I am 50 yrs old and struggling to lose weight.

Dawnahoffman
Dawnahoffman Posts: 2
in Introduce Yourself
Hello, I turned 50 this year and every year since 40 I kept telling myself I was going to get that extra weight off. Well I am now 50 and the extra weight is still there. I am struggling to lose weight. I have done MFP for over 45 days and have not lost any weight. Anyone else struggling?

Replies

  • thegreatcanook
    thegreatcanook Posts: 2,419 Member
    Add me and I'll check out your diary. You can do this!
  • jharb2
    jharb2 Posts: 208 Member
    Been there done that and lost it. If I can do it , you can do it. Commitment!! Be good to yourself and take care of yourself.
  • DMRinehardt
    DMRinehardt Posts: 34
    Hi!

    I'm new here too! I am 52 and was fit from 1984 thru perimenopause. Since then the weight has been creeping up steadily. I am fully menopausal now and the lower metabolism sucks!

    I am 5'4'. After my first was born, I dropped to 105 lbs (which everyone thought was too thin), but I varied between that an 115 until a few years ago. On Monday I weighed 137.8 lbs. Still a normal BMI, but I hate the extra flab. I joined a gym in January and my weight didn't change. I realized that I am going to have to reduce my caloric content in order to lose weight now. :( I started by nearly eliminating all "empty" calories. No more sweetened iced tea with lunch. Cut out the wine. Cut the sugar I put in my coffee by 50% (I don't like the taste of black coffee!) and reduced my cream by 50%.

    So far, I have lost 2.2 lbs. (My ticker shows only 1 because I put the weight I was when I joined.) Since it is only the first couple of days, I know that this is most likely water loss.

    I am not sure why you aren't losing weight. The BMR calculator shows that my BMR is only 1291. So according to what it says here, if I only eat 1200 calories a day, I will only burn an extra 91 calories a day. That means it would take 38.5 days to lose 1 pound! The only way to see progress is to up the exercise.

    What have you been doing diet and exercise-wise to lose weight?

    Dianne
  • jharb2
    jharb2 Posts: 208 Member
    I definitely think weight training helps in addition to cardio and diet. I could tell a big difference in how I looked and clothes fit, not necessarily the number on the scale. You are welcome to add me as well.
  • funchords
    funchords Posts: 413 Member
    You can totally do this.

    Okay, the basics... Let's get you started right. What is your BMI?

    1. Go here http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided and fill it out completely. Goal is to lose 1-2 lbs. a week (your choice)
    2. Log everything faithfully. Strive for accuracy but when in doubt: Overestimate your food intake. Underestimate your exercise. Go here http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings and set your diary to public.
    3. Walk 3x week for 20-30 minutes.

    #2 and #3 above should be your commitment for ____ weeks. (mine was 45 weeks, until the end of June 2015).

    Most people lose more than their goal because logging makes them eat better naturally. As you get more accurate about logging, you'll get closer to your goal.
  • DMRinehardt
    DMRinehardt Posts: 34
    Another point I would make for those over 50..... if you have HBP, you may be taking beta-blockers (coreg, metoprolol, etc.). Studies have shown that beta blockers reduce RMR (resting metabolic rate) by 12%. This could be affecting your ability to lose weight.
  • LanceDuvall
    LanceDuvall Posts: 66 Member
    Been struggling for many years....it's a never ending battle for me.....last few weeks on a roll....just wondering will I ever lick this thing....good luck.....
  • kadyn_d22
    kadyn_d22 Posts: 1
    Monitor your calorie intake....If you are maintaining weight at your current calorie level, decrease that by about 20-30%. Of your remaining calorie intake at least 25% of that should be protein. Workout 3-5 times a week and you should see a change in your weight loss struggles. Add me for daily motivation and assistance.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    Hi! If you "have done MFP over 45 days" and have not lost weight, you are eating too many calories. Maybe you are not weighing your food on a scale; maybe you are not selecting the correct entry in the database when logging foods; maybe you are not logging everything you eat -- something is not being tracked accurately, because if you go through the setup process that MFP provides and eat the calories suggested, you will lose weight.

    I'm much older than you and have been losing steadily for most of this year, plus a little on my own before I discovered MFP and calorie counting in February. This time last year I weighed 233. Today I weigh 182. You can do this! It takes work, but it is a simple process. Not necessarily easy, but simple once you start accurately tracking calories.

    There will be slow weeks and days when you eat a bit too much, but as long as you keep it up your excess weight will eventually leave.
  • Dawnahoffman
    Dawnahoffman Posts: 2
    I try to stay within the calories allotted but most of the time, it says I am under the calories I should intake. I workout at least 3 times a week at a gym with kettlebells, tires and weights. I also do pulse (which is high intensity zumba) once a week. I have a Fitbit that monitors my steps. I am really frustrated cause I thought I was doing the right things, but obviously am not by the scales.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    Hate to ask, but I'm going to: do you weigh all solid foods and measure all liquids? Are you POSITIVE you are eating what you are logging?
  • dsmith0416
    dsmith0416 Posts: 1
    I'm new just started yesterday. I am 51, I also struggle with weight it kept getting harder especially after mid 40's but I'm going to try and stick with it for my own well being. Trying to lose to lose 30 lbs. May I suggest you do some form of exercise along with curbing the appetite. I'm trying to commit to 4 days a week work out. 2 days going to my gym and 2 days at home doing video tapes. I've got some good ones Jillian Michaels & Sean T probably will add a couple of more to have more variety for my home bound workout. I wish you luck and encouragement.
  • peggycurtis
    peggycurtis Posts: 1 Member
    Welcome to the group! YOU can do this and it will work... but you got to believe it!!! If you would like to join me in a really engaging health challenge, (this is the link to my team), would love to have you. I'm 43 and been coaching for a year and love to encourage others. http://goo.gl/7eYuGM Being part of a team really helps! Good luck!
  • MsWendyjc
    MsWendyjc Posts: 63 Member
    Hang in there .. Iv'e been finding it hard also but am still pushing on!


    So nice to find other mature members :))x
  • Freevy
    Freevy Posts: 4
    I love 'The 3 Week Diet' because plan was so refreshing and so simple to follow.
    I did everything they said and lost 23 pounds in first three weeks.
    I decided to buy after reading this review: http://www.ybody.co.vu/

    you should try !

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