Success with similar stats? 5'4", ~138

mjrnner

HI,
I am wondering if anyone with starting stats similar to mine might share what worked best for you. I am 37, work full time and have two young children. I am back to my pre baby weight and really want to be more lean and toned. I am about 138 and carry my weight very much in my butt and legs, with a smaller upper body and waist. I am athletic and run a few times a week plus I take a circuit weight class 2x/week. I have trouble fitting in much more exercise besides going for walks or chasing the kids around.

I know my diet needs work - I gravitate towards the sweet carbs, bagels, and candy left in the office. I need strategies especially for breakfast and snacks to keep me from getting hungry and going to the bad stuff that is in my office all of the time. My lunches and dinners are really pretty healthy - but likely too big.

My goal is around 132, but mostly I would like to drop a pant size (I'm an 8 in generous brands) without much worry about the scale number.

If I sound like your "before" can you give me some tips to getting to "after" - I have been doing the same thing without results for a long time so I need to mix it up.

Thanks so much!

DancingMoosie

I am 5'3" and close to your weight. I just dropped over 13 lbs in 6.4 weeks by keeping my calories under 1350 net and working out a lot. It sounds like your exercise is good right now. I'd focus on the diet. For breakfast, make sure you get some protein. I am really liking the eggland's best liquid egg whites. I use 6 tbs and two sliced mushrooms to make an omelet, then pair it with whole grain bread and a little juice, or use more egg whites for even more protein. I also like the EAS protein shakes for snacks.

If you want to friend me, my diary is open to friends.

steph_stein

Yoga. I never thought of it as exercise, but (out of boredom) started doing it about 4 days a week for 30 - 45 minutes. It changed my body... I was 5'4 and 135 in a size 6/8 jean and after about a month, I was in size 4. I didn't lose any weight or really change my diet.
Even just 20 minutes a day (during lunch/kid is napping) will change the shape of your body and is't as disruptive because you won't sweat so hard your hair/make-up fails.

kirlia

I'm 5'4 and 3/4" and started at 134 lbs - I also have a pear shape, like you (larger hips/thighs). Here's my "success" post, all my tips and whatnot are in there, hope it helps http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873066-so-i-guess-i-m-a-success-story-now

steph_stein

Also, re food: keep the chocolatey cereal bars in your desk, or the individual servings of dark chocolate. That way, when you crave the sweets, you can have it, but with added protein/fiber/antioxidants and less calories. When I "need" a bagel, I only eat half of one. We have a freezer/microwave at work and I keep a bag of the Jimmy Dean turkey sausage patties in there... 2 in the microwave for 60 seconds, low cal/high protein (ie keeps you full).

mjrnner

Thanks so much you guys! I am so grateful of all of your thoughtful responses already. I know I am a bit struggling with the fact that I know I am not "fat" so I get a bit complacent - but I also know that I have the potential to feel great about how I look. Seeing you guys get there is really inspiring!

mjrnner

Love the advice I have gotten so far - bumping for more.
Thanks!