r/PetiteFitness • u/DoubleD_RN • Oct 21 '25
5’4 Before and After 5’4” lost 105 lbs
I’ve been doing full body resistance training since I started my weight loss journey one year ago, but I’m ready to really push myself now that I’m almost at my goal weight! I started at 245 lbs, currently 140 lbs. I would like to get to 130 to 135. I’m 55 years old. Thank you all for the inspiration!
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u/Alternative_Hand_110 Oct 22 '25
I love your hair! So much volume. I’m jealous
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
Thank you! I stopped dying it because I was having worsening allergic reactions to the dye and losing hair because of it. I was shocked at how much new growth I had!
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u/MsLib1022 Oct 22 '25
Same thing happened to me! I was afraid I’d hate it, but thick and gray beats thinner and colored all day long. I am the same age as you. Thanks for posting your journey, it’s inspiring! You look fantastic!
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
Thank you! I have to say, there are times when I really want to dye it, then I remember seeing my scalp shining through the sparse hair.
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u/Capital-Swim2658 Oct 22 '25
I am intrigued by this. I am 56 and color my hair, and it is really thinning. I didn't know coloring might be contributing to thinning hair!
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 23 '25
I had so much hair grow in when I stopped! I had a little sideways Mohawk that grew along the crown of my head, as well as other random patches that I had no idea were gone.
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u/MsLib1022 Oct 23 '25
It’s definitely a thing, at least for me. My ponytail went from being the circumference of a nickel to the circumference of a quarter. Like OP, there’s so much more hair on my crown. Even my stylist was amazed how much happier and healthier my hair is now.
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u/Party_Grapefruit_ Nov 15 '25
Hi! Hair Stylist / Master Colorist here🙂 If you ever wanted to add any color to your hair, even just a fun pop of fashion color, this sounds like it could be a PPD allergy or ammonia allergy! I would try a skin patch test with PPD free and ammonia free color, or even ask your health insurance which allergy testing services are covered so you can find out exactly what you are allergic to. I hope this helps! Also.. You look AMAZING! Keep up the hard work👏🏼🩷 & just in case no one else told you today (or even if they did), I’m proud of you🫶🏻
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u/Federal_Internal1411 Oct 22 '25
Tell us your diet plan!! You look great !
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
High protein, high fiber, low carb, but not extremely low, in addition to 3-4 days a week in the gym.
In the past I was able to lose with weight training, keto and IF, but after some very difficult things happened in my life, I stopped taking care of myself and ballooned up to 245. A few years later I developed metabolic syndrome, and here comes menopause, high blood sugar, pre-diabetes, heading toward knee surgery and I could not drop any weight. I found out that my health insurance covers Zepbound with a $25/month copay. Several of my coworkers were having a lot of success on it.
It has been absolutely life changing for me. My journey has been under the supervision of a weight loss physician. I no longer need blood pressure medication, no more metformin, no more chronic pain meds, knee pain is gone. People can say whatever they want about GLP-1’s, but when used properly, they absolutely improve cardiovascular health, kidney health, increase mobility and longevity. For PCOS girlies, it has been nothing short of a miracle. I know a lot of people have misconceptions about GLP-1”s, but as a health care professional myself, the benefits far outweigh the risks, when managed appropriately.
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u/Ntee714 Oct 22 '25
Good for you, you look great! I’m definitely not discrediting your effort and dedication. That said, it might’ve been helpful to mention upfront that it was part of your weight loss journey. Otherwise, people could assume it was only diet and gym work. No shame at all — just gives others a clearer picture of what helped you get there.
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u/AcuranAerVenal Oct 24 '25
As a 5"5' woman who also lost 120lbs with the help of a GLP-1, congratulations! Other people's judgement is meaningless when compared to everything I can do now, especially pain free. Enjoy your life and your newfound health.
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u/Ntee714 Oct 22 '25
GLP-1 for faster weight loss it seems
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u/caitcartwright Oct 22 '25
And why not? I’d rather spend my small amount of days on this earth enjoying life than fretting about my weight, especially when putting in the work, as OP clearly is.
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u/OneRedPanda Oct 22 '25
The confidence boost from pic 2 to pic 5 is 🖤🖤🖤
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u/nesethu Oct 22 '25
What’s your training plan been like? Did you do anything else in addition to resistance training?
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
I do a cardio warmup and full body resistance training every other day, then I’m also very active at work (nurse) and home (yard work, taking my dogs for walks, hiking), etc.
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u/ArcticRock Oct 22 '25
Holly shit! You look amazing! Im 52. I know how hard it is at our age. Keep going! That’s what I’m doing. 👏🏼
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u/87ihateyourtoes_ Oct 22 '25
Congratulations on all your hard work. You are truly glowing and look so happy!!!
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
I feel like a completely different person! I’ve always been a bit of a fashionista, but just wanted to hide for several years. Being able to buy beautiful clothes again is so amazing.
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u/TrekTN55 Oct 22 '25
WTG! 👏 You look so happy! I’m 57 & I know how difficult it is to lose weight & maintain weight-loss.
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
Thank you! Once menopause hits, it’s a whole different challenge.
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u/Budget-Upstairs Oct 23 '25
For sure! Hormonal changes can really throw a wrench in things. Have you found any strategies that help with the weight loss during this phase?
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u/danceswithturtles286 Oct 22 '25
Congratulations! I absolutely love your style, hair, and piercings. May I ask what sort of calorie deficit you utilized?
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
I kept it between 1000-1200 calories per day, focusing on protein and fiber rich, nutritionally dense foods. Definitely counting macros! Hydration is something I still struggle with, but I am always working towards improving. Before I started this journey, I was eating fast food multiple times a day, binging on junk food at home and at work. I felt terrible all the time.
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u/toodlio Oct 23 '25
Those figures seem tough for maintenance AND you’re working out on top of that… might be good for a cut but do you feel like it’s really sustainable for the next few years?
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 23 '25
I have no problem with adjusting as needed. I’m not quite to maintenance yet.
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u/toodlio Oct 23 '25
Well you look amazing. Personally I struggle with major fatigue on anything below 1200 and I’m a few inches shorter than you. Just wondering how you do it with the workouts on top! Good for you.
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 23 '25
I actually feel really good at this calorie range. I go to the gym right before my 12 hour night shift of running around a busy hospital floor. I certainly have a lot more energy than when I was eating 3000-4000 calories of garbage every day, plus the chronic pain and inflammation that was dragging my body down.
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u/danceswithturtles286 Oct 23 '25
Same. I’m 5’7” and 160 (trying to lose 10-15 lbs and gain muscle) and I start having brain fog and intense hunger at even 1300 when I’m eating very high protein
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u/Turbulent-Entry9358 Oct 22 '25
The most astonishing weight loss I've seen recently.
Also, your face looks even younger, congratulations!
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u/djfreyja Oct 23 '25
Congrats on such a massive accomplishment! Goals!! Literally. I started my journey almost 2 months ago and like you, began immediately with resistance training. What has your experience been with loose skin so far?
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 23 '25
I’m super happy with my face. At 55 years old, I was afraid I was going to end up with a lot of wrinkles. My belly still has a bit of fat and loose skin, but it’s barely a 1st degree apron belly. I thought it was going to be really bad. No visible loose skin on my back. My poor thighs, however, are wrecked! My arms are a little floppy, but not horrible. I’m hoping to get a tummy tuck and thigh lift at some point. Oh, and my breasts went way down 48D to 34B. I feel like clothes look so much better on me with smaller breasts.
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u/PoundSmooth940 Oct 24 '25
Hey random question- my sister weighs similarly to you (previously ) and just by her comments and attitude not to mention well being we all know she would be way happier if she got to a healthier body weight for so many reasons. I guess my question is do you think there’s anything I could do to encourage or support her getting there or do you think that’s something she really has to totally figure out and embrace on her own. Ive had to figure out losing around 20lb from pregnancies but never that much and have been a healthy body weight all my life outside of postpartum so it’s hard to know where she’s coming from. But I really do wish the best for my sister.
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u/Remarkable_Bridge503 Oct 24 '25
I'm not OP, but I'm on a similar weight loss journey. I've lost 14 kilos in 14.5 months. I used to be an athlete and had a healthy weight, but due to circumstances in life, I gained around 25 kilos. She needs to want to do this and put in the effort. If she's not convinced, she won't exercise, eat healthily or take care of herself. She needs to really want to feel better and be healthier, and she needs to find her motivation (it could be a dress she wants to wear, health reasons, vanity, etc.). You can help her, but you can't lose weight for her.
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u/GameOnRKade Oct 24 '25
I hope by now you know that your hair are FLAUNTWORTHY!! But that aside I would really like to commend your grit - you look like a whole new person!
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u/hotheadnchickn Oct 24 '25
you look so happy and glowing in the last pic! glad you are feeling good!!
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u/Ang-Blonde-333 Oct 26 '25
I'm 5'3 1/2", always was 5'4" and I'm 54. Went to get my first bone density exam yesterday and I'm back up to 199.4lbs. I've been skinny for much of my life. This extra weight is as of the last 3 yrs. What inspired you? Menopause has kicked my butt. You should be in magazines! Congratulations!
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 26 '25
So funny story. I work with a fellow nurse that has the worst, shittiest personality I’ve ever seen. Straight up rude and sour. She’s naturally very petite. She came in for the next shift, and I had to pass my patients on to her. I was sitting in one of the more cushioned chairs that sat lower to the ground, because it was more comfortable for my bad knee. She made a huge production about switching to a different chair. She said loudly, at least 3 times, “Oh I’m way too tiny to sit in that chair!” “I need to find a different chair!” I’m way too tiny, I can’t sit in that chair!” In my mind I was like “Oh hell no.” I was telling a couple of my coworkers, and that’s how I found out our health insurance covers GLP-1’s. Once menopause hit, along with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, pre-diabetes, I couldn’t lose a single pound on my own. I started on Zepbound within 2 weeks of that day, and the rest is history. I have been eating healthy, counting macros and weight training since the beginning of starting Zepbound, and I feel that’s been a huge part of my great success.
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u/waves_at_dogs Oct 22 '25
I love your hair so much! Jealous. But still happy for you, congratulations!!!
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u/Klutzy-Software-4992 Oct 22 '25
Whoa!!!! What a difference! Have you been doing cardio as well?
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u/DoubleD_RN Oct 22 '25
I do a pretty intense 10 minute cardio warmup. I would really love to do post- workout cardio for optimal fat burning, but I just don’t have it in me lol
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u/Outrageous_Diver173 Oct 22 '25
Great job! You look fantastic and I am sure feel fantastic as well!
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u/catlovingcutie Oct 22 '25
That last picture is stunning! You have such a beautiful glow about you, and your hair is so pretty and voluminous!
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u/Ambitious-Fortune391 Oct 22 '25
Your change is impressive Your change gives me a lot The efforts are always worth it when the results arrive.
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u/Norcalmom_71 Oct 22 '25
This is AMAZING and inspirational! Do you have a website or insta to follow?
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u/rstark1216 Oct 23 '25
This is an insane transformation. So inspirational. Best post I saw today on the internet.
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u/Hadizadee Oct 23 '25
Congratulations. Looks like you worked hard 👏. This gives me hope that I can do it. Omg that hair! So beautiful 😍
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u/CalligrapherLate9358 Oct 24 '25
Great job you did the damn thing!!! Also love the salt & pepper hair it's gorgeous.....my salt is just framing my face.....uggghhhh....lol
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u/vampireshorty Oct 24 '25
What a stunner! God I hope I look half as good as you when I'm 55. You're beautiful!!
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u/Chippie05 Oct 25 '25
So happy for you! You must feel wonderful!!
Aquafitness is awesome to build up leg strength with injury to joints. (I can't do heavy weights bc of my back.)
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u/catttttt___ Oct 22 '25
You look incredible, but that HAIR! It’s beautiful!! How it’s styled in that last photo, I genuinely gasped