Finally getting fit just in time for 50!

KateGetsfitfor50
KateGetsfitfor50 Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I was a sparkpeople pro and lost weight years ago there; then I had kids. First one was fine,healthy me routines allowed me to get right back to my ideal weight. Second one didn't sleep. For 8 years. For real. I spent 8 years not sleeping, not taking care of myself, barely surviving. He's 10 now - he sleeps, I sleep, but the habits that went out the window I have not found my way back to. I still am eatting like a sleep-deprived, over tired exhausted momma. I deserve more, my kids deserve more and I want to be energized, full of vitality and do all the things. That milestone midcentury birthday is on the horizon; the scale this AM hit an all-time high. Time to figure this out. The plan is to move and lean into healthier eatting. Intermittent fasting has worked for me but sticking to it has been a challenge (I like 5:2) so that's it. I'll track my calories in and check those boxes for daily accountability. I've got 7 months till the big birthday so I'll keep that shining goal in mind to help me through rough moments; but really its being a full of energy momma and someday grandmama that I'm really chasing.
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  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,669 Member
    Welcome to MFP! I think there may still be some other former Sparkpeople folks here - there used to be, anyway. (I'm not one of them. I'm an old MFP-er, in maintenance, joined in 2015.)

    I started being routinely active around the age you are now, after being very sedentary most of my adult life. That was right after full-bore cancer treatment, so I was pretty physically depleted. Honestly, I was surprised at how much fitness progress I made in a few months, let alone a few years . . . just from gradually and manageably increasing my activity level (either duration, frequency, intensity or type of activity).

    Unfortunately, I wasn't as smart as you're being here: I stayed overweight/obese for another dozen years, despite training hard 6 days most weeks and even competing athletically. (Yes, while obese. Turns out it's easy to eat the extra low-hundreds calories daily that come from the added activity . . . it's like "one tiny serving of peanut butter on a slice of hearty whole-grain bread" amount of calories, let alone how little chocolate or pizza. :| )

    I joined MFP at 59, lost from class 1 obese to a healthy weight in just under a year, and have been maintaining a healthy weight since, now age 67. Admittedly, there have been some small ups and downs in those 7+ years, but all in the same jeans size. (I hate to shop!)

    My point is this: It's absolutely possible to make fitness and weight loss progress at your current age (or beyond). Lots of other people do it, too. For sure, I'm not special, just a hedonistic aging hippie without a lot of willpower or discipline. :D I figure if I can do it, most anyone can.

    If you're patient and persistent, you'll surprise yourself with your progress, I'd predict. And you'll be a great example for your kids (and future grandkids) of how to live a thriving, active life.

    I'm cheering for you: The results are worth the effort!

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