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

MMaletto

WOW! I'm inspired. I'm 47 and recently lost 20lbs doing a wt loss challenge at my gym, But I have gained 10lbs back It's so hard to stay on track, but I'm trying... I love reading all of your stories very motivating

momar23

I am just about to turn 46 and I've lost 43lbs since January. We went on a trip and one day when I had 20k steps but was absolutely wiped out at 10pm I realized that if I want to do fun things and feel confident again I needed to make a change. I set myself up to lose 1lb a week and I eat back most of my exercise calories. I worked with a trainer for 6 weeks doing high intensity bodyweight workouts. My current exercise includes strength training, high intensity bodyweight workouts, walking, some cycling and I've recently started c25k. I have a sedentary job and I can easily get through a day with only 2-3k steps of I'm working from home. The workouts sound like a lot but most of them are 40-45 minutes. I get up for 10 minute walking breaks throughout the day and I am averaging 10k steps now.
I decided when I started that I was just going to make this as easy on myself as possible. No foods off limits, learning to make better choices most of the time so that I could enjoy a dinner out or icecream or whatever guilt free.
My goal was to lose 40lbs this year maybe 50 total, I'm on track to lose 55-60 this year. New goal is re-evaluate when I'm down to a healthy bmi and decide if I want to move to the middle of the range.
I'm super annoyed that I waited so long to do this.

Healthy_4_Life2

I am 46 years old. I have loss 60+ pounds. Yes, it's taken me a looooong 3 years to do it. I spent too much time listening others about do this or do that in regards to weight loss. What I have learned is that weight loss boil down to burning more calories than what you take in in regards to foods. I eat what I like, but moderation is the key. I don't do well with deprivation..... As a matter of fact, it makes me want the food more if I try to deprive myself. I don't believe in excuses. I get annoyed by people saying that they can't do this or that because.... We all have the same 24 hours in a day and what we do with is is up to us. I prioritize what's important to me and if that means getting up at 4:30 am to get my workout done. I have 4 kids, run my business, and was in graduate school until i graduated this past May. So I know what being busy is all about. When I have a bad day, I shrug it off and do better next day. Don't let an "off" day become an off week or off month. Think about what losing weight and gaining good health is to you. Use that as a driving force to push you daily. Congratulations on your progress, everyone!!!

MommyL2015

I just turned 44 last week and as of tomorrow morning, I will be logging my 40th pound! I am 5'1" short, started at 170 pounds and am now down to 130, with 10 pounds left that I'm looking to lose. I have 5 awesome kids ranging in age from 11-year-old twins to a 24 year old.

Only thing I do is eat at a deficit and walk on a treadmill. I try to do at least 3 miles a day, sometimes I do more or less though. I haven't deprived myself of anything.

I do occasionally go a bit over my calories (like today) but I don't consider that cheating. A girl needs her chocolate. It's one of my necessary food groups for survival.

FitRoberta

Short version of what worked for me: having accountability by meeting with a nurse practitioner every 2 to 3 weeks, whose area of expertise is weight loss to prevent/reverse disease.

Longer version:
I'm 46 and so far I've lost 20 pounds out of 50 that I need to lose. In the past I had never been overweight, and whenever my weight creeped up to the upper limit of my healthy weight range, I ate healthy and exercised back to the lower end of my range without too much trouble. But the past two years, I kept losing and gaining the same 5 pounds, well gaining MORE than 5 lbs. back. I kept thinking I could lose the weight on my own since I had done it before. But, I kept falling off track with eating well and exercise both. Eventually, I ended up overweight and almost medically obese, and my blood sugar tested as pre-diabetic, I had to admit that knowing what to do, and having done it in the past, were not helping me any longer. I admitted "defeat" (as if needing help is defeat!) and started meeting with a nurse practitioner who works with overweight people. I knew what to do, I just needed help sticking to it and this is exactly the accountability I needed to stay on track.

Also, I don't mean to minimize the value of the information I have gained from the nurse. He knows what he's talking about and I am following his advice, which I find to be medically/scientifically solid: calories in/calories out, move more, eat whole foods, avoid processed foods/empty calories.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

kashe69

I'm 46 and after my type 2 diagnosis I got serious and lost over 85 pounds. No big secret cico and exercise 6 times a week. Lifting has helped!
Add me as a friend to all

athenawj

I'm 45; I started when I was 43 at 212 pounds and now I'm at 158 and a size 8/10 (I'm 5'8"). Finally being back at a healthy weight and BMI feels fantastic! I gained back 9 pounds in the seven months after my mom died, but I've since taken that off and more, and only have 3 pounds to go. My motivation was how badly my joints hurt, and I couldn't take it anymore- couldn't imagine living the rest of my life that way with all that weight on my little bones. Plus, losing both my parents last year scared me. It wasn't weight-related issues that killed them, but they were both in their early sixties and it could have been prevented.

I researched, found MFP, began counting calories and doing cardio 5-6 times a week (first on a recumbent bike for five months, then I switched to walking aerobics with light weights). I found healthy foods and snacks that I liked, and made healthier versions of meals. Implemented more fruits and veggies and dairy into my diet (yogurt and cheese). I also used a digital kitchen scale and weighed my food- cutting down my portion sizes was a huge help! And there's a couple of days a week that I relax and go out to eat with my husband; it keeps me sane and I don't feel deprived.

It's really so simple. You can't let your age get in your way. I thought mine might be a factor until the weight started coming off right away! And kudos to all us women who've done it.

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Bump

sashayoung72

I'm 43 and down 69! I started really slow, no big do or die exercise routine. I did follow tons of people on instagram and just using this app counting my calories.

Shurmenator

You all have been so successful and I too believe calories in/calories out is the key along with moving more.

I'm just curious how many of you determined your daily calorie budget? There seems to be so many formulas. I once had a doctor tell me that the best formula is to multiple you goal weight by 10 and that should be your daily budget, MFP gives me 400-cals less, another 200-less. I know I can play around to see what works but was curious how others have determined their budget.

DawnUrbanski

I will be 49 next week. Started in Feb. 2015 and have lost 46 so far, goal is 9 more. Something just clicked for me. Bought and used a treadmill and logged all my food. Also use a pedometer. I found that completing my entry after dinner really stopped me from snacking. I am a very organized to do list kind of person, so this really helped me mentally. Good luck, you can do it!

nathalier71

43 and I've lost 50lbs. At first - walking my 10 000 steps a day and weighing and keeping track of everything I put in my mouth - no matter how small the bite was. Now, 2 years later, I still keep track of everything I eat - with sometimes a bite here and there. I still walk my 10 000 steps a day (I'm going on 600 consecutive days!) and I run every second day. You can do this!

vilmaes

I'll be 55 years old in a few weeks and so far I've lost 115 lbs. after a lifelong battle with obesity. It's taken me almost three years (mostly because I got stuck on a 16-month plateau), but I've finally succeeded. I still have another 30 lbs. to go but I have every confidence I'll get there. So many people have flocked to me who knew me as a 300-lb. woman wanting to know what I did and they tell me I've inspired them. Many urged me to start a blog and I recently created one. I detail my weight-loss journey in my blog: "blossomingvilma.blogspot.com"

NewLIFEstyle4ME

vilmaes wrote: »

I'll be 55 years old in a few weeks and so far I've lost 115 lbs. after a lifelong battle with obesity. It's taken me almost three years (mostly because I got stuck on a 16-month plateau), but I've finally succeeded. I still have another 30 lbs. to go but I have every confidence I'll get there. So many people have flocked to me who knew me as a 300-lb. woman wanting to know what I did and they tell me I've inspired them. Many urged me to start a blog and I recently created one. I detail my weight-loss journey in my blog: "blossomingvilma.blogspot.com"

Congratulation to you and each and everyone one the most excellent, hard-working winners that have posted success stories AND tips here on this thread--you girls rock, period. I choose you, because I took a gander at your blog page and "my goodness"....it's truly tremendous --just the few entries to your blog inspired me to come on here and let you know how wonderful of a writer you are---wow, reading your works are like a hard to put down most interesting novel, only better, because it's filled with a LOT of things that we women (and anyone really) are/may be/soon to be struggling with, in this blasted battle of the bulge, can learn A LOT from. Your writings are not just for people with weight issues though, anyone can learn some most valuable life lessons from your life's experiences. Kudos to you and thank you for posting your blog!

samthepanda

I'm 45 and have lost 70lbs. 2 months before my 40th I joined Slimming World, first time ever. I was over 14 stone, and feeling rubbish. I had had a bit of a shock when I was joking with hubby about things I could do with a 40 theme, and started to say if I lost 40lbs I'd be skinny, and then realised I would still be very overweight. I had always been overweight, but it had crept up and up over time. This time, for whatever reason it clicked and I could do it. I started exercising using my Wii fit, behind closed curtains, and slowly built up confidence to start exercising outside, and eventually joined a gym. I have kept the weight off for nearly 4 years now. I have 2 very active kids which are my motivation, and exercise is my special time when I can just concentrate on me.

azulvioleta6

STLBADGIRL wrote: »

Please tell me you story and feel free to add before and after pictures or suggest good meal ideas.

But I want to know how the heck did you do it. Was it following fit people on instagram, believing in yourself, tired of yourself, a personal trainer, what (LOL). I keep losing and gaining the same 4lbs and I get inspired by others successful stories. But I want to know what clicked for you and "how you did it"!

It doesn't matter what you believe, it matters what you DO.

I move, a lot, and track my food very precisely 95% of the time. I've lost nearly 100 pounds.

samthepanda

Don't do or eat things that you hate - you'll soon get resentful and give up. Make changes gradually.

mvogtle

Hey! I am 50 yrs old and have been doing MFP for a long time with no results. When I keep it at the limit of 1200 calories I never lose any weight! I have started a great program called Isagenix which helped me drop 15 last year, but broke my foot and gained it back. I am starting fresh tomorrow and need to lose 60 or more lbs!! I am going to continue with my Fitness pal at 1200 calories.. Hopefully I can lose!!

crazygooselady

49, and I have lost 35 of the 40 I want gone. What got me started and really working MFP was that I got Noro virus and was unable to eat much when I got well. Decided to use the reduced appetite as a starting point. But. It was still a mind adjustment.

I had to eat less. Smaller portions and no seconds. I felt hungry and told myself that was a good way to feel. I measured and weighed and counted everything. I lost the fastest when I ate only a small amount of my exercise back. I didn't exercise every day, but I try to do it most days. I pick foods that will make me feel full but don't have a lot of calories. Dinner is my big meal of the day.

I have been a member here for several years, but only lost weight when I got real about logging last February. Reading Success Stories helps to keep me motivated.

Machka9

STLBADGIRL wrote: »

Please tell me you story and feel free to add before and after pictures or suggest good meal ideas.

But I want to know how the heck did you do it. Was it following fit people on instagram, believing in yourself, tired of yourself, a personal trainer, what (LOL). I keep losing and gaining the same 4lbs and I get inspired by others successful stories. But I want to know what clicked for you and "how you did it"!

48 years old
46 lbs lost so far

How I did it ... I signed up for MFP. I entered my information into MFP. I selected sedentary as my activity level and that I wanted to lose 0.5 kg/week. MFP gave me a maximum calorie amount.

And then I spent the next 4 months staying under that amount by meticulously weighing, measuring and logging everything I eat. I eat a wider variety of food now than I did before ... and exercise helps because exercise gives me extra calories so that I don't feel deprived.

I reached my first goal mid-June, then went on holiday and took a break. When I returned about a month later, I decided to keep going because I knew I could. I'm closing in on my second goal now.

I talk about my progress in my blog ...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Machka9


January 2015: Before ... and actually, I gained a couple kg after that photo was taken and before I started with MFP




September 2015: Getting close to "after" ... I'm not quite at my goal yet.