35 year old wanting to go from 134 lbs to 122lbs

FunkyMonkey80
FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
edited November 26 in Getting Started
I tried MFP about 2 years ago and found it effective.. but at the time I didn't feel I need to lose much weight. At the time I was 129 and wanted to go down to 124. The only issue I found was that I felt I could hardly eat without going over the daily calorie limit, which was around 1200. I constantly felt hungry.. so I would cheat here and there. Once I'd cheat one day, it was easier to cheat the next and soon enough I wasn't following MFP anymore! Now 2 years later I am 5 lbs heavier and am really feeling it and seeing it. I have a gut and back fat and big thighs. I can't quite believe it. At 18 I was the girl who wished she'd gain weight because I hated how skinny I was at 100lbs. Now I'd feel and look much better if I was around 120-123. That would be my happy weight.
I set my goal on MFP to be 1 lb of weight loss per week. Maybe that's too much? I am a quick fix person. I want to results quickly or I lose motivation. I know that never works.
I'd love all the support and advice I can get. Especially from women who are around my weight and age.

Replies

  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    I am not a woman, and I am not in my 30s, but I can offer advice. A 1200 calorie goal is absurdly low, you can lose weight consuming more than that for sure. I'm not sure what your MFP has your calorie goal set to know, but I'm guessing you could lose at around 1400-1500 calories.
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Hi AJ! Actually yes, let me correct that. The calorie goal is now 1310 .. because I weigh more than I did 2 years ago. I have my activity level set as lightly active because I am a teacher and on my feet a lot and I work out about 2 times a week (I would like to do at least 3). To lose a pound a week, I can't go over 1310 though.
    My main concern is my gut. I can't over the look of my profile. I honestly look about 4 months pregnant half the time..it makes no sense. I eat relatively well, I feel. But it's all concentrated there. My metabolism has definitely slowed down since I hit 30.
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Thank you!!
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    edited November 2015
    With so little to lose, I would set it to a half a pound a week. Good luck!
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    True. Is 1lb hard to do? Thanks!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    edited November 2015
    FunkyMonkey80 wrote: »
    True. Is 1lb hard to do? Thanks!

    A lot of people do ~1300 but I couldn't do it, personally. MFP is also setup for you to eat back exercise calories, since exercise increases your deficit. Many start by eating back half of what MFP tells them they've "earned" from exercise, since those calories can be over estimated.

    Also, since you're concerned about your body appearance, perhaps more so than the # on the scale, give this a read, please:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Thank you Janie! Yes, I keep forgetting that I can receive more calories if I work out. Work out to eat more! :) I'm just excited to finally be doing something. I woke up this morning feeling great about making a change.
  • freindsforlife
    freindsforlife Posts: 3 Member
    im 49 and 134 and i all would love to get to 122 123 .....would love to be freinds
  • nikkibello
    nikkibello Posts: 64 Member
    You can add me, I just turned 35 and want to lose 10 lbs! We can do it together!!
  • KaiUneeda
    KaiUneeda Posts: 46 Member
    nikkibello wrote: »
    You can add me, I just turned 35 and want to lose 10 lbs! We can do it together!!

    Same here. We could be wonder twins.
  • AlisonH729
    AlisonH729 Posts: 558 Member
    Well, are you hungry at 1310? It seems low, especially if you are working out on top of being on your feet all day. I've done the 1200 cal/day thing too hoping for fast results. But gave up because I was hungry all the time. Now I'm definitely in favor of losing a little slower but eating more.

    The post that @JaneiR36 posted really offers good advice. Fuel your body, strength train, patience- etc.
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Hello! Thanks for your feedback, everyone. So 1310 is doable.. especially if you exercise. I burned 540 at the gym today, so gained some extra room to eat more. I actually have 100 calories left to eat. Loading up on veggies really helps and drinking water too. I have been more hungry than I usually am, but I remind myself that I am used to eating and snacking whenever I like. Being a little hungry reminds me that my stomach is just adjusting and it will get used to it.. ie: shrink a little! ;)
    I've been feeling really great and for the first time in a few years, I feel motivated to really lose to weight. I know I don't have much to lose, but 10-15 pounds will really feel great. I'm tired of that gut and I'm tired of things looking a little too tight on me.
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    I'd also do 1/2lb/week. You don't burn out, you aren't hungry and you last longer. It gives you enough leeway for treats. By the way, I'll be 37 in a few weeks and I find it easier now to lose weight that I've found the "secret".

    You honestly don't have that much work to do. 10-15lbs is easily lost in 4 months. I did it, eating 1500/day (I'm 5'11) and no exercise, from Mid Dec. to Mid May. So, if you stick to it, you could be at your happy weight by February...that's not so bad, right?
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Hey Kristen! Yes, that sounds super doable. Thanks! Good for you on your weight loss!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Yeah, with that much to lose a half pound a week is more sustainable. Take it from someone who tried to push it with one pound per week.
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    edited November 2015
    I'm too impatient to do the 1/2 pound though! haha. I just want to get to my goal quickly. I know, I know.. not the best way to think, but that's where I am right now. The first day or two was tough, but now on day 4, I am feeling much better. I will stick to the 1 lb a week.
  • A_New_Creation
    A_New_Creation Posts: 180 Member
    Hi Funky,
    Though I am not your age, those were nearly my exact goals (I am a bit heavier than you) when I started MFP. I set my weight loss goals to 1 lb/week. I thought 2 would be too limiting and restrictive for my daily calorie intake. With my daily caloric burn, I can consume about 1570 a day. Every body is different, but for me, stopping eating before bed helped me really shed weight. Though I am a few pounds off from my goal weight, I've started adding light weight training and calisthenics to my cardio routine to help tighten and shape my body as I shed the last few pounds. I wish the best in your journey!
  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks Jasmenne! You look amazing. Way to go! Not eating before bed is a good tip. I hate feeling hungry when I do to bed, but again, my body is just used to a few bad habits and I need to wean it off of those habits! For exercise I enjoy jogging/running. I used to do weights, but am sticking to only cardio now. Does it make sense to start with that, then go to a little weight training when some of the fat has been shed?
  • A_New_Creation
    A_New_Creation Posts: 180 Member
    Thank you :) I think if you add weights and strength now, you may be able to rev up your the rate at which you'll see changes. Also remember that your muscles weigh more than fat, so if you see your scale going up but you're losing inches and looking/feeling better, don't be hard on yourself. You're doing it correctly.

    Also, having a higher percentage of muscle will help boost your metabolism.

    Aaaaand....I was afraid to go to bed hungry, too. Now I make sure to have a satisfying dinner, then usually a Greek yogourt shake with fruits as a snack later. I'll go to bed like that. Plus, I find that if my water intake isn't adequate for the day, I will FEEL hungry when I actually just need to be hydrated.

  • FunkyMonkey80
    FunkyMonkey80 Posts: 71 Member
    Very good point about the water! Thank you for all the info. Super helpful!
  • MamaMollyT
    MamaMollyT Posts: 197 Member
    I'm in my late thirties, 135 and looking to lose 5 although I'm a distance runner so I'm not trying to lose until after race season. But I eat about 1300 a day as my base and when I run I eat 16-1800 calories. My runs are 5-15 miles about 4 days a week. Then weights two days. I don't log my weights. I never really feel deprived but I eat things that tend to fuel me and kind of know what keeps me satisfied. My fat and protein intake is higher than average I would guess. I Love avocados and eggs in the morning!
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    PrincessJasmenne wrote: »
    Thank you :) I think if you add weights and strength now, you may be able to rev up your the rate at which you'll see changes. Also remember that your muscles weigh more than fat, so if you see your scale going up but you're losing inches and looking/feeling better, don't be hard on yourself. You're doing it correctly.

    Also, having a higher percentage of muscle will help boost your metabolism.

    Aaaaand....I was afraid to go to bed hungry, too. Now I make sure to have a satisfying dinner, then usually a Greek yogourt shake with fruits as a snack later. I'll go to bed like that. Plus, I find that if my water intake isn't adequate for the day, I will FEEL hungry when I actually just need to be hydrated.
    she is not going to gain muscle in a deficit except for maybe some newbie gains and it wont be enough to likely see the scale go up in most cases, and it doesnt weigh more than fat(unless you have a lot of it) its takes up less space than fat. so no when the scale goes up while you are eating in a deficit it could be water retention from exercise,sodium intake, not weighing food , not logging it properly or over estimating calorie burn and eating more than you think you are/overestimating calorie burn.Or it could be a medical issue if the above is done properly. weight does fluctuate as well so seeing the scale go up doesnt always mean fat gain either.

    as for weight training its good to do while in a deficit as well to help you retain any lean muscle you do have. because it prevents you from losing some lean muscle when you lose weight. as for having enough muscle to boost metabolism. most of the time its not enough to make a big difference when it comes to calorie burn.

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