I am 5' 4" and weigh 140. I want to weigh 120. Is that a realistic goal?

Question

In high school, I weighed 125 at the most. I am medium boned and live a sedentary life style. Although, growing up in California I walked and rode bikes alot. Its been 13 years since I have had a baby. And yet, I have not done anything to get rid of my jelly belly. Is it to late for change? I look great...with clothes on! But now I would like to look good without (not that anyone has ever complained). Any advice out there?

Answer 1

Healthy weight loss tips


* Take one pound at a time
Don’t get overwhelmed by how much weight you need to lose. Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat.

Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight.

Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 3-4 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories.


* Set Reachable Goals
For instance, if you know you need to get more exercise, begin with a manageable goal of, say, walking 10 minutes a day that you know you can achieve. Then build your self-esteem by achieving the small goals you set yourself.

The same logic applies for losing weight.

* Stay off the scales
Don’t get discouraged when your progress seems to be slow according to your bathroom scales. They do not provide a true measure of what is going on with the body.

If exercise levels are adequate (5-7 days a week), you may be putting on muscle but losing fat, thus losing inches even if you are not losing pounds. It's always a good idea to do several body measurements to have a second objective way to monitor progress.

* Stay focused on being healthy, not thin
# Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motive changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mindset to think about selecting foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.

* Fat Free?
We've known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That's because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.

* Drink plenty of water
Drink eight glasses a day. Water is a natural appetite-suppressant. Nettle tea is a great weight-loss tea as it supports metabolism and has diuretic properties.

* Reward yourself
# Each time you reach a goal, such as losing 5 pounds, reward yourself with a gift or a massage.

* Seek help if you need it
# A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. Find a friend to lose weight with or you can check to see if groups such as Weight Watchers, or eDiets offer programs and resources in your area by clicking the links. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietician conducts group weight loss programs.

* Watch your portions
With the advent of "supersize" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.

* Eat your food slowly
Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy your food.

Answer 2

That's defeinitely a realistic goal. 120 is a healthy weight for someone your height (though so is 140...if you check your BMI you'll find that at 140 you're at the high end of the "Normal" weight range now). But if you feel uncomfortable with your weight and want to lose a few pounds, it's absolutely doable.

Best way to go about it is to get active, and also to watch what you're eating. Find something you enjoy doing for cardio (or at least something you can tolerate) and do it at least 3-4 times each week (every other day, for a half hour or so), but be sure to get some strength training and flexibility in there as well. The strength training is something most women overlook, but it's SO important. When you increase muscle mass, you also increase your resting metabolism. And that's what we all want.

As far as diet goes, I've found that when I'm on a "diet," it puts me into a negative mindset. I try to just "eat healthier," and that seems to work pretty well for me--I know, it's totally psychological, but it works for me. Don't get me wrong--I'm always trying to lose a few pounds myself, but I've found I do best when I eat lots of fruits & veggies, lean protein, and whole grain breads, pastas & cereals. And limit the sweets--this is my personal vice...absolutely my downfall. If this is how you eat, you can have an off-day every once in a while, and it's not a big deal. You can just get back on the program. It helps me to look and feel better, and I tend to have more energy when I eat this way.

A useful tool I found is www.calorie-count.com. You can set up a FREE account, and you can monitor what you're eating, how much exercise you're getting and also your weight.

You can totally do this, though, if you commit to it. Good luck!

(Sorry, this turned out to be a much longer post than I initially intended...)

Answer 3

It's totally a realistic goal, just depends on how bad you want to achieve it. You can do anything you put your mind to, but personally, I think 120 is too skinny for your height. I'm not perfect by all means, but I am 5'3" and weigh 130...according to charts, this is my ideal weight, so you being an inch taller, I'd think this would be about your ideal weight plus a couple lbs. It's really how you feel about yourself though, so if you'll feel comfortable at 120, then go for it! Just try 5 lbs. at a time and see how you feel after each 5 lbs. is dropped, then keep doing what you're doing to lose the weight until you feel comfortable...Good luck!

Answer 4

That is how I feel, too. I weigh 160 and I am 5'8". I would like to weigh your size now, 140, that is my ideal weight. I do not know how old you are, but, it is never too late to wanting to lose weight.
I am slowly losing weight. Yeah, 1 pound a week but, it is something. It may take time, but, you want to look good for yourself. And that is all that matters.
I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

Only if you make it realistic. Walk more and do some crunches, watch your carb intake. I still have a jelly belly too after 13 years, but my weight is 117 and I'm only an inch taller. Accentuate the positive my grandmother use to tell me, so I do, I've got nice ta ta's to show off so the belly isn't so obvious......

Answer 6

I think 120 is a healthy weight for your height. I'm 5'2 and weigh 120 and I'm happy with my weight and how I carry it. You gotta be happy with youself, and if thats what you want, go for it. I dont think anyone will say your too thin if you reach your goal weight. Just remember to eat the right foods and exercise. Good luck!

Answer 7

just because u sound like my mom [she's 5'7 though, and shes 140 lbs and wants to weigh 120 and it's been 13 yrs since she had a baby], i wont say anything because i wish she would looking great comes from feeling great. love u for who u are and u'll start looking 'sexier' with or without clothes on.

Answer 8

Never too late. Proper diet and exercise always does the trick. Your goal of 120 CAN be achieved if you are willing to put in the work. Good luck!!

Answer 9

Definately a realistic goal. Who wouldn't want to say that they fit into a smaller size clothing.

Answer 10

Thats a great goal for you!! The less you weigh the better
you feel.

Answer 11

It is realistic, I am 5' 4" and I weigh 118lbs :)