Any senior citizens trying to lose weight?

PattyZig

I started gaining weight in my 40s, just a few pounds a year, till suddenly at 75 I weighed 189 lbs instead of the 150 I weighed back in "the olden days." So, 3 years ago I started the weight loss program which counts points. I managed to lose 30 lbs over a 2 year period, but 6 months ago I realized those size 14s I had bought (to replace the size 18s) were getting a little tight. My daughter is using myfitnesspal on her smart phone, so I tried it on my laptop. I really like it. I'm not sure how much - if any- I've lost so far because I changed scales after a week and there was a difference. I think maybe I've lost 2.5 lbs in 3 weeks. I'd like to keep myself at 1200 cals long enough to get below 160. At my age, I think that will be ok.

My method: Since it's spring, I'm burning some extra cals on yard work. Also, I joined a gym and am trying to work out - bicycle and strength training - 2 or 3 times a week. I try to eat about 300 cals for breakfast, another 300 for lunch and afternoon snack, and the rest for dinner and dessert. I eat a lot of fruit for breakfast, multi grain light english muffin, an egg several times a week. Lunch is usually turkey breast on a 100 cal multi grain sandwich round. I weigh or count out my afternoon snace to keep it limited. Supper is protein (fish, chicken, beef, pork) baked or grilled, but only about 2 to 4 ozs. If I eat a potato, it's usually only 1/2 of one. I think it's important to weigh or count your food and be sure to record it. A wonderful dessert is sugar free angel food cake, a lot of strawberries with splenda, and a little squirt of light whipped topping. Another is sugar-free jello with fresh strawberries, blueberries, etc, I indulge in a glass of wine, a lite beer, a little cheese. But count it! If you eat a big breakfast, like on Sunday after church, go light on supper - broiled fish, vegetables, salad with fat free dressing.

Being creative while planning your meals to include food you like is half the battle.