5.2-5.3 ft girls on tying to lose 15-20 lbs, success stories

ppuuhhlleeeezzz you don't even have a dog in this fight...however you might have a borderline eating disorder... you don't need to lose weight sister..:noway:

Great thread! I am having the same issue. I am 5' even and 29 years old. I did such a great job when I started MFP over the summer. I lost 14 pounds. School started in August and the eating healthy and working out stopped. I started counting calories and working out (P90X) again 2 weeks ago. Since then I've gained 2 pounds. What gives?!?!?!?!?!

I will definitely use some of the suggestions made. Thanks.

same here. im 5'4'' thought, but I would love to lose 15 - 20. i have best results when i avoid eating late at night. and a food journal is the most beneficial tool to losing pounds. A good 15 - 20 min. of weight-lifting before doing cardio will really help with toning and losing pounds. U also really need to exceed 30 min of cardio to maximize your weight-loss.

I've lost 16 of the 25lbs I'm trying to lose and am 5ft2. Not trying to get super skinny mind you, just to about 130lbs.

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Bump!

I'm 5'2", 33 years old and started this time at 153. My goal was 121, but now that I'm at 125-127 (yep, I bounce between 2 lbs as well), I have decided to forget about the scale and focus on my fitness, strength, and BF%. So this is my timeline:

May 2012-
My grandfather told me I was packing on the weight at his 90th birthday party. I was able to laugh because I knew it was true, but that was kind of the first push to work at it this time. I was wearing a tight size 12 pants and would estimate my BF% at around 30%.

June & July -
Got a new job that provides a stipend for a gym membership...started going. Didn't focus on diet, just cardio and some cardio style lifting classes. I did join in on the HIIT classes. I felt out of shape and even commented that I looked like a little sausage while doing planks. I lost 9 lbs and 2.5 inches from my midsection in the two months without changing my eating habits.

August -
Fell off the proverbial wagon. I think I made it to the gym like 3 times that month. My husband asked if I was done with this time. I said no and got my butt back to the gym once things settled down.

September -
Got back into the swing of things by late September and kind of consider it my current start point. I was 144 ish. I started increasing the frequency of my gym visits to 5-6 days per week. Again, doing a good deal of cardio, but keeping with the strength classes twice a week. Strength has always been important to me.

October -
My gym had a weight loss challenge. I signed up. I stayed the course with cardio and strength training in the class. I changed my diet and started watching what I was eating. I lost 7lbs in October and another 2 inches.

Nov & Dec -
Stayed the course. Continued with the gym and reduced calories. I tried the 1200 calorie thing, but my body started revolting and by the end of the week I couldn't think. My brain was seriously not working well. So I bumped back to 1500-1600 and felt better and continued to lose weight and inches. I also started to make food choices that were more whole food than packaged overly processed junk. I lost weight because of the deficit. I felt good from eating healthy. The holidays were rough, but I managed to lose a little while out visiting my parents. I Weighed in Christmas eve at 128, an even 25 lb loss. I was down 7 inches from around my waist since May and fit into a size 4.

January to now -
I decided to get back into weight lifting. I am also eating 1800-1900 calories a day to support the workout. I haven't lost much since Jan 1 scale wise (again bounce between 125-127), but I am down another inch on the waist and my BF% is roughly 21%. I don't really care about the number on the scale anymore and only weigh in to calculate the BF% (bioempediance scale). I

I guess in saying all that, it can take time to figure out what works for you. Most of this thread has been "1200 calories and cardio" and while it worked for them, it may not be what works for you. I've seen better body composition results at the higher calories combined with strength training. That has worked for me. I do have some older "before and after" pics in my profile, but nothing since the beginning of the year. Be patient and just keep at it. The best way to never hit your goal is to stop going for it. Try looking at different things other than the scale. How your close fit or even start measuring yourself. Good luck and I hope you find what works for you!

ETA: My current macros are 45% carb/30% protein/25% fat. I strive for 80% whole foods or meals I make from whole foods. I don't deprive, I budget in the things I won't go without. Cookies shall never be denied!

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Just under 5'2", I've lost 23 lbs as of today and would love to drop another 16 or so. I have to say, the big game changer for me was to be ok with losing it slow! It took me about 7 months to lose 20, and I maintained for about another 6 months or so. I'm now revving up for round 2! I have yo yo dieted for a super long time, and the difference this time was a commitment that I made to myself, to my health. Rather than emotionally tying myself to the scale, I celebrated each healthy food choice I made, revelling in the fact that I was becoming a healthier version of myself. Because of that attitude adjustment, I was able to be ok with the fact that it took a while to see any drastic change in the mirror, and was able to see the changes I was making as a gift to myself, rather than as torture wrapped in a pair of skinny jeans.

Best of luck- you can do it!

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My current weight picture. I was 135 and was able to get to 120. I am 5' 3.5".

It took more work then I expected but after twp kids and getting closer to 40 it does not come off as easily as it did when I was younger