61 and beginning over

BirdieM

It's a new day and a new beginning! I have been on a diet since I was 6 months old and have about 6 sizes of clothes in my closet. I have no false hopes of becoming a "Babe" at my age, but I would like to look and feel the best I can FOR my age. I love to take hikes with my husband (short ones), ride a bike with my husband (which I haven't done for quite a few years but started getting back on it this year), dance and play with my grandchildren. I think it's critical, especially at my age, do do everything I can to stay as mobile as I can for as many years as I can! Getting lazy now could cost me some real quality years. Whenever I have been successful in losing weight, it has always started with being aware of what I am "honestly" doing now. After calculating my calories for a typical day, I gasped at all the so called "good foods" that were loaded with calories eg. Trail mix! Now that I am aware, I have choices to make and this website will help me track my journey.
61 is today's 41! Think it, act it and make the right choices (and I'm the only one who can do that) and this baby boomer is going to bloom! Today is the beginning of the rest of my life!
BirdieM

BrenNew

It's a new day and a new beginning! I have been on a diet since I was 6 months old and have about 6 sizes of clothes in my closet. I have no false hopes of becoming a "Babe" at my age, but I would like to look and feel the best I can FOR my age. I love to take hikes with my husband (short ones), ride a bike with my husband (which I haven't done for quite a few years but started getting back on it this year), dance and play with my grandchildren. I think it's critical, especially at my age, do do everything I can to stay as mobile as I can for as many years as I can! Getting lazy now could cost me some real quality years. Whenever I have been successful in losing weight, it has always started with being aware of what I am "honestly" doing now. After calculating my calories for a typical day, I gasped at all the so called "good foods" that were loaded with calories eg. Trail mix! Now that I am aware, I have choices to make and this website will help me track my journey.
61 is today's 41! Think it, act it and make the right choices (and I'm the only one who can do that) and this baby boomer is going to bloom! Today is the beginning of the rest of my life!
BirdieM

Hi Birdie, and welcome to THE best site on the web! :flowerforyou:
Between the easy to use food counter (which by the way is SUCH an eye opener!) and all the wonderfully supportive members, you WILL be able to lose the weight that you want to, AND, it'll "almost" be easy doing it!
I recommend logging ALL your foods BEFORE you have them, rather than later, as it tends to lead to better food choices. (not to mention you'll know if you've got enough numbers left to have a night time snack, like I ALWAYS try to do!) Some people also like to weigh and measure some things, such as meats, rather than just estimating and possibly being WAY off! :noway:
Don't go making the mistake that if you have LOTS of numbers left at the end of the day that you'll lose even faster, because that DOESN'T happen. Feel free to read any info about the site in the "help" section at the top of the home page. And also, under "all topics", then "general", and check out the first few threads. They'll really help you understand how MFP works.
Before coming here, I had tried just about EVERYTHING out there, including hypnosis, TWICE, and nothing really worked until MFP!
Also, drink LOTS of water, it REALLY DOES help! :drinker:
As for exercise, it doesn't always have to be awful. For my exercise, I walk almost every day, (weather permitting!) I also dance to a fast oldies CD that my husband made up of all my favorite old songs. (Like "Love Shack", Wild, Wild West", "Mony, Mony", "Footloose", and "Gloria")
It's free, (unlike a gym!) fun, and I can even watch tv at the same time, so I never get bored! :happy:
I also recently aquired the Wii Fit, and jog to that, which is a lot of fun, and easy too!
So, to make a LONG story short, make good food choices, eat in moderation, get some exercise, and you WILL lose the weight that you want to!

threeupthreedown

Good for you!!! I am with you!! WE can do this!!!

I am 56 and in the last few years I have removed 38 pounds.

I started jogging a year ago when I did a 5 kms run in 38 minutes. On Wednesday, I signed up for a Learn to Run 10 kms Clinic with the Running Room in my home town. By October 17, I will be able to run 10 kms. I am so proud of me.

Let's go!!!!

TuscanySun

BirdieM...welcome!!! Its so nice to have you hear and you will just love this site, I'm sure!!

You can do whatever you set your mind to, dont ever give up. I tell everyone, failure isnt slipping or falling down...its in the choice not to get back up and try again. As long as you get back up and try again one more time than you fall down...you will achieve your goals!

Have a fantastic day and make it count!!

Grate

Welcome BirdeM. As one 61 year old to another, you can do it. I retired a few months back and decided now was the time to make some changes. One of those changes was to dump some extra unwanted pounds. I love this site. I also log in my food before I eat otherwise I go off the deep end. My goal is 41 pounds before year end and I think I just might do it. I loved going out and buying a smaller pair of jeans the other day. As you say, 61 is the new 41. You go girl.....

RecliningFigure

Welcome. This site is awesome. Not just because of Mike who created and runs it in his spare time for free (and he is awesome), but because there are so many knowledgeable and supportive people in this community.

I'm noticing that in my older age, life gets better and better. I'm healthier, faster, and smarter than I was when I was young welp. I am in control, and I rarely get intimidated. Life is good. I look forward to 61. By then, I'll will be even healthier, smarter, and more in control. Enjoy this site and welcome again!!!

barbarella

Tweet, Tweet! and Welcome! :flowerforyou:

It's NEVER TOO LATE to begin, or start again!
And we gotta DO IT Girl.......... :noway: :happy:
At our age..... we must stay healthy to enjoy "The Second Half".

I too have a sedentary office job. So I have trained myself
to get up & MOVE as much as possible during the day:
- Take the stairs in all buildings & parking garages instead of the elevator.
(My knees hurt less with more exercise! Go figure!)
- Park far away and walk as much as possible.
- Take a brisk walk @lunchtime (indoors or outdoors regardless of weather)
- Stretch frequently, especially neck & hands (computer work)
- Use 2 lbs. hand weight at desk for light lifting exercises
- Drink lots of water! 32 oz. before & 32 oz. after lunch
- Eating healthy = craving less snacks!
- Keep fruit, celery, nut butter for small snacks.
- Log food & exercise into MFP! Chat w/friends for inspiration!

BRAVO for joining the gang! You can do it!!!! :flowerforyou:

MOMOFTWO29

Hello and welcome to MFP, the best website ever. You will love this site if you don't already. I love it here. This site is so supportive, motivational, helpful, easy to use and everyone here is so nice and friendly. I just wanted to tell you good luck on your weight loss journey. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

BirdieM

This is such a welcoming website. Thank you all for your hospitality!
BirdieM

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
Welcome, Birdie.

You have come to the right place.

MFP has changed my life and it can change yours if your work hard.

Take it one day at a time
Take baby steps
Stay open minded to new ideas
Drink a lot of water :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Find a group to be part of and check in with them every day.:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

weaklink109

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Hi Birdie!!

Welcome.

I read your profile and I would like to pass on two threads you might want to check out. Barbiecat and I can be found on both so they MUST be good!!:laugh: :laugh: (And just to confuse everyone, we both have the same first name!!:laugh:

In case you are not yet very familiar with website navigation, click on the Community tab to locate these and other threads, or you can start by pasting one of the links below into your browser's address bar, or you may be able to click on them and open the page automatically in a new browser window, depending on how your pc is set up.

The first, under fitness and motivation is the 50 + Womens' thread - here is the link:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61947-women-ages-50-for-the-month-of-august

The second is the Golden Sneakers, located in the fitness and exercise category:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61898-senior-golden-sneakers-club-for-august

You CAN do this!!! Look @ Barbiecat's ticker--50 pesky pounds gone forever since January '09. :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

I started in mid April and have lost 30 lbs., and believe me, I have tried EVERYTHING else, and this place WORKS!!! Looking forward to seeing you on the message boards, and wishing you every success in your journey.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:


Barb

BirdieM

Thanks Barb. I am getting on both the links you recommended! Lots of people like us struggling! It's so good we've found this website and each other, to encourage and advise. Looks like you've been doing real well and I'm sure you'll reach whatever goal you set your mind to. Having medical challenges can sometimes be a great motivator. I always say that "God draws straight with crooked lines":laugh: If I didn't have the weight, knees and back challenge I most likely wouldn't be as focused on healthy eating and exercising as I am today. Thanks again for the links and if Barb and Barb are on it.....then I take it, that it is a good thread:laugh:
:happy: Birdie

weaklink109

Birdie,


Read your other posts on both threads. Glad you can join us. Now we KNOW they are good threads, since you have posted on both!!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Barb

BirdieM

I agree!!!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Birdie