Short, relatively small women in long-term maintenance

I'm also petite without much muscle mass - is because I'm low tone. I walked late and was always the slowest kid in gym class, chosen the last for teams.

I know this is a maintenance group, but in case there are any littles looking for support on the way to maintenance, please come join our new group:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/110005-little-women

If the link doesn't work please PM me and I will send you an invite.

Maintainers also welcome! Would be great to have some tried and tested losers with us.

samthepanda wrote: »

Interesting thread. I am 5ft and maintain at 127 (which makes me feel quite hefty compared to many on this thread) but allows me to maintain on about 1500 cals which doesn't feel I'm depriving myself, and I've maintained for 4 years.
Clothes are too bad in the main but bra's are tricky - I'm a 32FF! Other thing is short legs - especially now I'm looking for winter running bottoms.

I was glad to see your post after all the 5.1s and 5.2s who weigh a lot less than me. I am 63, 4'11", and started at the morbidly obese 208. I am now down to 121. My goal was 120 (smack in the middle of what the weight charts said was right for me), but when I went to see my doctor at 124, she told me I could lose five more pounds if I wanted to, but no more than that; that I was just fine at the weight I was.

I can see, however, that I'll never be able to stop tracking. The margins are just too close. MFP tells me my weight-loss calorie amount is 1200 and my maintenance amount is 1270. I do try to exercise, but the operative word there is "try." I was walking about 3.5 miles four or five days a week, but it's getting so cold and yucky now that I don't want to do it. When I DO exercise, I find I'm a whole lot hungrier and have much more difficulty not going over my daily goal (even with the extra exercise calories added back in). I've got serious osteoporosis, so that's made me kind of afraid of trying some of the more vigorous activities some of you do.

My plan for maintenance is to weigh every day. In the past, my pattern has been to steadily rock up and down within a 1-lb. range (on a steady downward trend, of course). So if I see I'm starting to deviate appreciably upward from that pattern, I'm not going to let it go more than a pound or two. The focus, always, is on health and good clean eating.

Hi @dkistner1111, I am one of the lighter petites but, I am quite small boned, and need more muscle.
A 120 weight range sounds great, and what an accomplishment! Congratulations on your loss.
I like to have a 5 lb weight range to stay within.

It is amazing to look at the different weights we are all happy at, since we are within 4-5 in in height, from 95-132.
It really does come down to personal comfort factor.

If you are limited in exercise, because of the osteoporosis, see if aqua fit is available in your area. It is a great workout combining resistance and cardio, and, because it is in water, very low impact. I am just a year younger than you and really enjoy it.

My maintenance is sedentary 1200, aqua fit gives me 200 per session so x3 a week and I up my daily calories to 1300. If I move x5 a week, even if it isn't structured exercise, I can get 1400. Right now I am trying to push to 1450, slowly.

Hi, Shorties! I'm 5'2.5" and 66 years old. Started at 179 lbs almost 2 years ago; weighing in at 127 lbs right now; medium frame. I'm currently wearing a US size 2/4 Petite. I figure 3.5 lbs or so to maintenance with a range between 124 -127 lbs. Losing only ounces now every other week or so. I began weight lifting quite early on with my weight loss and I believe that's what really transformed my shape. The body fat web sites put me at 25% but who knows.

I'm exercising 3-5 times per week weight lifting with some cardio; eating anywhere from 1600 - to 1800 calories per day depending upon activity. When sedentary I'm in the 1200 - 1300 calorie range. I definitely have to keep up with the exercise to eat at 1600 to 1800 calories. Also going to have to log everyday. With my fitbit to calculate, I'm averaging around 12,000 steps per day (10,000 just isn't enough with my short legs).

Petite clothing is hard to find! I seem to be short legged with a slightly longer torso so have to buy Petite sized pants and the Missy size small tops are also too big. Not complaining, mind you, since that's better than the US 14/16's I was wearing.

I'm game for anyone who wants to "friend" to work on maintenance. I'm hoping I can keep up my activity and stay around 1700 - 1800 cals per day on maintenance.

Regards,

Trina

@middlehaitch, thanks! Just signed on to the group.

I'm 5"4 at 132lbs, aiming for 120lbs and consider myself to be quite small. I am still trying to lose weight and this is what seems harder is that you have to be much more dedicated to your diet to lose it, well in for everyone who has reached their goal!

@middlehaitch, hi and thank you. Joined . Awesome.

lbaxandall wrote: »

5'3, 120lbs, maintenance is 1700 but after a good workout, I'm usually eating more around 2000. Lowest was 110 (after a break up) and I felt HORRIBLE! Always cold, always tired, pale. It's so funny how everyone is different! Goes to show how what works for one person isn't necessarily best for someone else.

So true! It's also interesting how some people tend to gain under stress and some tend to lose....I'm a gainer! While I've always been jealous of losers, but your post made me realize that neither is healthy.

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

5ft 2 / 46 yrs/ maintaining 133lbs for 2 years now (am slim/fit at this weight)
I'm a UK size 8-10 depending on brand/retailer.

I maintain on approx 2200 cals gross.

I workout 5 days a week / run / walk/ lift / yoga.

For me maintenance rocks

This is exactly where I want to be!!! (Sigh!). So close but so far away! (9 lbs) how much time do you work out daily??? I can't wait to reach maintenance!

swim777 wrote: »

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

5ft 2 / 46 yrs/ maintaining 133lbs for 2 years now (am slim/fit at this weight)
I'm a UK size 8-10 depending on brand/retailer.

I maintain on approx 2200 cals gross.

I workout 5 days a week / run / walk/ lift / yoga.

For me maintenance rocks

This is exactly where I want to be!!! (Sigh!). So close but so far away! (9 lbs) how much time do you work out daily??? I can't wait to reach maintenance!

I average 60-90 mins a day - I really enjoy working out though

trina1049 wrote: »

segacs wrote: »

ilfaith wrote: »

I wear a size 6 shoe (occasionally 5.5). Best thing about that is that it is usually the display size, so it's easy to try on shoes without waiting for a sales associate to go to the stock room. Of course the disadvantage is sometimes the display model is the only 6 in stock and might be stretched out or scuffed.

Yep, walking around shoe stores trying on the sample sizes is the best part of being a size 6. Unfortunately more and more stores are using 7s as sample sizes now and no longer stocking 6s. *Sigh*

ilfaith wrote: »

And side some have mentioned bra size, I am a 30D...actually, I can wear a 28DD...but they are much harder to find. Even 30D is rare outside higher-end department stores and specialty shops. I can get away with some 32Cs in a pinch.

Same here. Exactly the same size. 28DD or 28DDD/28E would fit, in theory, but doesn't exist anywhere in Montreal. My specialty bra shop where I buy bras starts at 30, and only carries D and above. I'm wearing 30D right now, and if I lose any more weight and go to 30C I won't be able to shop there anymore. The department stores only start at 32.

Nobody told me that getting down to a healthy weight would be so frustrating. Bras were much easier to find when I was wearing 34s and 36s.

Try finding a 32E -- and they cost a fortune, especially sports bras with underwire! I could probably use a 30E, but it's like trying to find a unicorn.

Try Freya - I wear a 28F depending on time of the month and Freya carries lots of options for me (and even more in 30 and 32 bands!)

I'm 5' 2.5" & maintained for a couple years at 150. I re-gained last year, so I'm working my way back there. I was eating between 1400-1500 calories a day, with 1430 as my goal (I think that was the # MFP gave me). I'm set at sedentary so that any exercise I do is a bonus & I don't overeat if I don't exercise. I generally don't exercise. I just don't like it. My goal this year is to start strength training. I'm using my Christmas $$ & ordering a power rack, bench, & weights to set up at home to do SL 5x5. I just can never get over my gym anxiety.

I've set my goal to get back to 150. I was happy there. Sometimes I think about dropping to 140 because then I'd be in the "normal" bmi range. For the most part though, I'm more concerned with how I feel about myself than my bmi. I was 90-95 all through high school (eating like a horse, too) & when I look at pictures, I can see all my bones--even in my upper chest. I can't imagine going back down into the low 100's again. It would not be a great look for me, especially at my age. I don't buy petite clothes. My legs are long for my height, so regular length works just right generally. My torso is short, but my chest is large so I need the extra length in my shirts as well.

If you are looking for a small band bra, you should try Ewa Michalak: http://www.ewa-michalak.pl/ . She's a Polish bra maker & has a huge size range. I only wear her bras now. I can get modesty padding in my size, the girls have never been lifted up like they are now--I look much thinner, & she has different sizes & ages for models so I can get an idea of what the bra will look like on someone like me. It does take about a month to get them in the US though.

peleroja wrote: »

trina1049 wrote: »

segacs wrote: »

ilfaith wrote: »

I wear a size 6 shoe (occasionally 5.5). Best thing about that is that it is usually the display size, so it's easy to try on shoes without waiting for a sales associate to go to the stock room. Of course the disadvantage is sometimes the display model is the only 6 in stock and might be stretched out or scuffed.

Yep, walking around shoe stores trying on the sample sizes is the best part of being a size 6. Unfortunately more and more stores are using 7s as sample sizes now and no longer stocking 6s. *Sigh*

ilfaith wrote: »

And side some have mentioned bra size, I am a 30D...actually, I can wear a 28DD...but they are much harder to find. Even 30D is rare outside higher-end department stores and specialty shops. I can get away with some 32Cs in a pinch.

Same here. Exactly the same size. 28DD or 28DDD/28E would fit, in theory, but doesn't exist anywhere in Montreal. My specialty bra shop where I buy bras starts at 30, and only carries D and above. I'm wearing 30D right now, and if I lose any more weight and go to 30C I won't be able to shop there anymore. The department stores only start at 32.

Nobody told me that getting down to a healthy weight would be so frustrating. Bras were much easier to find when I was wearing 34s and 36s.

Try finding a 32E -- and they cost a fortune, especially sports bras with underwire! I could probably use a 30E, but it's like trying to find a unicorn.

Try Freya - I wear a 28F depending on time of the month and Freya carries lots of options for me (and even more in 30 and 32 bands!)

Thanks, @peleroja. I actually own a Freya, great bras! I wish the UK sizes were readily available here in stores in the USA so that I didn't have to order online.