55-65 year old women's success?

snowyne

Honestly, I know this may sound awful but I really don't want my body to go the way of my mother's. Once she hit 50 and went through menopause, the weight piled on. She was always slim & healthy and then she gained @ 50 lbs and made no effort to do anything about it. She would say to me, "just you wait...it will happen to you, too." No, no, no. I refuse to accept that logic! You have to take care of yourself by putting in the time & effort -- it doesn't happen by wishing it away.

FHImagined

snowyne wrote: »

Honestly, I know this may sound awful but I really don't want my body to go the way of my mother's. Once she hit 50 and went through menopause, the weight piled on. She was always slim & healthy and then she gained @ 50 lbs and made no effort to do anything about it. She would say to me, "just you wait...it will happen to you, too." No, no, no. I refuse to accept that logic! You have to take care of yourself by putting in the time & effort -- it doesn't happen by wishing it away.

You are so right you have to make the time and put in the effort!

FHImagined

weightXtraining wrote: »

griffinca2

Totally agree!!

RetiredAndLovingIt

I understand the reasoning behind the comparison pictures, but do not believe the woman on the right is 74 years old. (that is only 7 more than me!) Do wish I looked like the one on the left, but even though I know it is good for me, I just cant seem to get started on the weight lifting. But I do try to walk 10-15,000 steps a day, which is doing something.

GaleHawkins

RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »

I understand the reasoning behind the comparison pictures, but do not believe the woman on the right is 74 years old. (that is only 7 more than me!) Do wish I looked like the one on the left, but even though I know it is good for me, I just cant seem to get started on the weight lifting. But I do try to walk 10-15,000 steps a day, which is doing something.

You may be correct but I did find one can do things to look younger.dailyburn.com/life/fitness/strength-training-aging-study-100714/

cecilewoolley

Thank you all for tips and motivation - I'm going to log everything (even the crap!) and walking seems to be the good way to start !

AnnPT77

cecilewoolley wrote: »

Thank you all for tips and motivation - I'm going to log everything (even the crap!) and walking seems to be the good way to start !

Logging even the 'crap' is a brilliant idea! When you look at it in your daily log, and at its calories and nutritional impact as well as how satisfying it was . . . sometimes it leads to a recognition that it wasn't really worth it. (Sometimes it is worth it, and that's OK, as long as one has calories left to cover it.)

At minimum, it turns what you ate into just a set of facts to be considered, like a giant fun science fair project, and can help get out of the "I ate bad things so I am bad and have failed" thinking that's common, but pretty unhelpful to our progress.

Wishing you good progress! Keep us posted on how it's going, OK?

Trina2040

RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »

I understand the reasoning behind the comparison pictures, but do not believe the woman on the right is 74 years old. (that is only 7 more than me!) Do wish I looked like the one on the left, but even though I know it is good for me, I just cant seem to get started on the weight lifting. But I do try to walk 10-15,000 steps a day, which is doing something.

You're right, @RetiredAndLovingIt! Ernestine Shepherd is not 74 years young -- she's 80 and still in great shape. Take a look-see (the video is from Feb. 2017). She's my hero, but I'll never look that good, LOL. I read somewhere that she drinks raw eggs before she goes on a run.

https://youtu.be/hTYogr-Np14

griffinca2

Age is only a #!! I don't eat like that, but have made small changes over time that I can live with. I still eat some overly processed food and the occasional burger, fries, pizza, cake, etc. It's all about moderation and getting back on the wagon after you have indulged. It's not a project or diet with an end date; it's a lifestyle.

mk2fit

I just want to know if the lady on the left ever had kids! I work out quite a bit, but my child bearing belly is forever wrinkly.

griffinca2

Wikipedia doesn't list any, and from the write up doesn't look like it. I've never had kids and my belly is pretty wrinkly too (and I'm lots younger than her). Wonder if she uses something.

debtay123

I keep hearing that we should eat " enough" protein- but ho much is enough for our age group- or do we just eat the macros(amount) that mfp suggests-

AnnPT77

debtay123 wrote: »

I keep hearing that we should eat " enough" protein- but ho much is enough for our age group- or do we just eat the macros(amount) that mfp suggests-

I like 0.6-0.8g per pound of a healthy goal weight, though some argue for 1g/pound of healthy goal weight. We don't need protein to maintain fat mass, so it only makes sense to calculate based on a healthy goal (or lean body mass, if we have a way to estimate that accurately - but most of us don't).

This is in excess of the USDA recommendation (by a good bit), but there's research suggesting we benefit from more as we age, when we're in a calorie deficit, or when we're exercising in ways that require muscle (re-)generation . . . and extra protein, within reason, isn't injurious to a healthy person.

These days, in maintenance, I get a minimum of 100g daily, and usually exceed that. (0.8 x 120 pounds = 96, with a little insurance, 100).

RetiredAndLovingIt

I have seen Ernestine (I think that is her name!) before & she is amazing. It was the old frail looking lady that I hope really isn't 74...definitely don't want to look like that in 6 1/2 years!

lovesretirement

http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/strength-training-aging-study-100714/

Here's a good article on strength training and protein.

luluinca

This is a really nice breakdown of 6 exercises everyone should try and you can easily do them at home with a couple of dumbbells. No excuses.

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/6-exercises-everyone/

FHImagined

luluinca wrote: »

This is a really nice breakdown of 6 exercises everyone should try and you can easily do them at home with a couple of dumbbells. No excuses.

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/6-exercises-everyone/

This does look good! I was told recently by a trainer planks are the best exercise for your abs.

debtay123

I just went to the doctor today- and my labs are excellent- I got a good report-of course I still am in the process of losing weight- but I am so happy for this site and all our friends here since we like to encourage each other!

1Nana2many

debtay123 wrote: »

I just went to the doctor today- and my labs are excellent- I got a good report-of course I still am in the process of losing weight- but I am so happy for this site and all our friends here since we like to encourage each other!

Congratulations on your improving stats! Inspiration to keep moving forward!

Evamutt

The pictures & sharing are so inspirational

karendmorris22

I'm about to turn 61. January 20, 2017 weighed 216. May 18, 2017, I weigh 178. I'm 5'8" tall. This is the most weight I've lost in years, and my ultimate goal is to lose 20 more pounds. Keep it up. We can do this.

debtay123

You are doing it girl! great job-

LaceyBirds

RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »

I understand the reasoning behind the comparison pictures, but do not believe the woman on the right is 74 years old. (that is only 7 more than me!) Do wish I looked like the one on the left, but even though I know it is good for me, I just cant seem to get started on the weight lifting. But I do try to walk 10-15,000 steps a day, which is doing something.

I wasn't going to say anything, but this bugs me, so I'm going to rant a bit, please feel free to ignore it. This isn't directed at the person who posted the picture or anybody who responded to it since it is all over the Internet. You want to be buff and look like Ernestine, great, I have no problem with that. But everybody talks about how bad fat-shaming is, how you shouldn't compare yourself to others and be fine with who you are and how you look, yet here in a 55-65 and older thread that poor unknown woman is being age-shamed. Having her picture used in this way is just sad, not right and makes me a bit angry. There is absolutely no way to know how old she is, because she is unknown. Her picture was taken by somebody possibly named Chalmers Butterfield sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s - I say possibly named because nobody can find any information on him online, only his photographs. This woman could be 60 or 100, rich or poor, healthy or ill, we just don't know. She looks a lot like my great-grandmother, who lived to 90 and was healthy, thin and active until dementia got her in her last years. This woman doesn't look unhealthy, just older. You could interpret her expression as sad or lonely, but you could also interpret her as being thoughtful. This may have been taken at Thanksgiving and she's taking a break from all that cooking, glancing out to see if her youngest son is pulling into the driveway. She could turn and smile at the camera an instant later and suggest a walk around the block to blow off some of the huge meal. Maybe she's just dozy from Tryptophan.

This just really bugs me because it seems we women are no longer allowed to get old and comparisons like this tell us we should be ashamed of ourselves if we do and look it. Be at a healthy weight, take care of yourself and enjoy life - if you don't want or have six-pack abs, you are still OK and don't need to feel ashamed.

Rant over.

AnnPT77

karendmorris22 wrote: »

I'm about to turn 61. January 20, 2017 weighed 216. May 18, 2017, I weigh 178. I'm 5'8" tall. This is the most weight I've lost in years, and my ultimate goal is to lose 20 more pounds. Keep it up. We can do this.

You look great: I think that besides obvious weight loss, your color is better - healthier looking. Well done, and best wishes for continued success!

mk2fit

@LaceyBirds Excellent observation!

RetiredAndLovingIt

I actually agree with LaceyBirds. Maybe I commented without thinking...I don't have 6 pack abs & never will & I am fine with that. The reason I said about weight lifting is more for structural strength for living....I fell 7 years ago & broke my arm & leg. I really do not want a repeat of that.

mamainthekitchen

@LaceyBirds well I just had to click the insightful button above! Your post was a very good one. My grandmother lived to be 100, and looked just like the woman on the right. I liked that she always looked liked she had just taken cookies out of the oven. she may have looked one way to me but she also refinished hardwood floors, mowed the lawn, re-shingled her roof & made homemade jam from plums off her tree. I suppose comparing the two women's outfits suggests two different lifestyles, but perhaps grandma on the right was in better shape than we think off our first glance. Comparing the two women, pointless.... as you say, be a healthy weight, happy and enjoy life. I'm enjoying how I feel lifting weights, but you're right, we should not feel ashamed to not look like the woman on the left. Thanks for your post.

1Nana2many

Hello everyone! It's good to see so much activity here! I have been kind of quiet lately mostly because I've been busy, but also because I figure people probably get a little tired of my lengthy contributions! Most of the time when I write a message here it is for my own benefit and today will most likely be no different. Sometimes I need to put these things in print to remind myself of exactly what is possible. I hope that it reminds you that regardless of your age, things are possible! If you look back a few pages on this forum you will see some quotes I posted. One of them has really resonated with me: "You're not too old and it's not too late." For me, when I see the pictures of Ernestine Shepherd, who by the way is now 80 years old and the oldest competitive female body builder, she reminds me that I'm not too old and it's not too late for me to improve my own health. I agree with LaceyBirds that the comparison with the other woman are unnecessary. I personally don't aspire to be a body builder, but I do believe that if I don't do some weight-bearing exercise I will be the perfect candidate for osteoporosis, a broken hip or other bones. Ms. Shepherd did not begin her weightlifting career until she was 56 years old and a tragedy, the loss of her sister, inspired her to "do something" to maintain her health. Ernestine's sister is the person who originally encouraged her to begin exercising before time and age took it's toll on both of them.

I have a sister who is ten years my senior, who is an "I can't do that anymore because I 'm old" person. Sadly, she has been that "can't do" person for many, many years. Her health is declining. She turned 71 just this week. She actually has no major health issues, but there are little things starting to creep in to plague her. I love her, but I don't want to be the glass half empty person who just sits and waits for the rest to go down the drain. I want to LIVE the rest of my life. I want to look around me every day and see this miraculous world and all the blessings I have been given. Because they're there, we just have to open our eyes and see them.

Ernestine Shepherd took a sad moment in her life and turned it into a good thing. What's to stop US from moving forward with that same attitude? Nothing but our own mind stands in the way.

I will never be a body builder, but I can move my "person" from point A to point B every single day and I can eat a little less while still loving the food I eat and doing so for the last 502 days according to MFP has helped me lose 84+ pounds. I'm rather proud of that because I did it. Nobody else, just me. I believe you can too! I believe we are worth the effort it takes. I feel better both physically and mentally. My knees and back thank me. I am taking almost no pain reliever these days when I used to not function well without it. I am still considered overweight, but no longer obese. I'll take it!

You can do this! And most importantly, YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT!

LaceyBirds

RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »

I actually agree with LaceyBirds. Maybe I commented without thinking...I don't have 6 pack abs & never will & I am fine with that. The reason I said about weight lifting is more for structural strength for living....I fell 7 years ago & broke my arm & leg. I really do not want a repeat of that.

Sent you a PM, but I started off quoting you because of your comment about the photo and that you doubted the woman was 74. I had previously researched that photo and knew who took it and that somebody had just pulled a "sad old woman" picture from Google Image Search to make that comparison. My post started off with that in mind but changed as I wrote it. I should have re-read my post and not used your quote but used the photo instead. I apologize for attributing my rant to your words, and hope I didn't make you feel bad.