one pound for about a fortnight now. It's so frustrating, every time I drop a pound, it'll go up and down for a while, finally adjust, lose another and the whole thing starts again.
People talk about losing one or two pounds a week, and have up to 8lb loses in a month and I'm stuck with the one pound 😩

Last night I decided to note down measurements, and hopefully when I re measure at the end of the month I'll see some sort of change (hopefully).

Totally agree with everyone that losing weight so slowly is disheartening. I'm now onto week three and keeping to 1,200 cals has been such a slog. I have lost two pounds in total (after the scales not budging at all for the first week). Trying to be happy with that, although I'm putting in such a lot of effort for what feels like such a measly amount lost. At least I'm not gaining! Although I know that if I slip at all that two pound loss could be wiped out in a day!

I'm now into my hormonal sabbotage phase where my body just craves carbs to keep my energy up. So bloody annoying! It's a good quarter of every month too.

Bloody bodies 🙄

I seem to have had a half pound loss this week, which I know is nothing really but considering the number on the scales has been stubborn for weeks - it is positive

I've ran every day but at a slower pace as a running friend shared an article that suggests that is more effective for fat loss

I've eaten sensibly and been intermittent fasting (16:8) all week apart from yesterday when I allowed myself a day off

But I don't know if I'm imagining it but I feel like I possibly look slimmer / tighter 🤔

I should have measured myself before I started

My scales aren't being informative at the moment. I do feel like I've smoothed out in the past 6m and I think my waist is getting a bit more defined. That's more meaningful than the scales.

This week my instructor noticed my biceps while I was doing some TRX work 😁

I'm not fighting the sluggish hormones and the associated hunger, but I'm still focusing on eating nutritionally while wading through the next few days. I can add rhubarb onto my plant list as DS made crumble at school 😋 Oh and green beans as I added them into my reheated leftover pasta sauce and had on jacket potato. That's 25/30 so a post-parkrun smoothie can finish the last few left with lots of frozen fruit.

I've got a race this weekend, so carb loading is totally legit 😉

How's everyone getting on?

It's encouraging to hear that some of you are seeing progress either on the scales or in how you feel/other NSV.

If you're not seeing progress - keep going and keep posting.

I'm still not losing the few pounds I'd like to lose (hoping that will help with the stubborn belly fat!), but being consistent in tracking calories, doing Caroline Girvan workouts and walking lots.

I've been unwell this week with flu like symptoms so I've been eating comfort foods to try and make myself feel better. Big push for me for the next 2 weeks to try and shift 5 pounds before December x

Ermm I’ve eaten out 4 times this week & had a fair bit to drink too

Social life 1, losing weight nil.

Done lots of exercise though!

I’ve not lost anything this week, despite staying under 1000 calories each day and (re)starting couch to 5km. I’m tracking everything. Disappointing. But not letting it put me off track!

Homemade pizzas and salad for dinner.

Looks like we're all trying to get these pesky pounds to budge, I'm Still weighing in at 8stone 12.
I'm having an awful day today, have been binging on comfort food, this time of year isn't good for me..I do enjoy my stodgy foods.
I have noticed I don't eat enough protein, so am trying to up that.
I did take measurements last week, and will re measure in about a month (with the hope of seeing some positive changes).

I'm also keen to shift a few pounds before Christmas.

I'm also trying to work out how I might be able to at least maintain weight over Christmas. I never particularly over-eat at Christmas. But (as I'm sure lots of you can relate to), just enjoying the odd mince pie can result in gaining a few pounds over a week, that can then take 3 months to lose!

@ItIsAlwaysSwingsAndRoundabouts - I keep thinking I should take measurements but I always find it hard to know for sure how accurate it will be/if I've got the tape measure in exactly the same place?!

Nor me! I’ve done 10 days of max 1000 calories daily, have rode my bike a bit every day and not lost even half a pound!
I weighed last week and was 9 st 12 lb so as ever I’ve 12 to lose to get back to 9 st which I’m ok at.
I think I almost got there on the other thread but as always it’s crept back up!
Ive got a school reunion in April - 50 years since we left school at 18 when I was about 8/81/2 stone! I’d like to be nearer 9 than 10 stone . Just in case my first love is there……
So not bad going really.

I did calculate my bmi - 25.4!!!

I have a great weakness for mince pies. I have been more measured with them in recent years since realising that a box is a half-marathon worth of calories. It takes me at least 2 hours 15 to run that... I can get through mince pies substantially quicker than that!

I once had a Christmas baby, and was pretty much stuck in the house with SPD for the final month. I also had carpal tunnel syndrome so couldn't do much with my hands in addition to struggling to move. I suspect that my love of mince pies may not have been insignificant in gaining another stone within the last few weeks 🙈
In 9 months went from 9st2 to 8st7 through nausea then up to 13st in the second half when my appetite resumed. (I supect muscle wastage was also involved in messing with my metabolism as I was struggling with energy to move when I was too queasy to eat)

I used to start mince pie season from 1st Dec, but try to delay it longer now.

I did my race today 😁
Getting in the shower reminded me why I would prefer to lose a bit of fat. OMG the chaffing! 🔥🤯😖

I’m down 1 inch from my hip measurement this week. I haven’t dared to weigh in yet but may start next Monday but progress anyway!

Are you maybe eating too little? Under 1000 seems low, your body might be panicking that there’s a famine and holding onto weight
I have to find a balance of calorie deficit but not too low as weight loss slows

It's been a funny old week here.

I've eaten nutritiously. Lots of homemade vegetable based soup. A simple mid-week roast. Pretty calm on the random temptations.
No running due to recovering from the race, snow/ice and a nasty blister on my ankle.
Lots of walking- how I got the blister. My old walking boots are fcuked and I'd forgotten.
Hormones are awol and going for a random long month. Unfortunately it's the luteal phase dragging out and I like the first half 😂

On balance, I'd say it was a healthy week.

Well done, @BogRollBOGOF

Has anyone else got any updates?

It's been a funny old week for me too. Went away last weekend and didn't count calories - and definitely overate (although I didn't drink). I lost a pound that I've kept off all week. So am now four pounds down in four weeks.

I’ve lost one measly pound in just over 2 weeks!