Older gals--Reaching weight loss target is not enough!

Resolve2B

I joined MFP around the beginning of the year with a plan to reconnect with the body I had acquired 10 years ago when I lost 15 pounds and discovered weight lifting (machines). LOVED the body I acquired then and after a gradual eroding of food and exercise discipline I tackled "this time" with optimism and determination.

I've lost 8 pounds and today I reached my target weight.... the weight at which I looked good 10 years ago when I was 52. Ugh. I STILL have some areas of fat and my limbs just look... old. Oh, in jeans and a long sleeve fitted t-shirt I am happy enough but I am very unhappy with how I look in clothing that bares any skin.

I have been working out during the past few months using some DVDs and dumb bells and body weight exercise. That has helped me lose the weight but has not really done anything to give my body any shape.

Ladies... weight loss is not enough when we get older. I'm 5'4" and weigh 112 pounds today. I have a very petite frame so that's a pretty good weight for me IF a better percentage of those pounds is muscle weight. So much of what I've read is horrifying in terms of how much muscle loss occurs with each decade of age. Couple that with skin that is losing thickness and elasticity and it makes a woman just want to throw in the towel.

BUT before I do that... I'm going to really give a serious commitment to trying to build up some muscles. I'm headed back to the gym this week. Phase 1 is going to get there 3 times a week and work HARD to lift heavy on the machines. Yes, yes, free weights are better.... but right now machines is what I actually WILL do and they are what I've used before with good results, so that's where I am started.

I guess I'll take some before pictures and save them with hopes there will be some inspiring "after" pictures to post at some time in the future.

If any older ladies have stories of going from having a thin body to having a muscular more shapely body I would love to hear your stories and see your photos to help me "believe" I can, if not love, at least like my body after the work I intend to devote to this effort.

jlahorn

Just a "me, too". I am 40 now, and the same weight I was at 25.

It does not look remotely the same. I hate strength training, so I've just decided to accept it, more or less. I might lose a few more pounds to try and eliminate some of the lumpy bits, but the effects of gravity are just... *shudder*

Luckily, nobody but my husband sees the details, and he already signed up for the long haul

SezxyStef

I will be 42 this year and currently weight 4lbs less than I did while I was in the military in my late teens early 20s...and much smaller.

I had my prom dress on from 24 years ago and it fit like a glove...I was 135lbs at that time...I am 154 now....

I use free weights and have for almost 9months...

Now mind you body does look different...the girls aren't as perky and my belly is as firm as it once was...but bearing a child and breast feeding does that...

Sorry ladies reaching goal weight is not enough unless you lift some heavy a$$ed weights along the way.

Nix143

Living this right now - shoulder and hip issues have meant I am struggling to lift - and my weight loss looks awful! I mean seriously awful. I looked better when I was heavier.

44 and the weight just doesn't come off the same and the skin doesn't recover as well. So, it's off to the doctors to try and sort my joints. It's deep stretching to get my mobility back. I'm determined one way or another I will start heavy lifting again and I will make changes to this flabby arsed thing of a body I am lugging around.

Anniebotnen

I cannot tell you I have gone from having a thin body to a muscular, shapely body because I was never what I would consider "thin". I started working out with weights when I was 40. I am now 68. I can tell you that the weight training makes an enormous difference in the way my body looks, compared with my non-weight training friends, both those around my age and those who are 10 years younger or more. While I have never seen any scientific proof of this, I am convinced that it also helps keep your skin from getting too thin, maybe because of increased circulation.

So keep working hard in the gym - it will be worth it! Using the machines is a good start, but definitely consider adding some free weight exercises eventually. Also, I have found that following some type of plan, rather than just working out randomly, gives the best results. If you're going to put the time in, you may as well make it pay off as much as possible! When you're ready for it, the New Rules of Lifting books, or Strong Curves have excellent programs.

Good luck! BTW, your mother looks amazing!

Edited to add: Make sure you get enough protein - the older we get, the more we need in order to build muscle because older bodies do not utilize the protein as efficiently, which is one of the reasons for muscle loss (sarcopenia) in older adults. Also, in my personal opinion, the older we get, the less we can afford to eat empty calories. I eat mostly lean proteins, vegetables and fruits, with a little dark chocolate and red wine thrown in.:happy:

Resolve2B

I know dilemma is a common one for women...it's amazing how early we start to have these issues.

Annie, that's a great testimony and thanks so much for the suggestions! I do have a "plan" for my time at the gym while using the weight machines and plan to actually write it out and take it with me so I can record the amount of weight I'm using on each machine. I try to work opposing muscle groups in "pairs" as I work my way around the circuit and after 3 times at a weight level, I plan to increase to the next increment. I intend to do a minimum of 2 times around the circuit (as I want to do a full body workout so I only need to get there 3 times a week). I've been doing some reading and while the machines have fallen out of favor for some limitations, much of what I've read points to the fact that they indeed can be used to build muscle. I prefer free weights (dumb bells) for arms though and fortunately the gym where I work out has a set of dumb bells in various increments available in the room with the machines along with a big mirror in which to do the work.

I sure hope I get some results.

Edit to respond to Annie's additional comment. YES! Totally agree about the protein...that's sort of my "gospel". LOL Protein and veggies with some fruit thrown in makes up the majority of my "plate". I always strive to go over the recommended target for protein in my food diary.