Young Athletic women 5'2ISH and 110-125lbs who actually eat

unhappygirl1987
unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there... I have noticed a lot of women (and men) on here who are using a low calorie diet. This is fine, and I have been on low-cal diets in the past with mixed results. They don't really work for myself in particular because (a) I get very tired and feel very restricted causing me to (inevitably) cheat, (b) I am very active and I find low-cal diets don't really give me the energy I need to perform my workouts, and (c) failing all that if I DO manage to keep it up and lose some weight this way I ALWAYS plateau and can't lose past a certain point without further restricting, which is just a slippery slope and leads me right back to where I have started eventually. I am looking to up my cals as I have been reading about how increasing calorie intake can actually promote weight loss by revving the metabolism. This sounds great to me. Wondering if someone could help me with suggestions for a NET calorie goal, cause I am really not sure what would rev my metabolism and help me lose those last 10 lbs. Preferably some women who are like me: active, petite, pretty close to their goal weight, muscular body type. I would like to know what you ladies use as a NET calorie goal each day.

A little about me:

height: 5'2
starting weight: 137lbs
current weight: 125lbs
goal weight: 110-115lbs

Thank you for your input (:

PS: If you think I am bashing low-cal diets here I am not, re-read my post and you will see that I said the simply don't work FOR ME. To each their own. All the best to all you low-cal dieters out there (:
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Replies

  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I'm no young chick but I can run and lift circles around many young 20 something's these days!

    5'2 33yo and I maintain between 113-115 and my TDEE is 2000-2300 cals a day.
  • unhappygirl1987
    unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
    HMVOL7409- wow, you're an inspiration! Thanks for responding. You're exactly the kind of person I was hoping to hear from. Also... you are so a "young chick"... 33 years old is very young! I just sent you a friend add (: I really want to surround myself with more women like you on my FL... so sick of the 100lb chicks whining about being "fat" and berating themselves for attention. I'm pretty over that. Nice to see someone who has acheived a rockin body that is fit, lean and VERY healthy. Good for you!!!
  • unhappygirl1987
    unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
    hoping to hear from some more people (: I know you are out there somewheeeeeeeeere! haha
  • dearladydisdain
    dearladydisdain Posts: 7 Member
    I'm 24, weigh about 138 at 5'8" and I've lost 27 pounds eating 1500-2500 (and sometimes more) cals a day. It's been possible for me through carb cycling. :) I also lift heavy weights.
  • unhappygirl1987
    unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
    cool, I am going to research "crab cycling"... sounds interesting!
  • unhappygirl1987
    unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
    cool, I am going to research "crab cycling"... sounds interesting!

    and by crab I mean carb hahaha
  • unhappygirl1987
    unhappygirl1987 Posts: 29
    anyone else? I know there are more people with an opinion/suggestion on here! haha
  • rieann84
    rieann84 Posts: 511 Member
    Gonna add all three of you, ok? :)

    5'2"
    current: 148 lbs, Size 7-10
    goal: 120? Whatever gets me to about a size 2-4 ish

    Just started lifting (ala New Rules for Women). I'm eating about 1600 on non workout days and 1800 on workout days. Hoping to see some progress :\
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    5'2 31 years old 158 goal weight 120ish. Working out 6 days a week. Eating 1700 calories a day!
  • ptjolsen
    ptjolsen Posts: 365 Member
    Follow these ladies advice and keep with it....Remember, this is an overall health/fitness journey....sadly there are no "quick fixes" Hope all of this helps :smile:
  • dmcb24
    dmcb24 Posts: 56 Member
    I am 37, 5" and 126 lbs, started at 132. I work out 6 days a week and eat 1800-2100 cals per day depending on workouts.
  • rljohnsufl
    rljohnsufl Posts: 48
    I'm 5'2" and I weight 123. I'm trying to get down to 115.

    I'm the same way you are...I can't do the super low cal diets I see some women talking about. I would go crazy on a 1200 calorie diet because I LOVE TO EAT and I have a big appetite. I do a little bit of everything, mostly running, ballet, strength training, swimming, and biking. I try to exercise 5 days a week.

    I'm still trying to lose 0.5 lbs a week, so my calorie goal is 1620. I can make that work if I exercise most days and eat back my exercise calories. I had to set my activity level to the highest one...even though I have an office job! LOL Otherwise my calorie goal is 1500, which still leaves me starving.
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    Before I got pregnant, I ate about 1800 kcal for maintenance. My workouts focused on weight lifting - specifically the Starting Strength program. I don't know what I netted, though, because I wasn't logging exercise for that purpose.
    I'm 5'4" I weighed about 117 consistently over the 3 months where I was doing my "program", but saw definite improvements in strength and appearance of my muscles.

    DISCLAIMER: I'm 5 months PP and weigh 124. Working to cut to 115 before building back up.
  • enitsirhck
    enitsirhck Posts: 36 Member
    5'4", CW 130, GW is around 120 but having a hard time despite exercise and eating as clean as possible, hope I can get some ideas and inspiration from you ladies!
  • arkgirl81
    arkgirl81 Posts: 30 Member
    Someone posted this one day and i've been using it. Since i've upped my calories a little, i've been losing more weight. You might see what it suggests for you.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • IbiH
    IbiH Posts: 250 Member
    5'2", 120lbs and 41 years. Hell yes I eat. I eat between 1300-1500 cals a day sometimes more, after losing 40lbs in the past year I no longer worry too much. I have a fitbit with I love and not sure what I'd do with out it now.
  • arkgirl81
    arkgirl81 Posts: 30 Member
    Also try eating more healthy fats when you increase calories- almonds, avacados, salmon, ect. I hear that helps people through a plateau.
  • rieann84
    rieann84 Posts: 511 Member
    cool, I am going to research "crab cycling"... sounds interesting!

    and by crab I mean carb hahaha

    hahaha..i lost it as i imagined a bunch of crabs in some big bike race. phew. wow. i have problems.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I'm 5'2". I weigh around 100 pounds. I usually eat between 1950 and 2100 calories a day. This past week I was eating between 2500 and 2800 a day. I'm not trying to lose weight. I don't exercise a lot, but I have an active lifestyle and I lift weights on a regular basis. I'm 35 and a mother of 2. I've never gone on a low calorie diet (even after my pregnancies). I never ate less than 1800 calories (and that was only for a short time after joining mfp, during which I lost a couple pounds). The New Rules of Lifting for Women had me at 1500 on rest days and 1800 on lifting days. If I ate like that I would be emaciated. So, I eat much more than that.
  • Rose_bee
    Rose_bee Posts: 226 Member
    I'm 5'2".
    Starting Weight 148
    Current Weight 142
    Goal Weight 120

    I'm losing about a pound a week on 1400 calories/day.
  • phillrachel
    phillrachel Posts: 36
    Just starting on this journey. I'm 5' only and weight 124. I'm 31. This is the weight prior to getting pregnant with my first kid 6 years ago. Of course it went up and back down after two babies.

    I'd really like to get to 115 since I'm only 5' tall. Any suggestions you guys have would be great.

    I am doing classes at the gym and trying to add in running on my treadmill when I can't get to the gym. My favorite classes are Core Shred, Ripped, CX Works, Barre and Zumba. I'm shooting for four days a week, but sometimes only get in two days a week. I really need to make a stronger commitment to 4 days a week.

    I'd love more women my size like you as friends. Hopefully us short, petite ladies can encourage each other. Anyone that wants to add me please do. I need encouragement.

    Oh and I love to eat. I just need to eat better foods!

    On another note I think 110 - 125 for 5'2 seems pretty good but I understand you wanting to lose that last 5 or so. I'm with you there. Best of luck.

    If you haven't tried Barre and have a gym that offers it, take it. An hour classes that really sculpts your body and makes you leaner.
  • lorensteves
    lorensteves Posts: 1
    I am 5'2" and currently weight 118 lbs ( more recently was in the lower 120's )

    If you feel like you are having a hard time being full on a low calorie diet... I would suggest trying some different low calorie food options!

    Today for lunch I had 2 mini sandwiches. Instead of bread, I used English cucumbers sliced long ways, spread some whipped cream cheese on the insides (I can't do fat free, whipped is too good) and then added 98% fat free sliced turkey.

    Just those 2 mini sandwiches only total 145 calories! That leaves you a lot of calories for power snacks throughout the day!
  • JacksMom12
    JacksMom12 Posts: 1,044 Member
    <
    5'4 118. Maintain at 2200-2500

    Edit to add that I'm currently trying to stay around 1800-2000 to drop these last couple pounds.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I hear ya. To be really thin, it takes a lot of moving without a lot of eating. I'm taller than you and weigh less, but not a lot.

    At some point we have to own our bodies, ya know?
  • SportyLadyPhotographer
    SportyLadyPhotographer Posts: 173
    Im 5'4 currently 129.5
    If you do look at my diary it is low just now not been feeling well but I do lots of sports and most of the time when iv reached my maintain weight I eat 1750/1800 cals a day
  • msnitsirk
    msnitsirk Posts: 1
    5'2", 129lb, 35 years old, work out 4-5 days per week.
    Goal weight 115.
    Currently doing interval training classes at the gym 4 days a week and getting a 5th day of cardio or TRX in when I can.

    How many calories do you all burn per workout? I wear a heart rate monitor that gives me between 280 and 360 per any given workout. I have no idea if that is accurate or not.

    I try to keep to the 1200 calorie net recommend by MFP but it doesn't really seem like enough and I'm always a few hundred calories over. I'm giving it a chance and a better try for awhile since just exercising and only watching calories without counting them didn't work after 8 weeks. I didn't lose inches or lbs.
  • kathleen508
    kathleen508 Posts: 8
    I'm 5'1, my current weight is 134 and I'm hoping to lose about 20 lbs. Currently I'm sticking around 1200-1400 but I'm gradually increasing my work-out routine so think I might increase the amount of calories.
  • Oakley82
    Oakley82 Posts: 53
    I'm 5'2 with an UGW of 115 lbs. Feel free to add me anyone. I don't have an open diary, but I'm on here daily, all day. :flowerforyou:
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    5'2", 129lb, 35 years old, work out 4-5 days per week.
    Goal weight 115.
    Currently doing interval training classes at the gym 4 days a week and getting a 5th day of cardio or TRX in when I can.

    How many calories do you all burn per workout? I wear a heart rate monitor that gives me between 280 and 360 per any given workout. I have no idea if that is accurate or not.

    I try to keep to the 1200 calorie net recommend by MFP but it doesn't really seem like enough and I'm always a few hundred calories over. I'm giving it a chance and a better try for awhile since just exercising and only watching calories without counting them didn't work after 8 weeks. I didn't lose inches or lbs.


    I love working out and it has always been a part of me so honestly, after awhile and going into maintenance I stopped caring what I burned bc no matter what I was going to keep the same schedule. Eating at my TDEE or even TDEE with a cut also allows me to do this bc it doesn't care either. It just accounts for the length and/or intensity of your workouts based on a weekly average.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I hear ya. To be really thin, it takes a lot of moving without a lot of eating. I'm taller than you and weigh less, but not a lot.

    At some point we have to own our bodies, ya know?

    Wrong. People can be a small although healthy weight and eat "a lot". Working out a ton and eating like a bird is not healthy nor an option to many of us. In order to survive my workouts I need fuel and a ton of it. :)

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