128 lbs, 5'3", need to lose 20-25 lbs

Bakermiranda

I'm new to this site. I can not find support from my Facebook family for losing weight because I'm "already skinny". I hate hearing that. I don't think I'm ugly, but I have body fat that needs to go.
I am the mom of four and I was 3 months pregnant in January this year and lost the baby but not the weight I gained. I've never dieted or tried to lose weight before. I'm small framed and around 105 is a good weight for me cause if I get much under that I start looking anorexic. I have slender arms and legs but a big belly right now and some love handles that have a little to much love.
Please share advice and support. If you don't have encouraging words please don't bring me down any more than I am.

fiddletime

I think you know your body type and best weight better than us so just support heading your way. Count and log your calories. Get some ab workout DVDs and you should be able to reach your goal and get trim. I pick up lots of tips from the Exercise and Fitness section. Work out ideas and stuff like that.

lesleyann2711

You know your own body and if you are not happy, and make sensible healthy choices, then you should go ahead and do that. Again keep track of your calories and nutrients, make sure you are eating a balanced diet. Cut white bread and drink lots of water. Good luck.

sahead710

You could try lifting weights along with your healthy diet, many women don't lift because they are afraid they will get bulky and mannish but that doesn't happen, you build muscle true but it makes you look more toned and proportional and fit. If you combined lifting and cardio and ate healthy I bet the extra lbs would fall off of you

eyeamAnne

I hear you. People used to accuse me of being too skinny. I never worked for it in the past, it just came naturally. A lot of people in my family were quite the opposite with their weight. After gaining weight with each of four pregnancies (and drinking way too much soda) I still feel a little bit of judgment (I think it really is jealousy). I know people who would love to get down to my starting weight. I feel like I have to explain myself to them. I tell them that I have a very unhealthy percentage of fat. Ugh. I shouldn't have to explain myself.

Don't do anything crazy like eating only 900 calories a day. Stick to your 1200 and don't forget to eat back at least half of what you work off (you need those calories to fuel your body). You might find that you won't need to lose as much as you're thinking. But you'll know what feels right as you get close to your goal. If you do a lot of exercise you could end up feeling better about your body than you have ever felt.

fiddletime

I'm 5'2" and 132#, aiming for 120. I'm not sure if that will be the right weight for me once I get there as it's been a few decades since I was under 120. I was 110# 30 years ago, and was trim and fit. so am going to just take it slow and steady. 11# down so far from my recent high.

miladymarathoner

Yeah, I'm aiming for a lower weight also. It's not always easy to go for the goals you set, instead of what others tell you is good enough.

Do you have a plan?

I've always found that losing weight means taking things really slow. Since we're short (I'm also 5'3") we don't need that many calories to maintain, and losing means cutting them out. But if I cut out too many, I get really hungry and the whole thing goes up in flames. Right now, I'm focusing on making positive weight goals (thinking of what I'm aiming for instead of "losing" weight.) I try to think of what I'm acheiving, what I'm eating to help me acheive it, etc. Negative thinking like the things I "can't" eat drives me nuts.