Any women over 45 out there trying to lose weight?

MissSethra

44 here. Just joined site last week as I needed a better way to track intake. Started losing on my own August 2013 at 200lbs, down to 160 now, still have 20ish to go. Mainly have been watching intake and I lowered carbs. Still need to up exercise but that is harder to accomplish as I have lower back pain. I try to get in walking when weather/time permits though. Feel free to add me.

nancybuss

I didn't need to lose 40, but almost 20% body weight.

I started at about 45. slowly. I found a zumba class and went with two friends and the first classes we were laughing at our lack of coordination more than working out and I was hooked. working out and fun together???
It was only once a week so then I started looking for other things. I did a boot camp, used Groupon for various classes and learned what I liked, and didn't. I had a hard time with timing when my two kids were at opposite ends of town and we had to pick up seperate, there went my evening or two to work out after work (we live in the country and its hard to go home and go back out).
Then I found some home DVD series programs that I liked and I was finally hooked! things I liked from all the other stuff rolled into one. I'm still looking to tone up some more and get the 'best shape of my life' but I think I'm doing ok for 48

you asked... thats my story.

Feel free to friend me if you'd like

RagingThespian

Hi there! I'm 47, turning 48 this August and have about 65 lbs to lose. I am really enjoying the journey - discovering new foods, exercising, figuring out what foods to eat to hit all my targets. It's sort of a game - at least that's how I am viewing it - which makes it more fun to do. This is the longest I've stuck with eating better and exercising in a VERY long time. Feel free to add me. :-)

leahmarie65

I am 49 yrs old and am trying to lose 20 pds. I have knee arthritis so I cannot run at all anymore, but bike and lift weights. It will be a challenge, but this app is great! It keeps me on track, and I plan all my meals every night and pack it up as I add to the app. I figure I am worth the time. I wish you well and stay on target ...you can do it!

SeattleRaven

I'm 47 (48 in May) and I aim to lose 40 more lbs. (I've lost 6 so far since the new year.)

Simone2373

Hi I'm 47. At 45 I started slow and steady with a bit of cardio, mostly elliptical and just walking to work (about a half hr for me) on nice days, and cutting back on carb intake significantly, no snacking at night. Nothing drastic. It was really slow and steady. Six months into it I was down about 15 lb and added some strength training with a personal trainer and that was really the best thing I ever did for myself. That got my metabolism going and the next 15 came off a LOT easier, and I really started loving my workouts even more as I got stronger and started really reaping the results. I've now lost about 33 lb and have another 20 to go, and have plateau'd over the last couple of months due to work and other stress, but I am determined now to push through the last 20, which is why I am here

So, all that to say it is very possible to make these changes at our age but it is important to realize that it really is (and yes we all know this and have heard it a million times , but it is SO TRUE) a lifestyle change, a slow and steady thing that gets you the results. Be patient with yourself and forgiving and try not to think in black and white perfectionistic thinking- that used to be my downfall. If you have that extra piece of cake, don't wallow in it, just make sure you don't do it two days in a row, and don't skip your workout...that sort of thing Just get back on that wagon! And try to keep it fun, always!

dreambodin2011

I'm 46 and have almost reached my goal weight after many years of sabotaging myself. Started the gym more seriously in my late 30's, but still struggled with my diet until recently. I was either full ON or, very naughty! But I am in a great head space now, and have dropped 4 kilos just this year...which I can't believe as I"m in new territory since our wedding 18+ yrs ago.
I gave up alcohol at the beginning of this year, and have also avoided added sugars, so this has been a huge turning point for me.

Who would've thought avoiding a few wines each week could change me so much. Now I am viewing eating differently too, and really focusing on nourishing my body with healthy foods, and not overeating which is something I used to do frequently. I just sabotaged myself so much - making it very difficult to win, and easy to fail, continuously being annoyed with the extra weight I was carrying and despairing that I'd never get rid of it -- (and come Friday night munching on chips and drinking my wine) lol. oh dear!

but all is good today - would love new friends so add me if you like.

RockingGranny

Checking in at age 45 with 46 to come in just 2 more months. With age 40 came too many life changes for me to keep up with which resulted in more time in the office and no time in the gym. Before I knew it, my normal healthy weight was obese, 120 pounds too much. The first 20 dropped by just walking a few times a week at lunch. The next 35 dropped by increasing the walking and the salads; I really like salads. I also traded my Starbucks for a self-made protein smoothie every morning. Sadly, I quickly gained it back, when I started spending too much time in the office,again. I started over again in Jan 2013 and dropped 45 by the end of May by getting away from office and walking 3 miles daily and a daily caloric intake of 1,200-1,400. From June - Dec 2013, my pursuit of a healthier me took backseat to a family crisis, so I only lost 10 pounds. Effective Jan 2014, I added walking back into my daily lifestyle. I walk 4.5 miles 6 days a week. I have lost 10 more pounds and I have 35 to go. Next week, I am going to add weight training and the elliptical. The keys for me are preparing my own low calorie meals, walking, and getting away from the office.

Feel free to add me. We can all support each other and learn from each other.

patricias65

I am just getting new and just getting started on my weight
loss journey. I am 48 and my wt loss goal is 55 lbs. as a start, I gave up soda as part of that goal. Feel free to add me. Would like to meet some new friends and help encourage others.

lanakat

Im 48 years old and restarted a few days ago. Anyone feel free to add me as a friend. We are all in this together. I love the phone app. Hello Everyone!

dconn3114

I'm 48 lol!

wonderwoman234

Hey, that's me! I'm 46 and need to lose 40 lbs. I've lost 7 so far since Jan. 6. This is the slowest weight loss I've experienced, but I am doing things "right" this time:

- heavy lifting 3 times a week - this has become the centerpiece of my activity
- cardio 4 times a week - usually 60 minutes total
- eating 1330 cals/day with macros 45% carb, 35% protein, 20% fat

Even thought the weight has been slow coming off, I feel amazing, really motivated, strong, confident, sexy (yes!), and my posture and body feel graceful and elongated. This is from the weight training.

Oh, and I don't have a sense of deprivation that I used to have....because I am eating well, not using food for emotional reasons, and if I have a day where I eat a bit more, I don't feel like I have "failed". I want a strong, lean body. Period. So I'm not interested in doing things that will prevent me from attaining that. Again, I attribute that to the focus on strength training. I also think because I am focusing on the foods I SHOULD be eating to help with my workouts, muscle repair, etc. instead of on foods, I "can't" eat, I am not obsessed with food or deprivation....and I am never starving. I can all eat whatever I want whenever I want - we all have a choice. My choice is to eat well so I can achieve my goals.

Okay, diatribe over! Would love to be friends with more women in their 40's!

tammykissinger

I am 51 years old and started MFP last fall. Started walking on a consistent basis and have had great results. Most important for me is tracking what I eat! Feel free to add me!

clmice215

I am 54 and also new to this site. I am trying to lose at least 50 lbs. Add me as a friends if you want to do this together.
Lynn

fishsquishy

I only gained 5 pounds. I just did it 14 years in a row... (but at least i"m consistent). I'm 48, trying to lose 70. Was very active up until my late 20's. Trying to get my inner athlete back! LET'S DO THIS!!!

toniistracking

Hello, I became really serious last year January when I quit smoking! I did really well and was probably in the best shape of my life at 48. My boyfriend and I decided to train for our first 5K, during the training I was experiencing hip pain. Thought it was just muscle but ended up being joint. Anyway that stopped my work outs and ended up gaining 20+ pounds so here I am again, starting over! Anyone wanting to add me please feel free! Lets help each other out!!

camiscott

I am 47 and been trying to loose 50 pounds for months. I keep losing a few and then gaining it back again. I stopped doing weights and i am just working on cardio 4 days a weeks now to start buring off some pounds. Please feel free to add me so we can give each other ideas.

toadg53

Hi. turned 60 last October ... and I'm not happy about it either ... but better than the alternative, that's for sure. I started my journey the Monday after the last 4th of July. I've lost a total of 84# since then, 65# since joining MFP. I'm doing low carb, high protein and fat doesn't matter, but it's not high, not low. I also walk minimum 60 minutes, most days 90 minutes a day. I'm gonna restart strenght/toning the end of the month (I'm on hiatus until then due to surgery). The diet is one I got from my doctor. So far it's working well, and I've hit no plateau in all this time, which has helped my outlook greatly. I've been dieting off/on my entire life; have yo-yo'ed my entire life as well, which isn't a good thing for your body/metabolism either. I truly feel that I'll accomplish my goal this time. With diligence and support we can all do it.

toadg53

Oh ya, feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. The memory isn't what it used to be either

MunozLCSW

Hey ladies. I am 43 soon to turn 44 and I am overweight majorly. (This is where you say, 'hello Ramona!'). Anyway, this is the largest I have ever been, and sad to say that when I have said that in the past I was a lot less then where I am now. I need to lose close to 100 pounds. I want to get healthy but have a million excuses as to why I can't/won't/don't have the energy/etc. So I wold love to be part of this group. I would love to motivate others, and I would love to receive motivation back. DId the first big thing yesterday, and that was to get on the scale and scare the ship out of myself! Warmer weather is approaching and I am going to set small goals to get outside to play with my son, take the dogs for walks, etc. Getting ready to adopt another child, so I definitely need to find more energy. So excited to stumble across this board.

Lives2Travel

I'm 55 and when I started on 6/14/13, I had 150 lbs to lose. I had every excuse in the book ready....female, over 50, post menopause. Guess what? I haven't needed them.

Today marks the end of 245 days (8 months) of logging and 91.4 lbs lost. Only thing I've done consistently is eat the MFP recommended number of calories and pay attention to the macros. I have walked some, but truthfully not as much as I should. I have 58.6 lbs to go to reach my goal of 145. This year my goal is more exercise and to end the year as close to my goal as possible. If I reach it, great. If not, I will in 2015.

Don't let your age or any other excuses stop you. You can do it as long as you never, ever quit trying.

jenns1964

I'll be 50 in September. I have been on this journey for 431 days...the longest I have ever stayed committed to a healthy lifestyle. It really is much harder to lose weight after 40, but I am determined to do it. I just returned from 8 weeks in California and am ready to recommit myself to regular exercise and healthy eating. Feel free to add me as I log in faithfully everyday.

MunozLCSW

Great suggestions! I have a friend who has lost close to 100 pounds. He logs in everyday. He looks great! ONly using MFP. ALso stopped having to take his diabetic meds. Looking forward to using these boards as motivation.

Mojoman02

I'm 51 and doing it! Just give yourself time to get into a healthy groove and it will become a piece of cake! I mean....a piece of fruit! ha!

rhonda6373

Hello -- I will be 44 soon and am just starting out. I have about 80-90 pounds to lose and am starting off slowly -- 20 minutes on the elliptical 5-6 days a week and 15 minutes of yoga every other day. I am wanting to add weight training at least 2 days a week but I want to be sure whatever I am doing I will sustain. MFP started me out at 1200 calories but I am not sure that is realistic for me to sustain long term -- I am trying for now at least. Perhaps when I get my activity level up I can increase those calories more.

Feel free to friend me if you like and best of luck on your journey.

lyzmorrison

I'm 49 and have lost 33 lbs...gone from a size 14 to a 6, since July. Also ran my first 5K, have 1 next weekend and a 10K on March 1st. If I can do this, believe me, ANYONE can do it.

The secret...HARD WORK and COMMITMENT. It's worth every second you put into it.

WJS_jeepster

I am 48 and need to lose 70 lbs or so. I used to be an athlete and runner and got used to eating whatever I wanted. After I had my twins I actually gained weight due to stress and being housebound all winter. Was doing well last fall and then the stupid polar vortex sent us all inside for most of the winter so far. I cannot wait for the weather to get a bit warmer to get back outside!

At this point I'm mostly focusing on diet as the opportunities for exercise are few and far between these days. (though I did chop ice off the driveway for over an hour yesterday )

dconn3114

Thanks much for all the replies. Some of you have shown me it can be done and are now my new inspiration models! Others of you make me feel like I'm not alone in this journey. When you try and fail at something so many times, you have to change your approach. So, I'm going to log in and support others and make it this time. I see my parents aging and all of the health issues. I want to make changes now so I can have a different story...hopefully!

I tried to befriend you all -- there are more entries today so I'm behind. Thanks again so much. We can do this!!! One thing I have to stop doing is weighing myself every day. This will not be about instant gratification but smaller victories. Just drinking more water. Logging in every day. Exercising consistently ....and having patience.

I saw a great sign at the gym : SWEAT IS FAT CRYING! Let's make some tears!!! Have a great day and be kind to yourselves.

Please friend me!

blj7150

I am 53 and just started using this site 2 days ago. It's amazing how much less you eat when you are keeping a food diary. I am 5'2 and weigh 135 which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't all around my belly. I feel sluggish and tired and want to get back to 115- 120. I started walking, doing some strength training and keep my calories at 1200 a day. If anyone has any other ideas for me, I am open to all suggestions. I am just ready to get healthy and fit.

KudraM

44 here ans also new. Feel free to add. There are also groups based on age.