Women 5'4" who WERE 160-170lbs & lost. Help?

LorinaLynn

I'm 5'5 and started at 160 and a tight size 10, pushing 12. Currently about 132 and in a 2 or 4.

When I first joined, like everyone else, I started at 1200 plus exercise calories... until I realized I can't lose 2 pounds in a week without a stomach flu. :laugh: Then I was at about 1350 plus exercise calories (one pound a week) until I got to about 140, then switched to about 1500 plus exercise calories (half pound a week).

Currently, I'm maintaining about about 2200 calories total. I stopped counting exercise calories about 6 weeks ago, and go by TDEE instead. I run 3x a week (about 12-15 miles a week) and lift weights 3x a week.

oceanbreeze30329

Iam 5'3 and weighed 172 pounds. I went to a dietian who put me on a 1,200 calorie diet. No pills, no caffeine, just watching and measuring what I eat. Also, I am big on fat burning foods which I think is helpful. I thought I would never lose the weight and as of now I lost 27 pounds. I eat oatmeal, fresh fruits, Greek yogurt, wheat bread, salmon, chicken, but I limit my sugar intake. As a snack I eat prunes, figs, and lots of blueberries. Its hard at times because I want to eat like I use to but after seeing the results I have attained, that is making it a big incentive. I hope this helps. You can DO IT!

lmelangley

I started at 175lbs at 5' 4". I pretty much followed what MFP said until my calories got dropped to 1200. That threw me into a plateau. I have to eat at least 1325 to lose weight.

meghan6867

I'm just over 5'4" and I started out heavier than you (197 lbs)... but I set my calories initially at 1200/day. This worked great for awhile, but I knew it was something that I couldn't maintain long-term. After about three months I bumped it up 1350 and then a few months after that up to 1500.

I should note, however : I am working out a lot harder than I used to and I don't eat back all of my exercise calories most days. I simply can't eat that much.

I would recommend eating what feels best for you. Everyone has a different metabolism. Some people simply need to eat more and others need to eat less. Journal throughout the day--describing how you feel (e.g. if you're excessive hungry, having more cravings than usual, etc) and then decide what works best.

rachelfaith92

Bump

soehlerking

I was 170 @ 5'4" and I STARTED at MFP's 1/2 lb/week caloric intake plus 4-5 days/week of Jillian's 30DS. Then I dropped down to 1200 cal + cardio at the gym 5-6 days/week while eating back my calories. I wish I would have done the TDEE thing; it's just much more manageable. Feel free to add me!

animatorswearbras

I'm 5'5" my highest was 164 although I started myfitnesspal at 147 in May. At the moment I net on average 1600 cals a day (however I usually net a lot less during the week and a lot more during the weekend ie some exercise days during the week can have me "netting" under 1000 but my sedentary weekend days can have me at over 2500 but it evens out at about 1600 and this works for me) at the mo I'm losing a pound a week and I very very rarely eat under my BMR which is 1350.

Hellavaloosa

Hi there,

I'm 5'4' and was eating between 1400 - 1500 cals for about 6 months to lose around 40 pounds (started at 180 and am now maintaining at 132 eating about 1900 - 2000 cal).

The weight seemed to come off fairly quickly but I do exercise quite a bit. Even without so much exercise I'm sure you would still lose steadily eating around the same amount or maybe a bit less.

I found Jillian Michael's No More Trouble Zones to be an excellent strength workout. There isn't much jumping around either so could be a good one for the evenings when the kids are in bed. Every little bit of exercise helps so even if you can't find time for formal exercise perhaps you can find a way to be more active in your every-day activities.

Good luck - you can do it! Don't worry about how quickly the pounds come off - just as long as you are creating a deficit you will reach your goal.

yecatsml

I am 5'4.5" and started at 165 here (I was up to 185 before I found MFP). I did the whole 1200 calorie thing too before I knew better and read tons and educated myself. I was also doing cardio out the wazoo! I did manage to get down to 155 but then stalled big time. I found the EMTWL and read up on that as well as HIIT and lifting. I did a 5 week reset eating 2100 cal/day and maintained the 155, then did a 15% cut and am now at 144. I alternate doing a cut for 5 weeks then 1 week TDEE until I get to where I want. I am seeing inches decrease but not necessarily the number on the scale. That makes me happy! (I never thought I'd say that!) I've been trying to weigh myself less and focus more on how I look and measurements. Currently I am at 1700 calories for my cut.

Verity1111

Mine was 1750 NET at that weight. I'm closer to 5'3" though.

Were you losing at a nice pace and may I ask how much exercise you had at the time? I'm sorry to be a pain, I just am scared to negate my progress because I have an anxiety disorder (OCD) and I get so easily discouraged.

1lb/week, exercise usually 5 days a week- but I eat all my exercise calories back, so that's not creating a deficit. You're not going to believe me here, but I actually have diagnosed OCD too. You just gotta get started and stick with it.

Aw yay someone who gets me lol but yea it is hard but I try really hard to stick to it. I won't lie, I fall of track sometimes, but when I find the courage I get right back to it. I am trying to not fall off this time!

Verity1111

Chuckling here.

160 is my goal weight.

Signed,

Jen
5'4 , size 8
54 lbs lost eating 1700-2000 calories & primarily strength training

WOW. You must have a very different frame to me. lol. I am not even a size 8 until I am about 140lbs. I am a size 12 and a little snug one because my hips are large you know. lol

Verity1111

Chuckling here.

160 is my goal weight.

Signed,

Jen
5'4 , size 8
54 lbs lost eating 1700-2000 calories & primarily strength training

WOW. You must have a very different frame to me. lol. I am not even a size 8 until I am about 140lbs. I am a size 12 and a little snug one because my hips are large you know. lol. May I ask your measurements if it isn't too personal?

Verity1111

I'm 5'4" and started at 165#. But I'm guessing I'm at least twice your age and then some, so my needs aren't going to be the same as yours. MFP started me at 1240 calories per day. I've lost 16.6 pounds in six weeks. But I'm not strict about it. I'm more focusing on protein intake, sugar intake and then carbs. If I want Mexican food for dinner at it hits me at 1600 calories, so what.

Edited: Just looked closer at your profile pic. I'm probably approaching three times your age...

Not likely dear!!!! LOL I'm 22. You don't look 66 ;] Thank you for the reply :] We seem to have a similar body type because I am a 12 and I'm 168. I was 165, but I let myself go for a couple weeks out of depression went up to 170 lol. One week after my diet I am back down to 168, so not a huge set back so I will work it out :]

skylark94

I'm 5'4" and my start weight when I joined MFP was 170.

I was successful by setting my calorie goal to 1550, (I'm quite sedentary most days) then I eat back at least 2/3rd of my exercise calories for an average workout day intake of 1700-1800 calories.

PetulantOne

You need to work out your TDEE then decrease by around 300 cals for a daily minimum for fat loss. Don't go on what others consume daily, it really is an individual thing. I eat an average of 1800-1900 a day for example because I'm trying to lose body fat and build muscle rather than just lose 'scale weight'. I started off at 168lbs roughly.

This exactly! I'm 5' 3", started out at 172. I've lost 21 pounds doing TDEE-20%.