I'm just tired that's all.

bobbi55

I've started a new diet every year for oh say 30 years. I've had success a couple of times. I'm 62 need to lose like 100lbs. I am just tired of the struggle. I am mentally fighting it. I know what to do I am just not very motivated, I do good for a month or so then find some excuse to go astray. Wow, very negative self talk. Can you ever make peace with food? Don't know. But I am beginning again.

CafeRacer808

I've found that surrounding myself with people who share similar health and weight loss goals, either in real life or virtually online, really helps me maintain my motivation. Trying to lose weight is a very personal endeavor and it can be a lonely experience. But it doesn't have to be.

middlehaitch

@bobbi55, welcome back .

I see you have been a member of MFP for a few years. This means you know how to count calories.
It is making it a habit, like brushing your teeth, washing your hands, that takes time. Once you get into it, and have good entries for your most commonly eaten foods, it becomes much more manageable.

Start by just logging what you eat. No deficit, just honest logging of your food- weighed with a digital scale.

Once you have done that for a couple of weeks start looking at what you eat, when you eat, why you eat, and what you can change.

Next, see how many calories you neeed to maintain, that will probably be a bit less than you are eating now, and make some small changes- this can be a smaller portion of food or switching out a high calorie salad dressing for a lower one.

After that make your deficit at .5 lbs a week, that is 250 calories a day less than your maintenance. Again make small changes.

Keep dropping your intake by .5 lbs a week until you are at a calorie level that you can live with (max 2 lbs a week) long term.

Don't exclude foods unless they are trigger foods, do include the things you love- even if you have to have a smaller portion or limit how many days they will fit into your goal.

Make it a happy experience. In your profile you talk about having a grand child, work that into the joy of weight loss. I love that I can roll around with my grandson, give him piggybacks, chase him around the park, etc etc and not have to worry.

You also mentioned aqua fit. Are you still doing it? If not, try to start back at it. It is a great workout offering cardio, resistance work, and improvements in balance, flexibility, and mobility. All good things as we age.
Walk too.

And remember to eat back at least a portion of your exercise calories (MFP is set up for you to do that- your deficit is in your base calories). Eating them back keeps your energy levels up and prevents lethargy.

Make sure you get plenty of protein too. MFP is a minimum. As we age we need ou protein for good bone and muscle health. (Aim for .8 of your ideal weight. Mid range for your height on a BMI calculator.

You have shown you have commitment and dedication by raising a family and holding the same job for over 3 decades, now apply that to this important endeavour - your health.

Sorry this was so long and sounds a little complicated. Take baby steps and stick with it- it is so worth it.

Cheers, h.
(I'm 63 )

MissBeeGonz

You have to take one day at time and not look at the big picture do small daily or hourly goals. Eventually it'll add up! Good luck!

bobbi55

All good advice. I had a good week. My church is doing a 21 day fast. So my goal is to stay on my eating plan and give up Soda for the 21 days.

brdnw

If it's important to you then just move forward with it...are those few pieces of chocolate or trips to mcdonalds really worth compromising your own happiness? Just be an adult and make responsible food choices.

middlehaitch

Excellent goal @bobbi55.

Glad your first weeks are going well.

Don't be surprised if, when you go back to drinking soda, you have lost the taste for it.
I was in Europe for 3 weeks when I first started losing weight and couldn't figure out how to order different sodas in 3-4 different languages so I would just order sparkling water- never went back to soda!
I was someone who loved soda and wouldn't touch water so I surprised everyone including myself.

I honestly think it was an accidental main contributor to my weight loss.

Cheers, h.

gfjazz

This is me I spotted this I am tired and jumped in
71 was energized but have a foot problem and pain
I am tired very tired traveled over holidays to keep kids happy but they just understand I am getting older

ImKaren768

Only advice I have been learning is...one bad meal or even one bad day shouldn't side track all your hard work. Dust off the bad day and keep going...

bobbi55

Thank you all for the great advice. I stayed on my eating plan the whole 21 days and more. I've lost 12lbs, I am starting to feel better. No soda pop and you were right really don't miss it. Onward to month 2.

dejavuohlala

Age is not a barrier I'm 69. What is a barrier is being impatient, this thing takes time and is somentho you need to do dayin day out. You will get there but not if you give up. Disinclined,patience,motivation and digital food scale are good combination of tools for the job. Good luck