55-65 year old women's success?

charmmeth

@SalinitySally, goodness what a story, and I am so sorry for your losses. Good luck on your journey: you can do this (with however many meals each day you want!).

SalinitySally

solieco1 wrote: »

@SalinitySally your name is positively intriguing. Ocean fan or something else? I'm so sorry for the pain you've had to go through. The strength and love that comes through your post is palpable. As far as the trolls on here, you do you and don't hesitate from sharing - the rest of us enjoy hearing from you! Much love.

Thank you for your kind words.

Re my screen name: SaltySally was taken 😜. I live in Salt Lake City (for one more year before we return to the east coast) and was attempting a double entendre but this was the lame alternative.

SalinitySally

charmmeth wrote: »

@SalinitySally, goodness what a story, and I am so sorry for your losses. Good luck on your journey: you can do this (with however many meals each day you want!).

Thank you ❤️

SalinitySally

@sillix I want to be as strong and as beautiful as you.

springlering62

I can’t remember if I’ve posted here before or not. Apologies if this is a duplicate post.

SW at least 222 at age 56 in Sept/2018. Prompted to start by an honest evaluation from my gastroenterologist that my GERD would go away if I’d lose weight, followed a week or two later by an unwanted thyroid prescription from my GP. After reading the warning pamphlet, I called the GP and asked for a re-test in 90 days.

Ninety days later I was down over 30 pounds.

I had several sessions with a dietician. Odd to think that someone like me who was an expert in eating anything and everything would need to be educated on “how to eat”. She recommended MFP.

Someone suggested contacting the local powerlifting gym owner to see if she’d train me. She wasn’t taking clients, but later said something told her to text me back. We hit it off immediately, and wow!!! what a difference her positive attitude and her knowledgeable training have made in my life.

I did C25K. Started Pilates. Amped up my yoga practice. Started walking in the mornings, and after dinner.

Learned to love new foods, and limit and slowly savor old favorites. I haven’t “given up” anything, although I certainly think twice about some.

CW hovers between 129 and 133.

Took my trainer some flowers today and she took this picture. To look at a photo and not be embarrassed, disgusted, or cringe and look away, is still a new and gut wrenching experience. It sincerely makes me tear up to be able to look and be happy with the person I see.

As the lovely lovely lady above me said, Thanks, MFP, and all you good people who make it the amazing resource it is.

juliemargaretkim

@solieco1 Truth!

storozinski

sillix wrote: »

I am not in the right age group (I am 78) but had to comment. I went through menopause in my early 40's.

In April of 2018 I weighed 248 pounds. My back was killing me. I couldn't walk more than a few feet without stopping to rest. I had been over 200 pounds for years. I yoyoed for a few months before starting to track my calorie intake. Hadn't heard of MFP and built an excel spreadsheet to track my weight and food intake. It worked! In November 2018 I broke below 200. In July 2019 I met my goal of loosing 100 pounds. I decided to adjust my goal and go for what at my age was my dream goal, 135 pounds. I am 5'6-1/2" tall. In October 2019 I was at 136 pounds. November 19. 2019 I joined MFP. My brother-in-law had been encouraging me to do so for some time. He had such success with the program.

I was having a problem holding my weight and since I didn't exercise during my weight loss I was becoming feeble and had poor balance.

I started MFP which as you know tracks your nutrition as well as calories. I realized I was not eating enough protein, fat or carbs. MFP helped me adjust my eating habits and get back on track. I not only lost the few pounds I had gained but reached my dream goal of 135.

I added exercise to my routine and now have regained my strength and balance. I love MFP. It keeps me on track and healthy.

I am still at 135 pounds. I fluctuate between 134 and 138 pounds (I weigh daily). Eating right is such a habit now that it is not difficult or a chore. I love all the new foods I eat; roasted vegetables of all kinds, especially root vegetables. I didn't even know what a rutabaga looked like much less how it tasted. No food is off limits but I do avoid breaded and fried foods. I would never go without having cake on a special occasion.

I walk a lot and have a routine of stretches and arm exercises that I do faithfully. I am strong, healthy and all symptoms of my diabetes has disappeared.

If I can do it you can do it, one pound at a time...I day at a time. If you take a day off from it, so what, just get back to it tomorrow.

I agree with luluinca, "You don't have to spend hours and hours at the gym to accomplish these goals but if a little exercise solves some of the aging problems characteristic to a sedentary lifestyle and aging........I'm in."

Thank you MFP.

YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!!! You are a great inspiration.

AnnPT77

I just wanna bump this. (I participated earlier, including a page or two back in November 2021. Still maintaining, still age 65, 5'5", around 125 pounds +/- depending on the day.)

Sailor555

Hello Ladies,

I'm 63 and have lost about 21 lbs so far. It's been a anything but a straight line, as I've gone off the program several times and then gotten back on. When I'm on it, and logging in daily, I find I can indeed get a slow but steady loss going IF I keep up the daily exercise.

For me, I've found that it's pretty much a necessity to put in about 45-60 minutes daily on the stationary bike (in addition to 2 daily dog-walks). That allows me to maintain progress meeting my calorie goal without having to resort to super-restrictive eating. I feel it lets me eat healthfully but also reasonably to satisfy baseline hunger/cravings.

Without that extra daily exercise I either go too far down the rabbit-hole of starving myself (and then bingeing out) or just getting discouraged by the lack of progress.

I'm working hard to really make this part of my daily life from here onward. But I gotta say, for that post-menopausal metabolism -- the extra exercise requirement seems to be key.

Best of luck to us all! :-)

debtay123

So glad that someone finally resurrected this message-- We are glad you are here
I too can go overboard one way or the other-- so I am working on being balanced- counting my calories to stay in a deficit but also having some treats as well====

IntergalatixW

I’m 61 , lost 27 lbs since beginning of Dec last year. I still have about 8 lbs left to go. I did it with walking 15 k steps on average per day and yoga in the morning. If I do 10K steps, I maintain but won’t lose. For changes in food habits, I switched from rice to cauliflower rice and stopped picking in between meals but otherwise no big changes. I have always cooked healthy home meals. One big mental change was that when I ended up eating a burger with fries or a dessert or sweet cocktail, I stopped feeling guilty. I just got back on track with the next meal. I wish I did that when I was younger instead of mentally beating myself up for days. I found the daily dozen app quite useful. You have to eat a number of servings of certain kinds of food everyday to successfully close out the day in that app. I still eat chocolate but it’s just once in a while and I don’t dwell on it afterwards. I eat something sweet everyday. Currently it’s a heaped spoon of fig marmalade after meals. I try to keep it to around that amount, a larger portion of sweet without fiber makes me hungrier faster so I try to avoid that. I have never been a big drinker but I still do have the occasional glass of wine when I want to. It really is very occasional.

The best thing was yoga. It really calmed me down. I think I was holding on to a lot of stress and trauma and that does get released with yoga, pranayama and meditation. This is three days a week for an hour with a teacher and the rest of the days about 30 to 50 mins practice on my own. If I don’t do yoga for a few days now I feel uncomfortable. I also take slow release Magnesium tablets in the evening. The magnesium and the walking really helped me to sleep better. One of my big issues earlier was not being able to stay asleep for the whole night.

ideas2

KimofTas wrote: »

I'm 40 so I don't totally understand your position however wouldn't you just eat at a deficit if you have more weight to lose? You don't necessarily need to exercise in large amounts to lose weight is what I understand from tracking cals and all of the info on forum here.

The problem is that if you do not exercise and you consistently restrict calories, the usual thing that happens is that your metabolism slows down and it gets harder and harder. And if you are too consistent and frequent in your eating, even if the feedings are small, you are likely to become metabolically inflexible (your body does not so easily switch back and forth between burning glucose and burning fat and weight loss is more difficult.)

AnnPT77

ideas2 wrote: »

KimofTas wrote: »

I'm 40 so I don't totally understand your position however wouldn't you just eat at a deficit if you have more weight to lose? You don't necessarily need to exercise in large amounts to lose weight is what I understand from tracking cals and all of the info on forum here.

The problem is that if you do not exercise and you consistently restrict calories, the usual thing that happens is that your metabolism slows down and it gets harder and harder. And if you are too consistent and frequent in your eating, even if the feedings are small, you are likely to become metabolically inflexible (your body does not so easily switch back and forth between burning glucose and burning fat and weight loss is more difficult.)

Eating frequently doesn't make people "metabolically inflexible". The average person's body burns varying proportions of glycogen and fat all day every day, depending primarily on the intensity of activity. The fuel substrate consumed in the moment isn't the critical factor in weight loss anyway, rather it's the energy balance (intake vs. expenditure).

SamiF2102

I'm in this situation as well. I hit men late and now three years later the weight is to the point that I was convinced that it had to be thyroid. I eat pretty healthy, hike, and yet nothing would move it. I am tired all the time and just feel blah. Finally called the Dr and arranged bloodwork. Results showed no thyroid issues and in fact my cholesterol was elevated for the first time in my life. Dr and I talked, and she said that yes what I was eating was healthy, but we never think that that we are eating too much of it. We agreed to recheck in 6 months and I re-joined MFP. And then I found this group of women that totally get it!!!

Years ago, when I was in my early 40s a wise older friend told me to lose any extra weight that I wanted before menopause hit. I thought she was being ridiculous....little did I know!!!!!

mjc614900

I am 64 and 5'1. My weight the last ten years had been 155. Last year through Vida I got down to 130. These past four months I have been maintaining 130. I know already to lose another ten pounds I really need to walk every day - really dedicated miles. PianoRun said it best. Our physical abilities are different in our 60s.

beargoose1

Good morning ladies. I'm 62 & just found your thread/group; love the fact that you've been going since 2015 & hope you don't mind if I join up. I've been consistent with MFP for the last 90 days and on/off for quite awhile before that. A group of positive women experiencing similar things in regards to our bodies may encourage me to stay on track. Right now the only exercise I do is briskly walking 3.5 miles 5 days a week but after reading your posts I may have to join a gym because I'm slowly losing weight but not firming up.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your experiences. Have a wonderful Monday!

LissomeLori

I would love to join your group. I am 66 and log in everyday. I try to keep my calories to 1200and try to get on the treadmill every day. I've lost about 24 pounds in about 10 weeks. Slow and steady.

cory17

Love the positivity! And the photos are incredible.

Beautyofdreams

Hi, I turned 58 yesterday. Started on my health journey in March 2020 at a weight of 223.4 lbs, 5’7”, post menopausal, kidney/transplant recipient with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. Had recently received counseling for a binge eating disorder, overspending and low self esteem issues. Started this health journey because covid was in my area and had too many risk factors associated with a poor outcome if I caught Covid. Started out walking at only 10 minutes a day because I was so out of shape. Added a beginner weight lifting program 3 days a week at the free recreation center in June when it reopened. Though it was closed over December for maintenance and holidays. I fall into habits easily so weighing, logging food and exercising came easily but the mental aspect has been more difficult. I have had to deal with self identity, delayed gratification issues and how people now interact with me. In December 2020 my long time boyfriend died of Covid complications and the silence was overwhelming. My new healthy habits gave me a sense of security and control while I grieved. In May, MFP featured me in the Victory blogs and fears of being an imposter and weight gain came to the surface. Neither happened and life went on. In March 2021 I ripped the skin off an area of the bottom if my right foot and started weekly skin grafts in April. Was told to stay off my feet and put no pressure on right foot. Developed an infection in the bones of my right foot and spent a week in the hospital on iv antibiotics in September. I still go to my local hospital for a daily iv and dressing change. Will talk to drs. about partial amputation this week. They have already told me that I will be able to walk and lift weights after surgery but may need special shoes. I have lost over 85 pounds and fluctuate between 135 to 140 pounds despite no exercise. Maintaining and even losing weight without exercise was a huge mental realization for me. Do not know what the future holds but will keep trying to be grateful and happy for each days progress and joys.

solieco1

@Beautyofdreams
What a journey you've been on my friend. First I want to extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences on the loss of your boyfriend. I came way too close to that outcome with my husband in Feb/March 2021. Thankfully he made it but I do know how horrible this virus can be. When I look at your picture above I see a smile of hope and determination and signs all around you of a beautiful heart. From the guitar in the corner to the flowers on your jeans to the rocking horses above. Much love and you've got this .

cory17

aaa

DontStopAchievin

@Beautyofdreams , you are such an inspiration to me! You have been through so very much on your journey, and I am in awe of you coming as far as you have. My prayers are with you in hopes life will soon get better for you. You are beautiful from the inside out. YOU look amazing, my friend.

Gardensoul57

What a great message board. I am 64 and joined MFP today. I retired in December 2019 and I weighed 221 pounds. It was awful. I started a journal after I retired with goals for my life. The main personal goal was to lose 61 pounds by the end of 2022. I know that sounds like a strange number, but after I lose 61 pounds I will have a normal BMI. My second goal will be to get down to 150 pounds. I am now 177 pounds (44 pound loss). I worked out in the gym when they opened back up in October 2020. I went 3 days per week and used the treadmill, elliptical and lifted weights. I recently stopped going to the gym because I was getting so bored. I now ride my bike 13 to 14 miles three days per week. Those miles are completed in an hour. The other three days I work out at home, strength training and cardio for 90 mins. I also walk our dog every day for 2 or 3 miles. I use to jog and had to stop three years ago when I had my right knee replaced. Got the sign off from my orthopedist that I can start running again (just not long distances). That made my day and my year. You have no idea how much I love to run. I start a Couch to 5K program on Monday, November 1st. I fast intermittently (basically eat two meals per day, eat pretty clean and no food after 6 pm and stay within 1500 calories). This took awhile to get use to, but it really works for me.

It sounds like we all have our own plan that works for our needs. It’s great to see so many successes. Gym costs are high, but there are so many other free things you can do. There are tons of You Tube fitness videos, and walking/jogging, riding a bike. Just look at what others are doing and maybe something will peak your interest. So proud of everyone. You are all an inspiration.

fietsvrouw

I just turned 58 a couple of weeks ago. I started working hard on dropping weight and getting fit last December. I have lost 60 pounds so far on the scale, although I have built a lot of muscle cycling so that masks some of the progress scale-wise. Had a body comp test and I need to loose about 25 more.

What has worked for me is exercise. I have built up to 240 km a week commuting and running errands. I absolutely love how it makes me feel - when I don't ride for some reason, I am craving it. All my blood values are vastly improved and I am off my anxiety meds. Also sleeping well for the first time in ages. Calorie deficit alone does not work for me at all - I am insulin resistant, and exercise lets my muscles take up glucose, so cycling is the magic fix-all for me.

coblujay

My birthday is next Sunday and I'll be 63. I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time. The first photo is from Sept. 2019 when I visited Tanzania and the second photo is from yesterday's hike in the mountains of Colorado. Sixty+ pounds down and 40 to go.

crazyhorse8

coblujay wrote: »

My birthday is next Sunday and I'll be 63. I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time. The first photo is from Sept. 2019 when I visited Tanzania and the second photo is from yesterday's hike in the mountains of Colorado. Sixty+ pounds down and 40 to go.

You look great and I am sure you feel so much better as well. That is tremendous progress! Keep at it and you will get there. I just turned 60 and have lost 40 with about 55 to go so I know how it feels. Best wishes to you.

lisaheindel

@coblujay what a transformation and inspiration!

New to the group here - I'm 58, post-menopausal, had a heart attack in June 2021, fell into the great depression, and gained a bunch of pounds on top of the pounds I already had to lose. My cardiologist says 40 pounds is the goal, my personal goal is to get back to 150 pounds (I'm 5'5") and feel comfortable in my body again.

I forgot how eye-opening food tracking can be and I'm glad to find this group.

chelbec1

Good morning Ladies, congratulations to everyone. I just turned 58, been in menopause for about 3 -4 yrs. I joined MFP March 2021, I have lost 20 lbs, I tried another weight loss program before MFP, it gave me useful information but also bad. I have struggled with weight my whole life. I am at 145, I can live with that number, I am by no means stopping, I'm trying to tone now, belly, thighs and arms, if more weight comes off during toning.... YAAAHOOOO
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

HRHJoDee

Under regular medical supervision, at age 63 (I am 5'8" tall), I have lost 55 pounds.
My weight was 240 pounds when I began, and this morning it is 184.8 pounds.

I did this, through a combination of committed determination, eating within the same 8 hour time window each day (to give my digestive system a rest 16 hours a day), and an average of 60 minutes of walking around my neighborhood 6x a week.

My eating way of life since late summer 2021 eliminated sugar, starchy carbs, oils, dairy, fatty or fried foods and alcohol or sodas.
My eating has included chicken, fish, filet mignon, tons of different vegetables, fresh fruits, fresh berries - and 2 ounces of salted nuts or 2 tablespoons of Skippy peanut butter a day.
With 8 - 10 glasses of water a day;

(with the exception every Saturday of a 'cheat' meal at lunch with something like a hamburger & fries, or half of a pizza, or a cheese & spicy corn quesadilla, or ceasar salad and bowl of pasta carbonara or chinese food.)

So I can tell you that for me, being after menopause didn't cause me any issues.

My Doctor has been monitoring me closely with once a month check-ups. My blood tests results have shown a wonderful improvement. My HbA1c went for 6.9 to 5.5 and became non-diabetic, (I was not on insulin or taking any pills); triglycerides went way down, and so did CRP heart inflammation levels.

55 pounds down - 35 more pounds to go by June 2022. Wearing smaller clothes is fun:)

wisebuys

Happy New Year ladies!

I am 69 and have been a member since Jan 2013, lost 85 lbs to date (probably tons more since I yo-yo'ed for years)
My mobility was the pits with two hip replacements and facing a possible knee replacement (arthritis destroyed my body). I spent 10 years as a 24/7 caregiver to my husband of 44 years. Three years ago he passed on (bless his sweet soul) and I decided to get back my life.
Walking my dog was more than my joints could take, so I swam a mile 3X a week until COVID came along. My friend convinced me to purchase a recumbent bike and I have been biking 8 miles daily(few exceptions) ever since and loving life. Biking allows me to enjoy the great outdoors while also getting my daily exercise and improving my mobility. It also allows me to eat pretty much what I want and still lose some weight.
I also started taking kombucha daily which seems to help my metabolism.
Enough already, ALL the BEST to you'all on your weight loss journey! Make it FUN and the time and pounds will fly. Just remember ... a new, fit you in 22.