5'0" | 128 lbs, Feeling stuck and confused... (photos included)

OP, I felt the same as you not so long ago, after getting so stuck and disappointed that I couldn’t get to 110lbs despite starving myself on a low calorie diet for 2.5 years. I stopped counting calories, as it was getting harmful for my mental health (I started having thoughts like “this apple is too high in calories for a snack”), so I stopped and just started focusing on weight lifting. I downloaded Fitbod and just programmed my workout based on the exercise recommendations from Athlean-X on Youtube (best exercises for shoulder, back, etc.). Now I love going to the gym, and I sprinkle in some cardio here and there, but not often at all. Here was what I looked like (no edits except for the stickers) at 134lbs and barely 5’1” (and I’m in my 30s): https://imgur.com/a/FD4Scpa

I love getting more toned and stronger (I can do 320-lb leg press now and deadlift my weight easily now). I really eat whatever I want now, but the moment I feel a bit full, I stop (sometimes I eat less than 1,200 calories due to being busy, but most days I eat between 1,400-1,800). What has helped me is a coffee protein shake (about 50g of protein) at lunch/after lunch. Don’t feel discouraged. Just take a break, focus on enjoying your workouts and stop worrying too much about the scale. You will get there :).

/r/PetiteFitness Thread