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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

If you're 5ft 2 how many calories do you lose on?

31 replies

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 13:04

I really can't stick to 1200 now I'm older. Just trying to get a sense of what works for others. I do approx 10,000 steps a day but no other exercise and I'm mid 40s.

OP posts:
WeregoingtoIbiza · 28/10/2024 13:06

I'm 5ft 3 and last time I was loosing weight, my PT advised on 1600 calories per day with a minimum of 8000 steps (though I have an office based job so quite sedentary). I was going to the gym at least 3/4 times per week as well.

kitsuneghost · 28/10/2024 13:10

I'm 5ft. I would never lose on 1200kcal. I need about 2000 to keep my body running healthy
I think when I try and go lower I cut out healthy oils and essential nutrients so my body isn't getting everything it needs

midgetastic · 28/10/2024 13:13

You should be able to lose on more than 1200 but it will be very slow ( no bad thing )

Most women - never mind short ones - gain quite fast in 2000 a day - they think the standard day for women is around 1800 ( it was 2000 when we didn't have cars an automatic washing machines etc )

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 13:17

WeregoingtoIbiza · 28/10/2024 13:06

I'm 5ft 3 and last time I was loosing weight, my PT advised on 1600 calories per day with a minimum of 8000 steps (though I have an office based job so quite sedentary). I was going to the gym at least 3/4 times per week as well.

This sounds amazing and more doable, though I don't do the gym. Lots of walking though!

OP posts:
LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 13:18

Slow is good. It's just far less depressing to hear higher numbers floated around than the classic 1200

OP posts:
midgetastic · 28/10/2024 13:25

1600 is a lot for 5ft2 to lose on - would 1400 work?

WeregoingtoIbiza · 28/10/2024 13:30

midgetastic · 28/10/2024 13:25

1600 is a lot for 5ft2 to lose on - would 1400 work?

It did work for me.

As long as your in a calorie deficit, then should loose weight.

caitlinsjoy · 28/10/2024 13:31

I’m 5 foot tall and overweight. Sedentary job but reasonably active (average 11,000 steps/day over the last six months). My app has me on 1,548 calories to lose 0.5lbs a week. I originally set it to lose more than that but it offered me so few calories (around 1,200) that I discounted it as completely unsustainable. Some days I eat more than ~1,500 (if I’m running or I’ve been to the gym), as my app increases what I can have based on my activity levels (it’s added another 270 calories on for my 25 minute walk). This seems to be working for me, but there are no quick results or easy fixes. It’ll probably take me a year to lose the 1.5 stone extra I’m carrying unless I make some radical changes. I’m OK with slow and steady though.

RandomMess · 28/10/2024 13:32

I'm 5' and has to be less than 1,400, in my 50s and small framed.

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 14:13

Hard to know what works - some say don't go too low, some say the truth is small people need loads less. Despite years of dieting I still don't know what works but the smallest I was the more I'd deprived myself. So depressing though!

OP posts:
2024Hackathon · 28/10/2024 14:27

I know what my lean body mass is (it's low, I know why, and yes, I strength train). Although I'm a little taller than you, a BMI of 23 and reasonably active, my calorie maintenance needs are approx. 1500-1600kcals per day.

It's taken me 10months to lose 4lbs.

noodlercanoodler · 28/10/2024 14:34

I'll be honest and it won't be popular

I'm small. 5ft 2 and 7st - if I eat 1000 calories a day then I put weight on

Obviously I don't want to lose weight where I am now, but I don't like going over 800/900 calories a day

I do like a Chinese once a week, very restricted otherwise. I function well, work full time/have 2 children/periods/hair etc. but I do have a bit of a bad relationship with food

LegoTherapy · 28/10/2024 14:47

1500-1700 calories to steadily lose weight for me at 5ft 2.5in. 48, perimenopausal, chronic pain, eat mainly carbs.

LegoTherapy · 28/10/2024 14:48

I weigh 55.85kg today. I've put a little on in half term.

Apollo365 · 28/10/2024 14:49

It has to be under 1500 for my efforts to show on the scales 😰 that and a lot of steps!

Sajacas · 28/10/2024 14:59

Just to give another perspective, I lost about weight by increasing my overall calories.

I was eating normally, what I would say is a standard UK trying to be healthy diet so, I mean three meals a day, based around starches, with lots of veg and minimal meat and dairy and healthy snacks of fruit and veg. The result was weight gain, low mood and total lack of energy.

Switched to a low carb diet, the weight disappeared without hunger. Now I just don't eat processed food, and avoid starches. My meals are meat, and dairy with sides of fresh veg. I also try and eat oily fish, and full fat dairy, to get healthy fats.

I occasionally track my nutrient intake just to see if I am getting all the vitamins and minerals I need, and that shows a calorie intake of between 2000 and 2300ish. And that maintains my weight loss without hunger or snacking.

Cutting calories does not always work, if it did people would do weight watchers once and trott slimly of into the distance. (If you are interested look into the Minnesota starvation experiment for a good account on how the body reacts to restricted calories.) The human body needs proteins and fats to function and maintain itself, it does not need carbs. Carbs can only be used a fuel or stored as fuel. So if the goal is weight loss, cutting carbs not eating the instant fuel, means you can use the fuel you have stored on your body- your body fat. If you are interested I recommend looking at Eric Westman or Jason Fung on Youtube, both explain how a ketogenic diet functions pretty well.

Either way, best of luck!
And if you are interested in focusing on nutrition and not calories, chronometer is a good app, it shows all the vitamins, minerals and essential amino and fatty acids that foods contain.

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 15:02

Thanks for this @Sajacas - I have looked into it but I always fall of the wagon the week before my period. I eat non UPF and I prioritise good fats over carbs but my downfall is chocolate before my period and wine! I struggle to avoid the carbs

OP posts:
RandomMess · 28/10/2024 15:05

I need to eat low carb/ditch refined sugar to not feel hungry.

Some days I total up and haven't eaten 900 calories and feel great. If a slip back into chocolate/crips/biscuits then I'm back feeling starved and craving food, any food.

RandomMess · 28/10/2024 15:11

And yes the weeks I'm on progesterone to fake PMT on HRT the cravings for chocolate are insane.

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 15:13

RandomMess · 28/10/2024 15:11

And yes the weeks I'm on progesterone to fake PMT on HRT the cravings for chocolate are insane.

How do you resist/manage them? I just can't!

OP posts:
Heartbreaktuna · 28/10/2024 15:17

1200 to lose. 1500 maintain. 158cm tall

DancingNotDrowning · 28/10/2024 15:19

Im mid 40s, on HRtT, 5’3” and weight 8st 10lb

at beginning of year I was 2 stone heavier. I’ve lost that weight at a rate of 1lb per week on 7700 kcal per week (average 1100 per day - but a couple of days I do fast 500 so I can go out for dinner or have a glass of wine, plus:

I walk 10k steps every day
Pilates 3 x week
strength training 4x week

Honestly it’s hard. If I so much as sniff an extra glass of wine I don’t lose.

midgetastic · 28/10/2024 15:27

LittleNincompoop · 28/10/2024 15:02

Thanks for this @Sajacas - I have looked into it but I always fall of the wagon the week before my period. I eat non UPF and I prioritise good fats over carbs but my downfall is chocolate before my period and wine! I struggle to avoid the carbs

I would therefore ignore that week / don't try to lose that week

RandomMess · 28/10/2024 15:29

I don't have things in the house, fortunately I'm on a 12 week cycle!

I find not having the alcohol helps me refrain. So don't buy it.

ACuppaAlwaysHelps · 28/10/2024 15:29

@LittleNincompoop Come and join us over on this thread.
Petite support for losing a few pounds/getting to our 'happy' size http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weightlosss_chat/5181505-petite-support-for-losing-a-few-poundsgetting-to-our-happy-size