54 yr old - First Day - First Post

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  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    Just to reiterate what some others have already said.... if you set your calorie goal too low, and find you can't sustain it, just eat a bit more. I calculated that you need just over 2,000 calories per day to maintain your current weight. So, at 1500 calories a day, you should lose 1 lb per week. Some people are fine down at 1200 calories a day, some aren't. And as for exercise, it's not necessary to lose weight. But, it makes you feel good, and means you can eat more.

    Definitely check out the sexypants link that was posted previously. It's like the go to noob guide.

    And this link:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161976-adopt-a-noob-official-mfp-thread

    If you're interested, is a thread where experienced MFP's mentor noobies. You can go through the thread and look for MFP's offering their services, and message them, if you think they might be a good fit. The last couple of pages in the thread have alot of recent additions.... people who quite likely might still be available. I'd suggest you don't just post in the thread, but actively check out the mentors offering to help, and see who sounds like your type of person, and message them. This is an awesome program, and you can get really valuable one-on-one help. If it sounds like something you might be interested in.
  • lgodwin413
    lgodwin413 Posts: 26 Member
    Welcome!! I'm a newbie also. 56 years old and need to lose 50 lbs for many reasons especially health. I've been dieting...Under or overeating..for many years. Trying to take this slow but steady and a lifestyle change that is sustainable. I'm doing c25k and yoga. On daily. Feel free to add me anyone :)
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    Welcome to MFP Katie, great to have you join us!:flowerforyou:

    I must say, glancing briefly over the replies... I've seen some wonderful ideas shared and some lovely members that are new to me.:drinker: Welcome to each of you, MFP will change your lives!:heart:

    Looking forward to coming back to this thread to catch up and get to know more of you!:wink:

    Hearts:heart:
  • Ludka13
    Ludka13 Posts: 136 Member
    I started dieting when I was 12 years old. Yes, I've been dieting for 42 years now; totally depressing!

    I read about this site in a book. When I created my account I discovered that I should be eating 1200 calories a day. No wonder I weigh twice what I should! I'm eating twice the calories and many times I've eaten multiple times that!

    Today, my first day here, I actually feel optimistic about simply counting calories for a change. Sticking to my daily 1200 calorie allotment will be my only goal for now. I'll take this one step at a time and see where it takes me. I look forward to being in the trenches with the rest of you.

    Let's do this!

    Remember it's a marathon not a sprint. I found 1200 calories hard so I backed off to losing half a pound a week, which puts me over 1400. And don't forget to exercise to buy more calories for yourself. (I have some medical conditions which make it really hard to exercise so that's why 1200 was so hard for me.) Keep working it and it will happen.

    I am 58 years old. Feel free to add me.
  • glittermini
    glittermini Posts: 7
    Hi! I just started today, too. I had a major wakeup call after seeing an nutritionist for the first time in my life today...she gave me insight and this app to follow and it's nice to log in and see that there is a whole community here. We can do it, Ludka13!
  • OregonBekah
    OregonBekah Posts: 8 Member
    Very wise words, especially for newbies on here. I have been here off and on for about 18 months and I am okay with losing slowly. When I was trying to lose a certain amount per week I ended up giving up because I wasn't losing that amount. This time around I am concentrating on getting healthy and the weight loss will be an added bonus.
    I am 67 1/2 and have had 2 mini strokes with a history of heart disease and diabetes in my family, so you can see why I need to get healthy.
    I would love some new friends and am looking forward to our adventure together.:smile:
  • floridachickinoz
    floridachickinoz Posts: 2 Member
    Welcome! I am 51 and I am also a diabetic. I have found that I was using the medication I was on as an excuse as to why I was not losing the weight. I actually stepped back and took a look at how my eating and lack of exercise was the real reason. I also love carbs. I am not a lettuce/salad girl but I do love fresh veggies and fruit. The key for me with weight loss is working out. I do a morning workout DVD and then a hour long power walk in the evening (burning typically between 700-900 per day). The two workouts per day give me a chance to keep burning more calories per day plus it keeps the body from getting flabby. My goal is to burn 3500 calories in exercise per week. Now, I did start very low with only 30 minutes per day and built up to where I am now. I also stick to eating about 1500 calories per day although MFP gives me a lot more. I also do not eat processed foods. What works for others may not work for you. You will find your own system of food/exercise balance and weight will just fall off. I would stick to 1lb per week.
  • pita7317
    pita7317 Posts: 1,437 Member
    55 yr old...almost one year active user of MFP.
    Suggestions.
    Food scale, Very important !
    Eat at least 3 times a day.
    Cut processed/sodium/sugar to ? a lower level.
    Protein important. But not so much at this age and don't exercise. Or minimal. Golf/Swim.
    For me 45-50 grams of protein a day is good.
  • amy8400
    amy8400 Posts: 478 Member
    Thank you Care..

    I agree with you. I'm going to try and change my relationship with food.
    I'm a sugar and junk food junky. Through my diet ears I have come to like some healthy foods, so I am optimistic.

    I need to lose at least 100 pounds. I don't know what weight would be best for me. I've never lost more than 40 pounds and kept it off, so I can't imagine losing 100!

    I appreciate all your responses. I think the support here will be a huge bonus!

    Thanks!

    Katie, I have 2 MFP friends who've lost 100 pounds and they are both well over 60 so this is totally doable for you! Today is the end of your life of dieting and the beginning of a new lifestyle. Surround yourself with positive friends here to build a supportive, encouraging network. Log everything you consume. Look at exercise as investing in you...you will love what it does for you! Start slow and gradually build up--it's not a race. Oh, and keep your diary open if you want the most accountability and atta-girls from your MFP friends.

    BTW I just had my 53rd bday in June. I'm 5'5" and started last October at 188. I began at 1200 calories a day and my enthusiasm carried me for 3 months but then I learned that I could eat 1350-1450 calories a day and still lose weight--just a bit slower. That was the best thing I could have done--it got me off a plateau and I wasn't so hungry.

    I'll send you a friend request....welcome to MFP!
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    It's just calories in versus calories out. Knowing that you'll do just fine.
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    I too am older than you and have been successful with just counting calories on MFP. I am allotted 1290 calories a day, some days I go a little over that, but the scale is going in the right direction.

    I started about 2-1/2 years ago, when I didn't know about MFP. I took off about 18 pounds in 9 months then got stuck on a plateau for about a year, found MFP and the scale started moving again. Now only a few more to go.

    You can add me as a friend if you want.
  • jacquiearchambault
    jacquiearchambault Posts: 86 Member
    Welcome! You will do great here. There are a lot of very supportive people here. Add me if you like and good luck!
  • KatieTJS
    KatieTJS Posts: 12
    You all are wonderful!

    This is so much better that WW!

    I can't tell you what you support means to me!

    I've lost 7 pounds since starting on July 9th. Is this really going to work? Am I really doing it? I'm so excited!
  • chachadeb
    chachadeb Posts: 275 Member
    54 and have been dieting since elementary school! Welcome to MFP.
  • oxyclean
    oxyclean Posts: 1
    :smile: Welcome; I"m new myself. This is day 6 for me. I think this is a wonderful way to work on loosing lbs. At first I thought it was going to be a struggle. I was so wrong. I am actually eating more than I use to. The one hard habit for me was fast food and eating after 8:00 pm. So far ,NO fast food. I do still have mixed snacks.Sometimes sunflower seeds.once a single side fudgsicle.(40 calories) Wishing you well.Seeing how many calories I'm putting in my body,makes this doable.
  • DaughterOfTheMostHighKing
    DaughterOfTheMostHighKing Posts: 1,436 Member
    You definitely are in the right place! Whether you need to lose a hundred pounds or 10 pounds, this is a good place! :)
    I'm 49 and have been here for a almost 2 years. My weight still fluctuates between 160 - 145 because I'm not always able to eat right or I get sidetracked. :P

    I find that if I watch portion size I lose weight. I lift weights and do circuit training. I would recommend focusing on food intake to lose fat first and then build muscle because when you build muscle and you want the scale to move (lower number) you may be disappointed. For the longest time that was my struggle. I work out and build muscle and the scale moves the wrong way! :P

    I have sort of come to the point where I will weigh myself and say oh well, my clothes are lose, so it's good… lol!

    enjoy the people here! some of the messages are funny and some are crude. :) it's a mixed bunch of people here.

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