55-65 year old women's success?

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  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    edited January 2015
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    @ Cathy.............good luck with the baby.............grandkids are fabulous!

    What a great bunch of women have responded to Piano's Original Post. Several of you have mentioned medications and hoping to be or being rid of them. That happened to me. I was taking a medication for my stomach because of an unusual illness from food poisoning almost 3 years ago that left me with some problems and two blood pressure meds. My doc kept threatening me with a cholesterol med also but now I'm literally off of everything. It's wonderful to be prescription free! It's almost fun going to the doctor's office now. ;)

    Good luck to those of you who are striving for that. Amazing what weight loss and a little exercise will do for us..........even at our ages (not that we're old).

    I had no idea there were so many of us connected to MFP, I'm thrilled.

    If we all just bookmark this page (the little yellow star) at the top of the page, we can come back here anytime we want and chat with each other.

    Lulu
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,483 Member
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    Hi guys,
    Just a couple or three things

    First, thanks for the appreciative comments on my Christmas tree pic. Not to self denigrate ( I am still working on accepting praise), but my weight loss journey was only a menopausal 30lb. I had never had a weight problem before, and returned to the weight I was in my teens, 20's, 30's and early fourty's.

    Personally, I am in awe and inspired by you who have struggled for years and are now succeeding.

    Secondly, I had a revelation by talking on this thread about heavy lifting ( I was intimidated). I always thought it had to be lifting 100lb plus. Heck, sometimes that is my weight soaking wet! How would I do that?
    Anyway I now realize it is lift something heavy fir YOU. So, if doing sumo squats holding 15lb of weight is hard for me, I am lifting heavy. I just have to add a couple of pounds once doing that 12 times is easy. Realizing that took ever suck a load off my mind.

    Thirdly, has anyone else found they just can't physically eat as much as they used to?
    I recon for me it is probably a combination of downsizing my portions when I was losing, and being post menopause.
    Some days I do wish I could sit down and finish a whole slice of cheese cake like I used to. My eyes and mouth are willing, but my stomach just refuses.
    Have a great day everyone,
    Cheers, h.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,483 Member
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    Oh well done Shouvagypsy, you have so much courage.
    I know whole body neuropathy means your whole body will hurt, but have you tried doing seated, yoga, Zumba, or light weights, then alternating with lower body exercises? Oh, it is a bit of a b**** when everything hurts, alternating pain or a solid hurt.
    Also, have you tried aquafit with a PT? Or just going in the pool and just walking. It is supposed to give more relief, but you would be the one to know.
    Great work on the weight loss, and welcome to MFP.
    Cheers, h.
  • cathy120861
    cathy120861 Posts: 265 Member
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    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Oh well done Shouvagypsy, you have so much courage.
    I know whole body neuropathy means your whole body will hurt, but have you tried doing seated, yoga, Zumba, or light weights, then alternating with lower body exercises? Oh, it is a bit of a b**** when everything hurts, alternating pain or a solid hurt.
    Also, have you tried aquafit with a PT? Or just going in the pool and just walking. It is supposed to give more relief, but you would be the one to know.
    Great work on the weight loss, and welcome to MFP.
    Cheers, h.

    The mention of seated yoga reminded me that when i hurt my leg, i found a series of exercise dvd's called Seated Aerobics for Everyone. I remember i especially liked the seated salsa, belly dancing and boxing. actually, I had totally forgotten that was how i first got started boxing, which has become my favorite exercise. its been three years since i first started in a chair, but now i am on my feet doing eight rounds of three minutes each!
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,483 Member
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    Cathy120861, I will probably never do it, (oh who knows as I like to try something new every 4 months) but your description of boxing makes it sound like fun.
    As I hate (most) exercise that is one of my main criteria- if it ain't fun I don't do it.
    - Cheers, h.
  • kjurassic
    kjurassic Posts: 571 Member
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    Just found this thread and thought I'd "weigh in."
    I turned 60 in September. I've been on MFP and started my "get healthy" routine October 2013. I've lost 80 lbs. I have less than 10 pounds to go until I reach my goal. (Will reassess once I reach it to see if I want to "go for more.")
    I did it by eating less and moving more. - Big surprise, right?
    Initially, my exercise was doing walking dvd's in my home - I didn't want to take the big ol' body outside!!!
    What liberation has come from losing weight! I now have friends who join me on 4-5 mile walks almost every day (outside.) When they can't join me I do it alone. I ran/walked in my 1st 5K last 4th of July. 2nd 5K was The Color Run the day before my 60th birthday with my 16 & 20 year old nieces. Over the summer, I went whitewater rafting and ziplining! My next 5K is scheduled for Feb 28 - a Black Light and Bubbles fun run. If I'm in the office I walk on my breaks and lunch 1/2 hour. I can walk a 15 minute mile so that's 4 miles right there!
    So....what's all this about not being able to lose weight after menopause?
    If you're not losing it, you're not trying hard enough.
    This seems to be a pretty, good upbeat group.
    Best of luck to everybody!!!!
  • Bustergirl14
    Bustergirl14 Posts: 69 Member
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    I started last year when I was given the diagnosis of pre-diabetes. I don't know why I was so surprised. I had been steadily gaining weight for 10 years after my hysterectomy. I went to a nutritionist and started carb counting and did well, lost 10 lbs. and then just hit a plateau. Ate my way through the holidays and decided to start the new year - well actually 1-5-15 with a new plan. Day 5 of the first phase of the 17 day diet and its not been that hard. Just have to plan ahead. I plan on sticking with this until I get to a healthy weight that I can feel good about. Kicked up the exercise, too. Just got back from a 1.5 hour yoga class and it felt really good.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Secondly, I had a revelation by talking on this thread about heavy lifting ( I was intimidated). I always thought it had to be lifting 100lb plus. Heck, sometimes that is my weight soaking wet! How would I do that?
    Anyway I now realize it is lift something heavy fir YOU. So, if doing sumo squats holding 15lb of weight is hard for me, I am lifting heavy. I just have to add a couple of pounds once doing that 12 times is easy. Realizing that took ever suck a load off my mind.

    EXACTLY! I'll probably never post on one of those "How much do you squat?" threads but I'm getting results nonetheless... and I'm not competing with anyone, just trying to improve my personal physical fitness. Heck, the SO keeps looking at my barbell and asking "You bench press that much?" and "That's what you deadlift?" and says he's impressed -- that's all I need to hear.
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Thirdly, has anyone else found they just can't physically eat as much as they used to?

    I think I can still eat as much quantity-wise, but my tastes have definitely changed to a preference for "healthier" foods. 20 years ago I wouldn't have craved a salad or a nice hunk of grilled salmon. But I'll probably never lose my sweet tooth!
  • PianoRun
    PianoRun Posts: 15 Member
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    @ kjurassic -- I don't think anyone has said it couldn't be done --- so obvious now in reading your post! It is just so inspiring to read about all the successes in this age group. I am reading all the posts avidly -- all have provided gems.

    I am glad to see suggestions also for people who may be more limited by health concerns or injuries, as well. Goes to prove that there is a way. The seated exercise options, and the in general, starting where you're at ( "moving three minutes")

    @ lovesretirement Always, Never. I understand how you feel. When I was a kid (my weight problem has been lifelong) I asked my step mom if I always had to avoid eating "good things" and her reply stuck with me "depends what you consider good things" Learning the truth of this is also lifelong! I think it is also important to learn to be sensitive how different foods may satisfy us or affect us in other ways. I've been overindulgent over the holidays, and realize it doesn't really feel all that good, aside from the weight gain.

    Thanks, everyone, for contributing to this post.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,483 Member
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    KJurassic, one of the things that has kept me constant with the hated exercises is going on cruises and wanting to do the pony trekking to waterfalls high in the mountains, zip lining through jungles, snorkelling, and hiking to hidden beaches(I know I am shallow it should be a health focus) . So I really identify with your joy in being able to do these things.
    A positive attitude really does help with commitment.
    Bustergirl13, glad you pulled your socks up and started a new goal for 2015. It sounds like you have a good bit of determination. Good luck with the 17day plan.
    Cheers, h.
  • trina1049
    trina1049 Posts: 593 Member
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    Middlehaitch - my head just exploded regarding your comment about the heavy lifting. You're right, 15lbs, etc. is heavy for me! I'll never be able to lift hundreds of pounds, so whatever poundage I do lift is perfect for me. Thanks for mind-reset... Double cheers.
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
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    Off to the gym bright and early this morning but I wanted to share this piece with all of you since we've spent so much time talking about exercise and weight lifting. This piece affirms how important strength training is at our age in regards to muscle loss and what the consequences are. It's worth a read I think.

    And I agree whatever is heavy to each individual is what's required. It's not a contest at our age to see who can lift the heaviest dumbbells or a barbell. B)

    http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/sarcopenia-with-aging
  • trina1049
    trina1049 Posts: 593 Member
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    Good read. Off to the gym for some weight lifting of stuff heavy for me.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    edited January 2015
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    There's a small fitness center in the town where I drive school bus that I joined in order to learn how to lift. The power cage (or whatever the frame is called that holds the bar) has slots every few inches so you can start with the bar in a position that works for you.

    The trainer that showed me how to do things is about my height so he demonstrated "squats" with the bar in position on the cage. When it was my turn I backed up to the bar and placed my hands on the bar, attempting to lift it a bit and roll it out of the slots so I could squat. Surprise! The mobility in one of my shoulders wasn't as great as the other!

    I didn't realize I still had some "issues" from an injury sustained a couple years ago while working overhead off a ladder. (I hung by my armpits for a few minutes and injured my rotator cuff. Took about 9 months to heal completely.)

    So I was not able to easily lift the bar in order to squat and couldn't grab the bar as well with one of my hands compared to the other since my shoulder wasn't rotating back as far.

    I did two things after that session because I wanted to be able to do squats: first I went online and found an exercise to increase shoulder mobility that was as simple as standing against a wall with my hips, shoulders and wrists touching the wall, then moving my arms overhead. Very easy with one arm/hand -- not so much with the other. But doing it has helped the mobility a lot.

    Second thing was something I figured out on my own the next time I went to the fitness center alone without the trainer. His service is a one-time deal when you join this little place and there is no attendant/trainer on hand generally. I found that if I lowered the bar down one slot before starting, I could use my body weight to help lift and roll the bar out of the slot to begin squatting. Also, my shoulders and arms seemed more able to hold the bar at this slightly lower position. I could do the squats!

    I'm not a dedicated lifter at this point, but I do enjoy it when I go to the fitness center.

    Oh, I should mention that I think I overdid it when first starting using the various machines and contraptions at the fitness center. There is a "thing" that is geared for body-weight moves. You climb up on this apparatus with your back against a padded bar and your arms bent at the elbows resting on padded bars, with hand grips on the end. Then you raise/lower your legs using your abdominal muscles, etc. I don't know what happened exactly but I was really, really, really sore after using this thing a couple times. I'm talking so sore I woke up many times overnight with pain in my shoulders.

    Once again I did some reading and found: "Then the pain is felt at night when the shoulder is at rest. This early stage of rotator cuff injury is called impingement." Aha. No thanks; not going down that route again. So, I gave all shoulder exercises a good long rest (weeks) and the pain finally went away. Now I am very careful to do things that are not injuring me as I build up strength. Knock wood, I've had no more injuries and now only feel normal muscle stiffness. I no longer use the body-weight contraption because I think that is how I hurt myself. I can do bench presses (machine) and the squats and leg lifts without injury. Maybe how I hold myself on the body-weight contraption is incorrect. Who knows.

    Something that was surprising to me was learning that my thigh muscles are stronger doing front lifts compared to backward lifts (lying on stomach and bending knees while lifting weighted bar hooked under ankles) -- whatever that's called. I had no clue there would be a difference.

    I always considered myself very strong. My whole life I've carried the end of a piece of furniture w needed to move, or lifted things that were heavy with no problem. Its been surprising to see I'm not as strong as I was. I notice it now and then and that's why I decided I wanted to at least learn how to lift weights. I would like to have something at home though, because I don't go to the fitness center as frequently as I should/could.

    My goofy brother once said, "If you see an elderly person carrying heavy bags of groceries, don't help them, instead encourage them!" Now, I'm pretty sure he's right.

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  • HoganBirdie
    HoganBirdie Posts: 21 Member
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    I am 54. Thank you for starting this. I thought I was alone. All this is so inspiring. Over the last 3 years I have lost and gained over 80 pds losing 35, gaining back 20, losing 20, gaining 10 then gaining 30 back. Working out like a crazed women, running, P90X with doubles , biking ect... Starving myself, then for whatever reason I would get upset about something and eat everything in sight gaining everything back. I am done with this. For once and for all I am going to lose the weight forever and change my life. I have 60 pounds to lose. I could lose another 20 after that but for now really just want to move again and be comfortable. I need to stay motivated. I am hoping you all can help me.

    Currently I have lost 4 pounds in one week. I am doing P90x daily, and try and walk 12.000 steps which is about 5 miles a day. I like that I can go anywhere and walk. I am eating around 1300 cals a day which is what is recommended. This is hard.

    I was a beauty queen, model, fitness and aerobic instructor. I am a mother, wife and I own a business but am starting to scale back. I was fit most of my life until 10 years ago. I want my life back. I used to play golf but don't because I am too embarrassed. I find myself hiding from people I know. Go down a different isle at the grocery store, don't go to social events, ect. I am done. I am getting my life back!!!!

    How do I stay motivated?
  • 04hoopsgal73
    04hoopsgal73 Posts: 925 Member
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    Ladies, wow! I was looking for some encouragement and just read this entire thread. Thanks for everyone sharing. It truly is helpful.

    I’ve been on MFP since May, 2012; 976 days of logging. My approach is to go slow to make this my lifestyle. My overall goals: (1) lower BF from 40.4% to mid 20 range
    (2) Be a strong and fit woman (3) Love myself ***I do now!!! (4) Even if DH doesn’t want to be active or eat well, I will be myself and do what I need and want to do.
    (5) I am responsible for my happiness and achieving my goals, it’s up to me.

    There were times when mother ‘Patience’ disagreed with this tact but the slow method has worked for me. When I’m consistent on intake and exercise I lose .25-.30 a week.

    The most I lost in a week was 1pd, and 3 pds that same month. This was in 2013 during a brutal month of snow storms. I was shoveling and pushing a snow blower 3-5x/weekly in addition to consistent intake and weekly workouts at GISFW (Get In Shape For Women). Not how I envision the rest of my journey-he he.

    My total BF loss is 4.4% and total weight loss is 24 pounds. My UGW is 124. In the past 2.5 years I have had 2 ankle sprains, with the 2nd one leaving me still not at full ability to do regular workouts. I have a specialist appointment late January. The end of this past week, I injured my hand/arm/shoulder and have MD appt tomorrow.

    I have had frustration bouts from all of the setbacks and lost time. It seems I get going in a great rhythm and routine and then either an injury or life event interrupts my progress. On some of these occassions I slipped back into bad habits which created the 198 pounds in the 90’s; night snacks, evening glasses of wine to unwind, lack of movement, overeating portions, eat well all day and eat crap at night…….
    When this happens I reread my profile, think of what I have achieved and who I really want to be, and remember loved ones I’ve lost who inspire me today. If I go off terribly one day I always go back to eating well the next day. However, the frustration of not being able to do full workouts doesn’t seem to go away easily for this former althlete.

    I enjoy travel and try to visit Europe once a year, sometimes with DH, sometimes solo or with a tour group. We also are exploring parts of the U.S. If my family wasn’t all in New England, I want to live in St.Petersburg, FL for half the year. We have spent alot of time there and I live very healthy and well in that climate.

    I’ll be 60 in February. My deficit has me eating 1200 but it’s not enough for me. I get hungry so I eat back half my exercise calories. But on non-exercise days I do my best to
    keep the deficit. Regular weekly workouts: 3x/30 minute strength training followed by 20-25 minute cardio HIT work. Additional activites: calisthenics, walks, bicycle rides,
    yoga and pilates, free on demand/dvds (Jillian, Kelley Smith, Mike Chang, Bob Sinclair).

    My immediate goals: (1) Eat well at a deficit (2) Determine cause of prolonged ankle
    pain; Determine what injury I did to my hand/arm/shoulder (3) Physical Therapy (4) Make up a seated exercise program to do at home (5) Get back to regular walking when
    given green light by foot doctor

    My profile is open and I welcome active members whom I can support and who can support me.

    Happy New Year ladies!



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