5'3 and 125lb ladies. Any advice??

BluthLover

Hello! My goal is 125lbs and I'm 5'3. If Anyone wouldn't mind telling me how they got to 125 I would love to hear it! How many calories (net) do you eat per day? How long have you maintained? How did you achieve this weight? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!!
Marie

heartsherps

Bumping because I'm at the same height and goal weight. Started at 179, down to 174 after a month.

Edit: Tell me your secrets, ladies.

I_Got_This_23

Bumping too, same height and goal weight. Started at 180, been hovering at 150 for a year.

ToughTulip

Hey! I am close to 5ft 3 and got to about 120 pounds.

I ate about 1800 calories net, but I am very active during the day
I got 1g of protein per pound of lean body mass (about 95g)
Took my body weight times .35 for my fat goal
Rest in carbs

I lifted weights, some cardio occasionally, and was consistent.

Thats all it took for me

riccoismydog

I am 5'4 and exactly 126 as of today. I only lost from 137 though, so I didn't have really far to go. But it gets harder the less you weigh I think.

My diary is open if you want to take a look. I eat at maintenance and then exercise. I want the weight to come off slowly, that way there it stays.
I just dropped 250 calories off my daily intake though, to make up for the fact that I am working nights and only working out two days a week.

Don't be afraid once you are closer to your goal to eat closer to 1200net cals a day. If you are small and close to your goal weight you might have to to lose weight.

When I was 137 I dieted pretty much the same to get here. I find when you are shorter as I am, there really isn't a lot of wiggle room for mistakes. So weigh your food and don't overcount your exercise. Thats why I just eat at maintenance and then try to burn 500 cals a day. That way there even if I mess up on exercise calories ( who really knows what I burn) I am not starving and I am not over eating.

Good luck in your journey. Feel free to add me for support.

Yanicka1

Hey! I am close to 5ft 3 and got to about 120 pounds.

I ate about 1800 calories net, but I am very active during the day
I got 1g of protein per pound of lean body mass (about 95g)
Took my body weight times .35 for my fat goal
Rest in carbs

I lifted weights, some cardio occasionally, and was consistent.

Thats all it took for me

This..... no special diet or workout. I am a bit shorter than you. I am 4'11" 120 pounds but with a body fat of 19%.

Eat at a small deficit (1700 for me) lift heavy, moderate cardio, eat between 75 and 100g of protein. Some good fat too.

RawVeganFlirt

i'm 5'2 110, started at 5'2 135, I lost the first 10 pounds by going vegan, another 5 pounds by walking daily and the last 10 by counting calories and going to the gym. at first i wasnt counting calories at all but i was eating small snacks constantly (grapes, nuts, carrots, cherry tomatoes etc) with 3 decent sized meals spaced out. when the weight loss started to stop. i started eating 1350 (my BMR) or 1500 on workout days, getting in atleast 20 minutes of cardio 3 times a week

hope this helps ! add me if youre looking for friendly support

innocenceportrayed

I'm not sure if I'm 5'3.5 or 5'4 either way, I'm eating 1200 calories a day and exercising at least 4x a week. My goal is 130 but if I get to 125 I'll be more happy.

KarmaxKitty

bump

Nerdy_Rose

I am 5'3" and roughly 123-125 with fluctuations. I lost the majority of my weight eating 1200 calories + exercise calories. After upping my calories slowly until 1600, I lost the last 5ish pounds on 1600 + exercise calories.

I walk a lot, bike a lot, lift heavy, rock climb, do yoga, eat lots of protein (80-100g per day).

No magic really. Just a moderate deficit plus exercise. The lifting hasn't effected my weight, but it reduced inches on my stomach.

elenathegreat

I am 47 and a half years old
I am under 5'2"
I started at 198.8 pounds
Now at 151.2 pounds
Current goal 145(I am very muscular)
Eat a balanced, healthy diet: protein(meat), carbs and fiber(fruit, veggies and whole grains)
Find exercise that you ENJOY
Log in DAILY--eat less cals than you burn
Don't rush it--it will happen

Belovedrooster

This is going to vary from woman to woman, depending on age, activity level, genetics, and hormonal status. It is important to not just look to others, but be diligent in tracking your own body's response. Your fat loss formula is unique to you, and far more complex than counting calories.

I find I am most successful when I keep my protein up high, get ample sleep, and stay away from coffee, wheat, and dairy. These foods don't work for me, and it has nothing to do with calories. But when I eat them, my weight loss slows or stops, my cravings go through the roof, and weight loss becomes a struggle.

I am currently seeking answers through looking at my hormones and adrenals, because physical activity and reduced calories is not working as it used to. I have other symptoms that indicate something is off - again, the process is more than just calories - it has to be what works for you for a lifetime!

Good luck!

BluthLover

Thank you so much ladies for your replies! It's interesting to me how some have lost with netting 1200 calories and others netting 1700-1800 calories. It seems like protein is a big factor as well! I appreciate all of your advice and input! My CW is 137 and I can't seem to get back down to 125. I had originally gotten down to 125 by eating around 2000 calories a day total. Working out 5 times a week burning around 450 calories. Then I slowly started putting weight back on. It seemed like the more I cut, the more I gained. I tried netting 1200 calories and that didnt work. Now I'm trying netting 1500 calories. No luck so far either. I'll get there.

lizzy00125

Lost 22 lbs, currently 5'3 and 117lbs. The lowest I ever net was 1400. I lost the first few lbs that way and then upped my calories. I lost most of my weight netting between 1600-1800. I do mostly strength training, started out with NROL then progressed to more difficult strength workouts. Hit cardio a few times a week as well but I spent most of my time doing strength. Same as some other posters, I eat plenty of protein. Usually I consume between 115-140 grams. Consistency is the key. I make sure I weigh everything too. I have been doing this since November 2011 and this has just become the norm. I'm used to it now.

thekarens

I'm 42, 5'3 and started out at 200lbs. Right now I'm at 150lbs and steadily losing at a rate of 1lb a week. I'm eating 1200 plus exercise calories. My exercise has mostly been cardio..walking, etc.

BluthLover

Lost 22 lbs, currently 5'3 and 117lbs. The lowest I ever net was 1400. I lost the first few lbs that way and then upped my calories. I lost most of my weight netting between 1600-1800. I do mostly strength training, started out with NROL then progressed to more difficult strength workouts. Hit cardio a few times a week as well but I spent most of my time doing strength. Same as some other posters, I eat plenty of protein. Usually I consume between 115-140 grams. Consistency is the key. I make sure I weigh everything too. I have been doing this since November 2011 and this has just become the norm. I'm used to it now.

What is NROL?
PS you look awesome! Congrats on your hard work and success!!!

triciab79

I'm 5'4" and I went from 209 at the end of Jan to 125.8 as of today. I started out around 2000 calories and dropped about 100 calories every 2-3 weeks until I was around 130 and since I have been slowly adding calories back. I didn't really exercise until about mid May. I swim 7days a week for 20-30 min (except today since my pool is green). I am 33 yrs old and I have 6 boys (3 biological). I will say I have upped my protein and fiber intake in the last couple of months to help the workouts be more effective and keep me feeling fuller. Hope that helps!

triciab79

130lbs not calories I would die at 130 calories

c_porcayo

BUMP*
I am 5'2 and would love to be 125lbs

DeeDel32

Lost 22 lbs, currently 5'3 and 117lbs. The lowest I ever net was 1400. I lost the first few lbs that way and then upped my calories. I lost most of my weight netting between 1600-1800. I do mostly strength training, started out with NROL then progressed to more difficult strength workouts. Hit cardio a few times a week as well but I spent most of my time doing strength. Same as some other posters, I eat plenty of protein. Usually I consume between 115-140 grams. Consistency is the key. I make sure I weigh everything too. I have been doing this since November 2011 and this has just become the norm. I'm used to it now.

What is NROL?
PS you look awesome! Congrats on your hard work and success!!!

NROL = new rules of lifting. Was probably referring to new rules of lifting for women. Because the are books written for those interested in weight lifting.

roguestates

bump

goodeater24

I'm 5'3' and lost 75 pounds, got down to 125 and kept it off for over 7 years - now I'm at 135. (I'm going on nine years without sugar or flour.) I look okay, but would like to get back to 125.
I did it by eating 3 meals a day, weighed everything I ate - and I still do. No snacks. No sugar or flour - ever. And, no days off. Ever. I never cheated. It wasn't difficult after I got the hang of it. I was a member of a 12 step support program and it really worked well. But alas, at year seven I started to get restless and felt a little deprived. I've loosened up a bit with the food, but some weight has crept up on me. That's why I'm here. I'm trying not to be so strict but I have to admit, because I am a binge eater, I do better when I follow a restrictive plan that limits my choices. By, the way, I rarely exercised during that seven years. Not that I recommend that.

alltacht

Im 5'3 but small framed I started at 146 and my goal is around 110. Im at 118lbs now after about 9 months. I didnt bother with the eating a minumum plus my excercise cals. I generally just walk about 5km per day fairly briskly and am also on my feet then for the day. I try new sports or group classes sometimes. I go for around a 5km jog once a week or every other week and I do planks when the ad breaks come on tv So i ate 1500 -1600cals per day as thats above my bmr and under my tdee. It was slow but its really off for good. I know now I could splurge and I wouldnt put a load back on because it was proper fat loss. I find it interesting how girls at 5'3 can have such a wide goal range. I was 110 before and that was perfect for me, fairly slim but not skinny.
Edit to say ditto on the protein, generally go for 100g a day and also high fibre stops me snacking on junk

LadyL2012

Bump. I am 5ft4 (just!) and would LOVE to be 125lbs.

I have lost 11lbs (161 - 150 in 9 weeks) by eating (I am ashamed to say) approx. 1050 a day and exercising 4 times a week out of naivety rather than intentionally eating so little. But surprise surprise i have stalled and am now upping my cals to net around 1200 - 1300 a day as I see people are still getting great results on this.

You are all such an inspiration and i learnt so much from being here.

mrsdarty

Bump

shmunster

I'm 5"3 and 127, started at 197. Been maintaining for 5 months

I netted between 1000-1400 most of the way through and generally always splurged at least one day on the weekend. I walked every weeknight and did the jillian michaels dvd's for a few months as well

My biggest advice is to log EVERYTHING, even if its embarrassing, and if you have a bad day pick up again the next day, dont think oh well Ive stuffed it now theres no point

fizzletto

I'm 5'3" and 129lbs, still losing so I'll be 125 soon hopefully. I'm determined to get down to 118-120. Started at 151.

I expect people are going to say I'm unhealthy for doing it etc etc, but I just netted 1,200 calories a day (sometimes slightly over, sometimes slightly under), every day. I know people say it's too low blah blah blah, but.. I mean... it's working for me!

WhitneyAnnabelle

I'm about 5'2'', and I'm around 104 pounds (I know that sounds really, really thin, but I'm really not--and yes, I do have muscle). I lost most of my weight along the way through TONS of cardio and a moderate amount of scatterbrained lifting. Now that I'm thinner, I concentrate more on resistance exercises (plus I'm an archaeologist so I do a lot of manual-type labor). When I'm in the field, I try to net at least 1500 calories. When I'm not, it's more like 1200-1300. A lot of people think that's too low, I'm sure, but when you're short and have a small frame, you don't necessarily need a tremendous amount of calories--especially for me right now, since I'm not doing a whole lot for activity due to health issues. If I were more active like I used to be, I'd be taking in a lot more.

SueGlazier

I am 5'3". I was 140lb around 4 weeks ago. I am currently at 133 and aiming for around 125 myself (but would not complain if it was a little less like 119 which would be my minimum). When I started on MFP I did not eat back my exercise calories as I did not realise I was supposed to. The Weight was very very slow to move at that time. Then after reading many many posts in this forum I realised that in order to lose I HAD to eat that back otherwise I was netting only around 600-700 cals on a very busy work day (I am a private houese cleaner cleaning 2 houses some days). Obviously this caused my body to go into whats called "starvation mode" where it stores everything it can as it feels like its not getting fed enough. Thats why the weight was not going. Now I might eat around 1600-1800 calories per day but on busy work days I am burning 400-600 of those back off so am trying to keep it around net 1200 cals per day and it seams to be dropping nice a steady now (about 2lb week). I think its just as important not to undereat as it is to not overeat. Just do what seems to work for you. It may take a few days or a week or so for you to notice what calorific intake is getting the best results for you. It took me two and a half to 3 weeks to get mine right.

jamifaith

ladies, I am 5'3 and even though I've been lighter in the past I'm currently ridiculously stalled at about 139lbs. After doing a bunch of digging on MFP today I decided to up my calories to 1500 (I was eating between 1200-1300) and see if that helps, but i noticed that a lot of you ladies mentioned that you were eating a lot of protein. 100g of protein seems like a lot to me, did you get all this protein from food or did you drink protein shakes?
And if it all came from food, are there some key protein foods that im missing, other than nuts. ill eat it in butter form (peanut butter, almond butter, etc) but I detest handfuls of peanuts, almonds, cashews...bleh! :P

BluthLover

Thank you so much!!!