Day one! Anybody over 50 here?

PalValerie

Hello everybody I'm trying to learn how to use this software and discover if it would be a good tool I have no idea if this will post just wanted to say to everybody good luck and was wondering if anybody on this app is 50 +? I am trying to lose 30 lbs I've gained in The Last 5 Years yikes! I have never had a weight problem in my entire life but it seems I've been a bit too busy and not focused on my health as much as I have in the past life has been busy
these last few years anybody else in this boat?

SueSueDio

Nope, no one... it's all young people trying to get off with each other in the social sections...



Just kidding - there are loads of us over 50! This is an excellent tool, if you use it right. But it's just that - a tool. You also need to be willing to put in some time and effort at the start, to learn how it works and to build up a log of foods and recipes that you eat regularly. It really helps to make logging faster in the future if you get some good entries in your list.

I joined MFP when I was 50 and obese. My weight had slowly crept up over the years, and I was one of those people who believed I was "destined to be fat" and that I'd have to deprive myself of food I liked and spend hours in the gym to lose weight. I didn't want to do that, so I stayed fat. Then a good friend introduced me to this site - he'd actually been trying to gently encourage me for 2-3 years, knowing that I was unhappy with my size, but I wasn't ready to give it a shot until I was laid off from my job and needed a focus!

It's been a slow process, for me, but it's working. I started at around 220lbs, and lost close to 50 in my first year. I lost another 20 or so in the second year, and was down to 145 last summer. Then I gained a few back over a winter of eating comfort foods and being stressed at work, so I'm hovering around 152-154 right now. The thing is, I understand now why this has happened, and I know how to fix it. A few years ago I would have thrown up my hands in despair and eaten all the things, convinced that I couldn't do it. (And in fact I pretty much did do that, about 10 years ago - lost 25lbs and then let it all creep back on through not being mindful.)

It's not always easy, but it is definitely possible. Don't make it harder for yourself by cutting out certain food groups or trying to follow a specific "diet"/way of eating, unless it's something that really appeals to you or you have allergies/sensitivities. Try to find something you can stick to, because you're going to have to watch what you eat for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight off! (Not necessarily counting calories and logging forever, but at least being aware of portion sizes and so on and reining it in if you start gaining.)

Age isn't a barrier to losing weight - anyone can do it, if they just eat a bit less than their current body needs. Be honest with yourself, weigh everything (not measuring cups - use a food scale), and log it all, even when you go over your goal. Start with small changes and build from there.

I wish you success!

(By the way, I was in perimenopause when I started this too - that doesn't make a difference either.)


EDIT: Read the stickied forum threads too, lots of good info there. This is an excellent one to get you up and running:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

mkculs

Hi! I was here last year and got side tracked after losing 20 lbs--I lost a few more, then recently started to creep back up again. It's not easy, but it is simple--take in fewer calories than your body needs each day/week.

I may try some different things this time around; maybe not. All I know is that I need to get back to it. I love jogging and my knees got sore when I used a treadmill this winter-I'm still working to rehab them safely. But my 60 year old body needs me to lighten its load--literally. So, here I go.

Feel free to friend me if you choose, and good luck.

campbellplb7504

I’m going to be 65 next month, and I have really enjoyed using MFP. Soon I will reach my goal, and I am wondering how I will transition into maintaining, and more importantly, how to do so without weighing and measuring all my food!

eaglesan47

I am going to turn 61 next week and I've been dabbling with MFP for a few months. I was a WW member last year and have lost 75 pounds. They wanted me to lose another 25 to hit "goal" and I was not comfortable with that....and I'd have to keep paying. So I let my membership go, but have continued to maintain my current weight. Finally had my appointment with my Dr. and talked to her about where I should be. She told me she'd only like me to lose 5 pounds more, but she'd give me a letter if I wanted to go back to WW. I told her no, that I learned what I can from the program, and will continue to follow those lessons and use another application to track. So, I am going to get back to square one today and track everything. I've reached the point where I need to count calories, not WW points, in order to get more weight off. I also need to get my activity back to where I am doing AT LEAST 30 minutes a day of something.......today I walked all three of our dogs separately for 1 mile each. They are exhausted and I am energized! Good luck on your journey!

nwnightowl206

I'm 55 and started this back in January, close to 30 pounds gone, I love MFP, another 4 pounds and I will be lower than I have been in about 15 years, it has worked well for me, I hope you find you like, I really enjoy hearing all the stories in the forums, they are very motivating. Best wishes.

pjwrt

Yep, I'm almost 62. 178 lbs, 14% body fat, 130lbs/set curls, 400lb sets deadlifts. Walk 6 miles round trip to the gym on my days off and not pouring rain...

This is a good diet tool. Very good.

chewycat315

Hi all! I’m over 50 and just started today. I gained a ton of weight due to medications, then lost almost 80lbs in a year because of illness and long term hospitalization. Once I was home and started eating all the bad foods they don’t serve you in the hospital, it quickly all came back. I’m so angry and disappointed with myself for not eating healthy and making good choices to keep the weight off. I hate the way I look and don’t really even want to leave the house. A friend of mine does keto and I considered it but I feel it’s too restrictive so I’m giving this a try. Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome!

dejavuohlala

50 and some! Like 71. Age doesn't matter you can do this. Good luck

LeeBo_Photo

50 1/2 here. You got this. Lots of support here too.

JMT5712

52 and on the journey. Enjoy the wins and your knees will too!

machchic

Lost 45 pounds on MFP a few years ago, wow 2012 to be exact. Over past 3 years weight has creeped back up. Need to lose 20 pounds to get back there. I am 51

JMT5712

Good luck with it! Make it fun and it is easier🤪