Free advice for the younger crowd
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AriesGal329
Posts: 236 Member
The older you get the harder it is. You've probably heard that, but it's REALLY harder to lose weight once you get to be 50, especially if you're a woman past menopause. When I was in my 20's and 30's, even my 40's losing weight wasn't that hard as long as I kept to my calorie count and worked out a couple times a week. Now even when I do that I don't lose. So..I have to work out more often and cut the calories back even further. My advice is get the weight off now before you are middle aged because it's a b*tch.
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And middle age comes faster than you can imagine. The years slip by, and before you can turn around, you're wondering where the time went.11
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Carriehelene wrote: »And middle age comes faster than you can imagine. The years slip by, and before you can turn around, you're wondering where the time went.
Amen to that!0 -
This isn't so much the age factor itself, but the fact that often older folks do not upkeep muscle which then lowers the necessary calories needed to sustain the body.
So the moral of the story is use it or you lose it. Strength training is not only important in maintaining muscle while losing weight, but it's important as you age for reasons such as muscle retention, maintaining strength in the bones, etc.19 -
Thank you. Currently in my 30's and appreciate the motivation to not let the time slip by before doing something. Just wanted you to know your advice does not fall on deaf ears.7
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I'm 49, peri-menopausal, and have lost 80 lbs since April 2015 and hit goal.
Unless 50 is some sort of magic number, CICO works at any age.12 -
lauragreenbaum148 wrote: »The older you get the harder it is. You've probably heard that, but it's REALLY harder to lose weight once you get to be 50, especially if you're a woman past menopause. When I was in my 20's and 30's, even my 40's losing weight wasn't that hard as long as I kept to my calorie count and worked out a couple times a week. Now even when I do that I don't lose. So..I have to work out more often and cut the calories back even further. My advice is get the weight off now before you are middle aged because it's a b*tch.
It's because you're more sedentary and have lost muscle mass ...that is why TDEE diminishes by about 100 calories per decade ..you also have more disposable income so more likely to consume more calories ..good food and fine wine
It's easily resolved by progressive resistance to avoid muscle loss / build lost muscle and not becoming a couch potato
It is not harder to lose weight due to hormones if calorie intake is appropriate, it might be harder to stick with the defecit due to hormonal affects on appetite but it's still about adherence
You can lose the weight at any stage in life if you choose to ...IMHO it's always harder when it's "now" ..there's always some excuse about your life "right now"12 -
thank you for the advice. I am 44 and trying to get this weight off for the last time and keep it off. I tend to find, the older I get the harder it is to loose it.1
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I haven't found age to be a problem.
I lost a LOT of weight when I was 25. That was incredibly hard. I lost about half that much a year ago (when I was 52) and found it to be much easier. I think the differences are that my appetite is less now and that I have more time to focus on myself than I did then, and in general my life is less stressful now. Experience and increased patience also helped.3 -
I am 30...and wish I would of done this younger1
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I'm 49, peri-menopausal, and have lost 80 lbs since April 2015 and hit goal.
Unless 50 is some sort of magic number, CICO works at any age.
Congrats on your great success! A point-I did not say it doesn't work...I said it's harder. I was encouraging younger people to get the weight off now and try to keep it off.2 -
I can't eat as much volume like I used to, but it's still CICO. As mentioned, many people as they age become less active too. I've kept up activity, so I've not had to drastically reduce. If I didn't want to reduce, then I'd have to exercise more to help offset it.
Age shouldn't be much of a deterrence though.
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Good thing I'm 23 then I guess...Lol1
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lauragreenbaum148 wrote: »The older you get the harder it is. You've probably heard that, but it's REALLY harder to lose weight once you get to be 50, especially if you're a woman past menopause. When I was in my 20's and 30's, even my 40's losing weight wasn't that hard as long as I kept to my calorie count and worked out a couple times a week. Now even when I do that I don't lose. So..I have to work out more often and cut the calories back even further. My advice is get the weight off now before you are middle aged because it's a b*tch.
This is a great post. I'd agree. The sooner you figure all this stuff out, the better. Learn to eat for a lifetime NOW.
And yes, it's a well researched FACT that menopause brings on insulin resistance in many women. Many otherwise healthy women, which can, of course, make it harder to keep the weight off and lose weight.5 -
lauragreenbaum148 wrote: »The older you get the harder it is. You've probably heard that, but it's REALLY harder to lose weight once you get to be 50, especially if you're a woman past menopause. When I was in my 20's and 30's, even my 40's losing weight wasn't that hard as long as I kept to my calorie count and worked out a couple times a week. Now even when I do that I don't lose. So..I have to work out more often and cut the calories back even further. My advice is get the weight off now before you are middle aged because it's a b*tch.
What do you feel stopped you from maintaining your weight in your 20's, 30's and 40's? What are you doing differently this time besides working out more and cutting more? Is the amount you have to lose about the same as in the past? Do you feel that you will be more likely to sustain your weight loss this time?
I'm 42 and have been losing and regaining since my mid 20's. It has actually seemed much easier to lose now that I am older. I think I am more balance, patient and have healthier goals.
When I was younger I didn't know how many calories I needed. I wasn't counting calories or doing sustainable things at all. I exercised to punish myself. I lost faster maybe because I did more extreme things but couldn't sustain them. I was impatient and frustrated a lot.4 -
There is a slowdown and I agree with your advice. I wish I had kept up my fitness through grad school and the first 8 years of my career. That said, we all can still lose weight and get very fit in our 40s, 50s, and beyond.1
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I agree that it is harder, but mainly because of the tendency to become more sedentary and lose muscle, as @Sued0nim stated. I started my program post-menopausal in February of this year. I found that the biggest thing that was holding me back was my lack of strength. I was pretty sedentary and constantly injuring myself when I tried to start exercising. I did PT-type exercises for about 5 weeks and THEN I was able to work the program as I should. I lost exactly one pound per week like clockwork. So I would say to the whippersnappers out there, don't stop moving when you get older!1
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thank you for the advice. I am 44 and trying to get this weight off for the last time and keep it off. I tend to find, the older I get the harder it is to loose it.
I'm 47, and have now lost just under/over 80 lbs (I fluctuate a pound or two every couple days)....it's hard work, and it takes patience and commitment, but it's very doable....I find the hardest part is just making my brain convince my *kitten* to move some days! That part is harder now than it was in my 20's and 30's!!0 -
I haven't found age to be a problem.
I lost a LOT of weight when I was 25. That was incredibly hard. I lost about half that much a year ago (when I was 52) and found it to be much easier. I think the differences are that my appetite is less now and that I have more time to focus on myself than I did then, and in general my life is less stressful now. Experience and increased patience also helped.
This, exactly...kids are all moved out, us mama's got more time to focus on ourselves, finally!3 -
CorneliusPhoton wrote: »I agree that it is harder, but mainly because of the tendency to become more sedentary and lose muscle, as @Sued0nim stated. I started my program post-menopausal in February of this year. I found that the biggest thing that was holding me back was my lack of strength. I was pretty sedentary and constantly injuring myself when I tried to start exercising. I did PT-type exercises for about 5 weeks and THEN I was able to work the program as I should. I lost exactly one pound per week like clockwork. So I would say to the whippersnappers out there, don't stop moving when you get older!
Thanks for having an open diary. I see you're doing some IF, and you're lower carb. Do you think either of those help?
I ask, because I am lower (not low) carb, and as menopause hit, I incorporated IF to help me maintain. (I've been in maintenance for 14 years, and hanging on to it by a thread with menopause lol). Does the lower carb, IF approach assist you, do you think? I think it does for me.
And YES! I love this comment! "Don't stop moving". I think the key is finding a way to move that you LIKE. And when/if you get bored, find another one. if you're lifting and get bored, find another weight bearing exercise.1
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