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

agbmom556

Thank you for the encouraging weight loss testimonies. I am in my early 40s and started taking my health seriously last year when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is in remission and I am still working on my health. 20 pounds down and 25 more to go.

TBeverly49

Where have you all been hiding? Zichab: I have a site on garmin called Walkers from Washington. You more that welcome to join us.

PatriciaAnneDavies

I was 48/49 and my weight was going up and up. I went from 11 stone to over 13 stone and it was rising. Nothing I did would stop the weight gain and I thought it was my age and hormonal. Then I got a salivary gland stone and a bad infection in the gland and eating became very painful so I lived on soup and soft things for a month until it settled down. I lost 14lb that month and realised that I COULD lose weight. I kept up that diet and started to excercise and got down to 9 stone 12lb.
I had to have the gland out so that problem will never recur...but it was that which sparked it off.
I am 53 now and putting it back on again and have to watch it so I have joined this group...I am really glad to have found it.

vicky1947mfp

PatriciaAnneDavies wrote: »

I was 48/49 and my weight was going up and up. I went from 11 stone to over 13 stone and it was rising. Nothing I did would stop the weight gain and I thought it was my age and hormonal. Then I got a salivary gland stone and a bad infection in the gland and eating became very painful so I lived on soup and soft things for a month until it settled down. I lost 14lb that month and realised that I COULD lose weight. I kept up that diet and started to excercise and got down to 9 stone 12lb.
I had to have the gland out so that problem will never recur...but it was that which sparked it off.
I am 53 now and putting it back on again and have to watch it so I have joined this group...I am really glad to have found it.

Good luck here Patricia. You will find such good support. Just find some of the great supportive groups and log in every day. You will do it if you want it.

Yoshirio

I am 42 and have lost 79 pounds so far. All I have done is eaten at a deficit and walk every day. I just recently started strength training,but all of my loss so far is simply just from walking three miles a day and eating anything I want within my calorie goals. Nothing crazy,so far so good.

Angief05

I am almost 52 years old. This past year has been life changing for me. A bit of my story first. In 2009 I was my heaviest ever at 263 lbs, I am 5'4", so very obese. We went to a friends wedding and when I saw a picture of myself after I was disgusted with myself. I don't know how I let myself get to that point, but that was my "ahah" moment. I got a fun workout program from my daughter called Turbo Jam, at first I could only get through 10 min a day but soon was doing 45 mins. A day. I lost 40 lbs in no time. Then my world crashed at the death of my Mom and I spiraled again. I put some of the weight back on. Fast forward now. So Sept 2015 I decided enough was enough. I met a husband and wife on mfp that literally have changed my life. They belonged to an amazing online fitness team that I joined. They have helped me a long with other coaches and a fitness group of over 2000 members now. This past year I have lost just over 65 lbs . I still have another 25 lbs to lose. With that being said half way thru the year I started going through menopause and my losses slowed down,but with the help of our great group I learned how to adjust my eating and I am again loosing. So, you see it is possible for anyone to lose weight if they have the right help and tools to succeed. I would love to help anyone that is looking for help and advice.please don't hesitate to send me a message if you would like to learn more.

LaceyBirds

LaceyBirds wrote: »

I started reading the Success Stories thread every single morning, and now have several other threads that I find motivational bookmarked and read those too . . . I'm down a total of 51 pounds, 30 of those since starting MFP. I have 44 pounds left to my goal . . .

My own quote from 9-26 above. I just wanted to add that this has now become one of my inspirational threads that I read every morning, so thanks to the ladies who continue to add their stories to it. As of yesterday, I'm down 55 pounds with 40 left to go.

STLBADGIRL

Bump

STLBADGIRL

bump

TBeverly49

I am 66. I weight 278 in Jan 2012. I lost 60 pounds in the summer of 2012 getting prepared for a sprint triathlon. nd going to WW. After the triathlon, I went back to the standard american diet (SAD). I slowly started putting it back on. By April 2015, I had gained 35 pounds back and my doc said enough is enough! She needs to treat me for metabolic syndrome. She put me on a macro diet of 60 grams of carbs or less, 60 grams or more of fat and 140 g of protein. to help keep my lean muscle mass. I currently weigh 197 pounds which is 81 lbs weight loss in total. I still have 50 pounds to go.

skinnygirldc

I'm 44 and have found Weight Watchers really helpful. It is much harder for me to lose weight than it used to be, and I have to track my food intake religiously, but with WW I've been able to do it. I just couldn't seem to take off the last 10 lbs through MFP and calorie counting alone. I think having the weekly weigh-in in a public place really helps.

2manyhats

Loving this thread. You are all amazing!

FitOldMomma

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"!

I'm almost 59 and I've lost 89 pounds in 18 months. The way I've done this is just to make small changes until they became a habit and kept adding to my list of small changes. My very best habit is logging EVERY bite of food in my food diary. The second best change was to make it a goal to be active every single day.

I have a small group of dedicated MFP friends. I sought out those who'd been here for quite awhile and were being successful in both losing weight and keeping it off. They have been a HUGE part of my success.

FitOldMomma

Shurmenator wrote: »

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.

I've heard that formula too, but it really depends on your activity level. If I ate at 10 x my weight I'd just maintain my current weight. I've used the MFP formula the entire time, with the exception of the exercise calories they allot- often they seem extremely too high. I rely on my Fitbit for exercise calories.

mamadon

FitOldMomma wrote: »

Shurmenator wrote: »

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.

I've heard that formula too, but it really depends on your activity level. If I ate at 10 x my weight I'd just maintain my current weight. I've used the MFP formula the entire time, with the exception of the exercise calories they allot- often they seem extremely too high. I rely on my Fitbit for exercise calories.

I had to play around with my calories for awhile, but ultimately it was pretty close to the calories that my fitbit gives me.

tomatoey

leecha2014 wrote: »

Hi there. I'm 43 and have lost 68 lbs and still going. First, I never focus or think about my age. Don't let that be a barrier.

I'm not yet 40, but it's coming, and I'm not 100% ok with it. I would love to know how to get it out of your head.

kymbeez

I started out doing paleo, my family lost 60# as a whole...but I wanted more so I switched us to whole 30. Not only have I lost 31 pounds, but being a diabetic that was on pills and insulin, I'm know off my medications! This is huge for me....it's hard for me to lose weight, always has been but this works for me,

STLBADGIRL

kymbeez wrote: »

I started out doing paleo, my family lost 60# as a whole...but I wanted more so I switched us to whole 30. Not only have I lost 31 pounds, but being a diabetic that was on pills and insulin, I'm know off my medications! This is huge for me....it's hard for me to lose weight, always has been but this works for me,

Wow. Totally amazing.

Unknown

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tesemarie

I'm 41. I've lost just over 58 lbs in 8 months. I keep my calories between 1200 and 1300ish, wear a Fitbit and try to get in the 10000 steps, walk 3-4 times a week (usually 3-4 miles) and jog as much of that as I can on the days my body wants to allow that . I have found that getting my mind healthy about food and the place it holds in my life was the most important thing. Choosing health over immediate gratification and taste is most of the battle. I have 17 lbs left until I am at goal and now weigh less than I did in the 9th grade. I have never been able to stick to a health and fitness plan before now because I was trying to do the physical work without the mental work. Make a list of why you want to be healthy and read it often.

AnnPT77

tomatoey wrote: »

I'm not yet 40, but it's coming, and I'm not 100% ok with it. I would love to know how to get it out of your head.

I'll be 60 in a couple of weeks, and am very happy that that's so.

Without meaning to be at all snarky (just honest), the way I got age anxiety out of my head was accidental: I became first a cancer widow (he was 45, I was 42), then a cancer survivor (of stage III, i.e., quite advanced, breast cancer at 44).

Some of the "side effects" of aging kinda stink, but I'm happy and grateful for every birthday. Without modern medicine (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) I'd be dead by now, I'm convinced. Alive is a better start on the rest of my day.

But I don't recommend my strategy for being happy with aging to others!

Potentially more generally useful: I have some friends who are older than I (i.e., in their 80s), who are active and vibrant. I admire them. I want to be just like them when I grow up.

winifredtigerlily wrote: »

(some snipped)
I know metabolism slows down with menopause (I remember reading something like 100 calories per decade) but I think my experience has been that I was just kidding myself about my food intake, . . . .
(more snipped)

I've been reading that the menopausal/aging slowdown may be at least partly related to loss of muscle loss, a factor that is partially under our control, assuming we are otherwise at least somewhat healthy and able to move.

gummibear64

Very inspiring!

viperbrick

I'm 44 and I've lost 58 lbs since May. I saw an obesity doctor, he recommended 1200 calories a day for me (I was 5'6", 258 lbs), I found a great boot camp that I enjoy attending. No food is off limits, there are no tricks to metabolism or what time of day I eat - I just practice CICO, it simply and honestly works. Just take a leap of faith and try it - don't worry about your age or menopause or anything - just log everything and be honest with yourself. Congratulations and best wishes, your life is about to change.

STLBADGIRL

You all have inspired me so that I have tightened up and really started calculated CICO along with my workouts. The scale is finally my friend again. I was telling myself that I wasn't losing because I was lifting. That was so much BS! Yes, that can occur but it the weight will not stall for long periods of time! I'm down to 178 coming from 192 lbs. I'm doing my happy dance. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!!!!

Please continue to post your stories. YOu have no idea of the others that you are freeing.... because boy, do I feel free!!!!

lilyrunner

Hi I am 58, and I have lost almost 80 pounds. Patience. Lol. It has taken me three years to get healthy. I do think it is tougher for women over 40, 50 and more to lose weight. But it can be done. Be active and embrace a healthy lifestyle.

kmleaf

I am turning 60 in February. I started out typing that I am 59, which is true, but I figured I better get used to the look and feel of the new number.

I have had a weight issue since puberty and have had some really good success with different weight loss programs in the distant past but always put the weight back on plus more. I had gotten to a new "high" over the years. In fact, I was a pie shy of 300 lbs (and only 5'2") 7 months ago. I couldn't walk from one end of my house to the other without getting winded. I was getting pretty scared and rightfully so. I'm sure a heart attack was looming.

I told myself a lot of lies. That the reason I couldn't do many physical things was because of aging. That the reason my back and joints ached was because of aging. That I shouldn't even THINK about trying to lose weight because it would be too difficult...because of my age. If I'm being really truthful, I was just waiting to die. 59 years old and waiting to die. It makes me cry when I think about where I was at physically and mentally.

I credit my 30 year old son with getting me on the right road. I had watched him lose over 250 pounds by counting calories using MFP. He had no surgery until this past June and that was to remove his excess skin. He told me that he was worried about me and I had to confess that I was worried about me also. He got me signed up on MFP and showed me how to use it. I was reluctant but I promised him to give it a try.

Today I am down 77 lbs and it feels wonderful. I still have a long way to go but I'm almost half way there and each day brings a new surprise. Like finding out that bones lurk beneath the melting fat. I have lost my fear of climbing ladders and restaurant booths. I don't have to make a grunting noise when I bend over and I can get up off the floor without assistance. I can wear heels again!! There are countless wonders and joys and I am no longer waiting to die.

So far, I have only been counting calories and eating healthy foods. I'm sure that I will add exercise soon. I admit that I have been dragging my feet about adding exercise but I am certainly much more active now. I have been just as successful so far with only counting calories as I was when I was 35 and "on program" that included an hour workout 6 days a week. I'm not saying that exercise isn't important or healthy - just that you can still see great results without busting your butt at the gym.

I wholeheartedly agree with other posters when they say don't think about the age. There is no reason, unless you want to lie to yourself.

Carnhot

I am 52. Since the beginning of March I have lost 55 lb through tracking what I eat and making sure I stay in deficit. I walk a lot, do lots of cardio at the gym and see a PT weekl for strength/resistance/ core work. Now I am trying to maintain, I am changing my strength / cardio balance. Be honest, trust the process and it will happen.

christyprunner

Went to dr yesterday.
Working on getting some sleep... I can't stay asleep at night. I have restless legs and other. No sleep could be contributing to no weight loss. So keeping on logging here and now working on sleep.

dcresider

Great job everyone. You guys are inspiring. I'm 45 and feeling a bit frustrated as I gained some weight last year and don't want it to happen again this Winter. I lost quite a bit 5 years ago but it seems something has slowed the weight loss down. I'm fairly active but my diet is all over the place even when I follow my macros. My motivation is to lose about 5-10 lbs. by mid-January since I have a Hawaii trip planned.

medicrenee

Stay motivated Hawaii trip is planned for 2017. hope to loose 30 by then and be shaped up toned..