Stuck at 145 lbs.

[Writer]

All right, I'll go ahead and post this. It's the lounge, so what's the big deal, right?

I'm 5'8" and 145 lbs. I seem to be stuck at this weight - no amount of diet and exercise will get me below this weight. I'm hoping to get down to 130 or so before I start having kids (so I have a bit of growing room.)

I do yoga twice a week, but I have done weights in the past. Anyone have any good advice?

Writer.

[graywarrior]

1. Stop eating flour, dairy and/or soy.

[Writer]

6. Soy too, huh?

Isn't that a source of protein?

[auntAgonist]

25. Soy is an excellent source of protein

I drink WestSoy products. I especially like the 'chocolate milkshake' Soy drink.

[Bouncy Ball]

2. Um let me make sure I understand.

You think you're OVERweight, right?

And what makes you think that?

If you are worried about pregnancy, just stay within the 25-35 pound weight gain limit, then nurse to help get it off faster.

[Writer]

9. No I'm not overweight.

I'm just trying to get down to my college weight. Actually in college I was 125 lbs. or so.

Nursing will help lose the weight faster? That's interesting.

[Bouncy Ball]

11. Yes it burns more calories.

The body is busy making milk and it burns calories. Plus nursing causes the uterus to contract to its normal size faster.

And it's good for baby!

[Left Is Write]

64. A caveat -

SOME women lose weight faster and/or get to their prepregnancy weight while nursing. Other women (ahem) hold onto an extra ten or fifteen pounds during nursing because their bodies are telling them they need it.

I hung on to some stubborn weight while nursing, but slimming down was a relatively quick process after he weaned.

[Lorien]

69. 135-145 is considered "healthy" at that height

I know because I'm that height and weight-I look fine as long as I stick with the weights (which I need to get back to).

[auntAgonist]

3. That doesn't sound like too heavy

for your height. How is your health? Are you comfortable?

so much to consider.

[Writer]

13. Oh no I feel very healthy... just not where I'd like to be.

I just don't want to get stuck 20-30 lbs. heavier than I should be. I'll be 30 in a couple of weeks... maybe that has something to do with this?

[Bouncy Ball]

4. As for advice, become vegetarian.

But don't replace meat with a bunch of junk food. You'll lose a few pounds. But honestly at 5'8", 145 is a nice healthy weight.

[mzmolly]

5. My advice,

your at a healthy weight for a person of your height, chill.

;)

I can say that after having kids, nursing will help get you back in shape if that's a concern?

Good luck!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

18. Agreed

She'll have an easier time getting pregnant if her weight is normal, and, believe me, 145 at 5'8" is very normal, very healthy.

She'll also have an easier pregnancy. So relax. And just remember - everything in moderation.

Besides, once you have kids, you run your ass off, chasing them around - for the rest of your life.

[Droopy]

7. A woman who is 5' 8" and 145

would be downright skinny as far as I'm concerned. Don't worry about being 145. I'm sure you look attractive.

[zanne]

76. That's right.

I'd have to be eight feel tall to be skinny!

[radwriter0555]

8. Eat like a french woman!

Works like a charm.

[Writer]

10. LOL

Man that sounds like a plan! ;)

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Seriously...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400042127/qid=1116730809/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-6195536-8647332?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Writer]

20. Hey maybe I'll head the the Barnes & Noble and take a peek.

I like this idea. I've been a stressed mess this year in school. I'm all about finding pleasure now, know what I mean?

[radwriter0555]

73. The book is GREAT... it's a definite way of life that is much, much

more gratifying and sensible.

[Rowdyboy]

12. 5'8", 145 lbs....Damn, I wish I had your problems....

Sorry, I usually try to empathize, and I'm "weight-sensitive", but you really don't have much of a problem from the facts you give.

[Writer]

17. Oh no, I don't have much of a weight problem...

I think I'm just worried about maintaining myself after having kids.

[Bouncy Ball]

23. Don't worry about that.

Your belly will be like refrigerated biscuit dough, your breasts will take on the substance of warm jello under saran wrap and you stand a good chance of being one big stretch mark from chin to knees, but you could also refuse to gain more than 20 pounds while pregnant, spend eight hours a day working out starting three days after the birth and have liposuction, a tummy tuck and a boob lift.

[Writer]

28. Wow. All that sounds delicious!

:O I got inspired one day when I saw Super Woman. Here was this extremely cut woman in her late 30's, with two toddlers in tow and a pair of twins in an all-terrain stroller. She was absolutely cut - in triathlete shape.

I thought to myself - yes, there can be a way! But she must work about at least 2 hours a day!

[Bouncy Ball]

33. Yep, she's got to work out a LOT.

And unless you are committed enough to make it a part-time job, don't worry about it.

Believe me, you'll be too busy falling in love with the bambino to care enough to spend two hours a day in a gym.

[MADem]

75. Maybe she is a part time aerobics instructor!!! n/t

[Rowdyboy]

38. You make it sound so enticing......

:sarcasm: The women I used to work with always knew how to get rid of me when they wanted to talk. They'd just bring up their birthing experiences and within minutes I'd be gone.

They played me like a cheap ukulele!

"If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament"

[Bouncy Ball]

44. LOL

I wouldn't change it for the world. When my daughter was about three, I was busy doing crunches every day (upwards of 100 a day)to get my abdomen back into shape and one night, just when I was feeling like I was making some progress, she put her head on my lap while watching TV and poked my middle and said "You're SOFT, just like mommas SHOULD be!" She smiled the most contented smile, laid her head back down and I thought "Hell, maybe I shouldn't be so obsessed. After all, mommas aren't supposed to be hard as a brick wall, right?"

LOL

[Rowdyboy]

56. Your child has rare insight....And she's right...

Children often are far more perceptive than we give them credit for.

When my god-daughter was 4, I was deeply in love with her father's younger brother who did not share my feelings. One Saturday, when we were all gathered together at the dinner table, she brought us all to a standstill when she asked..."Steve, why don't you marry Billy?" We all collectively held our breath until I responded "Cause I'm waiting for you, baby" which satisfied her and we quickly changed the conversation.

She's 22 now, and I still adore her.

[Bouncy Ball]

60. Awwwwww.

What a cool moment. You've always sounded like a caring person--I bet she's loved having you as a godfather.

[Ellen Forradalom]

68. Oh, don't scare the poor girl, please

Yes, I put on a few pounds after I had a baby. I am now---gasp---a size 8, to my mother-in-law's everlasting disappointment. I look and feel fine and have no stretch marks or sagging boobs. And I'd say that 5'3" and 125 lbs at 42 years of age and six years after having a kid is really not so bad.

On edit: I just got a new job. My commute is now on a bike, straight up the lakefront, eight miles each way. Yep, that's 80 miles a week. I'm already getting more fit!

[SheilaT]

14. This is a good weight for your height.

If you're eating good, healthy foods, and are in good health, I don't see why you want to lose weight before having kids. Good maternal nutrition seems incredibly important, and underrated to me.

Plus, you never know. You might have such terrible morning sickness that you actually lose weight early on. So you'd be better off starting out at this point, than 10-15 pounds less.

[Bouncy Ball]

16. And actually, if she loses too much, too quickly

she might have a harder time conceiving.

[FuzzySlippers]

19. According to the BMI calculator

that gives you a BMI of 22. Between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal.

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm

[Tektonik]

79. I think the BMI calculator has some problems

I always thought it to be weird that a person who is 6'6" and 160 pounds (BMI of 18.5) is considered to be a normal weight. Fuck to be that weight and height, he'd have to be a skeleton.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

21. Some people are just meant to be a certain weight.

Remember, Muscle weighs more than fat.
Duckie

[Writer]

24. Yeah, but would I be building much muscle doing beginning yoga?

Hrmmm...

[Bouncy Ball]

26. Scales are for fish.

Do you feel good? Do your clothes fit you comfortably?

Do you have energy? Do you eat a fairly balanced, nutritious diet? At least some of the time, LOL? Do you have some activity?

If so, don't sweat it!

Seriously!

And yes, yoga is great. For any purpose.

[graywarrior]

22. Dairy is bad. Soy is worse, especially in milk or yogurt form,

[auntAgonist]

27. What's bad about soy?

Like dairy milk, most soymilk has added calcium and vitamins.

The FDA states that, "25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease".

Soy promotes healthy bones, cholesterol levels and helps relieve symptoms of menopause.

[Bouncy Ball]

29. I don't understand, either.

I drink a bit of soy milk here and there.

[graywarrior]

59. Soy can bloat and cause gas. It seems to keep fat on

certain individuals. Once I stopped having it, I dropped weight I couldn't for years.

[Lorien]

71. I have a lot of problems with soy

and dairy, wheat, and sugar...I followed your suggestions months ago, and I feel much better. :hi:

[flvegan]

65. Soy? Nothing. Dairy, though, is horrible for you.

Dairy milk actually leeches calcium from the bones. They don't tell you that in the "got milk?" ads, though.

[Deja Q]

31. Why do all the milk adverts on TV say milk is good?

Skim milk is, but any other variant is fat-heavy.

[auntAgonist]

34. vitamin enriched

good source of calcium. Granted, some people are lactose intolerant and can't handle it.

We always drank 2% milk.

[LeftyMom]

54. because the dairy industry has political clout

This is the same govt that says shit in the water isn't bad for us, after all.

[LSdemocrat]

62. Full fat dairy is bad. Everything else is great.

[prolesunited]

30. Are you healthy and fit?

If so, what's the big deal? It's only a number on the scale. I think our bodies are programmed to be certain weights. You may go up or down, but you always end up at about the same point.

In addition, I think you will have an easier time getting pregnant if you are at YOUR proper weight. Think about evolution, not as many women have babies during a famine. If your body is starving, I think conception could be hampered.

Our breasts and hips are for having babies, not for hanging skimpy designer clothes on.

Why don't you talk to your doctor about your concerns about weight and wanting to get pregnant? I'm sure they'll have some sensible guidance.

[Writer]

36. I absolutely agree.

I've actually shed some weight over the last few years - I used to be near 170 lbs. A little too big, I thought. I feel good at my weight, but I just don't want to become amorphous after kids.

In my opinion, being in shape feels good. I don't want to chance dipping back into depression after having kids :(

[Bouncy Ball]

40. Ohhhh, I see.

That helps. You are really just fearing the body changes that come with having kids. I think almost every woman fears that to some extent.

But good things happen, too. Even though I was thin and in shape, I had a bit of a bubble butt before I got pregnant. My husband liked it ("I can set my coffee mug on that!" he used to say) but I didn't.

Well, pregnancy has this weird way of shifting things and I permanently lost my shelf butt. It was pretty cool.

And having a flabby belly is NOT pre-ordained. Just watch the weight gain, keep it healthy (between 25 and 35 pounds) and you'll lose the weight after the birth. Do some crunches each night, no problemo!

Don't worry....:hug: You're fine. You'll be fine!

[Writer]

43. Awwww. Thank you!

:hug:

[madrchsod]

32. what are you talking about?

losing 15 pounds? you are 5-8 145 that`s an ideal weight if you want to have kids.. you are never going back to 130. keep excercising ,yoga, and weights and you`ll do just fine. my wife had our second child with no problems at all before and after--she was 5-8 145 and fit.

[Bouncy Ball]

35. I don't think people should go by their young weights.

At my university, I probably walked miles every day, five days a week, just getting to class (HUGE university), so it was inevitable that I wouldn't still weigh the same after graduation unless I kept that up. Plus I was too poor back then to eat much! LOL!

I was 5'8" and probably 125 pounds back then. In kick-ass shape. Resting pulse in the late 40s. Whoo.

But that's a bit unrealistic as you get older and have a desk job. As long as you are still active and eating a balanced nutritious diet and not obese (as in health problems), don't worry about it.

[Writer]

39. Haha. You didn't happen to go to UT, did you?

I recall sprinting from the north end to the south end of campus in 15 minutes between classes in 100 degree Austin heat. Perhaps that explains my figure back then.

[Bouncy Ball]

47. A&M.

Even bigger, land area-wise, than UT. They had to extend the time between classes just so people could get to class on time. It was ridiculous. But hiking five miles a day or more wasn't a thang, was it?

[Writer]

53. And we had those hills.

I don't know if A&M has a PE requirement, but at Texas, simply getting to class was enough.

[prolesunited]

37. Sssshhhh!

"you are never going back to 130" <-- Sometimes it takes awhile for that reality to sink in. ;-)

[Writer]

41. But why is that?

Really, now. Why can't I go back to that weight. Same woman - same genetics. Better eating and exercise habits than college. What does it?

[Bouncy Ball]

48. Age, sorry.

I mean, of course you COULD get down to 130. You could become borderline anorexic or bulemic, but I wouldn't recommend that.

But with age comes a slight slowdown in metabolism. So you have to work out even more to get the same benefit.

Which is why I say don't sweat it, no pun intended. Stay active, eat a good healthy diet (not diet as in lose weight diet), and don't worry about it.

[Writer]

50. Ack. I hear you.

I saw my first spread (?) in my mid-20's. At first I liked my new curves, but it turned to fat curves after I moved to the NE (too much good food.) Now that I'm in the mountains, I'm all wheat germ and granola-like. I dig long hikes, backpacking, and biking. But I sure would love to be tiny again for just a short time longer.

[prolesunited]

51. Your metabolism definitely slows down

as you get older and as a women, your hormonal balances start shifting. You can eat the exact same things and do the same amount of exercise, but have entirely different stages of your life.

While it's unhealthy to gain too much weight, it is inevitable that your body will change, especially after having children. Sure, you can buck the odds by your genetic predispositions or become compulsive about it, but I would much rather enjoy life.

If you are healthy, fit and active, what difference does a number on a scale make or size on a tag? I don't like the anorexic look featured in the media and most men, ones with some depth anyway, don't like those unrealistic stick figures either.

[CanuckAmok]

42. aerobic exercise every day.

Even a half-hour walk at a decent pace will burn 300 calories or so.

[Writer]

45. Could you send those guys down to walk with me?

I have a feeling I'd have a ball. Especially if they all wear those towels.

[senseandsensibility]

46. I knew you would get this reaction

when you first posted. I am about your size, and I don't diet. I am happy, and wear a medium or a size 10. Now a few years ago, this wouldn't have been okay at all. I was thirty pounds lighter, and a size four. Sure, that had it's advantages. But it had its disadvantages too. I could not eat normally, and I was practically flat chested. It really was too light a weight for my height. I am much happier now.

[Writer]

49. The smallest I've ever been

was in college. 115 lbs. and a very small size 6. I'm now a fairly comfortable Size 8. I'm hitting 30, about to finish grad. school next May, and I feel myself letting go a bit. I used to be a neurotic mess in my 20's, but... now I just want to have a bit of fun. Or as much fun as Mr. Writer will allow ;) Maybe concern over my physique is just another step in this transition.

[Droopy]

52. I don't know why women put themselves through such hell

Any right thinking man appreciates a woman who is healthy, if men are the reason that women put themselves through hell with their weight.

I'm 5'10" 260 and I do not feel bad about my weight at all. I wish everybody could be just as comfortable with themselves.

[Bouncy Ball]

55. I've always liked guys who are NOT thin.

I can't explain it.

[Droopy]

57. Cool

You know us big fellas need loving, too.

I like women who are very curvy. There is a woman who I want to get with right now who is 5'3" and 180. I do appreciate thin women and I don't have any problem with that. I just wish people wouldn't have to feel like they have to be thin or else they get down on themselves.

[Bouncy Ball]

61. My husband is about 5'6" and I have no idea what he weighs.

But even when I met him and he was 135 (a bit thin, I thought) he was still kind of stockily BUILT. I liked that. Now he's definitely more than 135 (but again, I don't know what it is, under 200 I know), but I still think he's hotter than hot.

:blush:

[LeftyMom]

58. Pregnancy will change your body no matter what.

Get as healthy as you can before you concieve, but don't focus on a magic number. Even if you put on a crapload of weight (I put on 45 lbs, a girl I used to work with put on 90!) you'll lose most or all of it eventually, provided you nurse for a while. (I'm told that if you go into pregnancy 2 with extra weight from baby 1, it's yours for life, so make sure you keep your activity level up postpartum.) Besides, if you carry an extra five or ten pounds around for a year or two, it'll look better on someone of your height than a shorter woman.

My advice: stick with the yoga, it's great during pregnancy and may help with your labor. Maybe add in walking or swimming, something low-impact you can do while pregnant and with a baby.

[Left Is Write]

66. Going into subsequent pregnancies with extra weight

from a previous one does not condemn you to carrying that extra weight for life.

I went into my third pregnancy hanging on to ten extra pounds from my second one (I was still nursing her), and now I weigh less than I did before I got pregnant with either of those children.

[flvegan]

63. It's. Just. A. Number.

Anyone that frequents the Exercise and Fitness forum knows I get all Krakatoa on the whole scale issue.

How fit are you? How do your clothes fit? Do you have 15 pounds to lose, honestly? Failure is imminent if success is impossible.

Shit, I should trademark that statement.

[valis]

67. That is a healthy weight...

[Maddy McCall]

70. Having babies doesn't add weight to you.

I weighed less after having my son than before I had him. I nursed him, and that took all of the baby weight off, plus some.

The only reason some women put on "baby weight" is because they use the excuse "I'm eating for two" and put on too much weight while they are pregnant.

You don't need to be underweight when you get pregnant. Actually, that's not good for you, or for the baby.

At your height, 145 is ideal. You don't need to lose weight.

[Skittles]

72. CARDIO

get MOVING

[n2mark]

74. You're fine today

and you will be fine after you have children. You will gain weight during pregnancy which is mostly water but even if you do gain weight after birth, exercise after birth and watch what you eat. I gained 60 pounds with my daughter, three months after her birth I weighed 15 lbs. less before I got pregnant, just watched my food intake and exercised.

[Groggy]

77. IF you want to lose weight...

Do cardio workouts..your weight will drop easily. Also cut out soft drinks with sugar and simply eat less calories and drink more water. At least that worked for me! Good luck. I think its fine that you want to lose weight. Its easier to keep yourself in shape than get to fat and out of shape and THEN try to lose it!

[norml]

78. The Fat Budgie: by John Lennon

The Fat Budgie

I have a little budgie
He is my very pal
I take him walks in Britain
I hope I always shall.

I call my budgie Jeffrey
My grandads name's the same
I call him after grandad
Who had a feathered brain.

Some people don't like budgies
The little yellow brats
They eat them up for breakfast
Or give them to their cats.

My uncle ate a budgie
It was so fat and fair.
I cried and called him Ronnie
He didn't seem to care

Although his name was Arthur
It didn't mean a thing.
He went into a petshop
And ate up everything.

The doctors looked inside him,
To see what they could do,
But he had been too greedy
And died just like a zoo.

My Jeffrey chirps and twitters
When I walk into the room,
I make him scrambled egg on toast
And feed him with a spoon.

He sings like other budgies
But only when in trim
But most of all on Sunday
Thats when i plug him in.

He flies about the room sometimes
And sits upon my bed
And if he's really happy
He does it on my head.

He's on a diet now you know
From eating ear too much
They say if he gets fatter
He'll have to wear a crutch.

It would be funny wouldn't it
A budgie on a stick
Imagine all the people
Laughing til they're sick.

So that's my budgie Jeffrey
Fat and yellow too
I love him more than daddie
And I'm only thirty-two.

[Nikia]

80. Don't get into that mindset

It can lead you down a bad road. This is especially true if you plan on getting pregnant. Babies don't do as well when the mother is actively trying not to gain weight.