55-65 year old women's success?

luluinca

Checking in to say Hi! Injuries are a set back for sure but they are not the end. I've had too many to count at 67 with leading a very active lifestyle. About a year and a half ago I had frozen shoulder and couldn't lift weights, so I ran. Screwed up my knee a few months later and couldn't run but I'd worked hard in 8 weeks of PT to fix the shoulder and suddenly I could lift again.

I might be mistaken but there should always be some form of exercise we can do no matter what. I'm not talking about just losing weight, diet can cure that if you're willing to put the effort in, but exercise, no matter how minor is a huge boost to our health and self esteem. Try telling someone who sits on the couch all day that you walked a mile and see how great you feel afterwards!

AnnPT77

You are all so nice: I wish we could all be buddies IRL!

Shron123

My mom is an inspiration. Her golf game was off this year which she found depressing but she decided finally that her game was off because she hurt her left side chopping ice over the winter and that the 10lbs she lost must be mostly muscle. She wasn't sure if aquafit or regular weight lifting (which she has done for years) was the best course so she is doing both. She will continue w her 3 mile walks, yoga and Zumba to get ready for a better golf season next year. She also added deep tissue massage for the first time and lined up lessons w the local golf pro to help her work on a swing that works for her despite the weakness in her left side. Did I mention she is 84 and as healthy as they come. Her hearing is not that great and she has macular disease in both eyes which she is being treated for so her eyesight is actually improving. She keeps in touch via emails, FB and texting and loves to work on her photos on her computer. She also plays bridge twice a week and is part of the Red Hat Ladies. Other than vitamins she is on no medication. So, I guess I just try to keep up w her although my horseback riding makes her nervous.

AnnPT77

luluinca wrote: »

Checking in to say Hi! Injuries are a set back for sure but they are not the end. I've had too many to count at 67 with leading a very active lifestyle. About a year and a half ago I had frozen shoulder and couldn't lift weights, so I ran. Screwed up my knee a few months later and couldn't run but I'd worked hard in 8 weeks of PT to fix the shoulder and suddenly I could lift again.

I might be mistaken but there should always be some form of exercise we can do no matter what. I'm not talking about just losing weight, diet can cure that if you're willing to put the effort in, but exercise, no matter how minor is a huge boost to our health and self esteem. Try telling someone who sits on the couch all day that you walked a mile and see how great you feel afterwards!

Preach, sistah!

griffinca2

Totally agree w/luluinca & Ann!!

1234terri

Wow, what a great space here on MFP! I'm 59, dreading the big 60 and am back on MFP after leaving for a while. My particular challenge is using a manual wheelchair full time for about 6 years. But I find it also allows me access to nature trails I never could have walked on, and long cardio-rolls thru museums, parks and stores. My 'back to MFP' moment came a few weeks ago while at a Dr appt at a university clinic here. They had a scale you could roll onto and then subtract the weight of the wheelchair from the total. I found out I was much heavier than I was faking to myself I was. Truth! Plus age. Argh. When younger I was a size 6, then 8, then 10...now much larger. So I'm back here, and blessed with a friend who sends me amazing things like whey protein mixes, hand weights and a blender...I'm seriously hopeful of making my transition into 60 with 15-20 lbs less. I have to do a much smaller calorie total due to wheelchair use and I don't pay attention to the folks on here who try to tell me about my low calorie daily settings. Life is VERY different when you don't walk. But I'm loving what I read here about deskcycles and other goodies. Swimming works for me but access to a pool is hard, I'm in New Mexico and the public pools can be creepy. So doing this with diet at first. One interesting discovery I made regarding food--and cooking which is tough when you're seated in a w/chair is spices. Spices are the way I'm getting back into cooking. I discovered an amazing national company (Penzey) with stores that sell very fresh and some exotic spices so my inspiration to cook has been rekindled. But basically it's just great to find an awesome group of ladies here with age and weight issues in common as we do this work! I want to be thinner in the wheelchair and able to push on trails and to have less of me for transferring to my car, bed, etc. I think I can do this!

millerliz2486

Hey, Terri! I'm 56 and not using a wheelchair, but certainly am experiencing dificulty losing weight. I admire your determination. A new coworker introduced me to this app just yesterday, when I mentioned that the scale just confirmed I'm at my heaviest ever. Being older and postmenapausal really does make this journey trickier. Trying to fine tune diet and exercise and hoping MFP helps! Wishing you success

fleapowder

Terri you can do it, keep the motivation going. I am 61 and 229 lbs so far I have lost 17lbs in the last couple of months and this group of ladies is keeping me motivated every day. I know you can do it. Good luck.

1Nana2many

You are awesome people! AnnPT77: the analogy from the airline instructions is perfect! I have often reminded moms and other caregivers that you can't take care of anyone else if you first don't take care of yourself. My husband has been ignoring his high blood pressure for some time and we just spent half of Labor Day Monday in an out of state ER while on vacation because the increased altitude was causing problems with his blood pressure...I THINK this was the incentive he needed to start putting his health in the forefront of his mind. My words weren't doing the trick, but having a doctor tell him the same thing added some value. Not what we were hoping for on our vacation, but if he gets back on track with his health and wellbeing, it will be worth it. Living in denial is not the way to go...I will say again: You are not too old and it's not too late! If not now, when? YOU ARE WORTH IT! One day at a time, one step at a time. Every day is a new day to begin again!

DebLaBounty

My 94 year old mother in law is an inspiration to me. She has macular degeneration and has had to give up quilting and driving. But she goes to water aerobics three times a week, walks around her neighborhood most days despite her asthma, and is sharp as a tack. Most of her peers are in bad health or have recently died. When I'm sitting on the couch thinking I don't really want to go to the gym, I think about her and go put on my workout clothes and am out the door. I'm 57, and I really want to stay healthy until the end of my days.

debtay123

I am 57 and my 93 year old mother is my inspiration as well. I do have to help with some things for her becuase her eye sight is not good, mascular degeneration, cararacts and glacoma. But she STILL lives by herself- does all her own cooking, shopping, and is very independent. She is small and makes sure she stays in her correct size- SHE taught me about portion control. She is still measuring her food and does not mind it- I want to live to be in my 90s too and be as active and "with it" as she.

Shron123

I wrote previously about my 84 year old mom who is extremely active and healthy. I was thinking about what keeps her motivated and decided it was a combination of 2 things. First, she does not want to be frail or dependent so she works towards being the best she can be. Second, she absolutely loves all things golf. From April thru Oct she is either playing, practising or working on improving her game. In the off season she works out to keep up her strength and endurance for the next season. She hangs out with others half her age and relates better to them than those her own age. I think having something active you really enjoy is key and if it includes a social side it is even better. For me that is horseback riding and yoga. I enjoy both tremendously and share this joy with others I participate with. What about y'all? What is yr motivation? Sport or otherwise.

GaleHawkins

After I became serious about living to be 110+ on 2013 I started watching and listening to people closing in on 100.

They seemed to be doing many of the same things as they did 50 years ago the best they could do.

They lived until their will to die became stronger than their will to live the best I could tell.

GottaBurnEmAll

luluinca wrote: »

Checking in to say Hi! Injuries are a set back for sure but they are not the end. I've had too many to count at 67 with leading a very active lifestyle. About a year and a half ago I had frozen shoulder and couldn't lift weights, so I ran. Screwed up my knee a few months later and couldn't run but I'd worked hard in 8 weeks of PT to fix the shoulder and suddenly I could lift again.

I might be mistaken but there should always be some form of exercise we can do no matter what. I'm not talking about just losing weight, diet can cure that if you're willing to put the effort in, but exercise, no matter how minor is a huge boost to our health and self esteem. Try telling someone who sits on the couch all day that you walked a mile and see how great you feel afterwards!

My psoriatic arthritis was misdiagnosed for ten years, and during that time, I was in a deep state of depression.

Part of what got me out of it was finally getting my condition properly diagnosed and treated, but another major factor has been adding regular activity to my life.

I never realized before how much I used to feel vaguely unsettled on a daily basis. I no longer feel that way. I am a much more easy going person than I used to be.

Today was a rest day for me, and that meant just walking with no lifting or running, and it still felt good, getting out in the fresh air, half listening to a podcast, half letting my thoughts drift, taking in the sights of the neighborhood, stopping to pet the dogs and say hi to my neighbors.

My morning 5.5 miles (however I spend them, running or walking) are my feel good drug of choice.

mk2fit

@SharonAnderegg I love to keep moving. A couple of years ago, I walked and "rode" my elliptical. I sort of graduated to running, which I must say I absolutely love. If you had known me when I was young, you would be laughing yourself silly about now. I was the girl who tripped over her own two feet and had to hit a home run just to get on base playing softball. I still trip over those feet and have only fallen down once in the last couple of years, thank God. I still walk every day, run when I can, "ride" the elliptical mostly in winter and have lots of backup exercises to keep me from getting bored.

bobtater1

Hey, folks, I'll be 60 in a few days and I'm here to tell you that if you stay focused MFP works. I have a pacemaker and had BP problems and was on several medications. I was 235 at my heaviest and then got on here to see if I could set as my goal to get back to my high school weight. (170) I started March of this year and now weigh 180 and Doctor took me off my meds and said, "I don't know what you're doing but keep doing it." Well, I did tell him I was taking supplements also because I was having too many side effects from the meds. So now today I have more energy and feel a whole lot better.

Trina2040

I have to agree with @mk2fit I can't even sit still anymore. Now that I've lost my 48-50lbs (fluctuations) I'm constantly moving which seems to keep my energy level up for some strange reason. I like to walk, hit the gym, and work around the house. By the end of the day I am ready to collapse but sleep so much better after a busy day. My lifestyle has changed enormously now that I've lost the weight. I wish I could run; it would be such fun but the old knees protest too much.

dlm4mom

Hello. I will be 60 in a few months and have been serial dieting on and off for years. I really love to cook and eat so this is difficult. I also have a big family and we have lots of celebrations involving food. My sister is a chef who owns a restaurant to make it worse. I am beginning to really feel my age and I am certain it is partly due to weight.
I have been on again for 2 weeks and have lost 3-4 pounds so I feel like it is a good start. I am working to find healthier delicious food and to be prepared with good food in the fridge.
It is really encouraging to hear your stories. Thanks!

Shron123

@dlm4mom - I too love to cook amazing meals. I do however hate preparing meals just cause it's dinner time. So I research a good healthy meal based on ingredients I have on hand. I usually do this early afternoon so I know what time I have to start. I don't care if I spend an hour or two on preparing it even if it takes 10 minutes to eat it. I find the prep time therapeutic now and it fills some artistic side of me. Research is paramount for me though so I continue to follow a healthy eating plan. I am getting quite good at tweaking recipes now as well. Losing weight has never been this
much fun before

mk2fit

@SharonAnderegg - I agree! My husband and I have had so much fun these last several years planning meals and tweaking recipes. @dlm4mom you can learn to tweak the recipes, too. Don't worry about your chef sister. Let her do her thing, you can learn your new thing!

Patriot_Mom

Down 11 lbs in two months! Finally found a diet that actually works for me. After years of trying the calorie counting and semi-low carb things, nothing worked. Even eating 1200 cal/day exercising 6 days/week I GAINED weight. Have doubled down on a Ketogenic Diet and the weight is coming off. I still restrict calories to 1,306/day, but am eating high fat, low carb, moderate protein and the only exercise I've been doing is walking the dog. So far I am down from a high of 215 lbs to now 199 lbs., so that is 16 lbs overall, but most of it recently. I have logged my food here 65 days in a row and dropped one size already from an 18 to a 16.

Anyone want more info, here's a good site that explains it all and has awesome recipes. No special foods that you can't buy at your local grocery.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb

Shron123

I started LCHF July 3rd. Down 26 lbs. I find this WOE amazing and freeing. I keep my calories around 1600 (!!!!) w high fat, med protein and carbs around 20g per day. I do not feel deprived. I do not feel hungry. I cannot explain how wonderful it is or feels. Tonight we r having pizza for dinner. Really looking forward to it. The crust is made w cheese, cauliflower and eggs. Tastes great. Last night Tarragon chicken w Zuchini noodles. The night before Beef Stroganoff w cabbage sauted in butter. The food is all real, tasty and satisfying. I could go on and on but I will stop my happy rant now. @Patriot_Mom, so happy to see someone else feeling the same. And I love dietdoc.com as well

Eleted

Sharon and Patriot: Is this the Atkin Diet that you are trying? Is there a difference?
Tell us more about why it is freeing? It sure sounds as though it is working well for you! 26 lbs in 2 months is stellar!

Shron123

@Eleted - My response is a little long but I am truly inspired by all I have learned.
I do IMF w the LCHF so eat between 11/12 to 7/8. I eat eggs for breakfast w bacon back bacon (rarely) or 1/2 avocado and usually w some butter as I am not a lover of eggs and the butter seems to help. If I am hungry I will have a tbsp or two of real peanut butter in the pm or coffee w full Cream or if I have carb room a little plain Greek yogurt w cinnamon or often nothing at all. Dinner I get creative with Keto recipes incl fish, chicken, pork and occasionally beef with Keto vegetables incl cauliflower, brocolli, Brussels sprouts, salads and cabbage. There are some amazing tasty recipes out there. I generally plan my dinner in the morning so I know what is left carbwise for the day. No snacking - which I do NOT miss.
The freeing part comes from zero stress from worrying about food. I eat pretty much twice a day w breakfast being pretty set. I get to play w recipes for dinner but if I don't feel like being creative it's pretty easy to whip up a protein and a salad. Also no hunger or cravings is so liberating. My energy is better and I am sleeping better. We do regular long distance riding (25-30 mi in about 4 hours) plus the training that goes with it. In the past we carb loaded to keep energy up for the day especially in our 30+ centigrade humid summer season. With LCHF I have so much more energy to burn even when the ride is done.
I cld go on and on but if u are interested go to the LCHF forum here on MFP or Dietdoc.com or start googling and researching. The info out there regarding weight and health will blow yr mind.
For me this is not a short term diet for weight loss. This will be our WOE going forward. Once the weight loss portion is over I will tweak my macros esp my carbs until I find the personal balance to maintain a healthy weight and life
Good luck in yr journey!

RaeBeeBaby

Hey ladies! I haven't posted on this thread for awhile so decided to just check in and say hello. So much inspiration and success to be found here. I love it!

I'm 57 and retired from a pretty stressful job. Now that that is behind me, I'm working on me! I've been on MFP for about 2.5 years and have lost about 25 pounds through diet and exercise. It took me over a year to lose the first 20, but I was in no great hurry. I have always been a pretty healthy eater, but struggled with portion control, snacking and empty alcohol calories. Just concentrating on smaller portions, less chips, cheese, and wine, has made a big difference. I've noticed a lot of posters are talking about exercise with painful joints or knee problems. While I am definitely not an expert, I can share my experiences in that regard. I do a lot of different things for exercise because I like to mix it up. I also have a lot of joint pain due to arthritis, but compounded by a medication that I take. The same meds cause weight gain, thus resulting in a 40 pound gain in about a 6 month period. It's a constant battle to keep the weight off, but I deal with it because the alternative is sitting on the couch and complaining and getting fatter.

I go to aquasize class 3-4 times a week. Most of the ladies are my age or older. We have one gal who is 90! It has certainly improved my fitness level, mobility and balance and I've never had an injury while doing it. I also do yoga and Qigong a couple times a week on my own or with YouTube videos. I walk a couple days a week from 2-4 miles depending on location and walking partner ability. I also do aerobic dance (YouTube), light weights from time to time and play disc golf with my husband. If you've never tried disc golf, you should! It's great fun and great exercise, but not that difficult. Basically just walking, hiking, and throwing frisbees. I've taught several of my girlfriends how to play and they love it, too!

I still have another 5-10 pounds I'd like to lose to get to my ideal weight, but whether that happens or not I'm having a good time getting there. I don't eat any specific type of diet. Just mostly healthy whole foods and a lot of fresh produce. My diary is open to friends.

If anyone here needs a new friend or looking for support, please send me a friend request! Have a blessed day everyone!

RaeBeeBaby

AnnPT77 wrote: »

kwtlw wrote: »

I am 60 and have bad knees. I am off and on with trying to lose weight. But really need to lose weight and need the inspiration. I am trying to avoid knee replacement. I will if I have to. But first have to lose weight. I would like to join this group. I am 5' 2" and need to lose atleast 30 lbs.

I have a torn meniscus in one knee, some debris there as well, and a bit of arthritis, so my orthopedist has told me to plan for knee replacement 'eventually'. I'm trying to delay that as long as possible.

Losing 50+ pounds, down to a healthy weight on the low side of my normal BMI range (120s at 5'5"), has dramatically reduced both severity and frequency of knee discomfort and pain.

Weight loss is possible via eating changes only, without increased exercise. (I didn't much increase exercise while losing weight, but was already quite active while obese despite knee problems.)

Just wanted to add my 2 cents here. I had quite a bit of knee pain prior to losing the weight and that has improved. Even just 20-25 pounds can make a difference. A friend of mine who was over 300 pounds is now at a healthy weight. She could barely walk a mile without severe knee and back pain, but now she is my 4+ mile walking partner!

Also, as @AnnPT77 mentioned in an earlier post, it's very important to get the right shoes. I bit the bullet last year and spent the money on a trip to a running store. They actually had me walk on a treadmill and video'd it, did an electronic scan of my feet and made me custom shoe inserts. Then based on all the results picked out the right shoes for me. At first I thought it was a bunch of nonsense, but those custom insoles and good shoes have made a huge difference, especially for long walks.

jspecies19

GaleHawkins wrote: »

After I became serious about living to be 110+ on 2013 I started watching and listening to people closing in on 100.

They seemed to be doing many of the same things as they did 50 years ago the best they could do.

They lived until their will to die became stronger than their will to live the best I could tell.

Hey Gale. I really like this post.- thank you. I have been also inspired by those more senior than I that still run marathons or participate in senior games and have a Pinterest board that I add their stories on. They are my motivation to keep going.

dlm4mom

I had a moderately successful weekend. I really struggled with food cravings on Sunday. I am not sure why??? I have been a couple of weeks without cravings at all. Tonight I went grocery shopping after work and did well with food purchases but got Taco Bell on the way home. Overall a little over on calories. Could have been much worse and I have not lost momentum. I did a lot of hard physical work this weekend and I was actually down one pound this morning. Tomorrow is my day off and i am going to spend some time cooking for the rest of the week.

dlm4mom

SharonAnderegg wrote: »

@Eleted - My response is a little long but I am truly inspired by all I have learned.
I do IMF w the LCHF so eat between 11/12 to 7/8. I eat eggs for breakfast w bacon back bacon (rarely) or 1/2 avocado and usually w some butter as I am not a lover of eggs and the butter seems to help. If I am hungry I will have a tbsp or two of real peanut butter in the pm or coffee w full Cream or if I have carb room a little plain Greek yogurt w cinnamon or often nothing at all. Dinner I get creative with Keto recipes incl fish, chicken, pork and occasionally beef with Keto vegetables incl cauliflower, brocolli, Brussels sprouts, salads and cabbage. There are some amazing tasty recipes out there. I generally plan my dinner in the morning so I know what is left carbwise for the day. No snacking - which I do NOT miss.
The freeing part comes from zero stress from worrying about food. I eat pretty much twice a day w breakfast being pretty set. I get to play w recipes for dinner but if I don't feel like being creative it's pretty easy to whip up a protein and a salad. Also no hunger or cravings is so liberating. My energy is better and I am sleeping better. We do regular long distance riding (25-30 mi in about 4 hours) plus the training that goes with it. In the past we carb loaded to keep energy up for the day especially in our 30+ centigrade humid summer season. With LCHF I have so much more energy to burn even when the ride is done.
I cld go on and on but if u are interested go to the LCHF forum here on MFP or Dietdoc.com or start googling and researching. The info out there regarding weight and health will blow yr mind.
For me this is not a short term diet for weight loss. This will be our WOE going forward. Once the weight loss portion is over I will tweak my macros esp my carbs until I find the personal balance to maintain a healthy weight and life
Good luck in yr journey!

dlm4mom

I never thought of cinnamon in plain greek yogurt! Thanks for the idea- might be a big calorie saver for me.