Fellow shorties in their 50's

[jeaniem]

How did you choose a goal weight?

[CJMO]

I'm 5' and 57. I reached my goal then life happened and I am at it again. I just looked in the mirror and when I looked ok - clothed - I quit. For me that was 112. Any lower and I look gaunt and saggy in my face and neck. Most of my adult life I weighed 103. That won't work anymore, even if I could reach it again.

[jeaniem]

I never will make 112! I was 127 in 2010 and was fine with it, now I think I will settle for 135ish??

[teri f]

Jeanie you look great now! How do you feel? are you comfortable in your clothes and in your own skin?

[jeaniem]

What I really want is to be at peace with food, but also would like to lose just a couple of more pounds and tone up. Just a few days ago I was still thinking I could get into the 120's if I really tried, but the last 2 days I have been binging after having a run of 52 consecutive binge free days. I am realizing that it is probably smarter for me to settle for a higher weight.

[CJMO]

If that is your current weight in your pix you look great ! Maybe your body is telling you you are where you need to be?

[shortcut]

Being male, I probably look at my body differently, but a few years ago I had a physically demanding job for about two years and lost a lot of weight. I wasn't dieting or aiming at a goal, the weight just came off naturally. I went from about 165 lbs down to 145. The mirror told me all I needed to know. At 145 there were no "man boobs" or "gravy pouches" hanging over my waist band, my face had a more chiseled look, my "beer gut" was gone and I felt great.
I am small framed and 5' 4" so 20lbs was a big deal. I think my BMI says I should weigh as little as 132, but I can't imagine getting down to that weight. I would be a stick person. (Which I was as a child.)
I am pretty loose about it, but I am happiest between 145 and 150.

[Ailuros]

I’m 5' 2". I was around 115 for a few years when I first lost weight on LC, in my forties. Life overtook me and I ended up back around 140. I’m at 133 now and aiming at something lower. 115 might be too low now though — I’ll see when I get closer. Maybe 120? I’m fairly small boned and curvy, so even at 115 nobody ever said I looked too thin.

[saltnpepper]

I kind of go by what ever weight you are when not eating junk food.

My weight goes up and down a few pounds every so often. So if it is because I had extra blackberries and LC cheese cake, or is it because I ate chips??

As long as I'm eating good....try not to stress about it. IF I eat junk, that's another story.

Your pic looks great.

Anna

[jeaniem]

Thanks everyone. In my quest to stop obsessing and over thinking things, I am just going to focus on eating well and getting in some exercise and see where I land.

[Aomiel]

Originally I used the charts that said for my 5'3" small frame I should be 120-135 (or something like that). When I hit 155, I decided I did not like the way I looked (too haggard), so I put 5 lbs back on and decided 160 was it for me.

Recently, since I started drinking BPC for one meal, my weight dropped another 5 lbs over the last couple of weeks...and I like the look. Maybe because my skin has shrunk up more over the last 5 months. Still...they can stuff their 120-135 because there's just no way without looking unhealthy.

[Kittycatmom]

I have been at 150, and think I look good at that weight-- and I feel good which is important. At 150, I wear a size 8-10 easily.

My wrist is 7" around, and my elbow bone span is 3" which indicates a large frame. Even before knowing those measurements, I assumed a large frame.

The charts say 147 max for those stats-- 150 is close enough for me. Of course, I've only been at this for a month and enjoy eating this way so we shall see where it takes me

[Michelle765]

Part of me feels like....why even have a number in mind at this point? I mean, we're talking climbing Mt. Everest in my mind. In summer 2009 I'd gotten down to 147, which my doctor says is a good target for me. I'm 5'5" and have a small frame (elbow width). I know what I looked like at that weight and every ounce of my extra weight sat right around my middle. Clothed, I looked like I was at my goal, but I knew it wasn't just extra skin around my waist. I figure though I'll know when I get there. I have 125 as my goal, but that's probably still on the high side for my frame. I'd love to know how much lean body mass I have right now but am too cheap to pay for a test to find out.

Isn't enough that I started the journey? Can't there be a "be done now" button?

[Nancy E.]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

Thanks everyone. In my quest to stop obsessing and over thinking things, I am just going to focus on eating well and getting in some exercise and see where I land.

You have your own best answer. You will set a goal weight when you get there because you will look at yourself and say this is where I feel the best. I am 5 2" small bones and 57. When I hit where I wanted to be I made that my goal weight. Every time I start going back up I am back here for my support and get right back down again, so when you get there make that your goal weight. Everyone carries weight different, forget what the charts tell you, they are a guideline only. You look great now, just focus on getting healthy. This is the best support board you will ever need,

[SuzanneM]

5' 4" here, and 125 - 130, is my best look.

[DiamondDeb]

I'm 58, 5'3" and small framed. I don't believe in goal weights. I have a decent amount of LBM. I intend to increase my muscle mass & get lean enough to show it (this does not mean big & bulky).

Meeting those goals will cause me to be smaller in size yet weigh more than most women my height & build. So, in my book, the more I end up weighing the better! lol...

[Janknitz]

5'3" and I'm aiming for 150. If I ever get there, then I'll decide if I want to weigh less. I'm certainly NOT going to change my WOL for "maintenance" so if I continue to lose I'll be ok with that. Around 135 sound great for a middle ager of my height, but I'll be thrilled to get to 150.

[Nancy E.]

Originally Posted by DiamondDeb

I'm 58, 5'3" and small framed. I don't believe in goal weights. I have a decent amount of LBM. I intend to increase my muscle mass & get lean enough to show it (this does not mean big & bulky).

Meeting those goals will cause me to be smaller in size yet weigh more than most women my height & build. So, in my book, the more I end up weighing the better! lol...

You are so right Deb, I only kept mine as my goal weight to keep myself accountable when I over do eating on different occasions, if I weigh more because of muscle, great.

[CJMO]

Originally Posted by jeaniem

I never will make 112! I was 127 in 2010 and was fine with it, now I think I will settle for 135ish??

Apparently neither will I but I keep trying.

[scintillady]

When I weighed 127 3 years ago I was a size 4 and felt good. I'm now back to close to 200 and feel awful, a size 14 (tight). People never think I weigh as much as I do because I don't wear anything form fitting, but I know, and my BF knows. I don't expect to be a size 4 again, because the menopause belly has set in, but I'd like to get back in the 130's for my daughters wedding next September.

[llisarray]

When I lost back in 2008 I got down to 152 and everyone in my family hated the way I looked. I have been large my whole life and when I lose, wrinkles and sag get terrible. Believe it or not I'm pretty comfortable at 188. I can buy clothes in the regular size clothing section and that was one of my main goals..lol. If I lose more, I will reassess. I usually have no problem losing...it's the maintaining that kicks my butt !!