In my 40's it's so much harder!!!!

TK6299

Results are my motivation.

DebDesautels

Overweight by 30-40 pounds probably since my late 20's. While it's hard to have lost it in my mid-40's, I think the resolve is stronger because, let's face it, it's never going to get any easier and I think it's easier to stay focused and more disciplined. I'm only half-way there but feel confident that I've found a sustainable "happy place" and that my goals will be met by my self-imposed deadline of September, 2016 (when I'll be 47, gasp). It's easier to accept the whole it's-a-lifestyle-not-a-diet concept at this age and exercise some moderation.

lcottomsvcs

RoseTheWarrior wrote: »

I'm 47 and started this on Sept 1/15. I've lost 60 lbs. It honestly just takes persistence, patience, and a willingness to put in the work. I have no issues losing weight. Where I have issues is exercise. I have arthritis in my spine, degenerative disc disease, and hip pain. I'm keeping the makers of Tylenol in business. I'm also seeing a physiotherapist, chiropractor, and physician. Starting massage therapy as well. I want to get fit and strong, but THAT is where my struggle lies. As JeromeBarry1 said, make a plan, stick to it. The weight will come off.

Rose, A question: do you have access to a light yoga class? I have RA and have found more relief from my pain in yoga than in anything else. Not the over-the-top power yoga, but something slower, focused on stretching and breathing. The beauty of yoga is it can be personalized to your own practice, so if something hurts, you don't do it. That is where I started when I decided to increase my fitness, and I greatly look forward to my twice-a-week practice.

lorrpb

Harder is in your head. Mentally it can be easier to lose as we get older because we've lived with the weight longer, want to get rid of it more badly, know how to commit to a goal, are more aware of the health concerns, and just have more internal motivation. Forget all the chatter about whether or not it's harder. At my small fitness studio, I've earned a lot of respect from many younger people who've been bouncing up and down the same 10 pounds while I've dropped 135+.

At this point in life we have the experience & maturity to overcome obstacles and reach our goals. Lots of women have done it!

mamadon

I lost 118 pounds at age 50. I didn't find it difficult at all when I realized all I had to do was count calories and eat less than I burn.

RoseTheWarrior

lcottomsvcs wrote: »

RoseTheWarrior wrote: »

I'm 47 and started this on Sept 1/15. I've lost 60 lbs. It honestly just takes persistence, patience, and a willingness to put in the work. I have no issues losing weight. Where I have issues is exercise. I have arthritis in my spine, degenerative disc disease, and hip pain. I'm keeping the makers of Tylenol in business. I'm also seeing a physiotherapist, chiropractor, and physician. Starting massage therapy as well. I want to get fit and strong, but THAT is where my struggle lies. As JeromeBarry1 said, make a plan, stick to it. The weight will come off.

Rose, A question: do you have access to a light yoga class? I have RA and have found more relief from my pain in yoga than in anything else. Not the over-the-top power yoga, but something slower, focused on stretching and breathing. The beauty of yoga is it can be personalized to your own practice, so if something hurts, you don't do it. That is where I started when I decided to increase my fitness, and I greatly look forward to my twice-a-week practice.

I'll check it out! Thanks for the tip!

reyoflightphoto

Justdoitkelly wrote: »

45 here and finding it more difficult but I think I need to find something to motivate me and to stay disciplined as far as daily exercise. What does everyone use as motivation?

@Justdoitkelly - I use MFP to log all my food. Everything that goes into my mouth, that has calories, gets logged. I weigh everything I can too so it's as acurate as possible. I also have a Fitbit, which I LOVE!!! What does all this have to do with motivation? Well, I can only eat about 1500 calories a day if I just go about my day regularly. I want to eat more, so I exercise for more food. Exercise for me is the difference between just lean meats and veggies vs. bread with jam, whole pasta and maybe even some sauce with my lean meats and veggies. I also workout so I can indulge in bits of junk food. ;-)
Long story short, my motivation is FOOD!!! But I must say, I have realized that once I get up and move, and the more regularly I do it, the younger and better I feel. I am lovin it!! But I still crash in the exercise department from time to time. But I always stay under my calories, if at least for maintenance every day. I find the diet a lot easier when I exercise because I have more freedom to enjoy more variety.
BTW another thing that is important in my diet aside from just eat less calories than I burn is get 120g of protein because I lift.
You can friend me if you'd like encouragement.

mlstaubin

Hey lady! I'm 36 and lost 45 pounds in the last year. Would love to connect! Save me as a friend

got2befitnow

I'm 39 and decided last year that I am going to enter my 40's being healthier than I have been since I was 20. Yep, it took a lot longer than I thought it would. After 14 months I'm down 45 pounds and now working on toning. It may take a bit longer, but stick with it and your body will make the changes.

reyoflightphoto

Something to note though is it has to be a new way of life. You have to decide to make a lifetime commitment to better health. The work doesn't end at losing the weight or getting toned. If it does you go right back to square one. If you want to keep what you work for, you have to continue being mindful of what you eat, and you have to be willing to push yourself to keep moving for better health. This is not a trip with a destination, it's a new way of living. Now that I am living it, I must say, IT'S WELL WORTH IT!!! I don't want to go back.
The HelloHealthy blog on MFP had a quote in one of their posts that said "If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse." That is painfully true.

reyoflightphoto

You should check out californiagirl2012 on here. She is a great inspiration to me.

raindawg

I'm 49 and for me it's harder than in my 30's but no less achievable. It just takes longer and developing a patient attitude was key. Log diligently every day, hit your numbers, and as you see the weight start coming off it builds it's own momentum.

llbrixon

The 60's are even worse! So, get it right in the 40's!

tlcs68

Yes! I lost 50lbs about 7 years ago and now that I'm 47, I've hit a wall. It's so hard to take off now. Using MFP and counting calories this past week have given me hope, but it's still a struggle.

sanfromny

I'm 39 and this time around I'm finding it easier than ever before. Maybe cause as I'm getting older Ive learned to be more patient. Not to look for quick fixes and be dedicated. Sucking it up and buying a food scale a few months ago was the best decision I ever made because it is all about calories in/calories out. I was so used to my portions I didn't realized how grossly over estimated they were. I'm not in the gym 2-3hrs a day any more. I just eat the calories I'm allotted every day and try to get in as maybe steps a day as possible.

PhillyDDT

I've dropped 35 in over a year and really didn't try as hard as I could have. Now I am putting in the extra effort and the results are coming. I feel it's been harder than when I lots 75 in my 30s. Got another 40 I want to lose by year's end.

slimzandra

But just think. It's so much more worth it. When you are in your teens, 20s most everyone looks great. But when you are in your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and you still look great? Then you really stand out above your peers! Power on!

JeffFit70

I started at about 50 lbs heavier at 42. Just turned 46. Yes, there is less margin for error the older you get, but it is still compeltely doable.

Love seeing all the 40+ success stories.

giantrobot_powerlifting

I'm almost 45 and it can be harder. However, I have better resources to make it happen. And I make it happen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2LupsLlx1M

UpEarly

I lost weight and (more importantly) KEPT IT OFF for the first time in my life when I was 39. From the ages of 22 and 39 I roller-coastered anywhere between 150 and 235 pounds (I'm 5'9"). I'd say my average weight over those years was 205 pounds. When I was thin - I starved myself on 100 calories a day, I over-exercised, I ate cabbage soup, I did all kinds of crazy things. When I was fat - I ate and drank whatever I wanted with no attention to portions or total calories.

When I was 39, I decided that I didn't want to be fat and unfit at 40. So, I figured out my TDEE, made a modest calorie cut of 250 calories a day, and set out on a slow path to steady weight loss. All I did for exercise was plain old walking. It was the EASIEST thing I've ever done - even at 39 years old. The weight came off like clockwork. If I was honest with myself and accurate with my calorie counting, the 250/day cut allowed me to steadily lose .5 to 1 pound a week on average.

That was in 2011.

Now, five years later I still weigh right around 140-145 pounds - down from my start weight of 203. Losing weight was easy and maintaining has been pretty easy, too. I just had to commit and stay the course. I actually found losing weight to be easier at 39 than I did as a younger woman. I think it's mostly because I put all the crazy fads and 'dieting' aside and just focused on healthy food and portion control.

You can do it! Just make small changes and be patient.

robssexywife

45 and struggling to stay motivated...when I do loose a lb. Or two it seems to take forever. I believe stress is a huge part of it. Any ideas?
Due to financial problems I went back to work full time 2 yrs ago and have gained 35 lbs.
Still have money stress( hubby is self employed and not steady income at all) plus work all day and a cute15, 5 and 6 yr old kiddos that are my second job when I get home!!
People tell me if u r stressed you will never loose weight.....how can I get around this??

DoneWorking

sweetyedie wrote: »

Wait till you reach in your 60's.

You'll say your 40s were a piece of cake!

wrknonmedaily

I am 44 and it is so much harder then when I was younger. At 19 I was trim and toned and it took no time or effort to get there or in my 20's. My 30's got a little harder. I lost 40 pounds in 11 mouths when I was 41 but I worked a full time and a part time job. The part time job I cleaned 3-4 hours a night 5x's a week. I ate the same but who wouldn't lose mopping, bending, walking and lifting and dumping crap that many hours at 5x's a week. I am not trying to workout like that now. I have changed my eating and started moving now but it's so slow and on top of that I have stalled. I guess a little bit more effort needs to be put forth as we get older. SW 243 CW 227 GW 155.

Hjaye7512

I'm 40 as of December and it's so much harder agreed !!