5'4 and 5'5 women, post your pics, please! :) Inspiration wa

jeorwa

Yall are inspiring!
I'm 5 3&3/4. (I round it up and call it 5.4!) Before Christmas and also this months TOM, I was about 180, I will weigh next after New Years. (That's up from the 135-140 I was in highschool, and down from the 207 I was in 2007-2008) I am currently in 12's or 14's depending on brand. I prefer to think I'm in 12's - honestly.
Feel free to add me, it's really nice to have a reference as to "how would I look if I weighed X lbs!?!"

nilisabel

wow saw some amazing transformations! not just the bodies in terms of athleticism but in terms of energy and happiness in the peoples' faces! good job!!! I hope I look as good as you all by this time next year!

purplespeckle

I'm 5'4" and went from 120-123 (size 6) to 105 (size 1 or 3) in 5-6 months of strict diet and daily exercise. My husband also lost 50 pounds too!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

wow..that's like a commercial ad...that's amazing! you look wonderful! great job!

purplespeckle

i'm 5'3. i was once 160 and got down to 120! i wasn't toned at all though and I don't remember what size my clothing was. but fast food got to me and i gained and got up to 181. i'm 179.6 now and i'm looking to get down to 115-120

Happyoceangirl

aw, thanks darlin'! trust me, no envy. you look PHENOMENAL. and of course you will get down to your desired goal. you're clearly determined and motivated. and we'll definitely be here to cheer you on!!!

i'm still wearing my size 9s. lol... they're comfortable, maybe slightly on the loose side. slightly. i have a closetful of size 4's that don't go beyond my thighs (forget hips). HAHAHAHA... but it's getting there.

i happen to carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs, which might explain why i hate any exercises that work those areas. but abs? i can do abs allllll day long. i love 'em. i am a dance instructor so i do a lot of abs with my students (much to their chagrin). oftentimes when people hate abs, it's because they have weak backs actually. i always stress to my students that they have to have strong cores, and that your core wraps all the way around from your belly, to your sides, to your back. i'll make them do about 15 minutes of abs, super slow as well as super fast.

now if i can only put this same excitement and discipline into running and doing lunges.

The dance instructor / dedicated ab work explains a lot! So... you wanna be my abs coach? I honestly thought my stomach is hopeless. I was told that because I had an abdominal surgery in my early 20s that my muscles were "cut" and therefore always going to be weaker. I was also told that I just have extra skin. Then I woke up and took a good hard look. It's not loose skin! I totally have some stubborn fat hanging on.

Which brings me to my next question: they always say that you can't spot reduce fat and that you have to burn more calories to burn the fat off (which makes sense). So I sort of figured it was pointless to really do ab work until the fat is gone. But your photo has convinced me otherwise.

Your thoughts?

GremlinJenny

OMG! I had an abdominal surgery when I was 19!!! but i was never told that it would affect my body in any real way. the human body really is amazing in how it heals and bounces back.

it's true, you absolutely cannot spot reduce. however, you can target certain muscle groups for more definition, but you will only see the definition if you lose overall body fat. otherwise, you'll just be able to feel the muscle underneath to the touch, but still be flabby to the eye. i've always had strong abs, even in my before photos. but you couldnt see any of it, until my after pics when i lost the layer of fat that was chillin on top of my muscles. lol.

i think its vital for everyone to do ab work in any real healthy fitness regimen. a strong core is the basis of all your physical activities; running, walking, dancing, lifting, rockclimbing, even sitting. and it really will help to prevent back problems in the future. as for the aesthetic, you def gotta do abs. lol. there's no way around it. at a certain point, if you got the flat tummy you desired from general weight loss, you still wouldn't get the lines you wanted unless you did some ab work. btw, ab exercises aren't exclusive to lying on the floor doing sit-ups. there are a lot of standing ab exercises you can start with. and it gets easier the more you do it, i promise!

its never hopeless. i do believe where there's a will there's a way, and you definitely have the will!!!! i mean, hello, SIZE 4!?!?!

Scorpiomom222

You have no fluff if you're a friggin size four!!!! LOL I'll be COMPLETELY surprised and happy if I ever end up in a 5 again. I haven't been a 5 in about 5 years.

diet45

I'm 158 5'5" and I wear baggy 10s....I have 20 more lbs I want to lose, so I'm thinking I'll be in a 6.

Happyoceangirl

OMG! I had an abdominal surgery when I was 19!!! but i was never told that it would affect my body in any real way. the human body really is amazing in how it heals and bounces back.

it's true, you absolutely cannot spot reduce. however, you can target certain muscle groups for more definition, but you will only see the definition if you lose overall body fat. otherwise, you'll just be able to feel the muscle underneath to the touch, but still be flabby to the eye. i've always had strong abs, even in my before photos. but you couldnt see any of it, until my after pics when i lost the layer of fat that was chillin on top of my muscles. lol.

i think its vital for everyone to do ab work in any real healthy fitness regimen. a strong core is the basis of all your physical activities; running, walking, dancing, lifting, rockclimbing, even sitting. and it really will help to prevent back problems in the future. as for the aesthetic, you def gotta do abs. lol. there's no way around it. at a certain point, if you got the flat tummy you desired from general weight loss, you still wouldn't get the lines you wanted unless you did some ab work. btw, ab exercises aren't exclusive to lying on the floor doing sit-ups. there are a lot of standing ab exercises you can start with. and it gets easier the more you do it, i promise!

its never hopeless. i do believe where there's a will there's a way, and you definitely have the will!!!! i mean, hello, SIZE 4!?!?!

That's too weird (the surgeries). Actually, the thing about my muscles staying weak didn't come from a doctor. It's the opinion of a friend of mine. I"ve always considered her credible b/c of her own weight loss and maintenance experience. But I had one of those a-ha moments. That's just her theory. She's trying to help and make me feel better about the pudge. Sort of excusing it for me. But the reality is, I think if I work at it, I can improve it.

So, *sigh*, I guess I shall stick with the cardio and add in some daily ab work. I've been aiming to mix it up so that every day is different. I figured this will help combat boredom and keep my body guessing. Monday was the elliptical, treadmill and 10 mins of abs. Tuesday was 60 mins of zumba and 20 mins of zumba abs. Wed. was a 50 minute run and 10 minute abs. Today I plan on trying out Jillian's 6 week 6 pack (targeting abs) for 35 mins and follow up with some cardio. Kickboxing, maybe?

The photos that have been posted here ARE an inspiration. So I'm going for it!

Thanks for the info and encouragement.:flowerforyou:

limestar

I am 5'5 and weighing 122. i was 115 last year in dec but my tummy was big now I just want to tone up. i do not know how to put pic up but i will put it in my profile

Happyoceangirl

You have no fluff if you're a friggin size four!!!! LOL I'll be COMPLETELY surprised and happy if I ever end up in a 5 again. I haven't been a 5 in about 5 years.

LOL - I wish that were true! :laugh: Don't get me wrong - I'm really pleased with everything I've accomplished and I do feel good about it. What's left is more of a pleasant padding than an obesity problem, and I'm pretty happy with how I look fully clothed. It's without the disguise of clothes that I start to grumble. The majority of the fat left is in my abdominal area - which I had just assumed I had to live with. Now I'm beginning to realize that assumption is probably unfounded.

The question is... how badly do I want to change it? Enough to get tough when it comes to sugars and carbs? :grumble: I guess time will tell!

Happyoceangirl

I am 5'5 and weighing 122. i was 115 last year in dec but my tummy was big now I just want to tone up. i do not know how to put pic up but i will put it in my profile

I just saw your profile - your husband sounds like a really wonderful support. What a guy!
You look great. Thanks for sharing your pics.

Are you saying that even though you weigh more this year your tummy was bigger last year? Either way - it's hard to imagine you have a tummy issue from the profile pic I see! LOL! I guess I can understand how people say similar things to me. :laugh:

ncahill77

go to a circuit weight training, you get the cardio benefit in addition to the longer burning muscle building, those problem spots will melt off.

limestar

Yes maam. i was a size 0 but my with a muffin top. I did not focus on strenght training or toning. i focused on just losing the weight and lost the weight in places that i did not wanted. now i been focusing on strenght training and my tummy is actually smaller now than i ever had it. i think if i keep it up i will get my six pack soon lol.

I am 5'5 and weighing 122. i was 115 last year in dec but my tummy was big now I just want to tone up. i do not know how to put pic up but i will put it in my profile

I just saw your profile - your husband sounds like a really wonderful support. What a guy!
You look great. Thanks for sharing your pics.

Are you saying that even though you weigh more this year your tummy was bigger last year? Either way - it's hard to imagine you have a tummy issue from the profile pic I see! LOL! I guess I can understand how people say similar things to me. :laugh:

GremlinJenny

go to a circuit weight training, you get the cardio benefit in addition to the longer burning muscle building, those problem spots will melt off.

good point. it's vital to include weight training for sure. i was just reading health fitness a few wks ago and it was something like: after a cardio workout, your body continues to burn cals for like another 30 min-1 hr. but following a weight training session, your body continues to burn cals for like 4 hrs or something like that. i cant remember the exact timings, but it was crazy drastic by hours. lol....

GremlinJenny

The question is... how badly do I want to change it? Enough to get tough when it comes to sugars and carbs? :grumble: I guess time will tell!

you just reminded me of what started my whole mental shift and lifestyle change. i posted the extreeeeeeemely long story in the Motivation topics if you've got a lot of time to kill. lol....

purplespeckle

aw, thanks darlin'! trust me, no envy. you look PHENOMENAL. and of course you will get down to your desired goal. you're clearly determined and motivated. and we'll definitely be here to cheer you on!!!

i'm still wearing my size 9s. lol... they're comfortable, maybe slightly on the loose side. slightly. i have a closetful of size 4's that don't go beyond my thighs (forget hips). HAHAHAHA... but it's getting there.

i happen to carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs, which might explain why i hate any exercises that work those areas. but abs? i can do abs allllll day long. i love 'em. i am a dance instructor so i do a lot of abs with my students (much to their chagrin). oftentimes when people hate abs, it's because they have weak backs actually. i always stress to my students that they have to have strong cores, and that your core wraps all the way around from your belly, to your sides, to your back. i'll make them do about 15 minutes of abs, super slow as well as super fast.

now if i can only put this same excitement and discipline into running and doing lunges.

The dance instructor / dedicated ab work explains a lot! So... you wanna be my abs coach? I honestly thought my stomach is hopeless. I was told that because I had an abdominal surgery in my early 20s that my muscles were "cut" and therefore always going to be weaker. I was also told that I just have extra skin. Then I woke up and took a good hard look. It's not loose skin! I totally have some stubborn fat hanging on.

Which brings me to my next question: they always say that you can't spot reduce fat and that you have to burn more calories to burn the fat off (which makes sense). So I sort of figured it was pointless to really do ab work until the fat is gone. But your photo has convinced me otherwise.

Your thoughts?

I agree I'd like to hear some thoughts on that too I've always thought the same thing...that it'd make more sense to lose the fat first then tone

a1schwei

so much good inspritation on here i am a little bit shorter (5'3.5") and after the holidays i am at about 129 wanting to lose about 5lbs and tone to be 125...i don't know how to post pics on here, but i just put up some pic on my profile last week best of luck everyone

4x4n8

Im 5foot3, went from 165 to 135, about a size 6/8 depending on the clothing, grrr lol. . I want to lose 15 more, but mainly just be TONE. I had 4 kids in 4 years.

pinwheelin

I am 5' 5", 165 lbs... in a size 10-12. I've always been heavier than girls my age since high school. At my heaviest I was 180, and at one point got so fed up that I dropped to 145 and managed to keep it off for a number of years over the course of the last year or so I put back on some of the weight and I'm looking to lose it once again, and ultimately get down to 130... I'd be happy to fit into a size 6 or 8, which I don't think I can even remember doing, its been that long.

Seeing that I just started a few days ago, I don't have pictures yet... but looking through at other people's photos is great motivation. The mobile app helps me tremendously because I work around donuts and pastries every day (which are free for me to eat at the end of the day), so it becomes really easy to slip and tell myself that I can nibble on things here and there and it won't matter! Keeping track of every calorie stops me! Beyond that I'm fairly active as it is, I walk most of the places I go, and try to fit in some of the workouts from Bodyrock.tv, since they're easy to do at home and many don't require any equipment. They sure do make me sweat though, phew!

Happyoceangirl

so much good inspritation on here i am a little bit shorter (5'3.5") and after the holidays i am at about 129 wanting to lose about 5lbs and tone to be 125...i don't know how to post pics on here, but i just put up some pic on my profile last week best of luck everyone

Your profile pics are amazing! Thank you for the inspiration. I have no doubt you'll get to your goal. Out of curiosity - are you planning any specific exercise routine?

Happyoceangirl

Im 5foot3, went from 165 to 135, about a size 6/8 depending on the clothing, grrr lol. . I want to lose 15 more, but mainly just be TONE. I had 4 kids in 4 years.

Linna - you're amazing! Beautiful, and a job well done (so far!) Good luck with the toning. Keep us posted on your progress. (And pat yourself on the back, girl!)

4x4n8

Thank you! One of my friends joined and invited me here so here I am. Can always use more support and a chance to encourage others as well. I have a great gym/aquatic center I belong to and next week Im going to try my first Zumba class-Im excited!!

RockCreak

5'5, went from 233 to 194 today. hoping to get to 150. man
! i wish i was a size 8!

That's great...wish I was there.

Happyoceangirl

go to a circuit weight training, you get the cardio benefit in addition to the longer burning muscle building, those problem spots will melt off.

good point. it's vital to include weight training for sure. i was just reading health fitness a few wks ago and it was something like: after a cardio workout, your body continues to burn cals for like another 30 min-1 hr. but following a weight training session, your body continues to burn cals for like 4 hrs or something like that. i cant remember the exact timings, but it was crazy drastic by hours. lol....

Hi Gremlin I'm excited - we may be getting a weight bench for home use. (Not that I know what to do with it yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out).

Just thought I'd mention - I made a point of doing ab/core work every day this week (instead of mainly doing cardio, like normal) and wow - there's a big difference already. There's still a nice layer of padding over it, but when I contract my ab muscles, and go to grab the fat, there's much less to hold on to (than when I'm not contracting the muscles at all). Does this make sense? And is it normal?

LorinaLynn

I'm about 5'5, 38 years old, and 135 is my goal weight. Currently 155, but I couldn't tell you what size I wear because everything is different! I wear 6, 8, 10 and sometimes 12 in misses. Usually a 9 or 11 in juniors, even though I'm technically "too old" for them. Small chest, small waist, curvy hips and a great butt, if I don't say so myself. Probably the only woman on the planet who likes her butt.

If I get below 130, I look bony. The lowest I've been since I turned 30 was about 120, and that was when I had problems with TMJ -- I had a dislocated disc in my jaw and could only open my mouth a few millimeters without pain. I did NOT like being that thin. After not being able to eat normally for about 18 months, when I finally could again, when my jaw pain was improved, I made up for lost time. :embarassed:

I really don't care what the scale says, or what's the size on my jeans. I just want to be healthy and fit, a little less gushy in some spots, so my goal is to be able to run a 5k.

4x4n8

Trying to learn how to add pics, lol.



4846_123378507246_721997246_3474561_5824424_n by Sweet On You, on Flickr


4846_123378567246_721997246_3474562_1607831_n by Sweet On You, on Flickr


1meoct09 by Sweet On You, on Flickr

GremlinJenny

Im 5foot3, went from 165 to 135, about a size 6/8 depending on the clothing, grrr lol. . I want to lose 15 more, but mainly just be TONE. I had 4 kids in 4 years.

you look awesome!!!!

btw, has anyone ever told you you resemble Elizabeth Shue? gorrrrgeous!

GremlinJenny

I agree I'd like to hear some thoughts on that too I've always thought the same thing...that it'd make more sense to lose the fat first then tone

i'm of the school of thought that you should do both simultaneously. it's great to alternate days. as i mentioned at another point in this thread, you burn more cals with muscle so it only serves you to do both! hehehe.

GremlinJenny

Just thought I'd mention - I made a point of doing ab/core work every day this week (instead of mainly doing cardio, like normal) and wow - there's a big difference already. There's still a nice layer of padding over it, but when I contract my ab muscles, and go to grab the fat, there's much less to hold on to (than when I'm not contracting the muscles at all). Does this make sense? And is it normal?

Look at you!!! Great job!!!!

Yes, that's totally normal. Your abs actually bounce back a lot faster than most of your other body parts actually. Really, amazing job. I love that there was no dillydallying! Talk about determined!

A great variation in abs is to do all your regular abs, extreeeeeeeeeeeemmely slow. For example, scissor legs:



Contract your abs and move your legs in the scissor motion starting with your right leg, but so slowly that it should take approximately 30 seconds to switch to your left leg. THAT slow. Seriously, count to 30. Try to work your way up to one full (short) song, any song of your choosing.