55-65 year old women's success?

Verdenal

mk2fit wrote: »

Losing and maintaining are not too hard, just remember CICO.

It's not as simple as calories in calories out, but an awareness of the caloric content of food supports the effort.

debtay123

I have finally reached a mini-goal for me- so now I am pushing to and making a mini-goal at every five pound lost- I am just getting into strength training and I work at home mainly with dumb bells and kettle ball workouts from you-tube.

Shron123

Debtay123 - congrats on your strategy. That seems like an obtainable and motivating way to stay focussed. Good luck on yr journey.

Ming1951

I soon turn 66. Been on mfp on and off but strictly since Sept 16. I've lost about 60 lbs was more but just got tired of watching what I eat and measuring so I gained about 18 lbs back. I can feel it in my clothing. So today I have vowed to get back on track. Been vowing to do so but something always gets in my way...[ortiosn.. I could eat what I want if I pay attention to the portions. I have really been disregarding portion control. I want to lose 15 -20 lbs. to be where I should be. I joined silver slippers so I will go to the gym. For a while I was going regularly but that has also slipped. Went yesterday walked 45 min on treadmill, 30 min on recumbent bike and 15 on elliptical bike. Intend to go back toady and tomorrow then put myself on a schedule of Tues/thurs, friday and Sunday. or at least 3x a week min. I don't like going when its crowded. I also am lifting weights just 10 lbs and only front lifts I don't know what you call them. So I'm back in the game.

Polo265

Ming1951 wrote: »

I soon turn 66. Been on mfp on and off but strictly since Sept 16. I've lost about 60 lbs was more but just got tired of watching what I eat and measuring so I gained about 18 lbs back. I can feel it in my clothing. So today I have vowed to get back on track. Been vowing to do so but something always gets in my way...[ortiosn.. I could eat what I want if I pay attention to the portions. I have really been disregarding portion control. I want to lose 15 -20 lbs. to be where I should be. I joined silver slippers so I will go to the gym. For a while I was going regularly but that has also slipped. Went yesterday walked 45 min on treadmill, 30 min on recumbent bike and 15 on elliptical bike. Intend to go back toady and tomorrow then put myself on a schedule of Tues/thurs, friday and Sunday. or at least 3x a week min. I don't like going when its crowded. I also am lifting weights just 10 lbs and only front lifts I don't know what you call them. So I'm back in the game.

90 minutes of cardio. WOW~ I'd be falling down. Awesome!

griffinca2

I eat healthy (and watch my portion sizes) most of the time. If I splurge (hamburger & FF; pizza, choc. cake, etc.) its rate and go back to my regular eating habits and don't stress over what I have eaten. Lost abt 11 lbs and have kept it off for over two years. It's all about making it a lifestyle rather than a "diet" with and end date. As for exercise, do what works for you; I do weights followed by a short cardio session three days a week. I'll be 67 next month.

debtay123

Hello
I was told to do my "strength" training first- then do cardio next so I would not get to tired out and do the strength training without proper form- so thatis what i have been doing- I try for at least 45 minutes all together- I may do 25 min strength and 20 minutes cardio--- is this a correct way to do it?

mk2fit

@Verdenal it IS as easy as CICO! I'm not here to get into an argument, but CICO worked for me and many others. CICO assumes an inherent understanding of the caloric value of all foods and exercising (or not) those calories off. I don't know your story, but I lost 70+ pounds and have kept them off for a couple of years. Oh yeah, using CICO.

1Nana2many

I have to agree with mk2fit, it really is about eating fewer calories than you body burns each day to create a deficit. I have always been a reasonably healthy eater, but my serving sizes were too large and I snacked too often on high calorie foods. Paying attention to my calorie goal with the simple goal of moving more today than I did yesterday is what worked for me. Being consistent and getting up every morning with a fresh start works. Put yesterday behind you and do this one little thing for yourself. You are worth it!

Trina2040

I'm jumping on the CICO bandwagon too - I've lost 47-50lbs (fluctuations) and I've been in maintenance for almost 3 years now. I still count my calories in/calories out by logging my food and using a Fitbit. Portion control is key for me as well as daily activity. I turn 68 in a couple of months.

kjurassic

sodakat wrote: »

odirish wrote: »

...I am wondering though if 1200 calories is enough. I thought I'd track this week and if my weight stays the same all week, I'll bump it up by maybe 100 or 200 calories. I'm not really sure about that. It could be the reason I am not losing also.

I don't think I understand what you are getting at here. Are you saying that you think if you are not losing it means you are not eating ENOUGH? How would that work? I'd be more concerned that you may not be logging accurately and are actually eating more than you think.

But if not, and if you are truly eating just 1200 calories and you know your body burns more than that, then you should indeed be losing.

alison2429 wrote: »

I see that this post is quite old but here goes....I'm struggling to lose any weight (this time around!) and I put a significant amount of blame on my age. I'm 50 this year but I seem to have been or am going though the menopause. It's difficult to tell! I have been using MFP again for about 3 weeks and have gained weight every week! I exercise 3 or 4 times a week and rarely use all my calories. It genuinely seems to be harder to lose weight the older I get - is that a proven medical fact? I'm going on a holiday of lifetime in September to celebrate my 50th and I NEED to be able to fit into my summer clothes and want to be able to enjoy looking at the photos when I come back!

I'm also chiming in on the CICO theory. 95 lbs lost that way. Oh, and I did and still do eat carbs. I think consistently logging and not depriving myself of certain foods has been the key to my success.

bikecheryl

I turn 58 next week..... and am happy to say I've lost 50.5 lbs since April.
I was 288 lbs - my highest weight ever.
Diligent logging and weighing food has been key.
But so has being as active as possible which means looking for alternative ways to exercise when you have two really bad knees and a knee replacement on the way.
I purchased a Deskcycle and love it.
And I got up the courage to get back in my kayak... even though I had to pretty much fall out of it to get myself out.
I can now use my regular bike and try to get 2 or three rides in a week.
And I no longer fall out of my kayak.
I even took it for a overnight camp out on the beach.
I've still got approx 80 lbs to loose but I'm healthier, fitter, stronger & happier than I've been in years.
In my mind, it's no longer if I lose weight but when.
Cause there's so much more I want to experience.
Be strong everyone.... you CAN do it.

mk2fit

Sorry all, fell for @Verdenal's baiting again. One of these days I will learn...

griffinca2

MK, we all take the bait occasionally. For Debtay, it is best to do your weights 1st; because you are fresh and less likely to use poor form (which is more important than the weight you lift). BTW, don't over do the cardio or you will be defeating your lifting muscle gains.

wannabpiper

Looks like an awesome group! I'm 58 and just lost 9 lbs by logging and portion-control. It takes me longer because I'm in no hurry and I like to eat

1Nana2many

I am guessing that if we took a poll here, nearly 100% would agree we like to eat. Recently, someone posted that they are finding it easy to lose weight because they are having relationship problems and that makes them not eat. I, on the other hand am exactly the opposite. When I am stressed, I want to eat all the time. There are many times, when I am stressing about something that I have to stop myself and remind me that I cannot eat my feelings to make me feel better. First, it doesn't help and then I am more upset because I sabotaged myself by overeating and consuming more calories than I should. I admit, I found myself a little envious of the person whose stress causes them to lose weight! Not that I would consider serious relationship issues a good thing, but we all have stress in our lives and have to deal with it. I am learning at the late age of 60 to deal with it in a healthier way. Better late than never. As a woman, a wife, a mother and formerly fully employed person with a huge CARETAKER HABIT, I am learning that I really do have to take care of me in order to be physically or emotionally able to care for anyone else. It has been a tough transition to learn to value myself, but I am working on it. I flat out decided that stroking out and living with the consequences of surviving that were not an option I wanted to test the waters of and at 244.7 pounds. I was pretty lucky I had not already done so. My blood pressure was up there to the point that when I went in for a physical, after taking my blood pressure and weight, the nurse said, "You know, the doctor is not going to let you walk out of here without a prescription for a blood pressure med. How do you feel about that?" I knew it was coming well before I walked into that appointment. I took the meds, they helped, but my knee was killing me and I was short of breath when I walked for even a short distance. When I started MFP in January of 2016 I was determined that I was going to change my habits. I was going to put my health first. I am not the most physically active person, but I enjoy doing physical things so much more now that I've lost weight. I set my goal weight higher than the insurance charts think is appropriate for my 5'4" height, but I am so far staying within a five pound range that I know I can maintain long term and still not feel deprived. I am still slightly in the overweight range, but nowhere here the obese range and I feel so much better. If I can do this after a lifetime of being obese, so can anyone else, but remember it is something you do for yourself, not for anyone else. Think of it as a small gift you are giving yourself. It will take the people around you a little while to get used to the new you, but change is ok and in the long run everyone will benefit and you will feel so much better about yourself for this accomplishment. You are worth it! You are not too old and it is not too late! One day at a time. One step at a time.

Shron123

My huge lightbulb moment was determining that carbs are not my friends. I have so much more energy, no cravings, sleeping better, only hungry two or three times a day and I just feel better. It probably isn't for everybody but I am loving Low Carb High Fat. Been doing it now since July 3rd and have lost 2 inches on my waist and 18 pounds. I have a nutritionist helping me w menu planning and my Doc is super on board. He has a real "issue" with all the carbs our diet includes. I consider this a lifestyle change not a diet. It has been a huge eye opener for me.

Lizzyislighter

Hey there. New to MFP and this looks like a good place to hangout. I joined some time ago but never posted. I'm doing LC but have to keep track of calories. I'd love to go vegan/plant based but I'm allergic to soy and some legumes and grains don't agree with me. I've lost 9 and stuck at my current weight of 145. Really would like to lose the menopause weight I've put on. You all know where it is!!! I plan to do 5 pound goals so 140 is my next. I'm 56 now and not feeling that great - joints, etc. It's making it difficult to exercise but I do. Maybe I should consider hormone replacement but I'd rather not. If anyone has any thoughts or experiences with that I'd love to hear about it. The posts are very encouraging here. See you soon. Thanks!!

alexshir

I will be 60 in 4 days. Today is 6 months since I quit smoking and I gained about 13 pounds. I have since lost 4, but it is coming off slowly. I had previously lost said 13 pounds at the beginning of year before quitting smoking, plus I want to lose at least 10 to 15 more. Since quitting smoking I had started doing the Couch to 5k app, but switched to Running for Weight loss. I have never ran for any amount of time in my adult life. I also will have a year anniversary tomorrow from breaking my ankle in 3 places. It still bothers me some, but I do almost everything that I did before, but have to modify some jumping exercises. The running doesn't seem to bother it, I have went from only being able to run for 9 minutes to 30 minutes during a workout. I do that 3 days a week. I also workout to youtube videos, mainly strength training and kettlebell workouts. I am currently do a 15 part Kettlebell training routine with Tracy Reinkind consisting of kettlebell swings, which is fantastic. I have only been back on here tracking my food for probably about 2 weeks. No matter what quitting smoking was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I feel fantastic.

AnnPT77

Lizzyislighter wrote: »

Hey there. New to MFP and this looks like a good place to hangout. I joined some time ago but never posted. I'm doing LC but have to keep track of calories. I'd love to go vegan/plant based but I'm allergic to soy and some legumes and grains don't agree with me. I've lost 9 and stuck at my current weight of 145. Really would like to lose the menopause weight I've put on. You all know where it is!!! I plan to do 5 pound goals so 140 is my next. I'm 56 now and not feeling that great - joints, etc. It's making it difficult to exercise but I do. Maybe I should consider hormone replacement but I'd rather not. If anyone has any thoughts or experiences with that I'd love to hear about it. The posts are very encouraging here. See you soon. Thanks!!

I can't do hormone replacement (breast cancer), but I gotta say: Weight loss has done my joints a world of good. Feels like 10 years off their age, at least, maybe even 25! (I'm 61 .)