55-65 year old women's success?

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Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    tlawsonlpn3 wrote: »
    Is this group still going? The posts look old. I am 55 and and BEYOND frustrated with trying to lose #. I have never had a weigh problem but I can not manage to get these 15 pounds off.been trying for 2 years. As of Feb started really working out and tracking cals. I am now running 2-4 miles daily, keeping cals at or below 1200 (other than cheat days) and nothing!!! I am more fit and energized now but this is rediculous. 150 lbs does not seem unreasonable, just appearantly, imposible. Thanks ladies for sharing!

    Welcome!

    The thread started a long time ago, but the most recent post was only 2 days ago: We're still here.

    Don't be discouraged: The last pounds are more challenging for many people.

    In particular, for those using calorie counting, the margin for accuracy gets tighter, especially if we're (sensibly) trying to lose the last few pounds at 0.5 pounds/week or slower. Not knowing how new you are to this, I'll add some particulars that I (and others) have noted:

    * Normal daily weight fluctuations (mostly water weight) can mask a slow loss rate. A weight trending app can be a help (Happy Scale for iOS, Libra for Android, Trendweight).
    * Cheat days or meals can easily wipe out other days' calorie deficits. Eating over routine goal on some days can be a hrlpful strategy, but logging it, even if estimated, can help reveal the impact.
    * For those not already doing it, weighing food, when practical, is a good source of insight. Once you know the tricks, it's also quicker and easier than measuring cups, and definitely more accurate than either cups or eyeballing.

    If your running routine just started in February, you could still be holding onto a bit of "new workout routine" water weight. This is as perfectly normal and healthy thing, but as I mentioned earlier, it can temporarily hide your far loss from you.

    Best wishes!
  • Evamutt
    Evamutt Posts: 2,794 Member
    took me months to lose 2 lbs (8 more to go)
  • Skyweigh
    Skyweigh Posts: 113 Member
    I am 63 and have been back on MFP since New Years. By the end of February I had lost 10 lbs. This probably was due to losing extra holiday weight gain -- not to mention, I decided to do Dry January, and then just kept going. Not being a heavy drinker, it did not seem necessary to make this change before, but now, even though I thought I enjoyed my wine o'clock times, I find the AF (alcohol-free) lifestyle is preferable. Decided also not to eat at a deficit, but at maintenance for my ideal weight (1800 calories). However, I was very inactive for several reasons, and did not eat up to that level most of the time, but generally was around 1500 calories or less. Now, the scale hasn't shown any loss for the last 3 weeks, but there have been a lot of poor dietary choices that would account for that.

    Nonetheless, I have been logging faithfully as possible, and I think it helps to keep things from going too far out of control. I am inspired -- again! --- by the ladies above, and finally walked my *kitten* to the gym! Before that -- again, for many "reasons" -- I was at a point of thinking I should cancel my membership because I wasn't using it. However, the rate is very good, and I enjoy it when I'm there, but it was necessary to go after a hiatus and break the ice again. Glad I did.
  • spande345
    spande345 Posts: 4 Member
    I am amazed by all your stories. I can't seem to lose a single ounce of weight even with deliberate tracking.
    I think it is the home made Indian food which contains 15 ingredients and I am not sure the food entries I make are accurate. Help!!
  • bikecheryl
    bikecheryl Posts: 1,432 Member
    spande345 wrote: »
    I am amazed by all your stories. I can't seem to lose a single ounce of weight even with deliberate tracking.
    I think it is the home made Indian food which contains 15 ingredients and I am not sure the food entries I make are accurate. Help!!

    How much are you wanting to lose?

    Sometimes just cutting out certain foods or cutting back on portion sizes can help.
  • Skyweigh
    Skyweigh Posts: 113 Member
    edited March 2018
    spande345 wrote: »
    I am amazed by all your stories. I can't seem to lose a single ounce of weight even with deliberate tracking.
    I think it is the home made Indian food which contains 15 ingredients and I am not sure the food entries I make are accurate. Help!!

    We eat a lot of Indian (Pakistani) food, but I modified the way it is made it for the sake of my husband's heart and cholesterol issues (not to mention my own overweight!).

    If you do make it yourself, then try frying the onions with less (half) the oil you normally would use, and use the recipe builder on MFP. I realize these foods need oil/ghee to carry the deliciousness, the flavour of blended spices, garlic, ginger, etc. In some ways, this food is very economical budget-wise and calorie wise, as you can use minimal meat, and increase the vegetables of all kinds, and a small amount can be satisfying. Of course, one does have to minimize or cut out the deep fried samosas and pakoras, but these can also be prepared with less oil and baked. I think all this food will sit better with most people with greatly reduced amounts of fats used.

    You can check for recipes online for healthier versions of your favourites.

    However, if you are not satisfied with the versions of Indian food modified for calorie control, or if you do not cook it yourself, or cannot ask the person cooking it to control the amount of oil used, then you need to minimalize portion sizes -- of course, best to always be mindful of portion sizes. I know that I can do with less of most things and still be satisfied, and this is something I really have to work on myself!
  • spande345
    spande345 Posts: 4 Member
    thanks for all your replies: mreichert59, skyweigh and bikecheryl. I am at 152 and only 5'.1". I need to lose 30 pounds to feel good about my weight. I am maintaining it by logging what I eat and water aerobics 3 times a week plus walks around the neighborhood. I want to find a more accurate way of what the recipe counts for. Ex. cauliflower and potato subji ( Indian) made with a table spoon of oil) should have how many calories say for a cup?
    Can anyone help me with that? Much appreciated.
  • Skyweigh
    Skyweigh Posts: 113 Member
    edited March 2018
    spande345 wrote: »
    thanks for all your replies: mreichert59, skyweigh and bikecheryl. I am at 152 and only 5'.1". I need to lose 30 pounds to feel good about my weight. I am maintaining it by logging what I eat and water aerobics 3 times a week plus walks around the neighborhood. I want to find a more accurate way of what the recipe counts for. Ex. cauliflower and potato subji ( Indian) made with a table spoon of oil) should have how many calories say for a cup?
    Can anyone help me with that? Much appreciated.

    I think there is a thread that will help explain further how to do this. In addition there is a recipe thread/food and nutrition section.

    You have to determine the number of servings ... so if you make 4 cups at a time (4 servings) you input everything in the manual entry for Recipes on this site under the food tab -- I don't know if you can do this on mobile -- I use desktop for it.... You can also import recipes but it never works for me; I just use manual entry, and carefully look at the "matched" ingredients, and replace them when necessary.

    As a for instance: For your Subji, I input 1 large cauliflower, 3 medium potatoes, 1 T oil, 1 medium raw onion, 5 cloves garlic (I forgot ginger, but not too many calories in ginger!) and garam masala (most spices aren't high in calories, but you can add whatever you use)..... Calculated on 4 servings --- it comes only to 183 per serving --- not bad, but if you use tomato paste, or Patak's paste or whatever, you add that in too. One tablespoon of oil for 4 servings is very modest; it can still be good, but you could add more.
    Then you calculate for your rice or naan.

    As I said, there is more helpful info elsewhere on MFP about using these features, but the above is just an example. The more accurate you are, the more accurate your calorie count. It takes a bit of time, but I have found it really gives insight into what we use in our cooking.
  • spande345
    spande345 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks so much Skyweigh!! I am feeling encouraged. Maybe I will try to find recipes that tell me the calorie content and make them exactly like that. Nowadays, we don't always find recipes with calorie content.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    bedwellchris wrote: »
    I turn 65 next month and have the most weight to lose that I have ever had. I was suppose to start on MFP in January but it took me 10 weeks to finally get going. I am really good with excuses. After the first day of logging all of my food, I was once again shocked at how much I was eating. This is my husband's and my 4th time to use MFP. I haven't even been exercising because I am afraid that I will hurt myself because of my size. Teaching school does keep me on my feet but it is not enough to help my body. There is 50 excess pounds that I need to get rid of and I am so glad that I am finally on my journey. I am 5'9" and weighing in at 190 pounds. I know that I can do this!

    Starting with gentle exercise and increasing gradually can be an effective strategy, even while carrying extra weight. At 5'5", weight in 180s, at age 45 & just post cancer treatment, I went from weak and sedentary to a competitive athlete (rower) over about a 2-3 year period, while remaining obese.

    What was key was to start with something safe and achievable, yet slightly challenging. For me, the first step was gentle yoga classes, leading later to a well-supervised group weight training class for women, and still later to rowing. But I've seen others do well starting with water walking, or chair fitness videos, and other things. There are lots of options!

    Weight loss can happen via eating changes alone, but exercise has many benefits. With careful progression, and patient consistency, you could surprise yourself. :)

    Welcome, and best wishes!
  • NewBetterBest18
    NewBetterBest18 Posts: 165 Member
    I just measured my height for the first time in years! At 60 yrs old. I've shrunk from 5ft/6in. down to 5ft/5in . So now when I input that info into MFP I've gone from 1390 cals/day down to 1210 cals/day. Maybe that's why I was on a plateau for the past few months. So far I've lost 54 lbs. I still have 18 more to go. You ladies are correct. The less you weigh, the less calories we need. I've also started with weights on top of my 3X a week zumba classes.
  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    NewBetter, The weights will help; although they may slow the weight loss progress slightly. With weights you will be replacing fat with muscle (which takes up less space), so your measurements will probably change while your weight may not change. But, you will be getting smaller. Also, your form with the weights is more important than how much you are lifting. Keep up the good work and good luck on your journey. B)
  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    53elliebell, You'll make it! Remember it is a journey, not a "diet" w/an end date; you'll have bumps along the way (just get back on track). We are all here for each other! Good luck on your journey!
  • javacreek
    javacreek Posts: 310 Member
    With a new month ready to begin. It would be great to resurrect this thread!! :)
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
    spande345 wrote: »
    I am amazed by all your stories. I can't seem to lose a single ounce of weight even with deliberate tracking.
    I think it is the home made Indian food which contains 15 ingredients and I am not sure the food entries I make are accurate. Help!!
    I use the recipe builder with great success. I have also uploaded recipes from the internet, lots of them upload easily and you can then ensure ingredients are matched correctly, adjust amounts etc if you have tweaked the recipe.
  • Trina2040
    Trina2040 Posts: 214 Member
    edited August 2018
    javacreek wrote: »
    With a new month ready to begin. It would be great to resurrect this thread!! :)

    I concur! I'll do a catch up post. Still in maintenance, successful, and still over 55-65 years old. Maybe more people will check in.

    Hey, everybody -- where are you? Piano Run (the original poster), I forget your new name; are you still out there?
  • tammierlewis
    tammierlewis Posts: 564 Member
    edited August 2018
    I will check in and update too. Have been maintaining for a year now with a 45 pound loss. (60 pounds from my highest). Will be 60 in a couple months. Have been running 5k & 10k on a regular schedule every couple days.

    Just completed my yearly health assessment and my cholesterol is a little high. Will concentrate on more fiber and red 🍷 to try an get it down.
  • k80flec
    k80flec Posts: 1,623 Member
    edited August 2018
    motivatedmartha wrote: »
    I use the recipe builder with great success. I have also uploaded recipes from the internet, lots of them upload easily and you can then ensure ingredients are matched correctly, adjust amounts etc if you have tweaked the recipe.

    I too use the recipe builder all the time - weighing the total product in grams to measure to number of servings (so 100 grams equals 100 servings). It’s helped me lose 40+ lbs and maintain for 5 years. 63 and 7/12’s, galloping towards my 64th Birthday!!
    ETA - it has meant I’ve been able to continue to enjoy all my favourite foods, in moderation. I also run, do Pilates, Yoga and Body Pump.
    This is one of my favourite threads ...
  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
    i am so glad we resurrected this post. I am still here and still losing slowly. I set myself to lose 1/2 pound a week which is around 1300 calories with mfp. When I exercise which is usually walking each day- I eat back about half the calories so far I do fairly well. I love it because this makes me accountable.so far i mainly walk or do youtube videos for exercise.

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