Boomer Challenges
kesslertg
Posts: 54 Member
Like many of you, I have battled weight issues since I married in my early 20s. Even though I was very active, the weight has steadily crept up over the years. When I first hit 194lbs I was shocked. I was running marathons at time and that is way to heavy for it ... creates terrible pounding on knees. Then as I got older the weight drifted up to 204 lbs. Then 214 lbs and a couple of years ago I hit 226 lbs, my highest weight ever. I've done every diet ... WW, Adkins, Body for Life, etc. Some success but then back to the bigness.
For some reason, at the age of 58, this time feels different. I started at 217 lbs on March 3rd, joined MyFitnessPal and also created a FaceBook Group HelpTomGettoHisGoalWeight .... for family and friends. The support has been phenomenal and as of this morning I weighed in at 200.0 lbs.
My topic ... Boomer Challenges .... is based on the idea that accountability and social support are the key for many of us. We grew up in a great era and many have "done our own thing" as Buffalo Springfield and other artists would have wanted us to do. Lol. I continue to be very active ... tennis, jogging, walking, golf, biking and swimming. But that didn't help weight at all.
I think that we need two things beyond physical activity to be successful:
1) Accountability ... we need to know what we are eating (in calorie terms) and what we are burning. This enables us to set a calorie budget if we are eating out, going to a party, or going to a holiday buffet and try to stick to it. It enables us to accept the realization that we can't eat unlimited amounts and types of food.
2) Social support ... I think our generation is one that needs kudos and atta-boy/atta-girl comments from family, friends and our social network. I think this is as important as #1.
I've lost 17 lbs in six weeks. I'm hoping others in the boomer generation are successful too. We can do it. Let me know what you think about the two ideas above. Have a great day.
Tom
For some reason, at the age of 58, this time feels different. I started at 217 lbs on March 3rd, joined MyFitnessPal and also created a FaceBook Group HelpTomGettoHisGoalWeight .... for family and friends. The support has been phenomenal and as of this morning I weighed in at 200.0 lbs.
My topic ... Boomer Challenges .... is based on the idea that accountability and social support are the key for many of us. We grew up in a great era and many have "done our own thing" as Buffalo Springfield and other artists would have wanted us to do. Lol. I continue to be very active ... tennis, jogging, walking, golf, biking and swimming. But that didn't help weight at all.
I think that we need two things beyond physical activity to be successful:
1) Accountability ... we need to know what we are eating (in calorie terms) and what we are burning. This enables us to set a calorie budget if we are eating out, going to a party, or going to a holiday buffet and try to stick to it. It enables us to accept the realization that we can't eat unlimited amounts and types of food.
2) Social support ... I think our generation is one that needs kudos and atta-boy/atta-girl comments from family, friends and our social network. I think this is as important as #1.
I've lost 17 lbs in six weeks. I'm hoping others in the boomer generation are successful too. We can do it. Let me know what you think about the two ideas above. Have a great day.
Tom
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I believe you are right. Accountability and social support are a must. That is why this site works so well. Accountability by leaving your food diary open for viewing at least by friends as I have. I still don't think it needs to be open to everyone. And the social network like the group we are in right now is such moral support as well as being motivational.
I think motivation is extremely important. When I can motivate people, I feel like it feeds my own motivation. So yes, I do try to motivate others. It helps me to stay focused. How can I tell you to stick to your diet for one more day and just hang on if I am not doing the same.0 -
Like many of you, I have battled weight issues since I married in my early 20s. Even though I was very active, the weight has steadily crept up over the years. When I first hit 194lbs I was shocked. I was running marathons at time and that is way to heavy for it ... creates terrible pounding on knees. Then as I got older the weight drifted up to 204 lbs. Then 214 lbs and a couple of years ago I hit 226 lbs, my highest weight ever. I've done every diet ... WW, Adkins, Body for Life, etc. Some success but then back to the bigness.
For some reason, at the age of 58, this time feels different. I started at 217 lbs on March 3rd, joined MyFitnessPal and also created a FaceBook Group HelpTomGettoHisGoalWeight .... for family and friends. The support has been phenomenal and as of this morning I weighed in at 200.0 lbs.
My topic ... Boomer Challenges .... is based on the idea that accountability and social support are the key for many of us. We grew up in a great era and many have "done our own thing" as Buffalo Springfield and other artists would have wanted us to do. Lol. I continue to be very active ... tennis, jogging, walking, golf, biking and swimming. But that didn't help weight at all.
I think that we need two things beyond physical activity to be successful:
1) Accountability ... we need to know what we are eating (in calorie terms) and what we are burning. This enables us to set a calorie budget if we are eating out, going to a party, or going to a holiday buffet and try to stick to it. It enables us to accept the realization that we can't eat unlimited amounts and types of food.
2) Social support ... I think our generation is one that needs kudos and atta-boy/atta-girl comments from family, friends and our social network. I think this is as important as #1.
I've lost 17 lbs in six weeks. I'm hoping others in the boomer generation are successful too. We can do it. Let me know what you think about the two ideas above. Have a great day.
Tom
Congratulations on losing 17 pounds in such a short period! Like you, my weight gain has been gradual over years and shocking to me when I reached a level that I never dreamed I would and never wanted. I was grateful when some part of me finally switched on and said, 'Enough!' Now it's about taking care of myself in ways at least as good as I take care of others and try to take care of the world.
I agree with your two points about accountability and social support. I think our generation is especially good at the public accountability thing since it's been such a social issue during our lifetimes but not necessarily so good at personal accountability. But, in some ways, I think we invented the idea of social support.
Anyway, I feel like this website has offered both for me and that's why I'm making the progress I am. Like Peggy, I recently opened my food and exercise diary to friends so I'm open to feedback about what I'm doing. I love your idea of asking friends and family for support on Face Book too and your 'can do' attitude!
My biggest struggle now is trying to find ways to get intense enough exercise that won't aggravate current health problems. It seems like this is true for many people our ages. Our minds are willing but the flesh is weak... :laugh: I'm tryiing to find people to exercise with because I think that will help but I find it's tough with most people I know busy with their own lives. I'm going to plug on though whether I find others or not and I'm going to keep learning what works.
I also look around me and see so many people our ages who have clearly given up on being physically fit. They've resigned themselves to 'growing old' and having growing health problems and rely on medicine but won't make the lifestyle changes that would make the bigger difference. It's encouraging to me to know people like you are out there and I'm not alone is deciding that getting older doesn't have to mean settling for being in bad shape. I know we can't control everything but I believe we generally can do more than most people think.
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I think this is why I like the DVD I got. She talks to you the whole time and you feel like you are exercising with someone else. You can also rent DVDs for exercise I hear. I haven't found yet where to do that but I'm looking into it.0
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Hi, I don't plan on getting old ,older yes, but never old. I plan on staying active to the best of my ability ,yes some days are better than others, but I do the most and best I can do on any given day. I'm trying to lose weight for several reasons, first I need a new knee and my doctor would like me to lose the weight before surgery, second I want to live a long healthy life,and I want to be one of those amazing ladies that make you think WOW getting older dosen't have to be awful,frumpy,slow ,weak,or just all around yucky. I guess I am vain enough to want to look good.0
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This is great! I love the idea of motivating (and being motivated) by "kids" my own age. Don't mind my avitar.....it's more of a temporary spoof for a particular thread I just HAD to respond to.....lol. I'll be changing it back to normal in a few days. Anyway, let's have fun and get fit!0
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My goal this week is to lose at least one pound(2 would be great) while parked here at the Casino. I plan on doing alot of walking and really watching my weight. Love finding this site and able to really watch what goes in my mouth and seeing what I am doing after posting my food for the day and exercise. :drinker:0
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Check out your local library, Peggy. I've borrowed them from ours.0
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Hi, I don't plan on getting old ,older yes, but never old. I plan on staying active to the best of my ability ,yes some days are better than others, but I do the most and best I can do on any given day. I'm trying to lose weight for several reasons, first I need a new knee and my doctor would like me to lose the weight before surgery, second I want to live a long healthy life,and I want to be one of those amazing ladies that make you think WOW getting older dosen't have to be awful,frumpy,slow ,weak,or just all around yucky. I guess I am vain enough to want to look good.
Some people might call it vanity. I call it self esteem. I also want to be one of those amazing ladies that WOW people, especially myself when I look in the mirror. :happy:0 -
What a great suggestion. Never thought of that. Will do.Check out your local library, Peggy. I've borrowed them from ours.0 -
I love the casinos too but you really hit the jackpot with this web site. Congratulations.My goal this week is to lose at least one pound(2 would be great) while parked here at the Casino. I plan on doing alot of walking and really watching my weight. Love finding this site and able to really watch what goes in my mouth and seeing what I am doing after posting my food for the day and exercise. :drinker:0
