Weight Loss Support, Feeling Scared, Not Sure Why.

Seriously...you're talking about 6 pound here. Not THAT huge of a deal. It's only a number on a scale!

For what it's worth, I think you're doing great!
I am the same height as you and weighed 135-140 in my mid thirties and I felt and looked great.
I'm now almost 43 and the weight has slowly crept up to 160 (ugh!) I get regular exercise and I carry it fairly well in my legs, butt and arms, but my mid section is a disaster, all the fat just settles in my waistline: front, sides and back :(
I have had some success with calorie counting online, but I, like you, took off the first 5 pounds fairly quickly and then it just stopped.
What makes weight loss really hard for me is I love to cook. I love to cook lean and healthy food, but I also love my cream and butter so there you go :)
So I guess what I'm saying is, as someone the same height and 20 pounds heavier I think you should be proud of yourself! Keep up the good habits and don't fixate over the last five pounds. And working out, especially some kind of muscle/resistance training will keep you firm and feeling great!

hello
I kept plateauing as well and remained at 182 for a long time.. then I finally got to 179 and remained there for a long time... now at 176.... FINALLY.. and with several more pounds to go. I can tell you what is making a difference with me.. not the exercise , in fact it's not unusual for me to walk more than a 100 miles a month.. sometimes 150.. therefore, you'd think I would lose more weight, but I wasn't.. WHY???? glad you asked :)

my diet and worse, I wasn't truly keeping proper track of what I was eating.. Finally, I decided once and for all to keep an "honest" food journal and wrote down EVERYTHING I ate.. I've been doing this for almost a month now and it's because I make myself accountable for EVERY last bite I take, I have finally dropped to the 176.. hence, the plateau is over (for now)

additionally, I have since found a new website, livestrong.com << you can use aspects of it for free, one of which is the "my plate" section. this is where you keep your food journal... what's great about it is that it breaks down what you eat.. from sodium to calories consumed.. just go in and add your current weight and goal..

Anyway, my best advice would be.. DO keep a food journal (even on days where your nutrition is not at its best) DO drink lots of water (therefore, your body won't be as inclined to hold water) in fear it might become dehydrated and try and NOT let a not so good day ruin what could be the start of an actual good day.. meaning, just because the scale is up one day, don't let it bring you down...

After you keep the journal for a few weeks , you can then begin to see how you might need tweak your diet somewhat for better results..

best of luck to you

It is important to remember that were we want to be is not always were our bodies are comfortable at. As you get older that number moves up. I once got down to 140, but for my body in order to maintain that weight is was 1200 cal and twice daily workouts. I decided enjoying life was more important than killing myself over a number, and have learned to love my body at a slightly larger more maintainable size.

Before you do anything find out what your actual ideal weight is. I used to be 130 before I had kids but really 130 is far too skinny for my frame, I actually look creepy when I go below 140. My point is when I was losing weight after my 4th child I couldn't get below 140, I eventually pushed myself and got down to 135 and as I said, I looked creepy, too skinny. I found out later from my doctor that I should be at 140, good to know, ya know?

I'm working on this issue too. Feel free to PM me anytime!

& crazier than crazy, I bought a tabletop bicycle pedaler. It's meant for cardiac patients, to teach them how to use those arms again. It can also be used on the floor, with your feet. I now do this daily! It's so easy to sit & watch tv or be on the computer & pedal away.....

It's dorky, but I love it! & I'm not outside triggering my seasonal allergies....

Oh, & foodwise.....remember that ole' cabbage soup diet? Well, it's a crock - it's a fad.....but I recently used an adaptation of it to curb my carb addiction. I made the soup & ate some of it everytime I felt like snacking. Within 2 days, I was able to eliminate my excess carbs & soda! I now use V8 or tomato juice when I feel the need to snack. It really helped me....

Hi Jane,
I could've wrote your question after I had my first baby! I went through the same thing... right when I got close to my target weight I started feeling scared too. Not sure why it is... could be hormones, or could be a sense of losing a bit of yourself (literally and figuratively). Afterall, being pregnant for 40 weeks, you do get used to your body, and seem to feel that the extra weight is nourishment and associate it with "good" and "mommy". Just keep doing what you are doing! When you get back to your normal weight, you will feel great, especially once you start wearing your old clothes again! Same thing happened to me and trust me, you will remember that person you were before your pregnancy and find that she is also a great mommy!
J.

I don't think 135 sounds unrealistic for 5'4", but I don't know your body type. First, you have to consciously (sp?) stop worrying, this will only inhibit your weight loss. Second, keep up with the calorie counting. Third, do what ever exercise you can (upperbody, weight training, ab exercises). Fourth, accept that you may not lose this last 6 lbs (repeat that 6lbs) while you're breast-feeding bc no matter what you need a certain amount of nutrients and if you're not getting it your body won't shed any reserves.

Also, this is 6 lbs we are talking about, so try to put it in perspective for yourself. Is it worth the worry, and calorie restrictions? Is it putting stress on other areas of your life? Is is really about the weight or does it go deeper (only you know)? Really self-reflect and be honest with yourself. You may find you are okay at 141 or you may find the inspiration to get those last few off. Either way, don't let 6 lbs cause you so much worry.

I would love to "lose a few." It hasn't been easy, just very slow going because it's not as easy as it used to be. Exercising isn't as easy either, especially with worsening fibromyalgia issues. But it took a long time to gain the weight, so it'll take a while to lose it. For me it's really not just about counting calories but taking in the calories during the appropriate times of day and likely from certain medications that I'm on (although a medication change helped).

My motivation is that I don't want to develop heart disease on top of everything else. I don't want my children or husband to lose me to something that's preventable. But I'll tell you... I would love to see 145 again. Let's just say I'm a bit heavier than that.