blankney94

Hi - I'm 5'3" and nearing 40, a pear shape. I was 142lb (64kg) and wasn't happy with that. I got down to 118lb. Looked and felt great but needed a lot of devotion to maintain. Now I'm sitting at 128lb but hoping to get back to 120-123lb.

Thanks for your question Doctorpurple - I'm in the same position - will certainly be interested to read the answers. I'm 5'3", aimed to get to 120lb and today jumped on the scales and hello I'm 119lb! I'm getting to the point where if I lose too much more I will have to buy new clothes, and also I don't want people…

http://www.mybodygallery.com/ is worth a look too. You can compare your body with other women of the same body type to visualise what might be your ideal weight.

I think you've done very well so far! I'm 5'3" and currently 122lb. I started at 142lb in October. I'm aiming for a sporty, athletic look, but not skinny. My body shape is a typical pear - narrow shoulders, wide hips and even wider thighs. :( I think around 120lb is ideal - but it really depends on the make up of your…

A couple of things made me change. 1. I was only one digit away from the overweight category on the BMI index. A BMI of 24 heading towards 25. (Now I'm 22 yay!) 2. My jeans were stuffed tight. Sitting was uncomfy and I'd have to undo the top button sometimes. Not comfortable at all, and I refused to move into the next size…

I'm pretty much in the same boat - feel free to add me as a friend. I'm 5'3". Start weight 142lb, current weight 125lb, hoping to get to 120lb. Been removing weight since Oct 2013. This is my first time trying to lose weight, and I have to say MFP has been very helpful!

First and foremost, drop the sodium levels down and increase water intake. I lost a few pound easily doing this. My water retention must have been wicked! Next, log everything - even sauces - for example, mayo can pack a surprisingly big calorie punch. So if you eat it, log it! Make sure you get enough sleep. This…

Yes I believe so - it happened to me. Something about sore muscles and that they retain a little water while healing. Mind you I'm no expert.

No - I'm going to cut myself a break. I will eat what I want, but will do so in moderation. That is, I will eat my fill, but I won't binge.

For some reason I lost 2lb quite quickly, so now am just 1lb off my goal. Think I will aim for 120lb, but will also look into my body composition. Want to tone up and also improve my posture. Looking forward to being able to run again too.

Right I've been for a look. Thanks for that website. I think 120lb is my stopping point. No more than that. I did see some photos of some nicely proportioned ladies at 113lb but noticed they were a lot younger than me. Best to stick to something obtainable and maintainable, otherwise I'll just get despondent.

Thank you for that website ladies - will go and have a look. Forgot to add that I'm a pear shape. I always look like a racing sardine up top, but carry my weight around my lower tummy, bum and thighs. Have to be careful I don't take off too much weight, as my elbows and collarbone can look quite bony. Thinking of heading…

Hi - I'm 5'3" and at the start of October I was 142lb (64kg). I was starting to feel uncomfortable in my jeans, so I decided to do something about it. The first few days were horrendous as I cleaned up my diet. I had headaches and lethargy. Ridding my diet of Cola and excess sodium have certainly helped me. Now 2.5 months…

I've noticed I gain about 2lb just before it arrives. Because of this, I don't tend to weigh myself too frequently around that time, otherwise I can get a little grumpy about it.

I've plotted my weight loss so far, started two months ago and losing 14lb so far. I'm aiming to take off another 4-6lb. Yes there are blips in my graph - it's not all a downward trend. So far I'm marking in when my monthly is, as I'm suspicious there is a slight gain just before it arrives. I have had other slight gains…

My question would be - how old is your friend? Sounds like she might be gifted with a fairly fast metabolism. I was the same right through my 20's. However now that I am in my late 30's things are not the same, and I have to be a little more watchful of what I am eating. So my suggestion to your friend (in hindsight from…

I'm thinking that Pilates would be worth a try again. Weight bearing exercise builds muscle, and as above, the greater ratio of muscle to fat you have, the better.

Muscle IS actually heavier than fat - you might want to check your facts. Therefore your muscle / fat ratio can change, but your weight can stay the same. In simple terms, your body can get BIGGER without gaining weight.

Are you eating back your calories from exercise? I try to eat at least half my exercise calories back again. I'm the same height as you, and I'm on 1,200 calories while trying to lose weight. I look forward to the days I exercise, as I get to have some pretty solid meals. My other thought, is has your body composition…

I'm sorry I'm not much help, but I've just finished reading a book that may interest you - The Good Eater, by Ron Saxen. It's his life story and he has a binge eating disorder. In the book he recounts his struggles with food, and the causes of his binging.

Fitness age is 33, real age is 39. Yay!

Happy to be added as well. Sarah, 39 yrs, Southland. I've lost 11lb (about 5kg) and I'm trying to take off about 7lb more.

Why am I doing this? - For me - no one else. It's not going to work if I put in all this effort just to impress other people. It has to be for me. I want to feel comfortable in my clothes. I want more energy, and I want to push myself. I'm quite driven, but wouldn't be so driven if I was doing this for other people.

I used to drink about 2 litres of chocolate milk every two days - but then again I was pregnant! That was my preggy craving.

I simply allow myself to have a 'treat' day or a 'bad' day every now and again, and then get back on the band wagon the next day. No telling myself off, no blaming or feeling bad - as that is counter productive. Perhaps try and get some exercise on those days when you go over, and that will help bring things back into…

Ladies - feel free to add me. I've lost 12lb, and I want to take off 6lb more (then I might decide to lose more). Having friends on here for motivation really helps! Sarah (Blankney94)

We are still tracking along similar HRBabe. From memory I think you were a similar height to me? I'm 5'3" anyways. Well done on portion control. We have cake Friday at work, and I'm doing so well - I used to eat pretty much until I felt sick from the sugar high - now I keep to one thing, or a couple of small things. This…

Good idea imposing a rest - better than being injured and out like me. My injury is either healing better than expected, or less severe than I first thought. I can walk properly 99% of the time now and am seeing the physio. Can wait to start running again, but good things in time. Will start hitting the gym I think, and…

Well done for your efforts so far. I'm similar in that I'm not telling people I am trying to lose weight. I've told a few close people that I'm eating less junk food, but that is about it. I feel the weight loss is totally by myself and for myself - I'm not doing it for other people. Same as with my running goals - I'm…

Apparently the world record is 12 minutes something. Can you imagine how fast they must be running?! Was amazed at the weekend - I was in a 5km race, but other people on the same course were doing 10km, half marathons and full marathons. Some of the marathon runners were going past me at sprinting pace - and that was near…