Weight Gain and Age
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The best way to boost your metabolism (at any age) is to eat 5-7 small meals a day and LIFT WEIGHTS! Building muscle increases your metabolism like crazy and you're never too old to start!
I totally agree! I may not weigh what I did in the 30's but I am stronger and have more muscle mass. At this point in my life it is about being strong and fit. I do not think that a VLCD (Very low calorie diet) does anybody any good! Years of weight watchers totally messed with my metabolism. It has been a long hard road to get my metabolism back in check.0 -
I am right there with you! My scale has not moved in almost a year; however, I have cut down on the cardio and been doing more strength training. A LOT MORE! And, though I would love to get my weight down in the 150s too, I'm more focused on getting stronger. I realize that my clothes are fitting better and I feel better about myself.
I lift weights 3-4 days a week and I lift heavy. There's nothing more fulfilling than watching my lift weights increase. I can remember struggling through bench pressing just the 45# olympic bar and now I'm pressing 90#. Eventually, I have to imagine my body will catch up but its no longer about the scale number for me. WW trained me all wrong and I've been correcting that little by little. I stand on the scale once a month now- if that.0 -
My weight has gone like this: In my 20's I weighed 128 to 135. In my 30's I weighed 146 to 152. I quit smoking when I was 37 and in my 40's my weight has 157 to 168. I have worked out on and off my whole life. When I smoked, drank and partied - I weighed less. I also have always had a sedentary job so I know that doesn't help. I find it frustrating that I have to fight to get down to 150 lbs when I used to be in the 140's without doing anything super healthy.
Has anyone had this type of slow weight gain, despite eating healthier and having a healthier lifestyle as they got older??
Right there with you! I lost 35 lbs when I was 39 WHILE quitting smoking (and going through a divorce) I have had a sit down on my rear job for over 12 years but since I turned 40 I have slowly gained weight to the point I'm well above the 35 I iniially lost ... I did manage to lose 12 lbs before joining MFP (so that's why my ticker says 0 lost) I'm stuck ... now I will say that I started working with a trainer at my gym and my measurements have changed in the 2 months I've been working with him ... my BMI went down and my clothes fit different so I know I'm making progress just the scale number isn't moving!! So frustrating... I'm 42 now almost 43.... I would love to lose even just 25 lbs to be at 125 .. just gotta have faith and determination that it will work!0 -
My weight has gone like this: In my 20's I weighed 128 to 135. In my 30's I weighed 146 to 152. I quit smoking when I was 37 and in my 40's my weight has 157 to 168. I have worked out on and off my whole life. When I smoked, drank and partied - I weighed less. I also have always had a sedentary job so I know that doesn't help. I find it frustrating that I have to fight to get down to 150 lbs when I used to be in the 140's without doing anything super healthy.
Has anyone had this type of slow weight gain, despite eating healthier and having a healthier lifestyle as they got older??
Sounds like you are living MY life.
Age 19 (graduation) 99 lbs
20-30's 100 - 125 lbs
30-40's 125 - 140 lbs
45 170 lbs
I also worked an office job (developed that dreaded "Secretary Spread"), went thru divorce in early 30's, loss a bit but found it again, remarried early 40's (and learned to cook), had motorcycle accident which helped add last 30 lbs and BAM here I am. Just started MFP and feeling good about it.0 -
I'm in the same boat.. I never had to watch my weight. Had my kiddo at 40. Now at 44, I am finally back to my pre-preggo weight of 125 but with more fat (about 23%). I have to work out every day and really watch what I eat. I'm going to add running into the mix too. My goal is to get down to about 18% body weight and about 120 pounds.0
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I went from 125 to 163. When I went up two stairs and had to stop to catch my breath I knew it was time to lose weight. The doctor told me I had to lose at least 40 pounds. I find that walking regularly and running has helped (the daily walk actually makes a huge difference). Keeping track of what i eat made me realize that I ate tons of carbs, oodles of fat and a pindrop's worth of protein.
I started eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, cut out sugar and don't drink soda. I drink tons of water (glowing skin #winning) and it helped me lose more weight. I realized that when I lost the first 20lbs, my back and knees stopped hurting. Being able to fit into a smaller size is such a bonus. The challenge for me has been to keep on eating right (I love food and I cook so it's been interesting). Keeping pics up of my before and after have really helped.
Good luck ladies.....being 40 is awesome. I organize lots of outdoor activities (keeps me motivated to move) and it has helped with the weight loss. Not all the work has to be done in the gym......and the bedroom can really help rake off the pounds (they say a ladies libido increases at 40....might as well put it to good use....lol). Jokes aside, once we start to find fun ways to lose weight, it's almost easy to do it without even thinking about it.0 -
I just found this page http://www.calorieking.com. It keeps track of the calories you eat and then lets you know what exercises you can do, and how long you should do them for, in order to burn the calories you just ate. An example: After one refridgerated dough, chocolate chip cookie would need walk for 16 minutes, jog for 7 mins, swim for 5 minutes, or cycle for 5 mins.0
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So, I gained 7 holiday pounds so I'm back to trying to drop that weight. My trainer tells me to eat 1200 calories a day, work out with weights at least 2 days a week and cardio 5-6 days per week. That seems extreme to me. However, maybe it works? I'm just not willing to starve myself.0
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Yes, it makes you want to scream. I used to be able to eat whatever and not exercise and be skinny. In my twenties the weight came off with a little exercise, no dieting. Now I have to always watch what I eat and exercise an hour a day and it's super hard. I can't imagine what it will be like in my 50's if this trend continues. But we do what we have to do, right. Can't let the age weight win!0
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Same story as most....was the same weight from Grade 9 to my wedding day. After 2 kids I got into martial arts quite heavily and was in the BEST shape of my life! Due to an ongoing knee injury (surgeries and replacement upcoming) I had to slow down and it was hard to keep going as it wasn't as enjoyable. Back into working out with Jillian Michaels DVD's and on this site but my big issue is the muffin top that appeared out of no where!!!!!!! I have watched the teens of today expand and especially in the mid section. I eat well (little to no processed foods) and work out and power walk daily....and it's not budging.....uuugh....summer is 6 months away and I can't and WON'T wear a one piece bathing suit!0
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Welcome to the forties! I think I can speak for most of us that we have all experienced some form of this. Worst of all it kind of just sneaks up and suddenly you realize you're not the same as your younger self...as depressing as it sometimes can be!
Everyone obviously reacts differently to a lifestyle change, but you will find one that works for YOU!
I personally have had the best success with eating every two to three hours and making sure there is adequate protein in each meal. I spend a couple hours each Sunday preparing all of my meals (for work) for the following week, put them in plastic containers and freeze them. I have managed to keep this up for seven years now and it's just natural.
Good luck! We are all here for you!0 -
Okay- I lost 2 of the 7 holiday pounds. On the right track - 40 or not !!So, I gained 7 holiday pounds so I'm back to trying to drop that weight. My trainer tells me to eat 1200 calories a day, work out with weights at least 2 days a week and cardio 5-6 days per week. That seems extreme to me. However, maybe it works? I'm just not willing to starve myself.0
