When to stop losing weight and start maintaining
CristineD
Posts: 59 Member
I've been calorie counting for just over 2 years now. I've lost 34lbs and am now weighing 130lbs. I'm 5'4" and I am what I would consider a healthy weight/size now (minus the tummy flab from my two kiddies). Someone told me yesterday that they think I'm looking underweight :frown: I would have liked to have kept counting a bit longer and maybe lost just a few more pounds but I'm wondering if that is just because I'm slightly addicted to weight loss/calorie counting. If you are 5'4" or thereabouts what is your goal weight? Do you consider 130lbs for my height to be underweight? I was going for fit and thirty not sick and thirty!
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that sounds a healthy weight for your height
I'm 5ft 3" and currently 138lbs - I'll be happy when I get to 133 cos I already look slim enough even at 138 :-D
Maybe you just need to keep toning up...we don't want to look as if we've lost too much, you should know yourself though - and congrats on your loss, you've done great!0 -
No. My wife wants to be 125 at 5'4".0
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With toning, will I lose more or gain more? I know it shouldn't be all about the number but sadly at the moment it is for me...0
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Do YOU think you're underweight?0
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im 5, 3 and my goal weight is 130. I think thats a fine goal weight.0
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As an example, at 5'4" my ex-wife was in the 118-122 lb range and looked good on her (but everyone is different).
Goal weight should be more of a factor of BF% though. If you could be your goal BF% at 130 then that should be your goal weight, but if you carry a lot of fat, or don't have much muscle you may have to get to 115 to get to your goal BF%. Focus on the mirror, how your cloths fit, and how you feel, instead of the scale.0 -
I'm 5'4'' and about 121. The bottom end of my weight range is 115 (this is not a firm goal) but my focus is on building muscle and lowering my body fat percentage. If I hit my goal body fat percentage and I'm a little heavier that's fine.0
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OMG! I am in exactly the same place as you. I am 125.5lb and 5ft 3, having lost 28lbs and my husband told me this morning not to lose any more weight, he said I need to maintain.
Problem is that I have been carried away with the calorie counting so much that I have been skipping the strength training and doing more cardio so I could put in more calories burned on MFP to eat back. So now I have flab!
Your weight is perfect so it really is about getting lean and toned. I am going to try P90x and more strength work and cardio every other day instead. Plus I'm going to eat at maintenance calories. If it doesn't work well I'll have to change the plan.
Best of luck to you! 0 -
By toning/exercising you may see a slight gain but it will be temporary and the scale start moving downwards again :-D I find on the weeks I'm doing more lifting then my muscles hold onto water to repair themselves and I show 1lb gain approx - but its not something to panic about, not when I know I haven't ate over allowance etc.
The best thing about exercising is that you are energised and its great for the mood/spirits - that feeling stays with you most of the time too so its win win! (If you were to ask anyone that knows me they would tell you I am one hyper bunny since I introduced exercise to my body lol) 0 -
I've been calorie counting for just over 2 years now. I've lost 34lbs and am now weighing 130lbs. I'm 5'4" and I am what I would consider a healthy weight/size now (minus the tummy flab from my two kiddies). Someone told me yesterday that they think I'm looking underweight :frown: I would have liked to have kept counting a bit longer and maybe lost just a few more pounds but I'm wondering if that is just because I'm slightly addicted to weight loss/calorie counting. If you are 5'4" or thereabouts what is your goal weight? Do you consider 130lbs for my height to be underweight? I was going for fit and thirty not sick and thirty!
if you dont think your underweight then who cares what anyone else thinks? its your body, not theirs! I feel like 130 for a 5'4 frame is not underweight at all. If you're really concerned, just ask your doctor, I'm sure they will have a more definitive, helpful answer than anyone on the MFP forums.0 -
I'm almost in the same boat as you. I'm 5'4 and my goal weight was originally 135 (I started at 165). I am half a pound from that goal now and am thinking I want to go to 130. People are really noticing my weight loss now (I even had someone tell me I was withering away) but I have a goal for jeans size I want to reach and I am not quite there (size 6... my 8's are just fitting me good, to a little loose depending on the brand).
I am doing more workouts to tone now, so I feel that if I reach my clothing goal, I am not going to worry about weight, but I don't think I will go any lower than 130 (I don't need to be a stick).
Everyone's body is different. 130 may look very thin on one 5'4 frame and a little heavier on another. Also depends on muscle tone.0 -
The only way that you are going to get the results that you want and still maintain your weight is by doing strength training. It takes 30% more calories to maintain 1 pound of muscle then it takes to maintain 1 pound of fat. Therefore, you can add lean muscle through strength training and eat more calories throughout your day to feed your muscles during strength training.0
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Seriously. Why do people think it is absolutely fine to express to someone that they think they are underweight?
It happens to me all the time. My response these days? "Go eat your donuts, I'm off to the gym".
Is it ok to tell someone who has been gaining weight that they are looking overweight?
I think not.
Chalk it up to jealousy on their part. Keep your weight loss healthy. It is about a healthy mind just as much as a healthy body.
There is no magic number on a scale.0 -
130 is smack in the middle of the healthy range for our height. If you think you should maintain at this point, do it. You could lose a bit more, but depending on your age and build, it may not be easy to maintain. I have a large build and don't think I'd ever be able to get to 130 even - though I think the goal my ticker is counting down to may be a little too high. I'll decide when I get there.0
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I agree with this post. It is your body and you are the one who needs to be happy with it. I'm about 5'4" and weigh 130 lbs and lots of people have told me not to lose anymore weight. My goal is 120 and that's the weight I believe I will be happiest with. You know your body better than anyone else so it is up to you and only you what your goal will beSeriously. Why do people think it is absolutely fine to express to someone that they think they are underweight?
It happens to me all the time. My response these days? "Go eat your donuts, I'm off to the gym".
Is it ok to tell someone who has been gaining weight that they are looking overweight?
I think not.
Chalk it up to jealousy on their part. Keep your weight loss healthy. It is about a healthy mind just as much as a healthy body.
There is no magic number on a scale.0 -
I am 5'4" and I weigh 117 lbs. I am not underweight. I still want to lose some body fat percentage. Now that you are in the healthy weight range (right in the middle of it) it is better to focus on body fat percentage. The only people who have commented to me that I am too skinny are overweight themselves. I think some people have a skewed sense of healthy since the average person is overweight now.0
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I'm 5'7" and at 125-130 and no one has ever told me I look underweight. "Skinny," a few times, "underweight" no, "great" all the time. Some people think it's just normal for a woman to get big past her mid twenties. It's not. I think the norm sort of depends on where you live. I live in CA, and the culture in beach towns especially is pretty fitness oriented.0
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I'm 5'4" and am now at 122. It depends on your body type and body fat percentage and even your age. I never thought I would get below 135-140 because of my age, but I hit it hard and was determined to be in the best shape I could be. I'm still dealing with some soft areas and cellulite dimples, but I'm happy with where am at and I'm not trying to get any lighter, just stronger. I've had several people tell me I'm wasting away...it's just that they are used to seeing me "pleasantly plump". I agree with what another poster said earlier, if you're really concerned consult your doctor to get an honest and healthy answer.0
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I think that's it. I don't think it's expected so much for a mum of two, who's turning thirty, to be losing weight and working on her appearance quite like I have. Plus, I spent most of my 20's a bigger size to what I am now so I think friends aren't used to seeing me the size I am now. Even my hubby says there are times he can't quite believe how well I've done and how much I've lost. I think I'm going to carry on trying to lose a few more pounds but maybe focus a bit more on toning and building muscle. My tummy is my worst and probably the last place left for me to lose some fat and excess skin. Any tips on toning the "mummy tummy" ?0
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My tummy is my worst and probably the last place left for me to lose some fat and excess skin. Any tips on toning the "mummy tummy" ?
Yes, Small deficit, heavy lifting and adequate protein. Focus on compound lifts as the bulk of your program (squats, deadlifts, lunges, benchpress, rows etc). Look into the program starting strength, or New Rules of Lifting for women, both have books to help you understand what heavy lifting is all about.0 -
My tummy is my worst and probably the last place left for me to lose some fat and excess skin. Any tips on toning the "mummy tummy" ?
Yes, Small deficit, heavy lifting and adequate protein. Focus on compound lifts as the bulk of your program (squats, deadlifts, lunges, benchpress, rows etc). Look into the program starting strength, or New Rules of Lifting for women, both have books to help you understand what heavy lifting is all about.
definitely compound lifts.
Abs are made in the kitchen.0 -
I'm 5'4" and am now at 122. It depends on your body type and body fat percentage and even your age. I never thought I would get below 135-140 because of my age, but I hit it hard and was determined to be in the best shape I could be. I'm still dealing with some soft areas and cellulite dimples, but I'm happy with where am at and I'm not trying to get any lighter, just stronger. I've had several people tell me I'm wasting away...it's just that they are used to seeing me "pleasantly plump". I agree with what another poster said earlier, if you're really concerned consult your doctor to get an honest and healthy answer.
This describes me perfectly as well. I don't think 130 is underweight for 5'4". Everyone is different. I think people say things like this because they are used to seeing you with more weight on and it takes some time to get used to it.0 -
I'm 5'4 and met my goal of 145 a week or so ago. I'm now aiming for 135, which I haven't weighed since college. I say 130 is a good number for someone our height but then again, it all depends on how you look and feel. I think your build also plays a factor is this as well.0
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I think this is true for me too. People have never thought I was heavy, even at my heaviest. But I was always used to being in the 115-125 range, so 165 was way overboard for me. I had settled into the 140s for a few years, but I was never happy there. I think 130 will be good for me.I'm 5'4" and am now at 122. It depends on your body type and body fat percentage and even your age. I never thought I would get below 135-140 because of my age, but I hit it hard and was determined to be in the best shape I could be. I'm still dealing with some soft areas and cellulite dimples, but I'm happy with where am at and I'm not trying to get any lighter, just stronger. I've had several people tell me I'm wasting away...it's just that they are used to seeing me "pleasantly plump". I agree with what another poster said earlier, if you're really concerned consult your doctor to get an honest and healthy answer.0 -
I'm 5'4" and 112 at 43.0
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I reached my goal of 130 and am very happy. I fluctuate between 128 and 130, which is good for me.I reached my size 6 jeans goal!! I am still working on toning up my middle section, but since I started a new job in late July, I haven't gotten in as many hard workouts as I was doing but I work at Curves, a fitness club for women, so I can work out there. That's a plus! I have maintained my weight since I reached my goal and am still logging everything every day. I love MFP!0
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I reached my goal of 130 and am very happy. I fluctuate between 128 and 130, which is good for me.I reached my size 6 jeans goal!! I am still working on toning up my middle section, but since I started a new job in late July, I haven't gotten in as many hard workouts as I was doing but I work at Curves, a fitness club for women, so I can work out there. That's a plus! I have maintained my weight since I reached my goal and am still logging everything every day. I love MFP!
This^^^^^
I am exactly the same place. I am 5' 5" and have fluctuated between 125 and 130 for months now. I am not counting calories much as I make most of my food from scratch and the recipes are too much trouble to log. I am 52, almost 53 and have been maintaining for over 6 months. No one comments or notices my weight loss anymore. They have gotten used to the new and different me. Weight loss can be shocking to people and they say things that are unexpected. Do what feels good to you. The people around you will adjust to your changes eventually.0 -
Hi. Congrats on your success. I been doing research on many different topics for months. I believe 130 would be a good weight for you depending on your body type.
Example. I am 5 foot and 23 yrs. I should weight any were from 98 lbs- 119. But because I am stocky and naturaly have big muscle mass I should weight in the higher spectrum of those numbers. If I was smaller body type with little mass. Almost jus thin I would be better in the lower spectrum. My goal is 120 lbs.
So if u can when deciding, figure in a healthy body weight for your height and age. Then your body type. More muscle higher spectrum, less and more thin n lean lower spectrum. I hope that helps.0
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