question about weightlifting

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gabriellejayde
gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
History: I'm 50 years old. I've lost around 75lbs in the last 6 months and have gone from around 254 to 182 pounds. My goal is 150. I'm 5'4".

For medical reasons, I can't eat much at once but I'm eating around 1000-1200 calories a day and not doing a lot of cardio other than walking when I can (at lunchtime or the weekends). I have a desk job and a 2 hour drive to work. I'm not hungry (I mean, I get hungry, but then I eat. I'm not starving myself).

I'd like to join the gym at work and start lifting weights to either add muscle, or at least not lose more. My question is - is it possible on the amount of calories I'm consuming?

Replies

  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Yes, it will help retain muscle and you’ll get stronger. But you likely won’t build any new muscle. Be prepared for lifting to boost your appetite a bit too.

    FYI - I’m about your age, a few inches taller and have also lost 75#. Cheers!
  • davidylin
    davidylin Posts: 228 Member
    Of course you can lift weights. Start small, get a comfortable baseline first, see if you can keep it up for a week or so, then you can start adding reps and weight to see what you can handle. There's not much harm in under-doing it, but over-doing it can really set you back.
  • gabriellejayde
    gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
    nowine4me wrote: »
    Yes, it will help retain muscle and you’ll get stronger. But you likely won’t build any new muscle. Be prepared for lifting to boost your appetite a bit too.

    FYI - I’m about your age, a few inches taller and have also lost 75#. Cheers!

    Oh, awesome! thanks for the advice. I used to lift (a lot) and now I feel very weak. I'm sure it's a combination of low calorie eating and actual muscle loss.
    I've started doing some ab work at home to strengthen my core and it's tough, but I feel better for doing it.

  • LiftHeavyThings27105
    LiftHeavyThings27105 Posts: 2,086 Member
    Just wait until you get into the gym and start doing that three or four times a week! Yes, ma'am!
  • gabriellejayde
    gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
    CWShultz27105 wrote: »
    Just wait until you get into the gym and start doing that three or four times a week! Yes, ma'am!

    yes, I know... I've lifted before. :) (I was just eating much more when I did)
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