Metabolism over 50

panchita1963
panchita1963 Posts: 1 Member
in Motivation and Support
Good morning. I'm re joining my fitness pal after a while off. I'm going to try this again but now my metabolism is way off. I have not been able to lose weight and I've gained. I'm 53. Weigh 140. But want to avoid diabetes. Yesterday the program told me I didn't eat enough! Want to hear from people on what you are doing and how eating more can actually help me lose weight. Thanks!

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,972 Member
    You don't want to create TOO HIGH a deficit because that will reduce your metabolic rate even more. And your resting metabolic rate is where you burn the most body fat.
    Have you just restarted exercising? If so, weight gain is normal due to the body adjusting to the stress and also on muscle repair.
    Don't try to beat the system. Be adamant on how much you're supposed to eat, don't over estimate how much physical exercise you're doing and be consistent. Weight will reduce if you're doing these right.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • mactaffy428
    mactaffy428 Posts: 61 Member
    I'm 54, be 55 soon. It is not impossible to lose weight at our age. Unfortunately, I think it might be a bit harder because metabolism does slow down a little with age, but it is nowhere near impossible! I think you need to believe that you can do it; without that, I'm not sure you will be able to lose. I've lost 45 pounds from April to November and have been maintaining since then. If I can do it, I'm sure you can do it, too, but you have to BELIEVE it! Good luck.
  • dejavuohlala
    dejavuohlala Posts: 1,821 Member
    69 here and you can still lose weigh, it may Be slower but you need to stick with it and one day at a time. You can do this good luck
  • starfruit132
    starfruit132 Posts: 291 Member
    Hi, 54, thought the same thing. But, I stuck to the 1200 and ate half my exercise and it does come off. Lost 25 in 4 months. Still have about 8 to lose, but it does slow down. Stay strong.
  • tmbg1
    tmbg1 Posts: 1,433 Member
    I'm 51 and having a hard time losing any weight... Working out does help, though.
  • maynechik5321
    maynechik5321 Posts: 2 Member
    This is so helpful. I'm 53 and participating in a Diabetes Prevention program through my work before I have to. I'm 5'9" and my starting weight was 235 a week ago. Hoping to lose at least 16 pounds in 16 weeks but mostly I'm interested in increasing energy and stamina. I'm on a hormone inhibitor due to two cancer bouts, and medical menopause tanked my metabolism. Eventually, I'd like to get to a weight I'm comfortable with, which means a 70 lb weight loss. It's not going to happen without my metabolism increasing. Any suggestions and all support welcome! Thanks for listening.
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    I'm 72 and have metabolic syndrome ... so ,y metaolism really 'stinks' ,,, yet I have lost close to 40 pounds over the last few years. The larger issue I have is maintaining that loss and making inroads to losing more. I'm still working on that cause I'm only 1/ 4 - 1/3 of the way there yet to my target.

    Good luck on your journey, cause it's not a quick trip.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Well I am 64 and honestly...losing weight has not a problem for me if I stick to the plan and exercise. I try to eat between 1330 - 1580. Less on days that I don't move and more on days that I get my behind out the door. This month I have averaged losing 2lbs a week. Which is more than what I intended.

    If I take a day off from weight loss I try to stay at 1850 which is maintenance for me.

  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,320 Member
    I could be remembering incorrectly, but most of the metabolic slow down as people age is because of decreased muscle mass.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,972 Member
    rileysowner wrote: »
    I could be remembering incorrectly, but most of the metabolic slow down as people age is because of decreased muscle mass.
    Well there's a reduction in testosterone and HGH too. These 2 are anabolic in nature.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    All kinds of things happen to us older people...things just don't work the way that they used to. However...

    I think that if we understand this and make adjustments that we can counteract some of these obstacles.

    We assume that since we are older that we can get by on 1200 calories but I think that by eating so low that we end up hurting ourselves more. We have been told for so long that is all that we can eat and lose weight that we just assume that is all that we can eat. I have found that a diet where I meet all of my nutrients is much more important now than it was when I was younger. That is much more difficult to do when you are eating only 1200 calories. I need more now to fuel my activities because there are days when it takes a lot of energy just to move.

    As far as calorie burn...yea we might not can do some things but there is still plenty that we can do if we put our minds to it. I walk instead of run...I do resistance training but I will never lift "heavy". I can jog in place instead of doing some video called Insanity.

    I will say this...I have no problems losing weight but nor do I have problems gaining weight. If I don't watch how much I eat...if I quit moving...then I put weight back on quickly. Is that due to low metabolism...maybe...but if I know that then I also know what it takes to overcome that.

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