Short girls here - around 5 feet!

Well I seem to have no one to talk to since I'm one of the few out there. I'm around 5'1". Currently I weigh about 126 - 127 (except for right now because I'm ready to start). Anyway, how does everyone handle food intake, calories consumed and the weight charts we are supposed to go by? I feel like we constantly get the short end of the stick. Now this website gives me a decent amount of calories to maintain my weight but I'm obviously trying to lose 11 pounds (when I'm at the weight of 126) so I will be at 115. I know they say not to drop below 1200 pounds but do you think that applies to us short people? How hard is it for you to drop the pounds?

I'm sad that I missed the formation of this group while I was on vacation last week. But I'm here now :)

I'm 5'0 at 115 right now after losing about 15 pounds over the last 3.5 months or so. I am not exactly sure when I started. When I first started I was eating around 1,450 calories per day and just doing sporadic exercise - a workout DVD once a week and trying to park in far away parking spaces and the like. I was losing pretty well at that point, and wasn't then (and still don't) count on Saturdays.

I dropped down to around 1,250 per day and stopped losing as much. Then I went back to 1,400ish and lost some more pretty steadily, so I definitely think the slightly higher intake is best for me.

I am starting to work out regularly as of this week. I can't see myself going to a gym, but I love workout DVDs. I really like "Tracey Mallett 6 Minute Quick Blast Method - Total Body Calorie Blast" because it's a bunch of different 6-minute segments you can combine however you like, and it includes cardio bursts, stretching and light weight work. I feel really good after doing 4 or so of the little segments with the warm-up and cool-down.

I also really enjoy "Janis Saffell Brand New Butt and More" which takes a little longer, so I usually do it on Sundays. I'm always sore the next day.

I think with this increased and more consistent exercise I'm going to work for 1,400-1,500 a day for now and see if I need to adjust that later. I was originally aiming to hit 110 and get a feel for how much more I wanted to lose. Right now I'm thinking 105 and toned would be great, but I probably won't know until I get there.

And since this post wasn't long enough already ... I am a vegetarian, and since I've been counting I've been focusing on getting at least 50 grams of protein a day. I get that from stuff like tofu, eggs or Egg Beaters, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, other soy Boca-type products, beans, etc. One of my new favorite protein sources is LightLife Smart Dogs. They are only 45 calories and have 8 grams of protein. I like cutting them up and having them with beans, or even in stir fries or other stuff if I'm out of tofu. And some of my favorite really low-cal meals are taco salad with veggies and a bunch of salsa, grilled portobello mushroom "burgers" with tomato, onion and Laughing Cow, and spaghetti squash with marinara and a sprinkle of cheese.

skwinkle I agree that staying around 1,400 to 1,500 calories a day works best. I don't seem to lose as much if my calories are too low. Even though I have a gym membership, working out at home seems to work best for me (when I actually do it). That way I can get my son envolved and it is a little more time I get to spend with him.

I am going to try tonight to get on a routine...someone PLEASE call me out tomorrow to make sure i did and give me he%& if I didn't!

 

Thanks for the support ladies!

skwinkle, trying to up my cals this week, and so far the lbs have just been dropping off with little or no effort:D

 

hoqwver tonight i am hungry :O (first time that has happenned since i upped cals) will probably have rice puffs with some garlic powder, lime pepper spice and a tsp of olive oil..

 

ok not low cal, but i have 100 calories going spare..and i did quite a lot today..so i can afford to cross 1600;)

 

night all, good luck with your kg/lbs dropping^^

Original Post by justpeaz:

Original Post by littleshellys:

I have not always been this weight. I was 135 before I started. I felt horrible. Way to much weight for my size. Slowly I lost it. In the beginning I did not know what I was doing. Just eating less, not exercising. I lost 10LB and stayed there for years. Then about 3 years ago I started working out. 2 years ago I got serious and started weight training and working out better. Eating better and now I eat clean most of the time.

It is hard for short girls. Pretty much an everyday struggle. But I like how I feel now as opposed to then so it keeps me motivated. I also love food and love to eat. Today was my cheat meal so I just got done eating a cookie AND a brownie. As soon as I am done with it I think about next Fridays cheat meal.  I love brownies.

Tomorrow is my major workout day. Hours in the gym to keep the weight off. Sprints and weight. Always a struggle.

 

Gosh I wish I could work out as much as you do! It is so hard to find the time. I work full time and try to spend as much time with my son as I can when I'm not working, plus I went back to school to get my degree. I just feel really guilty taking time out of the little time I have to go to the gym. I know it sounds like an excuse but with my schedule (plus my husband works nights so I only see him 2 hours a day).

Hi, Yes I totally understand. It is not an excuse. Family is the most important thing to me too.

I am lucky that I have a gym where I work, I go in early on weight days and lift. Then after work I do the cardio. On the weekend I get up VERY early. (Crazy) early and go in and get it done so I have the rest of the day on the weekends to spend with my family and get stuff done.

I also have a treadmill at home and free weights so that is where I do my leg and ab work, squats, lunges and so on.

All of this before anyone is out of bed.

I work full time too and then out of my home on the weekend. (some) weekends.

My husband is disabled so I do many of the things he cannot do. My little boy has epilepsy so that is also a challenge. So really working out is the only thing I do for myself and it helps me to relieve my stress.

Just do what you can which is more than most people do. I only know about 5 other people where I work that workout or watch their diet at all so we are all doing great!!

 

 

Original Post by axejudge:

sordino - if you feel hungry, maybe it's not the amount of calories you're eating, but rather how they break down. Do you have any blood sugar issues? I am hypoglycemic, and I know that eating too many carbs causes my blood sugar to plummet, leaving me hungry (especially if I do that at night; then I wake up absolutely ravenous!). Make sure to get regular protein; it keeps you feeling full longer, and slows down the rate that the carbs break down in your stomach, so you don't get such a spike in blood sugar (which is often for me rapidly followed by my pancreas freaking out, sending a ton of insulin, and then my sugar drops like a rock).

axejudge-  I don't think I have any blood sugar problems.  About a year ago, I had all my hormone/thyroid/cholesterol/bloodwork stuff checked, and the results came out fine.  I just have hunger issues.  When I'm hungry, I do feel unnaturally sick and irritable.  Sometimes my stomach hurts, sometimes I feel dizzy or weak, sometimes I get headaches, and I'm always super cranky when I'm hungry.  My husband knows that when I say "I'm hungry," that food better be available or else!  I try to avoid getting "average" hungry or "very" hungry by immediately eating as soon as I'm not "full" or "satisfied" anymore.  It's weird.  For example, today I've already eaten 1550 calories and I haven't eaten dinner yet.  I'm also getting hungry, and will probably have a snack before my actual dinner.  I'll try to keep it under 2000 calories, but I might go over a little.  In my ravenous appetite's defense, I do get more exercise than average, but still... at 5'1, 2000+ calories is excessive...

Getting enough protein is something I'm working on.  My protein intake is usually about 20%, and I know I need to get it higher.  I just don't crave meat that much,  I don't like touching raw meat,  and I try to avoid deli meat.  I try to eat hummus and bean dips, but I can't do that EVERY day!

 

Hello everyone!

I haven't written so much but I've been reading everything you said! Shorties are the best! Incredible how much exercise most of us get!

Shooster you said : Warm glass of milk before bed is what I take if i reckon i wont get through the night without waking up (rare, but it works!) plus yay to calcium!

Do you take a glass of milk every night or just when you know you won't sleep well that night? I have another problem: I sleep 7 hours daily, even now that I'm on vacation, I don't know why I wake up so early every day but I can't take control of that! I've read about the glass of milk but I've never tried to (I don't like milk too much, I only drink it with cereal) but if it works I would make the effort to drink my glass of milk!

Talking a little bit more about my progress, I increase my calorie intake too.. During this week I ate around 1500-1700 calories daily and surprisingly my weight didn't suffer any fluctuation! But that's a very good sign for me because for about 8 months my weight haven't been consequent at least for one week! Everyday is different! Some-days up, some-days down, even if I weight in the same conditions everyday (similar clothes, etc), but I think that increasing the calories really helps! This week I'll be doing the same and I hope my weight goes down a little bit! =)

Take care and good luck for everyone!=)

Original Post by sordino:

Original Post by axejudge:

sordino - if you feel hungry, maybe it's not the amount of calories you're eating, but rather how they break down. Do you have any blood sugar issues? I am hypoglycemic, and I know that eating too many carbs causes my blood sugar to plummet, leaving me hungry (especially if I do that at night; then I wake up absolutely ravenous!). Make sure to get regular protein; it keeps you feeling full longer, and slows down the rate that the carbs break down in your stomach, so you don't get such a spike in blood sugar (which is often for me rapidly followed by my pancreas freaking out, sending a ton of insulin, and then my sugar drops like a rock).

axejudge- I don't think I have any blood sugar problems. About a year ago, I had all my hormone/thyroid/cholesterol/bloodwork stuff checked, and the results came out fine. I just have hunger issues. When I'm hungry, I do feel unnaturally sick and irritable. Sometimes my stomach hurts, sometimes I feel dizzy or weak, sometimes I get headaches, and I'm always super cranky when I'm hungry. My husband knows that when I say "I'm hungry," that food better be available or else! I try to avoid getting "average" hungry or "very" hungry by immediately eating as soon as I'm not "full" or "satisfied" anymore. It's weird. For example, today I've already eaten 1550 calories and I haven't eaten dinner yet. I'm also getting hungry, and will probably have a snack before my actual dinner. I'll try to keep it under 2000 calories, but I might go over a little. In my ravenous appetite's defense, I do get more exercise than average, but still... at 5'1, 2000+ calories is excessive...

Getting enough protein is something I'm working on. My protein intake is usually about 20%, and I know I need to get it higher. I just don't crave meat that much, I don't like touching raw meat, and I try to avoid deli meat. I try to eat hummus and bean dips, but I can't do that EVERY day!

I can understand you on the hunger issue, before my thyroid went bad, i was fine, could manage the whole day not eating and not have trouble with hunger, today if i get hungry there had better be something near me!!!

If you need to stay full, why not add more fruit and veg to your snacks? I find that they are high in volume and fill me up!!

THEY might keep you fuller longer? Or at least you can munch on a lot of them without worrying too much about calories?

As for protein veggie foods, how about lentils? they are high in protein and iron and fill you up if eaten with carbs (bread, rice is what i eat them with) nplus they cook fast and are versatile ;) Tofu doesnt fill me up as much as lentils do^^

lentil üancakes galore!:D

Original Post by maru29:

Hello everyone!

I haven't written so much but I've been reading everything you said! Shorties are the best! Incredible how much exercise most of us get!

Shooster you said : Warm glass of milk before bed is what I take if i reckon i wont get through the night without waking up (rare, but it works!) plus yay to calcium!

Do you take a glass of milk every night or just when you know you won't sleep well that night? I have another problem: I sleep 7 hours daily, even now that I'm on vacation, I don't know why I wake up so early every day but I can't take control of that! I've read about the glass of milk but I've never tried to (I don't like milk too much, I only drink it with cereal) but if it works I would make the effort to drink my glass of milk!

Talking a little bit more about my progress, I increase my calorie intake too.. During this week I ate around 1500-1700 calories daily and surprisingly my weight didn't suffer any fluctuation! But that's a very good sign for me because for about 8 months my weight haven't been consequent at least for one week! Everyday is different! Some-days up, some-days down, even if I weight in the same conditions everyday (similar clothes, etc), but I think that increasing the calories really helps! This week I'll be doing the same and I hope my weight goes down a little bit! =)

Take care and good luck for everyone!=)

Maru, if you'e waking up after 7 hours and you feel refreshed? Maybe you just dont need more sleep than that?

As for the milk, no i dont take it daily..I take it mainly if I have a big hunger and I want to get to sleep fast but dont want to eat:)

 

But everytime i have taken it, wow!!! :D

 

Although yesterday i was hungry before bed..binged a bit.. (stayed under 1700cal..so ok..) but processed meat, low cal hot chocolate..tea biscuits, mmmmmmmm,MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm

Original Post by littleshellys:

Original Post by justpeaz:

Original Post by littleshellys:

I have not always been this weight. I was 135 before I started. I felt horrible. Way to much weight for my size. Slowly I lost it. In the beginning I did not know what I was doing. Just eating less, not exercising. I lost 10LB and stayed there for years. Then about 3 years ago I started working out. 2 years ago I got serious and started weight training and working out better. Eating better and now I eat clean most of the time.

It is hard for short girls. Pretty much an everyday struggle. But I like how I feel now as opposed to then so it keeps me motivated. I also love food and love to eat. Today was my cheat meal so I just got done eating a cookie AND a brownie. As soon as I am done with it I think about next Fridays cheat meal.  I love brownies.

Tomorrow is my major workout day. Hours in the gym to keep the weight off. Sprints and weight. Always a struggle.

 

Gosh I wish I could work out as much as you do! It is so hard to find the time. I work full time and try to spend as much time with my son as I can when I'm not working, plus I went back to school to get my degree. I just feel really guilty taking time out of the little time I have to go to the gym. I know it sounds like an excuse but with my schedule (plus my husband works nights so I only see him 2 hours a day).

Hi, Yes I totally understand. It is not an excuse. Family is the most important thing to me too.

I am lucky that I have a gym where I work, I go in early on weight days and lift. Then after work I do the cardio. On the weekend I get up VERY early. (Crazy) early and go in and get it done so I have the rest of the day on the weekends to spend with my family and get stuff done.

I also have a treadmill at home and free weights so that is where I do my leg and ab work, squats, lunges and so on.

All of this before anyone is out of bed.

I work full time too and then out of my home on the weekend. (some) weekends.

My husband is disabled so I do many of the things he cannot do. My little boy has epilepsy so that is also a challenge. So really working out is the only thing I do for myself and it helps me to relieve my stress.

Just do what you can which is more than most people do. I only know about 5 other people where I work that workout or watch their diet at all so we are all doing great!!

 littleshellys you are very inspiring! Well I didn't exercise last night but I'm going to tonight! I just need to do as much as I can at home and I need to get my butt out of bed early! I need to make sure i don't hit that snooze!!

Anyway, I have lots of DVDs and a treadmill so that works. Plus the Wii Ft which is FABULOUS!!!!

 

 

Yeah! Sure I do.. Some days I feel fine with 7 hours, but other days I really feel that I need to sleep more, but it's something I can't control, I don't sleep too much but I would like to sleep a little bit more, at least the 8 hours recommended; I'll try with the glass of milk and I'll tell all of you how I sleep..!

I feel like the more sleep I get the sleepier I am so 6 hours really works best for me.

wow littleshellys:O

 

that isnt motivation! that is superwoman! i tried runningtoday :) did 2km in about 15ish inutes walking and running..

 

which i dunno, is that good for someone who is relatively unfit? plus i had to take it easy in the start..i'm rathet hyperlax which means my ankles needed to fall into the right place for the few first metres:P

 

gluck with the sleeping maru^^

 

i have to try and sleep more (doing 5-6 a day) and it just isnt enough xD i have been late to physio twice now!:(

I'm just checking in.  It's good to see so many people exercising!  I ran a mile today in the fastest time I've run it since I started running again!  So I was happy about that.  I walked another mile.  I'll probably go out again and walk later with a friend so I'm feeling good about my level of activity.  I'm actually looking forward to weighing in on my Monday weigh in day!  I stayed the same last week so I'm hoping that this week will see a good loss!

Keep up the good work everyone!  You're all so inspiring!

Hi! =)

Everyone got motivation from littleshellys, didn't we?! I'm another fan =p.. I run today, but just for 5 minutes, because I really don't like too much run at the gym, maybe tomorrow I'll try it again (today I was a little bit lazy, hehe)..

I went to the doctor today and I haven't eaten, so my weight was 48.5kg (107lb), I usually take my weight control from gym's scale (I go there around 3pm everyday so I always had eaten before), and after my visit to the doc I went to the gym and my weight was 110 (I ate before to the gym), is possible that the weight variation reach 3lbs just with a meal? I didn't eat so heavy. Do you all take your weights when you wake up or some of you check it after you eat?

Talking about food, is mexican food too bad? My today's lunch was quesadillas(with chicken), guacamole, and nachos.. I logged all and I got 1400 calories.. That isn't so bad, I was cravings so I ceded to that need and I'm really happy right now.. Tonight I probably drink my glass of milk! I'll be here tomorrow sharing my sleeping history =)

Hi everyone Short that's me!!  5ft 2 201 pounds down from 240.  I go to the gym every day for 50 minutes but other than that I have a sit on the bum desk job.  I use the stairs when I can.  I eat around 1400 and want to get down to 135 ish maybe although I've never been there so I don't know what it would be like!

Original Post by sordino:

Original Post by axejudge:

sordino - if you feel hungry, maybe it's not the amount of calories you're eating, but rather how they break down. Do you have any blood sugar issues? I am hypoglycemic, and I know that eating too many carbs causes my blood sugar to plummet, leaving me hungry (especially if I do that at night; then I wake up absolutely ravenous!). Make sure to get regular protein; it keeps you feeling full longer, and slows down the rate that the carbs break down in your stomach, so you don't get such a spike in blood sugar (which is often for me rapidly followed by my pancreas freaking out, sending a ton of insulin, and then my sugar drops like a rock).

axejudge-  I don't think I have any blood sugar problems.  About a year ago, I had all my hormone/thyroid/cholesterol/blood-work stuff checked, and the results came out fine.  I just have hunger issues.  When I'm hungry, I do feel unnaturally sick and irritable.  Sometimes my stomach hurts, sometimes I feel dizzy or weak, sometimes I get headaches, and I'm always super cranky when I'm hungry.  My husband knows that when I say "I'm hungry," that food better be available or else!  I try to avoid getting "average" hungry or "very" hungry by immediately eating as soon as I'm not "full" or "satisfied" anymore.  It's weird.  For example, today I've already eaten 1550 calories and I haven't eaten dinner yet.  I'm also getting hungry, and will probably have a snack before my actual dinner.  I'll try to keep it under 2000 calories, but I might go over a little.  In my ravenous appetite's defense, I do get more exercise than average, but still... at 5'1, 2000+ calories is excessive...

Getting enough protein is something I'm working on.  My protein intake is usually about 20%, and I know I need to get it higher.  I just don't crave meat that much,  I don't like touching raw meat,  and I try to avoid deli meat.  I try to eat hummus and bean dips, but I can't do that EVERY day!

 

 From your symptoms it does sound like hypoglycemia. I have that. It is when your blood sugar gets too low. Some of the symptoms are; extreme hunger, irritation, sweating, confusion, shakiness, headache and so on.

Read more here: http://thyroid.about.com/b/2004/04/28/do-you- have-undiagnosed-hypoglycemia.htm

Your blood work can be normal. I was diagnosed after My Dr. gave me a kit to test my glucose levels 3 times a day. You log the readings and if they are consistently low you may be hypoglycemic. You can usually control it by watching your diet and eating a snack on a regular schedule between meals to keep your sugar levels at an even keel.

What you eat is important too. Refined carbs, sugar, white bread, white rice, white pasta and other foods cause a sudden rise in glucose levels which can be a problem for people with glucose intolerance issues.

Hey everyone!! My name is Gina and i'd like to join the short girl group :)

i'm 4'10" and right now weighing about 107. im comforatble @ this weight but would feel a whole lot better at around 102-103. im trying really hard to get motivated. You guys are all doing soo good!

Welcome Gina and nvernever!

 

Maru, yeah I've had weight swaps like that..normally I measure before I have my first meal of the day.

 

As for mexican food, it depends if it is in a restaurant or no:)

 

I had mex last week in a restaurant, luckily I didnt eat much that day:P cheese q   uesadillaxD

 

Good luck with the sleeping! I overslept yet again, did get 8 hours though xD

Well guess what?! It was a Christmas miracle! I actually exercised last night and kept myself busy. If I keep doing that the weight will come off in no time!!

How is everyone doing on their calorie intake? I am doing well and able to get above 1200 easily now! i'm eating between 1300-1600 everyday and excercising 5 days a week burning 500-600 calories. 

So far this morning I weighed 105.6, haven't gained weight!! I just really really really hope that by monday I will be at the most 105 Ibs.  If that happens then this diet is wonderful!! I will always eat well above 1200 calories with excercise and just go for a pound week because at this point all i want are PERMANENT results!

Welcome lilmissfina! we are about the same height and the same weight (I fluctuate 105.5-107).  I looked at your pictures and if I look anything like you then I have nothing to be worried about!

P.S. I have added some very good and healthy vegan recipes that I have been eating this week if any of you are up for it ;)