Original Post by soliwit:

5'5'' and a half (yah that half is important ;-) 42 year old and I must say I don't think it is THAT hard losing when you are older, you guys make it seem as close to impossible and such, but *shrug* I don't see it that way, once you find the right way (which you can find right here) it comes down to sticking to it and do your excersizes *BAM* I mean, you might not lose some every day, but nobody does really, weightloss is not linear and well, also I must admit I did Atkins for about 2 years and that is close to being a scientist, so counting calories is a piece of cake in comparison to that.

 Yep - I'm 5'5" and a half!!  I am 47 and, like soliwit, feel pretty damn positive so no downers on the folk who are in their 30s or 40s (or like me nearly in the 50s!!!).   

I'm 158lbs and do cardio and strength training 6x a week (usually up to about an hour a time) - am eating clean and feel muscle starting to happen.  So - its not an age thing!!

I think a weigh in would be good.

I am 3 consecutive days working out.... need to drag my butt to the gym after work tonight... totally not feeling it, however we are going to the cabin for the long weekend, and there will be lots of eating, lots of wine... so I need to get in the workout tonight. At least we are going to be doing yardwork all weekend, so that should burn some of the calories consumed!!

Hello All,

Just finished reading through the thread and I don't know how to feel.  I'm 5'4.5", 38, 153.3 lbs. (down from 159, the heaviest I've ever been), I workout 4-5 days a week and I've gained and lost the same 2 lbs. at least 5 million times ( a little exaggeration), but you can understand my frustration none the less... I've given up liquor, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep and now, to some degree, I feel imprisoned.  My ideal weight is around 133-137, or as I like to call it...my fighting weight. ;) ...

I definitely would like some encouragement, some feedback, or something. I just feel like my metabolism has come to a dead halt.  I eat clean with NO deviations, so I'm not understanding why this weight is NOT coming off... maybe I'm too fixiated on it.  Hope to hear from someone.  Thanks for letting me vent.

i would like to join. i am 5'5" and i am not quite sure what i weigh.. i guess ive always had this phobia of weighing myself and won't even let the doctor tell me lol but i wear a size 7 or 9 in jeans (depending on the brand) i would guess i'm in the low 150's (lbs) i would like to get to 125-130 and/or size 5.

cjpurple - totally possible!!! Just work at it, and you can get there. I could not believe the day that I could get myself into a size 6.... and now I think I am a bit smaller than that!! :)

kishmish - thanks for the motivation. Just called the BF to let him know that I will be leaving right after walking the pooches to hit the gym. I have set the expectation on myself now, so it is a done deal. I enjoy the nights that I am lifting weights. I am gaining strength, so it is fun to do the bench press at 80lbs!!

wasabi, yeah, how many calories are you consuming?  and do you change your workout every once in a while? 

About age.  At 38 and having been through different metabolism and lifestyle changes, I can say that age is not the determining factor in weight loss and fitness.  I was underweight as a kid until college and I was terribly out of shape.  I got in better shape after college when I biked regularly and worked in healthcare. 

At 27 I got married and immediately gained 30 pounds.  That was it.  It wasn't motivation, stress or vanity-it was lifestyle and habits that changed me.  I intended to lose weight before getting pregnant but 2 years later I was still too fat and got huge with my son.  My feet gained a size and are still there.  When I briefly went back to work in healthcare and started biking again, the pounds melted off.  I was 34 and lost 27 pounds in a few months and I wasn't even trying. 

Now I'm fighting for my sanity and regaining my old body back.  But it's not the old accidentally fit or thin body I want.  I want a stronger me. 

HI ALL! I just read this extensive 5'5" thread and really enjoyed it - it seems that everyone has very healthy goals and ways to reach them.

About me...I'm 19, freshman in college, 5'5" (of course), currently 139 pounds...started at 169. Highest weight was right when I graduated high school at 175.

Took me forever to break 140! Ultimate goal - 130-135 pounds...so close!

I decided to fight the Freshman 15 and lose it instead...and I doubly lost it - all thanks to CC. Calorie counting (with some off weekends/weeks), lots of exercise, and an active college lifestyle.

Hoping to reach my goal by the end of June - and keep it off! I feel amazing so far!

wow, bugweight, that is an impressive loss already! well done !!

yah mrsdagle, I know of a lot of people that got to their higher weight like you, I am totally with you on the stronger body part!

I am working out 6 days a week, at least half an hour a day, but I always get a good sweat that half hour. I started this work out with Yourself!Fitness it's so much fun!! And it is really keeping me challenged the whole time, I curse at my 'personal trainer' every now and then, but I still like her LOL. Just recently did my 80th work out with it, wooohooooo and today with the physical challenge (she tests you every 10 work outs) I could actually really do 24 push ups, that's like AMAZING for someone that has never in her entire life been able to do push ups, so in comparison with even me as a teenager I am way stronger!

On Atkins; I did hear positive things about people losing the weight they wanted and keeping it off on it, BUT you will have to eat on an Atkins plan forever, that does not mean you can have no carbs at all, because in the last fase of the plan you have practically put everything back in your diet that was 'forbidden', but you would still not eat the same as a 'normal' person. I was just sick of being allienated, because that was how it felt, always having to explain to people that invite you for dinner that there is all these things you can not have and such, it is just a pain......it is easy, or let's say at least easier, when you count calories, people know at least kinda sorta what that means. Also with counting calories there is always the possibility of having a day off the plan, without paying for it dearly.

Oh yah, wasabi, indeed like kishmish asked, what do you eat, how many calories do you eat? I know that at a certain point I found out I had to increase the amount I ate some and then it resulted in better weightloss. Maybe you are just plain not eating enough!

Emily

age 18

5'6

hey everyone!!im currently 135 pounds, my goal weight is 112-115. Im very small framed, so right now at 135 most of its fat i have major love handles and a belly. I used to be 110 2 years ago and i was perfectly healthy, i looked healthy......but i would rather weigh about 115 to be safe.

Hey everyone. This is great! I am the requisite height, I am 27, and I weighed in at 232 this morning. That is bad! I am large framed, and I don't mean that just as an excuse. I have battled my weight since early teens and I am tired of it. About 6 years ago I got down to 160 and I looked great. I have a lot of muscle, especially on my legs. I think that if I got down to 145-150 I would be totally happy, though I am much more worried about my health than how I look. I got pregnant at a weight of 119, my highest until that point. I have battled depression for years, and with a husband in the military, it is that much harder. When he's home, it is easy to fix healthy meals for the family, but my son is a very picky eater and I am rarely motivated to actually cook for myself. Instead of gobbling down junk food, I do something just as bad: I just don't eat. I started a food journal today, then I found this site. My grand total of calories for the day is 1331. That's about 400 under what I should be eating for healthy weight loss! So I need to work on eating healthy foods and exercising. I joined a gym today and feel great after working out. My bf is working out with me, so we can hold each other accountable. I wish everyone luck and look forward to hearing some success stories!

Original Post by mrsdagle:

About age.  At 38 and having been through different metabolism and lifestyle changes, I can say that age is not the determining factor in weight loss and fitness.  I was underweight as a kid until college and I was terribly out of shape.  I got in better shape after college when I biked regularly and worked in healthcare. 

Now I'm fighting for my sanity and regaining my old body back.  But it's not the old accidentally fit or thin body I want.  I want a stronger me. 

Yep - I've just done my workout this morning and agree that I'm fitter and stronger than I was in my teens, 20s, 30s or early 40s!!  I do a weekly weigh in but I've got to admit I'm not so focussed on weight anymore, its the inches, strength, stamina I'm looking at.  I've upped my weights this week in my strength training and am really pushing it in the cardio so that's a better measure for me.

 mratts - I can identify with the depression.  It reached a peak last year and doc wanted me on anti depressants but I fought to stay off them.  I have good days and not so good but I'm getting there!  You'll do it !!

nuevaburro, where in WI are you from? I am also from WI, Green Bay area.

Well, my week as not gone very well. For some reason I was getting bloated. Now I cut out the yogart and it seems to be helping but I went up 3 pounds from my lowest of 156. I know it will come off I just need to get back on the horse and get moving. I just think at least I am still staying in the 150's. That's good news for me.

Good Luck to everyone and have a nice weekend.

I like that we can check in here, and support each other. I have been on this site since march, and this is the first group that I have joined. I like the support.

Tammy - don't worry about the bloat. I can relate, I have been bloated all week, and I am still not sure why (not my TOM, have not been eating much salt... I dunno) and it is discouraging, but just remember that it will go away. Just keep at it, and you will see yourself progress!

I did get out for a walk with my pooches for an hour last night, then to the gym to do my weight session for 45 mins, then played with the pooches for another 1/2 hr in the yard to really poop them out. Weighed in at the gym last night, 146.6 and that was with me feeling really bloated, and having just drank 1 litre of water on the way down to the gym. 

Went out for dinner, had the veggie and cheese plate, one glass of wine, and about 15 of my boyfriend's french fries. He ordered the fish and chip special. I was ok with the small number of fries I had. Better than ordering the dish for myself and eating all that grease!!

Have a great weekend all!!

Kishmish- I hope that isn't saying anything about 5'5" people! =D

I don't think I could ever take part in a low-carb diet. I am such a carb addict! If I go grocery shopping I am always hovering around the bread and talking myself out of buying it.

(Also... Go to the gym! Join a class at the gym, those are lots of fun!)

Jennie- When I went on the pill not much changed for me in regards to weight or mood. But then again, I gain no matter what I eat so I really just have to watch my caloric intake.

Wasabi- Sometimes being too strict in your regime is what puts the weight-loss at a dead stop. That's not saying you should jump off your path, just change it up a little. If you focus more on strength-training than aerobics, do the opposite! Don't eat the same thing every day (same calorie amount is good) because what you're eating matters in how you lose. GOOD LUCK!

Cj- I don't have a choice with my doctors. My gynecologist told me once, "You shouldn't gain anymore weight" After telling me how much I weighed, it was the first time I'd met her and she didn't realize I used to weigh 200lbs and hey, I'd lost some weight! Heh... Sorry for venting, that was a really bad experience that makes me mad. My goal size is in the one digits. I think I'd be really excited to be an 8 or 9.

Erose- Don't focus too much on the weight on the scale. Look at how your clothes fit you, how you feel when you work out (or just move), other things not just a number on the scale. It shocked me when I saw all of these 5'5" people saying they want to weigh 110 because with my frame I'd be anorexic-thin! That's also when I learned, you can't look at scale numbers. Focus on how you feel in your body.

Mratt- It's great to hear about couples working together to be healthy! Good luck to both of you!

Me:
Know what guys, I think there will be a weigh-in date, next Friday sound okay? Don't worry if you miss a day or two, or if your weigh-in day is different, post whenever, but for people who do not have a weigh-in day Friday can be it! =D

Also, because after reading everyone's response I understand not everyone likes to focus on their scale weight so on Friday you can weigh-in however you want! Clothing sizes, scale numbers, inches, etc, etc! You should be comfortable when it comes to talking about your life, your weight, and your diet, etc here so don't feel like you have to post anything a certain way. There is no limit to the number of people who can join, you won't 'get in trouble' for not posting, stop by when you feel the need and be good to yourselves!

I did not eat very healthy today, or work out... but I did yesterday. Today I went to my boyfriend's house around 9 and collapsed in his bed to sleep. I have been sleeping so little due to homework and chores that I am exhausted all of the time. But with him, I relaxed, slept, woke up very late and felt refreshed and ready for the day... which consisted of me watching a movie with him, and playing a video game =D It was fun. I did work on homework as well, which is figuring out how I have to work out for my Wellness class.

hey everyone, i had a bad day today. I totally fell of the wagon and ate 3 doughnuts and had 2 enormous scoops of ice cream at dunkin doughnuts.  It really sucks cause i feel like a failure, like all the hard work i've been doing this past week is in vain. I just couldnt help myself, i really have a MAJOR problem with self control. :(

Erose- Hey! Don't feel too bad about it! Bad days happen, you can't do much about it after the fact. Just recognize that what you ate wasn't the best thing for your health and decide to do better tomorrow. Or starting from the next thing you eat.

Starbucks Frappuccinos are my downfall. =)