55-65 year old women's success?

griffinca2

calm, Take it one day at a time; failure is when you quit and give up. Keep at it and don't give up, you will reach your goal. Good luck!

calmandpeaceful

Thank you Griffin. You are right. I will not give up - just accept that I'm making mistakes and try to minimize those. In the past, regular meditation has helped, but I've stopped doing that. Will start.

17761776

Be kind to yourself, you are on a long journey! Gayle Minneapolis

griffinca2

So right Gayle! it is a journey, not a "diet" or a project with an end date. I lost 12 lbs by watching my portion sizes and sugar intake; but didn't deny myself either. I ate cake, ice cream, soda, etc. (still do), but only occasionally and in moderation. If we don't include foods we love, we're less likely to keep to our plan; include them once or twice a week--I have a small amt of dark chocolate chips after dinner every night (and haven't gained any weight back).

FitnessGloria715

[Great news 2 share
quote="luluinca;30779977"]I'm 64 and started here in Sept of 2013 with 70 lbs to lose, still recovering from a back injury (which really piled on the pounds), and have so far lost 56 lbs. I won't pretend it's been easy but I've been pretty determined. The difference for me was really exercising my little heart out. I go to the gym at least 4 days a week, right now I'm going 5 days to see how that goes, where I do strength training/weight lifting, lots of calisthenic and circuit type workouts, swim, and generally work my butt off for 90 minutes or more. The other two or sometime three days I walk the dogs between 3 and 4 miles each day.

I've found that my metabolism isn't as slow now as it was when I started so I'm actually eating more than I was and still losing weight, albeit a little slowly. I'm enjoying myself though and I'm certainly not starving to death or anything on an average of 1650-1750 calories a day.

Good luck with your goals. [/quote]

baharal

Made it to onederland a couple of weeks ago, it was anticlimatic. I'm glad I'm there it seems like just yesterday that it would never happen. Lost 31 lbs since Oct/Nov don't remember. Prayers to all of you with health issues or loved ones with health issues. Remember slow and steady and we'll all reach our goal. This is a great thread and I love to hear how everyone is doing and the encouragement everyone gives one another.

californiagirl2012

I'm 55 and anyone can do it at any age. Resistance training and keeping the weight off is the fountain of youth!

griffinca2

Cali, I'm the same age (65) and couldn't agree more! Busted my wrist back in Dec and doc won't let me lift right now (no more than two lbs anyway). I'll be back at it as soon as I can. BTW, I'm from Cali as well (but live in GA now).

1Nana2many

@baharal Congratulations for dropping below 200! It may have seemed anticlimactic, but it is forward-movement in the right direction and you are taking control of the situation. That, my friend, is progress!
@californiagirl2012 You are absolutely right! It really doesn't matter what our age is! The thing that matters most, in my humble opinion, is that we make the commitment to value ourselves enough every day to make good food choices. I don't think I'm alone in putting myself last when it comes to care-taking and the higher my weight went, the more my self-esteem deteriorated until I was doing more damage with every bite of food because I felt like a lost cause. Well, NO MORE! EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY!

I started MFP on January 4th, 2016 at age 59 [I REALLY wish I'd found it sooner!] at 244.7 pounds and at 5'4", that's a very tight size 18/20 and it doesn't look or feel good. Today, March 19, 2016, I weighed in at 215.5 pounds, that's a loss of 29.2 pounds in about 80 days. My size 18 jeans are just falling off, but it feels great to know that I can keep doing this AND making progress. I have to think a little more about what I am putting in my mouth, but I am still eating food I have always loved to eat...not as much bread, not as much anything, but I don't have that miserable feeling after over-eating any more. I don't mind seeing what real hunger feels like just before I eat my next meal. And I keep catching my husband of nearly 40 years looking at me with a little smile on his face when I don't expect it...could it be because my double chin is starting to disappear? I don't know, but I like it...

Keep moving forward ladies [and gentlemen]! Buy that food scale and use it at least until you really know what a serving size it. Put every bite you eat in your food diary every day. Move a little more every day. Whatever movement you can manage! You are WORTH IT!!!

griffinca2

Nana. Congrats on your weight loss! You will reach your goal (and fall off the wagon occasionally). Thing is, so what if you fell off; you get back on; failure is when you give up (Never Give Up!).

AnnPT77

@1Nana2many: I love your attitude. Preach it . . . and go, you!

retirehappy

1Nana, you are doing great. Keep it up and you will need a new wardrobe, a great problem to have.

Keep moving helps, doesn't burn that much, but something about the synergy of moving and portion control seems to yield a good result everytime.

baharal

Griffinca2 - like you my MD told me not to lift anything, I have three bulging discs. I'm glad the time change is giving us more daylight so I can at least walk after work.

Nana - congrats on you weight loss as well. I too am eating what I want. That's what I love about MPF.

I did not eat processed foods until a couple of weeks ago. I was diagnosed with lymphoma a year ago and am in remission. That is what gave me the push to say enough is enough! The weight must come off. Our bodies and our health is a blessing and it our decision whether we step up to the plate and take care of them. The stories on this website are much more motivating than any weight loss meeting I've been to and the before and after pix are amazing!

I'm chomping at the bit to exercise. I know I can use hand weights and and the exercise ball to do squats and push ups. That's my challenge now. Just to do it!

baharal

It's also very interesting to see the posts by the men who are losing weight. Some make me laugh and say who'da thought!

Roaringgael

118.5kgs (261 lbs) September 2013



75.9kgs (167 lbs) January 2016, maintaining for over 12 months.

1Nana2many

@Roaringgael Thanks for sharing your photo! You are looking great! Well done!

grshaadi

Hello all, just joining your forum today. There are nice and inspirational posts here. I am almost 64 and riddled with Arthritis. Would like some friends to learn from. I need to loose at least 30 pounds. Any help will be appreciated

chuckyjean

I'm 58 and have lost 22 lbs since December
I didn't have a whole lot to lose, and another 8 lbs I'll be at my goal weight. I find when I get my daily protein goal it helps. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose. I also try to get in 10000 steps everyday, do planks, push-ups, Crunch's and squats nearly everyday

grshaadi

chuckyjean wrote: »

I'm 58 and have lost 22 lbs since December
I didn't have a whole lot to lose, and another 8 lbs I'll be at my goal weight. I find when I get my daily protein goal it helps. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose. I also try to get in 10000 steps everyday, do planks, push-ups, Crunch's and squats nearly everyday

Thanks. Will definitely do this

grshaadi

chuckyjean wrote: »

I'm 58 and have lost 22 lbs since December
I didn't have a whole lot to lose, and another 8 lbs I'll be at my goal weight. I find when I get my daily protein goal it helps. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose. I also try to get in 10000 steps everyday, do planks, push-ups, Crunch's and squats nearly everyday

Just in continuation of my earlier response. I can do some walking and eat at a deficit at this time. Can do very little of the other stuff do arthritis in knees, neck and shoulders. But thanks for your suggestion

shirinian1

I'm 51 years old 5'7. Need to lose 15 pounds to reach my goal weight at 160. I have been hovering between 180-185 for about 3 months I start my day by walking briskly for 90 minutes.. Close to 6 miles. I have my calorie intake at 1200. If anyone has ANY suggestions please pass them on! Getting frustrated....

AnnPT77

grshaadi wrote: »

chuckyjean wrote: »

I'm 58 and have lost 22 lbs since December
I didn't have a whole lot to lose, and another 8 lbs I'll be at my goal weight. I find when I get my daily protein goal it helps. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose. I also try to get in 10000 steps everyday, do planks, push-ups, Crunch's and squats nearly everyday

Just in continuation of my earlier response. I can do some walking and eat at a deficit at this time. Can do very little of the other stuff do arthritis in knees, neck and shoulders. But thanks for your suggestion

@grshaadi, I don't know where you live, but around here there are places (YMCA, adult education programs at the schools) that have special arthritis exercise classes, or pool classes (where they make the pool a little warmer for the class) with special exercises.

I've also known people with fairly severe arthritis who were able to do tai chi, or yoga if they started the latter in a specialized arthritis class. Some physical therapy businesses offer special classes, too, though theirs tend to be more expensive.

If you would like to try some new things, maybe there would be something like this in your area.

1Nana2many

chuckyjean wrote: »

I'm 58 and have lost 22 lbs since December
I didn't have a whole lot to lose, and another 8 lbs I'll be at my goal weight. I find when I get my daily protein goal it helps. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose. I also try to get in 10000 steps everyday, do planks, push-ups, Crunch's and squats nearly everyday

Here's a web link at the Arthritis Foundation that suggests water exercise for people with arthritis.
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/workouts/simple-routines/water-walking.php
Please note that it mentions that because you do not bear weight while exercising in water, it doesn't help alot with bone retention, but it does say you can do great things for muscle because water has 12X the resistance of air. I know our local small town pool offers times in the summer for water walking. It makes me think it would be a good idea for me to get myself to the pool this summer and walk!

mk2fit

@1Nana2many, you are on a roll! Keep up the great work, sister. Wow. @Roaringgael, looking fabulous! @shirinian1, you are off to a great start. Find any exercises you like/love and keep at them. Walking is great. Do your best to stay within your calories in/calories out and you will find success and feel great! One thing...I live out in the middle of nowhere and all of my exercise is at home...and free! Walk, run, youtube exercise videos.

veggiecanner

I'm 60 , started loosing weight last Sept. started at 182. Weghed 144 this morning. Lost the weight by walking and a 1100 calorie diet. Tryed to go to maintanance 3 weeks ago. Got up to 1500 calories and My stomach rebelled. So I'm back to 1200 . I've Lost From 147 down to 144.5 trying to stop loosing. But I had tryed to Increase my calories 10 pounds early so thats ok. I can loose 15-20 more pounds with out any problems. My husband And I are riding bikes now. He has lost almost 50 pounds Mostly by walking too..

baharal

Great job roaringgael! You look terrific.

Good exercises chuckyjean, I forgot about the planks, back when I was exercising I liked doing them.

Always good info on this thread! Have a good week everyone!

griffinca2

shirinian1, Some suggestions; 1) Start lifting weights, start with about two exercises per body part w/at least two sets of 12-15 reps. 2) watch your sugar intake (natural & added (especially the added)) and white starchy carbs. And 3) cut back on overly processed foods (i.e. canned veggies--use frozen and add your own seasonings, etc.). I did this last year and lost 12 lbs and I'm 65. Good luck!

grshaadi

@ AnnPT77 and 1Nana2many. Thanks for your very kind suggestions. I live in Toronto. The area around my house is not the greatest and the pool close by is quite run down. It grosses me out. I moved here after my separation. My other house was in an upscale neighborhood. My sister has been telling me to go for aqua fit as well and I gave her the same reason. I saw cockroaches in the lockers and was afraid that some might stick to my stuff and then come home with me. My subdivision is new but the area is old. I will look into YMCA. Thanks I did not think of them. I have started doing some yoga for Arthritis from YouTube. Was going to check Tai Chi as well but was not sure if that will help loose weight. Thanks again. You gals are great! Best regards

04hoopsgal73

griffinca2 wrote: »

shirinian1, Some suggestions; 1) Start lifting weights, start with about two exercises per body part w/at least two sets of 12-15 reps. 2) watch your sugar intake (natural & added (especially the added)) and white starchy carbs. And 3) cut back on overly processed foods (i.e. canned veggies--use frozen and add your own seasonings, etc.). I did this last year and lost 12 lbs and I'm 65. Good luck!

I also recommend strength training, 3x week if you can. You could also do some cross training days vs just weightlifting. I'd suggest walking right after breakfast and no more than 60 minutes, and use the other 30 minutes for strength work-calisthenics-cross training.

Also consider doing interval walking or riding a bicycle or using an elliptical to perform HIIT cardio: Walk as fast as you can for 1 minute, walk slowly for 2 minutes; check out HIIT (high intensity interval training).

Follow this routine: Warmup 5 minutes, stretch out, exercise, warm down, stretch down entire body

Eat more on heaviest exercise days, eat less on lighter days and rest day. Eat high protein, moderate carbs from fruits/vegetables/grains/beans and low fat. Like I eat 140-150 grams Protein, 80-110 carbs, 40-50 Fat depending on what kind of exercise day I am on.

Awesome attitude and work ethic you have! PM/FR me if want.

shirinian1

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I started doing more HIIT and dropped 2 pounds. I broke thru my plateau! Thanks again for your help.