Hi!! Losing weight is SO HARD when you are over 40!!!

kmanfredo1212

Hi...my name is Kathleen. A friend of mine told me about this site...it looks like a great tool to make yourself accountable for what you eat and the exercise you do!! I want to lose at least 25 pounds. When I was younger all I had to do was exercise a little more or eat a tiny bit less to lose weight---now that I am 48 that no longer works. I have always had a small waist and I now have fat rolls around my middle for the first time! Pre-menopause is no fun! I want to get my old body back! I am open to any suggestions that have worked for others about my age!! Thanks!!
Kathleen:flowerforyou:

LINDYLOU67

It's almost like you were writing about me! Many of us are in the same boat. I joined the group recently and am very excited to see some steady results. My goal is to be bathing suit worthy by July 4th!

Good luck as you begin your journey!

Linda

traininglady911

You are doing great in joining MFP now instead of waiting. I am 60-something and POST menopausal. It gets tougher to loss the older you get. ha ha

rwkem

Me too...6 years ago I lost very easily..barely changing my diet and I only did exercise and lost tons of weight..now I have made huge changes in my diet and exercising my butt off and Ive only lost 10 pounds since the first part of Jan..but I have lost 15 inches..thats just measuring my bicep, abs, hips and thighs....Im turning 40 in June..and there is a big difference from 6 years ago..GL to you!

murf19

Hey, I'm 46 and I feel better and i'm in better shape then I was when I was 30. Its what you eat and being active. You'll do great and the folks here will help.

abyt42

Just keep your head down and keep working....seriously. I've found staying within my calorie limit and exercising has worked really well so far! (Plus, find something you love to do...I love Zumba and yoga, and look forward to going.)

Good luck!

cjfoster

It's been a journey but I"m finding that lowering sugar intake and increasing my dairy has helped the middle along with exercise 4-6 times a week

justann

I hear ya! I am 49 and having a difficult time losing the extra pounds too. I just keep telling myself, 'slow and steady wins the race'. It is taking me forever but I am determined. I wish you the best on your journey.

DaddyMantz

I am 43 and have noticed that our maintenance calories go down as we get older and we have more internal body fat than the young people. But on the bright side, we are smarter, more mature, and usually more settled down. It is much easier for me to eat clean now than when I was in college and during my post-college single years.

grandma12lve

Hi , I am new here i start about 3 weeks ago, so still learnning, I am a 51 yr old grandma of 12 , I am over 100 pounds over weight, and trying so hard to lose it, and sometimes I get so mad at myself and the diet that ever now and then I lose it and eat chips, I don't know what do to.. but you are right ... but keep trying , I am and I am getting it off slower then I would like but it is working...

Sheryl

ltlhmom

Welcome!

FranMcKenzie

I am a 52 year old grandma of 2. I've always exercised and kept in shape, but there always seem to be 5-10 lbs I need to lose. I find that having to log down my food and exercise always works great for me. If I screw up, then I can get back on track quicker instead of saying, "I'll start over on Monday." I love this program. It's so easy and friendly to use. Good luck with your weight loss journey!

susanliber

Post menopausal but still with all the hot flashes and night sweats - not conducive for motivation to eat right or exercise. "mental pause" is no place for sissies.

susanliber

I have only lost 9 pounds since January but have lost 14 inches...so something is working.

Dawn111567

I completely understand what you mean. I am 43 and am an ultra slow loser. Since cutting all bad carbs from my diet almost 1 1/2 years ago I have only lost about 25 pounds and still would like to lose 10 more but it is taking forever. I lost approximately 12 pounds the first month of my weight loss journey and then the last 15 I have only lost about 13 or so. I do feel good physically and mentally and the one good thing is that I know that I can easily maintain the weight I am eating the way that I do. When I was in my 30's it only took me three months to lose 25 pounds and that was changing my diet a little and adding more exercise and the weight just fell off. Things are much different now that i am in my 40's.

JillyCornwall

Yes its much harder to lose as you get older, and especially AFTER menapause....when I was in my 40's I got really very fit, perhaps the fitest of my entire life...so it can be done, but you do have to work at it...now in my late 50's its really hard, exercise is harder due to worn out joints...and its sometimes hard to motivate...but it can be done..just a bit more slowly..so I think the key is..do the math..by getting your eating & exercise balance right ...not setting your goals too high 1lb a week is ideal...and just think of it as your new life time lifestyle..and be patient. It will work.

ruthiegirl66

Good for you Sheryl, you should be proud of yourself ! I too am over 100 lbs. overweight, I am 44 and know how hard it is to keep on track with this, I just want to be around for my kids and future grandkids, and be healthy enough to do things with them. I have lost weight only to gain it back and then some and it is very frustrating...that is why I am here. My youngest daughter called me up and gave me this site to join with her. So i really have the motivation to stick with it to be a good example for her too. Keep up the good work!

bluespring

I hear ya, too.
I'm 58...and it's definitely harder to lose the weight...and keep it off now.
But....this is my year. And I'm fighting for it....but it's been a struggle.
Good luck to all of us!
:bigsmile:

kroyalty

Yes it is! But I love this site and it's a great tool. If nothing else it is a real eye opener for me on what I was eating and how bad it really was for me! And the weight is coming off....VERY slowly, but hey it IS happening! Hang in there!:flowerforyou:

Julesjhj

It is harder but it is so worth it. I'm in better shape now than I was when I was much younger and thinner. Like you, I'm trying to get off the 25lbs that just want to hang on. It seems to be my body's happy weight but it sure does not make me happy! It just makes me work harder to lose that annoying fat layer......because I know there is muscle under all that. I'm pushing myself because I want to feel great but I also want to feel confident in my own skin. Welcome to the sight, I'm sure you will benefit from all the support and feel free to add me as a friend. Good Luck, Jules.

PJilly

Just be consistent. It does pay off. I was 48 when I joined MFP. I'm 50 now, and I weigh less and am in better shape than I've been in about 30 years. I've always been an exerciser (for the most part anyway), but tracking my food has made all the difference. I don't starve myself either. Not even close. I'm trying to maintain now eating 2,000 calories a day, but I'm actually still losing. I never would have believed it was possible, but it's true.

kevywan53

Hi Kathleen,

Just be honest with yourself about what you eat (and record EVERYTHING!) and about your exercise. Don't let it slide for a day, be diligent, make it a duty to yourself to do it. If you stay on top of that it will work. I am 57 and though it may be harder to lose weight now, it seems easier to be disciplined about it. Even if I don't get all my exercise in, if I pay attention to everything I eat and record it as I go ( I have the smartphone app too, so I can keep up if I am out) then I lose the weight. So that would seem to be goal 1, don't eat more than you're allowed to to attain your goals; pretty simple really (not necessarily easy, but simple!). Another little thing I am doing now is if I am tempted to eat something that isn't really on my plan, and knowing now how much of the excercise it takes to work off X number of calories, I ask myself " is eating this worth spending 30 minutes on the elliptical?" or "which is easier, passing on these cookies or working out for an hour?". Those knds of reminders often have me making a better choice (notice I didn't say always!). Don't get me wrong, I have really grown to like my workouts, but still it can put some moments of temptation into perspective. I hope this is useful information and good luck on reaching your goals, I know you can do it!

Cheers,

Kevin

MichelleB69

I'm new this week too and am 42. Feel free to add me as a friend if you like! You can never have enough cheerleaders!

greyhoundluv

Hi! I am 50 and just started MFP at the end of February, have lost 3 lbs. It has been hard, and very different. I am getting my head around the idea that it is going to be slower than it used to be, and that's okay. In fact, one of the things I am trying to focus on is that this is my year to focus on wellness, which for me means really improving my physical fitness. I have some chronic pain challenges so the workouts are difficult, and I have to be slow and steady with increasing that as well. But that is my mantra--someone else said it on this thread and I keep it in mind too--"slow and steady wins the race!" As soon as I try to jump ahead of myself, or ahead of where my body tells me I need to be, I fall off the good habits, and regain all the weight!

kmanfredo1212

Thanks Jilly!
I have only been on my fitness pal for two days...but I LOVE how easy it is to go on and record your food and the exercise you've done. I think I finally found something that will work. I have tried everything...these stubborn 25 pounds just wont budge. Thanks for the encouragement!!! I am determined to get back in shape. I have arthritis and joint issues too....and I know every pound I lose will help the knees!!!! Thanks! Kathleen

anakinlover

Hi there! Having just truned 39, losing weight is much harder for me than it was in my 20's for sure! Joining MFP was the best thing I could have done this time around. All the support form people just like me, doing their best to be healthy...is very motivating. Add me of you want to build a friend base...the more the merrier! Good luck!
:flowerforyou:

tysi

Hi there,
I'm starting over today. I just had my 43 birthday and I am seeing fat rolls in places I didn't expect! My clothes aren't fitting and it is really depressing. My husband just bought me a bike for my birthday (requested by me). I'm on board if anyone wants to be my friend and go on this weight loss journey with me. I have 20 Lbs. to lose.

getmehealthy

If one more doctor says how difficult it is to lose weight after 40 - yikes! I am 47 and have been losing slowly and steadily since turning 41. This past week I really cut my carbs - some days by more than 1/2. I have lost a pound and I know inches (because my clothes are way looser). I have my official weight and measure on monday but I'm feeling great. Lunch all week was a turkey and cheese wrap using romain lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla. It was actually pretty good too. Eggs for lunch and a healthy dinner. It's been a good week for me.

juliapurpletoes

Hi Kathleen :flowerforyou:

I can relate to your story! I am now 52 and offically "menopaused" and yeah it is alot harder to lose weight and feel in shape at this time in life. But, there is hope!

For me, regular enthusiastic exercise, cardio and balanced with muscle toning/strengthening is helping alot. More than I thought it would ( the weight lifting part, though I don't do much yet. I am working on it!) I'm learning that if we just think of fitness as counting calories and trying to lose fat/weight we won't be as effective at it. We have to work on our muscles because they keep our metabolism revved up.

I am a huge believer in MFP! Tracking and being diligent and getting support from your friends too. It is a lovely community here

Best,

Julia

CIam2Bless2BStress

Hello New to myfitnesspal thought I try it out.. Wanted to keep track of my food intake. So far I like the calories counting, Since I started My Wii fit plus. I lost 29 lbs. Now doing this along with it. I can't wait to see the results. I found being over 40 it was getting harder for me to lose weight. Now I have many tools to help me make my goal. So here we go for healthier eating, Firming the body.

ronda_gettinghealthy

True story it seems the hurrier I go the behinder I get. My old quick fad diets aren't working now that I am pushing 50 real hard. Gonna try to old fashioned way-fewer calories in and more calories out while not screwing up my nutrition. Wish me luck!!!