Is it realistic to believe I can weigh what I did at 17?
here_I_go_again
Posts: 463 Member
What do you think? I'm almost 49 and wondering if it's realistic to think I can get back to the weight I was when I was 17, before kids and marriage, and peri-menopause? An acquaintance says I can. Do you think so? Am I just setting myself up for failure or do you think in reality it can be done now at my age? I weighed 110 at 17 and now weigh 148. What do all of you think about this? Can it be done? I wonder if my body will allow me to get to that weight again at this age and time in my life...
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Replies
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Why such angst over a number ?
Just eat healthier and get moving ..... with each pound lost, you'll feel better & be happier ....... then you can decide if a number is that important .....
Happy losing !0 -
How tall are you? It's possible, but it may require more sacrifice than you think it's worth. I would first focus on eating to create a calorie deficit that you can sustain and working out several times a week. As you lose more weight and get into shape with a cardio and strength training appropriate to your goals you can revisit this.0
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I think that all depends on your frame size. How tall are you etc?
To be fair, I am trying to get back to what I weighed when I was like 14 (I have been this weight for a long time, ahahaha). Are you working out too? Is it more a size you would like to fit or is it "I just want to weight 117 no matter what"? I think it is more realistic to say, I want ____ measurement or to fit in ___ dress size.0 -
Why such angst over a number ?
Just eat healthier and get moving ..... with each pound lost, you'll feel better & be happier ....... then you can decide if a number is that important .....
Happy losing !
I suspect it's not just a number for her, it's a symbol: of youth, health and all that goes with them.0 -
Why such angst over a number ?
Just eat healthier and get moving ..... with each pound lost, you'll feel better & be happier ....... then you can decide if a number is that important .....
Happy losing !
Agreed. just eat healthier and with each lb you'll feel better. The better you feel, the less the # will mean to you.0 -
height?
Know that as you get older your metabolism gets slower so you would have to work harder for it, or eat unreasonably little.
I'm 29 and weigh 120 at 5'7. I think most reasonable people would think it would be unsettling for me to be 110, and I like to be thin. But if you're a shorty, and you're willing to work for it, there's nothing stopping you!0 -
I think that as a woman of a certain age you should be more concerned about long term health. I don't remember age 17--but do know that at age 21 I had an 18 inch waist and agonized over weighing 120. I did not worry about keeping my bones strong (if you get too thin you risk losing bone density) and also did not worry about retaining muscle mass. As you approach being a grown woman and going through menopause these things are really more important for a long and active life. Be sure to watch your weight and discuss with your doctor what would be a reasonable healthy weight for you to maintain for the rest of your life.
I'm 62 so maybe my point of view is a bit different but the earlier you think about long term the better.0 -
Personally, I think aiming for a clothing size would be a better option. Our body compositions change with age, child birth, etc. To get to that weight may be difficult and you likely won't be the same shape at that weight as you were at 17. You may be able to get to the same clothing size you were with strength training though, but you'll likely be heavier since muscle is heavy and you may look even better! Just my opinion though and everyone has one! LOL0
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Of course you can. The question is whether you should. Would that be a healthy weight for you?0
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I know I couldn't weigh 110 again like I did in my teens and early twenties. My lean body mass alone now is about 106 pounds, so to weigh 110, I'd have to lose oodles of muscle. Not something I want to do.0
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I think that may be a little overly ambitious. Women keep growing until they are about 23 so you would not have been fully developed at that age.0
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Well, I actually weigh 40 lbs less than I did at 17, so I guess it's all relative.
But, as onikonor said, women keep growing until they're about 23. Plus, I've found that my body has shifted somewhat over the years, and my friends say the same. What is healthy for a 17 year old may not be so healthy for someone older. I'd recommend speaking to your doctor and maybe a personal trainer and get their take on it. You may end up 10 lbs heavier than you were at 17, but in better shape than you were at 17.0 -
It is possible to get down to the size you were, I wouldn't worry about what the scale says. With diet and New Rules of Lifting programs (lifting heavy...other programs would also work), six years ago I got down to my current weight, which is ten lbs. more than my high school weight. But I am much fitter, more compact, so actually smaller with a hotter body than I had at 17...and I'm 50. It took me a good year of hard work and focus to get here and I've maintained.0
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thank you everyone, I am 5' 2" tall, or short I should write. I would like to fit in a size 6, regardless what the scales reads. :flowerforyou:0
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^^Yes, exactly, and I want to be in a size 6 again!
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Why such angst over a number ?
Just eat healthier and get moving ..... with each pound lost, you'll feel better & be happier ....... then you can decide if a number is that important .....
Happy losing !
I suspect it's not just a number for her, it's a symbol: of youth, health and all that goes with them.
You hit the nail right on the head^0 -
You can do it. I did it and beyond a little in my early 40s. Doing it and keeping it off are, sadly for me, were two different things. What I did find out though was this. At 18 I was maybe 110. I got down to 108 and was thrilled. When I "popped" back up to 112/113 I realized I looked better, felt better, and it was easier to maintain. I'd love to know if you feel the same when you get there - which you will if you want to :-)0
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At 49, 5'2, you'd have to do intense exercises 7 times a week to maintain 110 lbs at ~2000 calories a day (recommended value on most nutritional guides). If you're up for that, go for it.thank you everyone, I am 5' 2" tall, or short I should write. I would like to fit in a size 6, regardless what the scales reads. :flowerforyou:
Sedentary, I would recommend against it.0 -
Please link to a 2000 calorie recommended limit. Maybe you're thinking of 1200?
Of course you can get back to a size 6.0 -
At 49, 5'2, you'd have to do intense exercises 7 times a week to maintain 110 lbs at ~2000 calories a day (recommended value on most nutritional guides). If you're up for that, go for it.thank you everyone, I am 5' 2" tall, or short I should write. I would like to fit in a size 6, regardless what the scales reads. :flowerforyou:
Sedentary, I would recommend against it.
When I transformed my body while in my forties, I lifted four days a week and rarely did additional cardio. I maintain the results I achieved by lifting three days a week and no cardio, except the occasional weekend hike or bike ride. The reason age is blamed is largely due to body composition changes over time. Once you reverse that by strengthening muscle and losing fat...lowering your body fat not just losing weight...age is not such an issue. Granted, I am not 5'2", so you will have to do it while eating fewer calories just because your body will require fewer calories, but you will adjust to that.0 -
They also say a major reason we burn less as we age is we move less. It's avoidable.0
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They also say a major reason we burn less as we age is we move less. It's avoidable.
Yep, and that is the reason for the change in body composition over time. It is definitely avoidable.0 -
Weight is such a tricky thing. We get hung up on it.
I weighed 116 lbs when i was 17. Since then, i've had 7 pregnancies, gotten sedentary, worked 60 hours weeks at a desk job... blah, blah, blah. I'm 43. Currently i weigh 157 pounds. But when i was 17, i wore a size 4, and now i'm in a size 6. I think if i weighed 116, or even 125, i'd look scary.
Be comfortable with your body, be healthy, and don't worry about the scale so much.0 -
Great words of advice, thanks!Weight is such a tricky thing. We get hung up on it.
I weighed 116 lbs when i was 17. Since then, i've had 7 pregnancies, gotten sedentary, worked 60 hours weeks at a desk job... blah, blah, blah. I'm 43. Currently i weigh 157 pounds. But when i was 17, i wore a size 4, and now i'm in a size 6. I think if i weighed 116, or even 125, i'd look scary.
Be comfortable with your body, be healthy, and don't worry about the scale so much.0 -
I'm going to say no... well yes, it is, but wouldnt you rather be healthy?! I am probably the same SIZE as i was when i was 17, but i am abut 10lbs heavier cos i have a bit of muscle going on now!!0
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I think it's possible. My goal is also a weight I had as a teen but all that really means is that I was a healthy weigh for my height back then. What I don't think is realistic is to think the weight will look the same on me now as it did then for one as we age our skin isn't as tight but also we just carry a bit more body fat percentage and unless we take up a career as a body builder and that's not really on my agenda.0
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What do you think? I'm almost 49 and wondering if it's realistic to think I can get back to the weight I was when I was 17...
I'm 48 and weight less now and am in better shape than when I was 17.
It has not been easy. But totally worth it.
Good luck!0 -
All things are possible and attainable. Keep your eyes on the prize. Enjoy yourself on the journey to your goal. That's half the fun. Regarding your goal, you are almost half way there. You have to believe in yourself and know that you are not alone on the journey. You can do!0
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Really? Who cares about what you were at 17 (weight or otherwise). Perhaps it's best to become the best 49 year old you can be rather than looking backwards.0
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I think its a bit unrealistic - I am/was similar to yourself - at 17 I'd have weighed 120lbs but I'd look ridiculous if I was that weight now at 43 ! I know myself I would and I think you have to be realistic and aim for something like 135 e.g
Women actually can look much older if they're too skinny as they get older - I don't know what frame size you are or if you feel you are overweight at your current weight - everyone is different and the thing we need to work on is eating healthier and getting fitter to promote longer lives 0
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