Anyone over 55 and having a hard time?
Whitbygramgirl
Posts: 75 Member
Hi All - re the subject - I am over 55 and I'm having such a hard time sticking to this - I've only lost 5 lbs in the last month and a bit. I am having such difficulty in losing entirely! - I know that it is possible and can be harder as one ages - BUT- I need some suggestions - anyone?
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What exactly are having trouble with? 5 pounds in the last month is good, it means you are doing something right. Is your calorie deficit too steep? Height, weight and goal weight?1
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I agree with above poster that 5 pounds in a month is a great pace. In fact, if it feels hard, I'd aim to slow it down even further.1
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I am 55 would be thrilled to lose 5lbs in a month! I agree, it is a lot harder now...the weight comes off very slowly and I feel I'm working 3x as hard at it as ever before. But I think as long as you are losing you are doing great!2
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I started the end of May and have lost just under 23 pounds which averages about 6.5 pounds a month. Not as much as a lot of my younger friends but I'll definately take it. If you average 5 pounds a month, that's 60 pounds in a year! I just added excercise in the last month and the last couple weeks I lost a total of about 1.5 pounds. But since I started walking on the treadmill I have lost 2.5 inches in my waist.
I agree it's hard. More nights then not I don't want to go to the gym but then I figure I will just sit and watch tv. I can do that at the gym.
I am looking forward to new clothes this fall (that will only be used for this year as a year from now I intend for them not to fit). I have a long way to go and have no time limit on how long it takes to get there.4 -
Hi All - I guess I lost a lot in the first 2 weeks - (usually the case with me) - then I gained, then stayed the same and the same again! - just frustrating - Also I live with a sabateur! - Congratulations to all here that are losing - that's fantastic! - I guess I want things faster - I shouldn't - as I've been heavy/overweight all my life in various stages though. I was 174 when I was 15 and then lost 32 pounds! - I was still considered FAT! - Now, I would give anything to be 174! - You guys made me feel good! - thanks so much - MWAH!
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queenliz99 wrote: »What exactly are having trouble with? 5 pounds in the last month is good, it means you are doing something right. Is your calorie deficit too steep? Height, weight and goal weight?
I think I'm having problems with keeping the faith and keeping away from alcohol and munchie driven nights! - For the most part - I'm not drinking during the week - then I'm not drinking as much as I used to on the weekend - it's difficult to live with someone who just does it all - yet LOOKS healthy and fit
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Wickglamgirl wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »What exactly are having trouble with? 5 pounds in the last month is good, it means you are doing something right. Is your calorie deficit too steep? Height, weight and goal weight?
I think I'm having problems with keeping the faith and keeping away from alcohol and munchie driven nights! - For the most part - I'm not drinking during the week - then I'm not drinking as much as I used to on the weekend - it's difficult to live with someone who just does it all - yet LOOKS healthy and fit
My OH eats and drinks more than me - but he's a foot taller. I used to have wine with dinner but realized I'd be hungry if I tried to make those empty calories fit, so drink much more rarely now. I used to look at his glass of wine and want some for myself, but I'm over that now.
If I get sufficient protein during the day, I don't have uncontrollable munchies. I save whatever potentially problematic food we're having for after dinner, just weigh out a portion, and feel satisfied with that.1 -
I need help in loosing weight it's bin a struggle for me are you all in a strict diet or just portions and cutting away things? I am doing a 21 day fix exercise video for 21 days and cut out soda for ever and trying to say away from sugar anything else I should avoid? Please guide me girls I need to loose 70lb in total thank you.
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seriously 5 pounds a month is great, just keep going. Weight loss is not linear and will fluctuate over time. Just keep doing what you are doing and it will come down.1
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SarahiTorres89 wrote: »I need help in loosing weight it's bin a struggle for me are you all in a strict diet or just portions and cutting away things? I am doing a 21 day fix exercise video for 21 days and cut out soda for ever and trying to say away from sugar anything else I should avoid? Please guide me girls I need to loose 70lb in total thank you.
I don't cut out any foods.. there isn't any reason to cut out any foods. Just measure your food and know exactly how many calories you are taking in vs. burning. Get your body in a deficit and you will lose.2 -
Wickglamgirl wrote: »queenliz99 wrote: »What exactly are having trouble with? 5 pounds in the last month is good, it means you are doing something right. Is your calorie deficit too steep? Height, weight and goal weight?
I think I'm having problems with keeping the faith and keeping away from alcohol and munchie driven nights! - For the most part - I'm not drinking during the week - then I'm not drinking as much as I used to on the weekend - it's difficult to live with someone who just does it all - yet LOOKS healthy and fit
Oh you are keeping the faith just fine! It looks like there is a distraction in your house, we all may have had one of those at a time or two when we were dieting. LOL
You lost the first two weeks it sounds like cause you got down to the basics and perhaps lost water weight and maybe fat, but resumed some of the other normal alcohol and munchies with the OH?
I have to remember that the world around me is not always dieting when I am, and really they could care less per se, but really they don't have to.
You will have figure this out how to not let the environment around you sabotage your goals. I will not presume to know anything about your situation, so this will all come down to what you need to do mentally to work around this and stay the course?
Idea: maybe prelog the alchohol each day and eat your normal diet for the rest of the calories of the day. Strategize your weekends in advance and how you can relax a bit and enjoy these with you OH..1 -
My 22 and 23 yo sons live with me, talk about distractions. The oldest has the metabolism of a hummingbird and the youngest is 6-2. I keep snacks for them (mainly ones I won't eat) and they like my snacks. I am fortunate that they are supportive since I am watching carbs in addition to calories. But they eat what I do just more, plus I add additional sides for them.
Although the weight isn't coming off as fast as it did when I was younger, it truly hasn't been horribly. I took the opportunity to try lots of new recipes. The support here has been great also. The hard part for me is seeing all these friends who are losing weight faster, but I remind myself that their current day's logged may not reflect their entire journey, that they are mostly younger than I, might be more active and some have more to lose than I (and therefore would lose weight faster). But the important things are that weight lose is not linear and no two people are going to have the same weight loss, so comparisons can't be made.
OP, I would live to be 174, I think that was probably high school. It is a long way away, another 50 pounds. But if we stick to it, we will eventually get there.2 -
I understand the challenge, since I finally got serious at 54 years old and lost the weight. One thing that might help is to be sure you move a bit more. Exercise is no substitute for poor food choices, but I've found that when I hit the "sweet spot" of good food choices and plenty of movement, the results on the scale are usually good.
As others have said, 5lbs is gone and that's great. So just keep going! Best of luck.1 -
If you like eating at night, skip breakfasts or have only tiny breakfasts and lunches so that you can eat more at night.1
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wonderful ideas and advice! - Will try some of these and keep it going! xo1
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Something I've observed in myself.. is now that I'm older.. i feel at times like I'm just too tired to find the willpower and drive I used to have. it isn't like my body is broken.. i've just done the weight loss thing so many times before..it is sort of old hat. I think many people over 40 blame their age and don't really admit they move less..watch t.v. more..and are happy in their own skin as they get older.
So, in short, so i don't have vanity driving me like I did when i was single and younger. However.. I'm trying to tap into that one last time -- as i really work to get the weight off for good.4 -
DW lost 55 pounds at 58. She never lost more than 5 per month. You're doing great! Be bragging!1
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I have just started back on MFP and would be delighted if I could lose 5lb by next month. I am hoping for 5lb per month as a target. Be proud that you have achieved this and it is sustainable.0
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Agree with a lot of the previous posts. I also noticed it was a little less stressful once I started finding/creating meals and foods that will fit into my daily goal. The first couple of months were a giant roller coaster as I tried to find a strategy that worked for me. Just keep up the great work and be patient with yourself.1
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I will repeat this post I just made about 2 messages above this one:
Losing when older IS different. With age we have more maturity and the experience of setting a plan and sticking to it! We have the motivation of health, family, and a longer life, not just a bikini. Lots of older women here have lost tons of weight (literally!). Age is just a number, so don't let anyone convince you differently, especially yourself.
I'm 61. I started shortly after my 59th birthday and losing a dear friend to CHF. I believe at this point in life we have the experience, maturity, and motivation to stick to our commitments. For most of us, it's about far more than looking good in a bikini. It doesn't matter whether its "harder" to lose weight at this age. Menopause doesn't matter. Working, not working, having family, having medical issues, etc. doesn't "matter" for this journey
What matters is that you decide what you want, make a plan, set some good habits, and follow them day in and day out. Don't sit around waiting to "feel motivated." Just act on your plan and follow your new habits, the same way you brush your teeth and take a shower.
I don't think about whether I "feel motivated" before I fix my meal, go on a walk, or go to fitness class. I do it because that is my plan and my decision. I don't want to go back to where I was--I felt awful physically and mentally--and that's enough to keep me on track. It's not easy, but it can be done. I've done it and after 27 months I am only a few pounds from my goal.
My view is that it's not necessarily harder at "our age". If it's a little harder physically, it can be easier mentally. Maybe we are more committed because "doing it for health" means a lot more. We have the life experience to stick with our goals and commitments. What "other people" think doesn't affect us as much. The mental aspect of weight loss is the hard part, and we have lots of skills in that area. Younger women frequently ask me what I've done & how I stay motivated. So it's not like they have it figured out and it's a breeze. Sometimes I feel bad that I'm not faster or stronger in classes, then I have to remind myself that at age 61 I'm often the oldest there and I've made immense progress in 2+ years. In the end, it's my own progress that matters.
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 147.
I'd encourage you not to use age as an excuse. At this point in life we have the experience & maturity to overcome obstacles and reach our goals. Lots of women have done it!3 -
Amazing post ^^^ thank you.1
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Wickglamgirl wrote: »Hi All - re the subject - I am over 55 and I'm having such a hard time sticking to this - I've only lost 5 lbs in the last month and a bit. I am having such difficulty in losing entirely! - I know that it is possible and can be harder as one ages - BUT- I need some suggestions - anyone?
Set a weight loss goal that you can stick to for the long haul. A slow weight loss plan (like 0.5 pound per week) that you can actually stick to, is better than a super-aggressive plan (like 2 pounds per week) that is painful, causes "slips" by its very nature, and that you simply can't do consistently for the majority of days over a long period of time.
Weight loss should be a time to learn how to eat in a healthier way permanently, so you not only lose the weight, but know exactly how to keep it off, and enjoy life at the same time. Don't do anything while losing weight (other than a manageable calorie deficit) that you aren't willing to keep doing forever.
Just start logging your food, accurately, no matter what you eat, even if it's more than you intended to eat. Don't lie to yourself. Every few days, review your food diary. Which things "cost" more calories than they were worth, in terms of how nutritious, filling or delicious they were? Reduce or eliminate those things, substituting other foods you actually like that better meet your goals. Rinse and repeat - before you know it, you will have made sustainable, satisfying changes in your way of eating.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the timing & composition of your eating, within a healthy range, to figure out what works best for you (what's most satisfying and do-able).
Some people find protein filling, some need more fat to feel full, others do better with plenty of high-volume/low-calorie food (like fibrous veggies).
Some people need a big breakfast, others skip breakfast altogether. People succeed eating anything from 5 small meals daily, to one single big one, and everything in between. Some save calories with a small breakfast/lunch to have a big dinner or evening snacking; some eat their calories more evenly through the day.
Try variations in what & when you eat - see what works for you.elisa123gal wrote: »Something I've observed in myself.. is now that I'm older.. i feel at times like I'm just too tired to find the willpower and drive I used to have. it isn't like my body is broken.. i've just done the weight loss thing so many times before..it is sort of old hat. I think many people over 40 blame their age and don't really admit they move less..watch t.v. more..and are happy in their own skin as they get older.
So, in short, so i don't have vanity driving me like I did when i was single and younger. However.. I'm trying to tap into that one last time -- as i really work to get the weight off for good.
Yes to the bolded. The first and biggest thing is that we have to decide we are going to do this.
After that, it's pretty much what @lorrpb said above - just commit, and use those decades of self-knowledge.
And it's so worth it: At age 60, I'm 63 pounds down, at a weight I haven't seen since college. My formerly very high cholesterol & triglycerides are now solidly in the normal range. My pre-hypertensive blood pressure is now on the lower side of normal. (If you care, the actual numbers are on my MFP profile page.)
My bad knees (torn meniscus, arthritis) have gone from always uncomfortable/sometimes really painful, to occasionally uncomfortable. Where I used to lumber, I now darned near scamper. And in some really unspecific way, my overall sense of physical well-being has very noticeably improved . . . maybe it's the reduced inflammation - I really don't know.
You can do this.5 -
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