can it be done after 40

MzzNorma

Norma here I have always been active and fit. Because of a car accident I had to stop all my routines. Slowly back at it not doing much of abs, or anything that will harm my back and shoulders. Lots of cardio. I am 41 and been told it will be hard to loose the 17 lbs I wish to.

rkulich

You were told it would be hard? Whoever told you that doesn't know what they are talking about. You can absolutely lose the weight you want to. It's true that it is easier for a youngster to lose wieght, but you can do it. It's just a matter of calories out > calories in... Good luck!!!

H_Factor

Age doesn't make as much a difference as some folks think....certainly not at 40 anyway. If you eat healthy and move some, you're going to get fit. In 2011, I turned 40 and I lost 80 pounds that year. Kept it off for most of 2012 until some ugly life events happened and I lost focus. Gained back 70 pounds between Sept 2012 and the end of 2013. So now I'm 43 and I've lost 42 of those 70 pounds....and I will lose the rest of it this year. Its a matter of commitment and healthy decision making.

dfranch

I lost 95 lbs at 45. No reason you can't too.

becky10rp

I'm 48 and I lost 25 lbs - where there's a will.................!

tmauck4472

53 and over 200lbs lost so yes it can be done

palwithme

That's absolutely not true. I am 47 and have lost close to 50 pounds. You don't stop burning calories after 40. Just exercise...a LOT!

juliet3455

53 years young. Down 72 lbs. Who ever told you that - they need an ******* adjustment.
- Self edited so the MFP Police don't wag the naughty finger at me.

kksmom8

57 here, and I've lost 47 lbs so far. Yes, it's a bit slower, but I lost a lot fast in the beginning. So, just do it!

AmandaHugginkiss

I didn't put much effort into fitness AT ALL until I was over 40. I had cancer in my late 30s and was told I would "never" do a lot of things.

Clearly people underestimated me, and I'm sure they've underestimated you. People who tell you that you can't do something tell you that because they don't want to do something or they're just stupid. Either, or.

Shy_Yogi

People say its harder because your metabolism starts to slow down later in life...as well as medical issues that arise from age and years of abuse (not saying that you did that, but in general).

It is not wholly just calories in vs. calories out...there are so many other factors involved that there is no way to generalize it (for instance, I have hypothyroidism and pcos, which are metabolic issues that make it harder for me to lose weight on top of being over 40). Its just different for every single person and age is a part of that factor.

The key is to figure out what works best for you (forget about age and all that stuff) and find something you can do for the rest of your life....that is the hardest part...and why so many people "yoyo" diet.

Good luck! I'm glad to hear that you are getting back into. I bet it feels great after not being able to workout for awhile.

jmzelaya

Yes it can be done in June 1 of 2014 I weighted 262 today I'm at 200 lbs yes it can be done

ChefSteveUrso

17 lbs ? please LOL Losing weight is 90% in the mind, if you believe that you can't you won't. I'm 49 and lost 102 lbs so far and I'm getting better every day. 48 more lbs to go. If I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT !!

MzzNorma

Thank you fo much for the encouragement

MzzNorma

Thank you fo much for feedback and the encouragement

MzzNorma

DragonMeat wrote: »

People say its harder because your metabolism starts to slow down later in life...as well as medical issues that arise from age and years of abuse (not saying that you did that, but in general).

It is not wholly just calories in vs. calories out...there are so many other factors involved that there is no way to generalize it (for instance, I have hypothyroidism and pcos, which are metabolic issues that make it harder for me to lose weight on top of being over 40). Its just different for every single person and age is a part of that factor.

The key is to figure out what works best for you (forget about age and all that stuff) and find something you can do for the rest of your life....that is the hardest part...and why so many people "yoyo" diet.

Good luck! I'm glad to hear that you are getting back into. I bet it feels great after not being able to workout for awhile.

TheSatinPumpkin

Turned 40 last July and have lost 66lbs since then. Total of 247lbs since August 2013.

wizzybeth

It's a myth that many women buy into - it circulates and is accepted because it is, in a way, an excuse. You can lose it if you want to. I am 45. I have lost 14 lbs since January 25 of this year. I have had 3 kids. (Of course the last one was born 15 years ago....). It can be done and don't let anyone tell you any different. You can do it if you want to and if you do the things you need to do to lose. You don't have to exercise to lose - that is also a myth. Exercise helps you burn more calories and helps keep your body healthy, but it is not needed to lose weight. Eating at a deficit causes you to lose weight.

cookiealbright

(*) Hi everything is hard! lol You can do it if you want to. It may take a bit longer than when you were 20, but you can do it! Good luck to ya!

csteuter

Well, I am 55 and started January 27. Not a lot of exercise but have religiously logged on MFP and stayed within my 1200 calories a day 99% of the time. I have lost 5.5 pounds, and 4 pounds of that was the first week. (Less exercise due to problems with my feet and shoulder). I cannot tell you how discouraged I am.

dym123

I've lost over 100lbs in my 40's and pre-menopausal. Now I'm lifting weights and my metabolism has shot through the roof at 48. This spring I'm looking to try strongman training.

njitaliana

I'm 61 years old, disabled, and have 63 lbs off so far.

MzzNorma

Thank you fo much for feedback and the encouragement love the support of the community

wizzybeth

csteuter wrote: »

Well, I am 55 and started January 27. Not a lot of exercise but have religiously logged on MFP and stayed within my 1200 calories a day 99% of the time. I have lost 5.5 pounds, and 4 pounds of that was the first week. (Less exercise due to problems with my feet and shoulder). I cannot tell you how discouraged I am.

A lot depends on your logging - how accurate you are with what you put in. Do you use a food scale? Do you verify the nutrition info of everything (MFP database has a lot of "off" entries...believe it or not.) When you do exercise, are you eating back all of the exercise calories MFP allots? (Because MFP overestimates calorie burn for exercise...) Have you checked out some of the getting started threads that are pinned as announcements on the Introduction forum, weight loss forum, etc.?

Don't be discouraged. It will come. Keep at it, and keep perfecting your logging.

MzzNorma

Thank you

MKEgal

OP wrote:

I am 41 and been told it will be hard to loose (sic) the 17 lbs I wish to

Pastrami.
Sue has lost 124 lb starting in her late 60's. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/hanfordrose
I got serious about losing weight when I was 45.


With so little to lose, it will be slow (0.5 lb a week would be a victory), but you can do it. Also consider doing more weightlifting so you will tone up & lose inches. That might make you happy at your current weight, if it's in the healthy BMI range.

.

DragonMeat wrote:

It is not wholly just calories in vs. calories out... there are so many other factors involved that there is no way to generalize it (for instance, I have hypothyroidism and pcos, which are metabolic issues that make it harder for me to lose weight on top of being over 40).

Those issues may make your calorie requirements lower, but CICO is still valid.
If you eat more than your body needs you will gain weight.
If you're 75, hypothyroid, 4'9", and inactive - all of which factors lower your calorie needs - you might only need 700 cal/day.
Someone who's 23, a professional athlete, 6' tall, might plow through 4000 cal/day.

ScientificExplorerGirl

MKEgal wrote: »

.

DragonMeat wrote:

It is not wholly just calories in vs. calories out... there are so many other factors involved that there is no way to generalize it (for instance, I have hypothyroidism and pcos, which are metabolic issues that make it harder for me to lose weight on top of being over 40).

Those issues may make your calorie requirements lower, but CICO is still valid.
If you eat more than your body needs you will gain weight.
If you're 75, hypothyroid, 4'9", and inactive - all of which factors lower your calorie needs - you might only need 700 cal/day.
Someone who's 23, a professional athlete, 6' tall, might plow through 4000 cal/day.

I definitely agree with CICO! I am 51 and don't have a thyroid (on replacement). Weight loss is as easy or as hard as you want to make it... Good on you for taking on the challenge!!

MzzNorma

Thank you for sharing

blankiefinder

43 here, hypothyroid, and lost 36 pounds over the last 7 months, am now in maintenance and working on building some muscle.

You can definitely do it! Use a food scale, and log everything!

CSARdiver

44 and lost 38 lbs so far and I'm all sorts of messed up.

Oldbitcollector

44 and I'm on a 1&1/2 pound a week diet.. The scale today says, "YES! It can be done!"