Where's the 5ft 4,5,6 ladies?

I am 5'4 and currently ~135 lbs. I peaked at 178lbs in 2009 after 4 years of dat sedentary undergrad life. I made a concentrated effort to improve my health and got down to ~125 with a BF of 18% by 2012. I lost the weight mostly through cardio and calorie counting, and after I hit my target I started incorporating lifting into my routine.

For a long time my ideal weight was in the low 120s but now I know that's impossible due to the amount of muscle I've put on through lifting over the past few years.

These days I've been maintaining at ~130-135 and find I'm happiest with my physique at the lower end of that range. More often than not I am happy with my appearance: I'm eating REAL good, am slightly fluffy but strong AF. I'm planning to go on a minor cut over the next few weeks to get down to 130 and get a more defined look for the summer.

It took me a long time to be comfortable with my body and I'm still on that journey. Over the past year I've made a concerted effort to not compare my shape to others and instead focus on the crazy amazing things my body can do.

I recently moved across the country which gave me an opportunity to get rid of the scale. Instead of weighing myself every day I now try to keep an eye on what I eat and stay in the ballpark of my daily caloric budget. I feel much less food-related anxiety when I'm not constantly panicking that whatever I put in my mouth will impact the number at my feet the next day.

I've also embraced the genetic component of how I look. My roots are in Ghana and I come from a line of strong women with tremendously powerful lower bodies. I am proud of my culture and am proud to physically represent my heritage. Plus, big butts are en vogue ;)

Reframing how I look at my whole self has helped me love, appreciate and embrace Me and has been so beneficial to my mental health and sense of self-worth.

/r/xxfitness Thread