Ages 70+
Replies
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I think I may have found my group! I’m 76. I’ve been overweight most of my life with many diets and regains over the years. Five years ago I finally got serious and lost 💯 pounds. For the most part it’s been gone with the help of MFP. I could lose about 20 more. Due to some injuries I have regained 10 pounds. Just enough to make my clothes less comfortable than before. Most probably due to being more sedentary. I go to the gym 3-4 days a week again.
I had type 2 diabetes for nearly 10 years and was on meds. After exercising and weight loss my A1C is low normal. No meds anymore. My doctor says the diabetes is considered controlled rather than gone. I’ll always need monitoring but it’s so much better than finger pricks and self injections.
So I need to keep it all together to stay well. Hopefully we can help each other.4 -
@Corina1143 ... I don't close my diary any longer. For some reason, I reacted badly to the totals page; but I did like the ability to then see charts and weekly stats when I did. My 'bad' reactions to closing the daily log depended on if the results for the day were too low or too high. I do keep tabs of the results however; I'm such a 'numbers person' that I keep a tabular worksheet on my computer and put in the information that I'm tracking. I have such records going back 10 years. Has it taught me anything? Yes it has.
@Yoolypr ... Welcome to our little group. That was a great job you did when you lost 100 pounds. I used to follow a woman on YouTube who has been using Weight Watchers for longer than I have been using MFP and she was 3 pounds away from reaching that milestone before her weight loss stopped. She also had a rebound and has been struggling this past year to get it back on track of heading into the directions of her goals. I have always been a Yo-Yo'ing in my weight loss and gain through the past 14 years, before that I had given up trying for about 10 years and just told myself to be resigned with being obese. But I never worked real hard on changing my eating habits, so I'd lose 46 pounds and then gain 17 of them back that same year. I now know better and am much better nutritionally; however the damage was already well progressed from all the years before. So I understand. And yes, being sedentary makes it much harder to not only lose weight but to keep or recapture a toned body.
@BarbMessimer ... That's such encouragement; your health improvements through a better lifestyle and sticking to it.2 -
Week 2 day 3 stats
3 of 5 street ready before logging on.
It's starting to seem like the natural thing to do when I wake up ... hurry up and get dressed and ready for the world.
But I'm not patting myself on the back about it. I'm marveling at it! And I'm still taking a 'let's let it roll some more', because I'm still in the honeymoon stage of mastering an improved lifestyle habit.
PS ... I really enjoyed my supper last night. It had been a long day of going back and forth to another floor of my apartment building to do 4 loads of laundry. I use a rolator walker to to get around (that's a 4-wheeled walker with a seat) and go back and forth with one basket of clothes sitting on the seat for transporting things that otherwise I'd carry in my hands. At any rate, my supper:
1 - small boneless skinless chicken breast, cut open in half and pounded like would be done for chicken marsala. Lightly seasoned and let to rest before being seared and browned on both sides in a tablespoon of unsalted butter. (I'm sodium sensitive)
2 - small boiled (no salt water) potato, also a small boiled yam (both peeled); small enough that it was a total of 10 pieces of starch. They were cooked earlier in the day and refrigerated, then cut into thick steak fry shapes and browned on all sides in a non-stick pan with 1 tsp EVOO.
3 - a stir fry of 4 small white mushrooms, 1/4 medium sliced onion, and 1/2 sliced green pepper, cooked on 1 tsp of EVOO.
4 - a cup of steamed broccoli
I ate the whole thing, but could have easily made it be 2 meals.
It came to a whopping 900 calories, but my first meal had been only 325 calories. It was a successful day! I even had calories left enough to enjoy a slice of watermelon with some neighbors when we played cards in our community room after supper.
Niki1 -
@nsk1951 ... Your dinner was wonderful... All nourishing whole foods! I've decided not to worry so much about what I weigh and just keep eating the foods that make/keep me healthy. BTW, I use a rollator too when I go into stores that don't have electric scooters. At age 77, I can't walk very far before having to sit down.
@Yoolypr ... Welcome to our little group. Doctors don't like to acknowledge that diabetes can be reversed and that a person is no longer diabetic. The thought has been for so long that it's a progressive disease and incurable, so they just say it's diet controlled or, in my case, that I'm prediabetic... But if your A1C and sugars are normal then you are not diabetic. Could you become diabetic again? Of course. Just go back to your old ways of eating.1 -
I've been doing IF (Intermittent Fasting) for a very long time. I'd worked my way up to one meal a day and was losing nicely but then I changed to two meals a day, which is what I'm doing now. Even though I'm keeping my calories low, I'm just not losing as fast as I'd like. Perhaps I need to become more active. The weather is breaking so I'll be getting out and gardening soon. That should help!0
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Week 2 day 4 stats
4 of 5 street ready before logging on.
@BarbMessimer ... I too, am a person who practices IF.
For me, it wasn't something I started to do to lose weight; although it is a good way to help cut out some calories to aid in weight loss. I started to extend my non-eating window by stopping food intake earlier in the day so I could get in 12 hours of fasting before taking my morning blood glucose reading.
This is TMI ... but; Later, I found that I was becoming hungry too quickly after breakfast but my work schedule was such that eating when feeling discomfort caused me to snack mid morning which made my calorie consumption too high, and tended to promote more desire for eating frequently. So, I stopped eating breakfast until I was not just a little uncomfortable, but clearly very hungry and found, over time, that the longer I didn't eat, the less hungry I was for a good long time. That was a real eye-opener!
Now-a-days, I eat 2 meals a day, one before 1 PM and another one before 7 PM. However, I let the actual time of eating vary with my feelings of hunger. On days that I am sleepless, it might be a breakfast as early as 4 AM, and my second meal could be as early as 3 PM. If I am feeling 'famished' then I eat a snack but try to get it in a couple of hours before bed.
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@BarbMessimer @nsk1951 I try to practice IF. I eat 3XD. My fast is from 6:00pm to 10:00am everyday.
I have joined a MyFitnessPal Group in the Community Mar/22 - No Late Night Snacking. I have been successful as at the end of Feb/24 688days no late night snacking and 8days that I have. After 6:00pm I do not have any snacks.
I wish my body was more intuned to "when it's hungry" I think it is not because; whilst I was working, the Company told us when to eat ie lunch time. My body was scheduled to eat when the Company wanted us to. Hard habit to break. Mindful Eating is my big challenge .0 -
@nsk1951 ... Very good! I can go easily all day until 5 or 6 PM without eating, but I have to have my coffee (3 cups) in the morning, and I blow the benefits of fasting by having it with cream and sugar. I'm trying to get used to black coffee, even bought a French Press and it makes great coffee... so we'll see. I eat my second meal around 9 PM as I'm a night owl and stay up to 2 or 3 in the morning. I'm trying to eat once a day between 8-9 PM... at least for a few days during the week.
@jonni82014 ... You're right. Hard habits are hard to break, and I have trouble with late night snacking too. I go crazy sometimes around 2 or 3 and eat an apple or orange. Seems I can't go to sleep without "something". It used to be sugary foods like pie, cake, cookies, etc. so, at least I've improved on my choices. I wonder if I drank a big glass of ice water if that would help?2 -
Wow I am so glad to find this group. I started with MFP 7 years ago and lost the weight...well my lost weight found me. I had completed my annual. Well my cholesterol is up and so is my weight. I need to lose 35-40 pounds for my health and to lower my BMI. I see this as a good challenge and not impossible. At 72 I am working very part time...at something I enjoy. I started walking 5000 steps a day which is around 2 miles. I pray the Rosary while I walk to keep me going...sometimes when I am going up the hills I find myself a little short of breath...which is a sign I am not in shape but will get there..I lift light weights every day...and I mean light 3 and 5 pounds...I will increase in a month or so.. ..It is a journey....Thank you everyone who has posted here. This is very encouraging. We are all going through something in life...5
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Hi Denise!
Welcome to the group. You may be the "young chick" here. Bet that feels good! It's been a long time since I've been the youngest in a group.
I try to walk a mile, but I'm just not consistent. We've had some cold days, and of course some very windy days, both of which keep me housebound. I use therabands instead of weights.
Good luck finding your way back to best health possible!2 -
Gym this morning. I’m an early bird- try to get to the gym by 5:30 or 6am. I usually do 45 minutes of treadmill and stationary bike. Then a half hour or so of weight work.
I used to do outdoor walking (2-3 miles) especially during Covid. But after a few injuries and bursitis episodes, the doctor said I’d be safer in the gym. The bonus is it’s climate controlled and there’s a bathroom! The weather here in central Texas can be harsh. Winter is very mild and short. But summers are HOT, humid and last from April through October.
Right now we’re in a really nice time. It’s full on spring- 70sand 80s. Trees and flowers in bloom. It’s bluebonnet time. The roadsides are covered in blue blooms.
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Blue Bonnets are gorgeous! Thank you Lady Bird!3
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@deniserzaj ... Welcome! Glad you joined us. It's so easy for weight to creep back up but you know how to lose it and coming here for support will help! What kind of diet do you follow?1
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BarbMessimer wrote: »@deniserzaj ... Welcome! Glad you joined us. It's so easy for weight to creep back up but you know how to lose it and coming here for support will help! What kind of diet do you follow?
I was doing well in maintenance for five years. Then I had some injuries and bursitis pain that severely curtailed my activity level. No gym and less movement at home. So thus the weight creep. I’m hoping to get it under control.
I don’t follow any special diet. I cut back on fats and sweets. However I still indulge once in a while. Mostly it’s been smaller portions of calorie dense foods. I have a big appetite- I fill the void with plain veggies and big salads. And making substitutions like low fat yogurt or mayo, low carb tortillas, skinless chicken, no fried foods etc.1 -
Week 2 day 5 stats
5 of 5 street ready before logging on. ... Feels a little more natural to be 'presentable' and 'ready to exit if needed' before getting into the things I like to do with my morning coffee. ...
My second addition on my focused item was to log my food and pay attention to the macros that resulted. I don't know if that action has caused it or I'm just in a less-phase; but my daily average calories dropped by 300 a day this week compared to last week, Carbs also too a large plunge. And surprise, surprise, protein increased a little bit. Will continue this focus into next week.
Welcome @deniserzaj, like you, I don't follow any special diet. I just try to eat only one meal during wake-up until 1 PM and one meal between 1 PM and 7 PM. If I need to, I'll have a snack. The only thing that I do now that I didn't do in the days of unchecked weight gain is how much bakery or other treats and fast food I eat. I prefer to cook from scratch and thus my meals tend to be whole foods.3 -
I feel you Niki. Fast food didn't help me gain, but it darn sure never helped me lose! And cookies.2
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@deniserzaj
Quote: "I don’t follow any special diet. I cut back on fats and sweets. However I still indulge once in a while. Mostly it’s been smaller portions of calorie dense foods. I have a big appetite- I fill the void with plain veggies and big salads. And making substitutions like low fat yogurt or mayo, low carb tortillas, skinless chicken, no fried foods etc."
That sounds nutritious. I've sworn off all ultra-processed foods except perhaps a piece of birthday cake when it's my birthday (Not till November, thank God). Currently, I eat high protein with animal fats (I don't overdo the fats, but they keep my appetite under control) and low cal vegetables... Only real food. I've tried every diet known to man over the years but have settled on this one. It works for me, and I can maintain it. I have 60 pounds I need to lose... so a long journey is ahead.
I think we have to find what works for us. What works for one doesn't work for everyone. It's been a process of elimination for me. Fortunately, I love meat and salads. I cleaned out my freezer the other day and just loaded it up with meat (There was a good sale on at Publix.) I'm all set for a while.2 -
@BarbMessimer ; you are so correct! We each have to find what works for us, because we are all so individual. The 'diets' we read about (and all stats, I think) are compiled from a large database and so are 'averages'. None of us is average. LOL
What I like about reading other peoples changes and methods is that is shows what a large variety of approaches there are; and that when the one we are currently following doesn't seem to work anymore, we have ideas of some other methods we can employ to 'break the stall'.
I am so looking forward to tomorrow. It is my weigh-in day, and my 79th birthday!3 -
I committed cooking Mediterranean in January. I found it very challenging, tasty, time consuming (shopping/planning). I try to eat at least two meals per day. DH, the meat and potatoes guy; has joined me eating this way for a few meals. I was successful- 6# loss in 4 months, however I got off the path; due to DH's knee surgery. Caregiving was 24/7. So the eating plan was just about non-existent. I would like to release 10+# I'm slowly getting back on track. We are back at the gym 3XWK. I am so tired of being held hostage by "diets" . I always think I "need" a diet whether I "need" it or not. I look at my image in the mirror, I see "You look pretty good for a 71year old" ..however LOL. The recording needs to change. I want to break free, to do other things in my life, so having stated this. Mindful eating. Time waits for no-one The clock is only wound once. This forum is really giving me a good perspective and support. Thank you3
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@nsk1951 ... A very happy birthday to you. Congratulations on 79 years! You've done well to live this long and hopefully have many more years ahead. I hope you have a great celebration. You've earned it!
@jonni82014 ... "Mindful eating" sure sounds better than "dieting". (How I hate that word) Like you, I'm enjoying this group. I like sharing my thoughts with ladies my age. We understand the challenges and also can rejoice in the victories.0 -
I wanted to share this with my lady friends here: I went to my 60th (yes, 60th) high school reunion a couple of weeks ago and was horrified that someone emailed a very unflattering picture of me to everyone on the class mailing list. I looked absolutely gigantic. (They sent other pictures too but, thank God, I was only in one of them.) Well, I broke down and cried. That's not how I want my classmates to see me. I've been working hard on my "condition" most of my life and definitely for the past several years. Lord, what would I have looked like if I hadn't! I had to remind myself that, although I'm carrying a lot of fat around with me, I'm metabolically healthy as evidenced by my recent blood work and check up... but I've just GOT to get down to a more normal size.5
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@nsk1951 Happy Birthday!
@BarbMessimer Sorry to read the negative comments from your previous classmates; however you are very courageous to share the incident. I really liked the word you described yourself as a "condition" It's a journey towards attaining Health.
Every day is new0 -
H A P P Y. B I R T H D A Y !0
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@jonni82014 ... Thank you. I feel better today. Damage has already been done and I can't do anything about it so won't think about it anymore Maybe next reunion people will be astonished at how much weight I will have lost.2
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Does anyone have any recommendations for walking at home videos? Any other type of exercise that you do?
Hi Joy! I like to do walking videos on Youtube with Leslie Sansone. There are quite a few with different paces, basic speeds with 1 mile walks, and others with increased speeds and "distances" (times), some with arm movements, some with resistance stretch bands for added strength workouts. You can go through them and pick something that might work for you. I also found a few Silver Sneakers videos, a few free ones but also some you must pay for. Youtube has so many choices, just search senior exercises, walking videos,etc and you can find sitting chair exercises, yoga, stretching, etc. I've used several for a long time, and I feel so much better! Now to try and ignore my computer and be more active
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Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone.
I've had quite a day with many surprises today. It was certainly a day of being with people instead of alone in my little apartment. I feel truly blessed and gifted today.3 -
I had a good day. Prepared a nice St Patrick's Day dinner for my son and me... I even decorated! It was very festive, and I think my son really liked everything. The Corned Beef turned out perfectly and was so easy to make. I used my Crock Pot and programmed it on low for 10 hours. I prepared the vegetables (Cabbage, potatoes, onions) separately. I let the period between my last meal yesterday and first meal today go for 19 hours so there was plenty of time for fat burning and then had (2) meals 4 hours apart. I feel good now. Just hope the "Night Snackin Monster" stays away! I plan to try to go for (1) meal a day, starting tomorrow at 6 PM.2
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@Joy1580vb https://weseniors.ca/8-week-fitness-program-for-seniors/
Check out the 8 week video; it was prepared for the Seniors during Covid
The instructor is the president of the West End Seniors Activity Centre; he has a degree in Gerontologist (study of mental, physical and social changes in the aging population)
We now meet at the Seniors Centre to do these exercises@2WK3 -
That looks great, Jonni!
I went to a physical therapist a few months ago to get some exercises to strengthen my back and core muscles. She sent me a list of exercises, all but one were floor exercises. I can't get up and down easily, so they were worthless to me. It looks like these are a lot of chair and standing, which I can do!0 -
I’m still getting over a broken wrist in December. It healed well but with my arthritic hands it’s still painful at times. Doctor suggested physical therapy but it just seems like a waste of time to drive across town (big city traffic) to have someone lead me through hand exercises. I have the home exercises sheet the doc gave me. Hope that will be enough.
I’ve never been happy with my experiences in physical activity therapy. Maybe if I was younger? Right now concentrating on a hand doesn’t solve arthritis. When I had hip bursitis therapy was okay but didn’t fix the resulting mobility issues.
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