I think i was posting at the same time as emerald.
Anyhow, i wanted to add something else that i think might be important for ak.
I don't count calories either but i have learnt what are high calorie foods and what are low calorie foods. YOu do probably need to make some effort to understand nutrition if you are going to be successful in the long term at managing your weight and shape. Get a book out of the library. Ask one of the librarians to recommend something reputable as there are many diet gurus who advocate rather false ideas.
According to my info book you are within the healthy weight range though you can lose a lot more weight without harming your health. You can go as low as 112 pounds according to this book. Its based on your height. Once you go below that weight your BMI will get in the low range where doctors might start to diagnose you as anorexic, particularly if you held that weight for a long time and had difficulty putting it on again. Anyway don't go there. Its not worth it.
Yes drink about 8 glasses of water a day. As you are so small i hardly can see the need to drink more than that. The water can be any other liquid form but not tea or coffee as these are dehydrating. But i don't recommend drinking a lot of fruit juice either. I won't detail that. Just don't do it.
Fibre is good. Its in your vegetables, fruit, some unprocessed cereals and grains. You don't need fibre pills.
We all need protein. Its job is to mend tissues and build muscles and such things. I think its supposed to be about 25% of our dietary intake, give or take 10% depending on what diet philosophy you want to follow.
We all also need complex carbohydrates for energy for the body and brain, which are found in unprocessed wheat foods, grains, and cereals. Pasta and rice are typical carbs that people eat. I like these. they fill you up and give you energy. Vegetables are also good carbohydrates.
The carbohydrates that we don't need are found in cakes, pancakes, sweets, too many potatos, batters, icecream, chocolate, white bread. These sorts of food are often cooked using lots of butter and other fats so this is another reason to avoid them or at least keep them to minimum. They should not form a large part of a healthy diet.
We need fats too but not much saturated fats as found in fatty meats, deep fried foods, butter and icecream, so keep these to a minimum.
There are some good fats but these should still be eaten in moderation. They are vegetable fats which are usually polyunsaturated fats or monosaturated fats like olive oil. Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and so on have omega 3 which everyone raves about. Its recommended to eat fish about twice a week but fishstocks are under threat by overfishing so go easy on wild fish. Good fats are also found in nuts, seeds and avocado. Its ok to eats these yummy foods but limit them. When i eat avocado, i would eat no more than 1/4 of the fruit per day and i often use it on my salad sandwiches instead of butter. If I were to eat nuts, its recommended that you don't eat more than 1/3 cup. That is counted as one serve of protein as they are also high in protein, but be aware that there is a lot of fat in 1/3 cup of nuts. Dieters should eat less than this. Some nuts have much more fat than others. I find it easier to avoid nuts because i can't stop once starting. When eating protein, it should be lean protein. That is meat without a lot of fat attached to it. in your case, i see nothing wrong with eating the skin of chicken but for older dieters or those with a lot of weight to lose, its often recommended they go without the skin.
You've already said you eat a lot of fatty foods. Just give these up and try to eat wholesome meals of vegetables and meat/pasta/rice with only a little fat for cooking. And don't forget your diary products for healthy bones and teeth. Milk and yoghurt are good but don't eat too much cheese as its very high in fat. Eggs are good too.
I still haven't got to the point i wanted to make to you.
My main point
YOu say your extra weight is around your middle. Have you also got skinny legs and small bum? If so it sounds like you are what's called "apple shaped" This is your body type. People with this body type are more prone to developing diabetes and heart disease later in life so they should pay particular attention to maintaining a healthy weight. As said already, you are currently in a healthy weight range. Try to never let your weight get beyond this. If you notice it climbing up, go on a diet. This may not become a matter of concern until you start to have a family or get into your 30s, particularly if you give up regular sport. But just try to remember this bit of advice. If you look around you, notice how all the skinniest women are girls below 20. Everyone puts on weight as they age.
For someone 5 feet 2 inches, you need to stay between 50-62 kilograms or
7stone 12 pounds (112 pounds) and 9 stone 11 pounds (137). If you can do that, you improve your chances of living a long healthy life.
You will only lose fat around your tummy in relation to fat loss all over your body. Because of your body shape you may always have a little more than you wish for on your tummy. Learn to accept. A flat stomach is not everything. I've got a fat bum. Its never going to be pert and cute. But i can still look good in clothes even so. And so can you.
