Over 40 year old weight loss

Timshel_

mhooge wrote: »

Or does anyone else over 40 have this problem too?

46, and I work harder and eat less just to lose and maintain. That is somewhat the nature of things, but loss happens over time. Keep at it.

professionalHobbyist

I'm 54. Lost 145 lbs of fat and added 20 lbs of muscle

It has been about 20 months.

I think you need to be very careful weighing everything. Digital scale and count cooking oil.

Do hard exercise. Not the so called fat burning low intensity stuff. If you can hit it hard... Hot it hard!

Lift weights. Compound lifts are good for you and increase bone density

I exercise hard for any age. Don't let being 40 slow you down.

This was my workout yesterday

Mouse_Potato

I'm 41 and I'm in the best shape of my life. Didn't start until I was almost 39. It's all about commitment.

Mischievous_Rascal

strong_curves wrote: »

When I first got to MFP I read this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

Following the guidelines in the first post I have lost weight.

Sigh...sometimes I wish reading this thread was part of the MFP signup requirements.

Lounmoun

mhooge wrote: »

Hi I'm 43 and struggling so hard with getting the scales to move. I track everything and I'm not seeing results. I picked up a copy of a book called Happy Hormones Slim Belly. Has anyone read it and used it? Or does anyone else over 40 have this problem too?

I started with MFP when I was 40 years and have lost 24.5 lbs. That is the most pounds and the easiest loss I have ever had in the 15 years I have been trying to lose weight. Some people say it is harder as we get older but that has not been my experience.
I just gave MFP my info, logged everything, stuck to my calorie goal and did some moderate exercise.

dcresider

When I was 40, I lost a good amount of weight through healthy eating (WW) some cardio. Now at 45, the weight came back and activity slowed down from December '14 - March '15, when I realized my gain. I started activity with doing heaving weights program (like heavy) StrongLifts and cardio.

Although I haven't lost weight as quickly, I am much stronger than before. I pretty much workout 5x a week (heavy weights M,W,F and cardio on T, Th, plus ride bike to and from work). This is the most active I've been ever so I'd like to believe that food portions are my downfall. I truly believe calories in vs. calories out. I just need to take my own advice.

Debmal77

strong_curves wrote: »

When I first got to MFP I read this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

Following the guidelines in the first post I have lost weight.

This is what you need to read. Speaking from experience. Hypothyroid and still losing weight. Yes and older.

imustdoit

Lounmoun wrote: »

mhooge wrote: »

Hi I'm 43 and struggling so hard with getting the scales to move. I track everything and I'm not seeing results. I picked up a copy of a book called Happy Hormones Slim Belly. Has anyone read it and used it? Or does anyone else over 40 have this problem too?

I started with MFP when I was 40 years and have lost 24.5 lbs. That is the most pounds and the easiest loss I have ever had in the 15 years I have been trying to lose weight. Some people say it is harder as we get older but that has not been my experience.
I just gave MFP my info, logged everything, stuck to my calorie goal and did some moderate exercise.

imustdoit

Hello...I'm44 yrs old and I am also having problems losing weight. I have read the posts on here and I think I will be increasing my daily exercise. I am only walking right now. 2 miles a day and still no results.

Sued0nim

imustdoit wrote: »

Hello...I'm44 yrs old and I am also having problems losing weight. I have read the posts on here and I think I will be increasing my daily exercise. I am only walking right now. 2 miles a day and still no results.

strong_curves wrote: »

When I first got to MFP I read this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

Following the guidelines in the first post I have lost weight.

Read this

Then read http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1

Kazzy1812

I'm 47 and have lost 72lb so far since January. I've done it by logging everything here and also cutting right back on the carbs. X

kristinels

I'm slightly conflicted over whether it's harder this time around or not. My first gut reaction was 'Hell YAH it's harder now!', but when I really consider it, perhaps not. I'm 44 now. I lost about 40 lbs over the course of 10-12 months when I was 33. Back then, I did WW (the old points system) and walked 1-2 miles a day 4-5 times a week. That's it. It worked. I kept it off for a pretty long time, but I eventually gained it all back +7lbs and started over using MFP this past February. That is to say - I also tried losing at a half-a-dozen different times over those 11 years as well by going back to the WW method. All subsequent WW attempts were not very successful. That's what convinced me I needed to track calories and excercise.

This time around, I am losing at about the same pace as I did in my early 30's and am on track to lose the 34 lbs I originally wanted to lose within about 34 weeks - so the rate of loss is pretty equivalent. However, I am finding that I need to be much more diligent in my logging than before. I weigh most of my solid foods (on occasion, I'm too rushed or lazy, so I do the 'eyeball'...) and measure liquids. And I am working out much more often and strenuously than I did in my 30's. I've also finally added in the hydration element (those pesky 8 glasses of water per day) that I never did in the past (even though WW also recommends it). So given just those things, which I was much more lackadaisical about in my 30's, it seems a bit "harder".

BUT - thanks to that increased activity through exercise, I feel like I'm in much better shape than I ever have in my life. I could not do a single push up (not even 'girly-style') when I started! Now I can do 23 in one minute. Did I really need it to lose? Maybe not. I originally did it because MFP only allowed me 1230 kcal a day and I really wanted to be able to eat more! Also - as rabbitjb mentioned - I watched my 90 year old grandmother sit for years on her couch at the end of her life, unable to get around and leave her own home - or even the room - without a major struggle. I don't want to experience that - I want to get myself fit now, before it's too late. In any case, at some point the exercise has morphed from something that I dreaded and did for more calories, into something I do now because I actually want to. I want to see what I'm capable of! So while it may seem like I'm having to work much harder this time, I'm better equipped to handle it now, and I think I'm reaping much more benefit from it than I did from the walking in my 30's. When I reach my goal weight, I really want to try lifting heavy. I'm working my way up to that - because I was so completely out of shape when I started... On the 'diet' front, I'm also actually eating what I want to eat and fitting it in to my calorie allotment (and trying - sometimes not so successfully - to hit my macros) whereas the first time I did 'fat-free' and 'sugar-free' and diet everything - and I pretty much gave up all sweet treats.

So all things considered - maybe not too much harder once I found what worked. It's worth it in any case OP - I hope you stick with it and find what works for you!

mhooge

Thanks everyone for you comments. I'm not giving up, it might just take longer. I will definitely be committed to measuring and weighing my foods. I think I'm going to stick to the "everything in moderation" theory and kick up my exercise a notch. Wish me luck!

Need2Exerc1se

imustdoit wrote: »

Hello...I'm44 yrs old and I am also having problems losing weight. I have read the posts on here and I think I will be increasing my daily exercise. I am only walking right now. 2 miles a day and still no results.

Walking is good exercise and will help increase your fitness. But you still must have a calorie deficit in order to lose weight.

shadowfax_c11

I'm 45 and have been doing CICO for about three months. I am down about 30 pounds so far and have not found it all that difficult. Using a food scale and being honest is a big key. I am sure it also helps that I lead a very physically active lifestyle so no need to worry about getting exercise into the equation. For me it really was as simple as tracking calories in vs out and maintaining a deficit.

Sued0nim

mhooge wrote: »

Thanks everyone for you comments. I'm not giving up, it might just take longer. I will definitely be committed to measuring and weighing my foods. I think I'm going to stick to the "everything in moderation" theory and kick up my exercise a notch. Wish me luck!

Not measuring ...don't use cups

Only weigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

cronus70

18 months into my weight loss plan and hitting 45 this year has seen me loose 72lb. Started with a WW style app before discovering MFP, there have been a few stutters along the way but diligently weighing everything and plenty of cardio have got me to pretty much my ideal weight. I'm now working on shedding the last bit of stray body fat with strength training although my preference is using high quality resistance bands to build strength and muscle. Everyone is different and will react differently to the extremes we exert on ours body's but I firmly believe willpower overcomes age, if you want it badly enough and dedicate yourself to the pursuit of your goal then it will happen. Never been fitter or happier about how I feel and look.

echmainfit619

I'm 53 and have lost 42 pounds since January. I've used nothing but MFP.

sharonrahmed

I am 45 years old and in peri-menopause. I have increased my exercise significantly over the past year and track my food intake. I am pre-diabetic as well and on medication for it, high BP, and high cholesterol. I have needed to lose 30 more pounds (previously lost 50+ over the course of 2 years) BUT keep gaining weight. I stay within my calorie intake (actually, below) eat a very well balanced diet (most of the time). I do some strength training but mainly cardio and I work out 5-6 times a week. Very frustrated, I've never had this much trouble getting weight off. I've read all the posts and haven't seen anything new that may help me--any suggestions??

Liftng4Lis

Didn't read all the responses, but are you using a food scale?

Sued0nim

sharonllane wrote: »

I am 45 years old and in peri-menopause. I have increased my exercise significantly over the past year and track my food intake. I am pre-diabetic as well and on medication for it, high BP, and high cholesterol. I have needed to lose 30 more pounds (previously lost 50+ over the course of 2 years) BUT keep gaining weight. I stay within my calorie intake (actually, below) eat a very well balanced diet (most of the time). I do some strength training but mainly cardio and I work out 5-6 times a week. Very frustrated, I've never had this much trouble getting weight off. I've read all the posts and haven't seen anything new that may help me--any suggestions??

Strength training? What do you do?

How are you measuring your food? If you open your diary we can have a look and see if there are any obvious logging issues if you like

rwhyte12

I think the second to last poster has a good point. The medicines people take around fortish slow down weightloss and speed up weight gain. I was on one years ago Elavil for sleep (though thank goodness) but it added forty pounds to my frame. Eventually I was able to go natural and get rid of this but I have to say the forty pounds are still there. It is similar with acid reflux medicine.

I also think that at a younger age, I could have lost weight just going to the gym once or twice a week. Now, it's like I need a repetitive exercise five or six times a week or the scale doesn't budge.

The dietician also pointed out that people need to eat the food fats at a 2 to 3 ratio to the unsaturated fats. So if you're eating fifty grams of fat a day, two thirds should be from good fats like olive oil. It took about a week once I started adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil to foods to see my stomach start to deflate. Good luck on your weight loss journey. Keep believing in yourself.

millie7275

rabbitjb wrote: »

I actually believe it's an excuse. I think for some it's harder to lose because they are less active and have less musculature

The answer is to move more and lift heavy as you eat to a calorie defecit

For others it's actually easier, once you get rid of the noise of the dieting industry and just have that to focus on ...calorie defecit and working on musculature.

<< lost 55lbs (and 20 years, and asthma meds) at 47

millie7275

What other outside factors do you have? Kids? Husband? S/O? Etc?

mhooge

I have a 16 year old and a 12 year old and a husband. I work full time and all house, cooking and cleaning is up to me. Does this help?

MKEgal

I started in JAN14 when I was 44.
Am doing well so far.
.


Someone on my friends list started in her 60's and has lost ~125 lb.

mhooge

Awesome! Good for you!

Sued0nim

millie7275 wrote: »

What other outside factors do you have? Kids? Husband? S/O? Etc?

@millie7275 I assume you were asking me as you quoted me. If you feel it relevant I have 2 children (14 and 11), a husband, a full time job, a dog, aged parents, one with failing mental health

FitQueen33

I am 43 and just starting back on my journey. I must say what saddens me the most is my tummy has never been this big before. I have no children and my partner asked me the other day if I was pregnant (not in a nasty way...a happy way. lol I wish! Then at least I'd have an excuse for a large tummy. I went back through my eating habits over a few months and realised I'd been eating so many carbs like rice, pasta and potatos. Bad carbs! Now I eat quinoa instead, I have at least 4 healthy smoothies a week and increased my greens to increase fibre. My tummy is slowly going down and I feel less bloated. Cooking with unrefined coconut oil is great too :-)