Just beyond middle age!

I’m looking for anyone who has very similar stats to myself so that we may support each other on our weight loss journey. That sounds a bit pompous (not me at all) and what I really mean, is there anyone out there who a.) lives in Britain (just so we know what food we’re talking about), b.) needs to lose multiple stones in weight and c.) is aged late sixties/early seventies.

I am actually 70 years of age and am sick of being fat. I’ve tried losing weight many, many times but have never succeeded in reaching my goal. I’m now just coming to the end of my eighth week watching calorie intake and am quite chuffed to say that I’ve lost around 1 stone 5 pounds. I started at 15st 11lbs and am now 14st 6lbs but I’m only 5ft 3ins so look a bit like Tweedledum or Tweedledee!
I do everything wrong e.g. don’t eat exercise calories back, don’t drink water (hate it), occasionally don’t eat anything like the 1200 calories that I’ve been told to eat and don’t exercise nearly enough due to pain in the old joints. I know, from past experience though, that I only lose weight by eating a comparatively small amount.

I don’t even know whether anyone of my great age can actually be slim again but I’m having a damn good try. Anyone similar?

Replies

  • CMNVA
    CMNVA Posts: 733 Member
    Well, I'm not similar as I'm 53, but I can relate the story of my mother.

    She finally retired at age 69 and was about 50 lbs overweight. She also had to have knee surgery. Once that was done, she decided to work on her weight. She basically cut her calories down to around 1200-1300 and just took walks. She's lost all her weight over a year and has kept it off another 2 years. It definitely can be done.
  • anniep07
    anniep07 Posts: 5 Member
    Wow, good for her. That gives me some encouragement too, thanks.
  • Ready2Getcut
    Ready2Getcut Posts: 68 Member
    edited August 2017
    My grandmother- who is now 98 years old and in good health- swam for nearly 50 years. She was a member of a "spa" as she called it ( In the 70's it was a Holiday Health Spa, and later became a Vic Tanny's, and so on..)

    Anyway, she had the same routine three times a week. She would swim several laps in the pool which was heated- and then get into the hot tub. The ladies who also swam there became a peer group for her.

    It was really gentle, healthy, almost no-impact exercise for her up until about 2 years ago. I would say that it has had much to do with her longevity.

    *She started in her 40's but you could start anytime
  • Goober1142
    Goober1142 Posts: 219 Member
    That's great! Good on you! It can definitely be done. Eat your spinach and kale sister!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,160 Member
    I lost 50+ pounds, down to a healthy weight, at age 59-60. A close friend lost around 35 (all she had to lose, not that she stalled) at around age 65.

    I think you can do this!

    Is your joint pain arthritic? Weight loss has very significantly reduced discomfort from mine. Gentle yoga, practiced regularly, helps some people with arthritic pain, too. (Don't worry, you won't be expected to twist yourself into pretzel shapes - LOL!)

  • anniep07
    anniep07 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks for the replies peeps. Swimming is a great idea but unfortunately, I can't swim and really don't like the water. It's a bit of a phobia. Hate spinach but quite like kale. Mostly I eat broccoli and carrots, they're my favourites. My joint pain is arthritic and I'm really hoping that I will get some relief when I've lost weight.