40 year old women and older who has lost 40 or more lbs - HOW THE HECK DID YOU DO IT???

STLBADGIRL

[quote="onthefitdisc;c-42157209" That said, the lie I told myself for a decade that I just couldn't lose weight because of my age was just that - a big lie. This is a commitment. To myself and my future. We can all do this![/quote]

@onthefitdisc I went to the doctor a year ago to have my blood work tested. I told myself "surely, I have a hormone issue, thyroid issue, or slow metabolism issue" When my "good" results came back, my doctor looked at me and said, "You're fine, YOU are eating too much!" That was eye opening to me, because I blamed no losing weight on everything else, except me. I was half azz doing this life style and blamed it on old age, my body is stubborn, what works for others didn't work for me, and the list goes on! So yes, commitment is key and I'm/we are worth it! Furthermore, excuses kills so many dreams!

envscuba

I just posted my story in success stories, see it there. I am 41 years old.

suncluster

I am 44 and restarting my weight loss journey. At 39, I lost 65 pounds by eating every meal, staying below my calories and starting a running program. Unfortunately, with my divorce I gained a bunch of it back. I am taking a slower approach this time just by walking more (rather than running) and eating only when I am hungry. I have found that my body naturally follows an intermittent fasting program where I only eat between 4 - 8pm.

brneydgrlie

I will be 47 next month. And, while I have not lost 40 lbs *yet* I am 5 lbs away. Should be there in another week or two, actually. :-) Started doing keto in March, and that is what's gotten me this far.

Previously, losing weight was a completely frustrating uphill battle. In my case, I knew it was to my benefit to do the low-carb thing because I have PCOS. So that's what I did, with calorie counting and exercise. Gave up many times, and thought maybe I was just destined to be fat, because I had to be really super restrictive with my carbs, calories, AND work out a minimum of 2 hours a day 6 days a week for the scale to even move down a little bit. For me, that was not sustainable. The results were not fantastic, given the amount of effort I was putting in, and I was still hungry ALL. THE. TIME. And because it wasn't sustainable, when I'd fall off the wagon I'd fall HARD - gaining back most of the weight I'd worked so arduously to lose in what felt like the blink of an eye.

But keto works for me, and I am actually enjoying the process for once! Adding in the fat that is the keto way of eating has made a tremendous difference! I'm not hungry all the time, so it's easier to keep my calories under control, and not be constantly thinking about food. And although I do exercise, I don't need to spend as much time on it, and it's easier to fit into my schedule. Now, 3+ months in, it seems my hormones have started to balance out, and my body is functioning more like it's supposed to. I've lost the amount of weight in less than 4 months that would previously have taken me a year - without the tears, aggravation, or self-loathing. And THIS time, even though I am only a third of the way to my goal, I can see myself making it there easily, and being able to maintain.

happyhiggins

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2015 & I began taking metformin to help with my symptoms & insulin resistance. I lost 48lbs over a year. I stopped taking the meds last year & unfortunately put all that weight back on. I just started taking the meds again & now I'm back to square one. I feel really crappy about. My weight is a struggle for me & I am hoping that maybe I can find some support from other women who also have PCOS.

STLBADGIRL

@suncluster @brneydgrlie @happyhiggins @envscuba - Thanks all for sharing your stories. We are all at different levels in our journey, but it's good to hear others stories and what works for them!

HDBKLM

bump

STLBADGIRL

I am considering my first 3D body scan. I want another way to compare weight loss, etc and gain a little bit more insight.

msmith404040

I'm 55, had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, have two jobs where I sit at a desk, I'm super sedentary, and don't exercise. I started out at 207 pounds and lost 48 pounds in six months counting my calories. I was so happy. I was very dedicated to sticking with it and had a goal of my nephews wedding to go to and didn't want to feel terrible in a dress. I'm certainly not at a goal weight and have about 40 more pounds to go.

It can be done! You can do it!! You have to really count your calories and be strong!

msmith404040

I decide on grocery day what I'll eat for the week so I have an idea what's going to go on during the week as far as my food. I pre-log my food each morning. When I was doing my best, if I went off track, I would go back in and log what I ate when I got off track. I also logged my weight in each morning. That was giving me good feedback on what I was eating and weighing and the consequences of my eating actions.

I eat a lot of steamed vegetables with nothing on them, which I happen to like. Super low in calories, like for zucchini and broccoli. You can eat big servings for low calories to get full for snacks.

I stocked up once during the week so I always had the food I needed on hand and wasn't tempted to order out.

I drank a lot of water.

I learned what real portion sizes were and learned to like them and be satisfied by them.

Just some quick things I did.

STLBADGIRL

msmith404040 wrote: »

I decide on grocery day what I'll eat for the week so I have an idea what's going to go on during the week as far as my food. I pre-log my food each morning. When I was doing my best, if I went off track, I would go back in and log what I ate when I got off track. I also logged my weight in each morning. That was giving me good feedback on what I was eating and weighing and the consequences of my eating actions.

I eat a lot of steamed vegetables with nothing on them, which I happen to like. Super low in calories, like for zucchini and broccoli. You can eat big servings for low calories to get full for snacks.

I stocked up once during the week so I always had the food I needed on hand and wasn't tempted to order out.

I drank a lot of water.

I learned what real portion sizes were and learned to like them and be satisfied by them.

Just some quick things I did.

@msmith404040 They wouldn't let me check, like, inspiring and insightful! Great tips. Thanks!

STLBADGIRL

hobbitses333 wrote: »

44 yrs old, morbidly obese with hypothyroidism...so far 34lbs gone since June 18 this year. My first time losing weight consistently without all the BS that is planted in our heads about how it "should" be hard and full of deprivation...

MFP set to 1 lb per week loss, 30 min. cardio or walking 3 to 5 days, resistance training 2 to 3 days a week. Sometimes I eat all the exercise calories back some times I don't.

Doing 16:8 IF. Most days I am a bit under my goal, a few days I've gone over. I look at the weekly total. I am lising weight eating around 1700 average cals per day most weeks..

I always overestimate portions when I am left guessing and unable to measure. Then I always underestimate exercise calorie burns. Good luck!

Great job!

sgriska

I am 52 and I have been heavy all my life, have lost 100+ lbs twice before through dieting but gained it all back within a couple years each time. Last October my mom had offered to pay for bariatric surgery because I was at 285 lbs (I’m 5’4”) and I started looking into it but was concerned about the long-term risks of nutritional deficiency and complications like intestinal blockages that wouldn’t be covered by insurance. My partner concurred, and said “Why don’t you give it one more try and just see where you can get with dieting by your birthday in March?” So I did, and I managed to lose ~60 lbs in five months with the help of My Fitness Pal.

Now it’s the end of August, and I’ve lost 124 lbs, down to 161. I figure I have between 20 and 35 lbs to go, but no idea because the last time I weighed in the zone the charts say I should I was pre-pubescent. But I do honestly have big bones and plenty of muscle, so the top of the normal range of ~140 should be good.

As for how I do it, I keep my daily calories around 1200, and I go walking every lunch for an hour if it’s not raining. And I budget for 50 calories worth of chocolate every night as a treat — just enough to look forward to and savor but not enough to cause me to binge. I find that now that my meal planning and tracking have become habitual, I don’t get cravings as bad. Eyes on the prize. And once I hit goal, I’ll switch to maintenance and keep right on tracking with MFP to keep me honest because I never wanna go back again.

AnnPT77

sgriska wrote: »

I am 52 and I have been heavy all my life, have lost 100+ lbs twice before through dieting but gained it all back within a couple years each time. Last October my mom had offered to pay for bariatric surgery because I was at 285 lbs (I’m 5’4”) and I started looking into it but was concerned about the long-term risks of nutritional deficiency and complications like intestinal blockages that wouldn’t be covered by insurance. My partner concurred, and said “Why don’t you give it one more try and just see where you can get with dieting by your birthday in March?” So I did, and I managed to lose ~60 lbs in five months with the help of My Fitness Pal.

Now it’s the end of August, and I’ve lost 124 lbs, down to 161. I figure I have between 20 and 35 lbs to go, but no idea because the last time I weighed in the zone the charts say I should I was pre-pubescent. But I do honestly have big bones and plenty of muscle, so the top of the normal range of ~140 should be good.

Wow - congrats: You're looking great! Nice work!

STLBADGIRL

sgriska wrote: »

I am 52 and I have been heavy all my life, have lost 100+ lbs twice before through dieting but gained it all back within a couple years each time. Last October my mom had offered to pay for bariatric surgery because I was at 285 lbs (I’m 5’4”) and I started looking into it but was concerned about the long-term risks of nutritional deficiency and complications like intestinal blockages that wouldn’t be covered by insurance. My partner concurred, and said “Why don’t you give it one more try and just see where you can get with dieting by your birthday in March?” So I did, and I managed to lose ~60 lbs in five months with the help of My Fitness Pal.

Now it’s the end of August, and I’ve lost 124 lbs, down to 161. I figure I have between 20 and 35 lbs to go, but no idea because the last time I weighed in the zone the charts say I should I was pre-pubescent. But I do honestly have big bones and plenty of muscle, so the top of the normal range of ~140 should be good.

As for how I do it, I keep my daily calories around 1200, and I go walking every lunch for an hour if it’s not raining. And I budget for 50 calories worth of chocolate every night as a treat — just enough to look forward to and savor but not enough to cause me to binge. I find that now that my meal planning and tracking have become habitual, I don’t get cravings as bad. Eyes on the prize. And once I hit goal, I’ll switch to maintenance and keep right on tracking with MFP to keep me honest because I never wanna go back again.

This is a pretty good testimony! Hard work and dedication pays off.

MsBaz2018

Very motivating. Recently turned 42

STLBADGIRL

MsBaz2018 wrote: »

Very motivating. Recently turned 42

You can do it!

HDBKLM

bump

STLBADGIRL

Lost almost 3 lbs last week. Been drinking lots of water, sticking to my meal prep meals (that I finally prepped), and have been eating nutritious meals! Doing it again this week. I know my issue, it's lack of commitment. I start off strong and lose the steam and repeat the cycle. Insane......sigh!