How are baby boomers losing weight?

fastforlife1

I started intermittent fasting June 26 and I have lost 9 pounds since then. (With 1 week off for bad behavior). I was hoping to have lost 20 pounds in 2 months, but that is not happening!
Friday I switched to alternate day fasting which I think I prefer to ESE (fasting 2- 24 hours a week). Every other day goal calories are 6-700 calories (and yes I count my exercise calories on these days) and alternate days are maintainance calories (about 2100-2300 calories for me, but I am trying to keep my up day calories at 1800 except for special occasions. And I do not count exercise calories those days.
I have also realized that hoping to lose 2/3 pounds a week is an unreasonable goal for me; however, I will keep trying but I will be happy with any weight loss!

topshopperwantabe

I am counting calories. I live gluten free but not for health reasons just because I do feel better when avoiding wheat. For exercise, I cycle. I recently started to work out with some weights. How are you losing weight?

geogie54

I am counting calories. I live gluten free but not for health reasons just because I do feel better when avoiding wheat. For exercise, I cycle. I recently started to work out with some weights. How are you losing weight?

mamawjoyce

I watch my calories,i don't keep a strict record I after so many yrs of dieting pretty much know how many cals, a food has so i feel if i have met those calories for the day i then just eat fruit the rest of day, & i don't eat after 5pm.

madivp

For health reasons I am eating Vegan. I started two weeks ago and have lost 10 pounds. I am not hungry at all my cravings have stopped. I am following Dr John McDougalls diet. I was put on insulin and it is about impossible to lose weight with the types of medications I am on . So I am really impressed. We will see where I go with this. I have a triple heart bypass so that is why I gave up meat.

sandhillsmom

I'm watching calories mostly by changing what I eat and how much of it I eat. I'm walking everyday and doing strength training workouts 3-4 times a week. I through in some yoga for stretching and balance. In May, I was 185. Today I'm 172. So something is working right. :laugh:

lskog1

I use MFP to keep track of my calories and I also have a Fit Bit. I use the Fit Bit and try to get in at least 10,000 steps/day. I started about 2 weeks ago and have lost 5.8 lbs as of yesterday.

TimeWillTell2

I am using this website to keep me accountable for my calories and I am trying to get into exercising.

fastforlife1

I love the support of MFP. Great job everyone!

ktsmom430

I am counting calories as well. Trying to avoid most processed foods and trying to keep the carbs low. Not much eating out at all.
I have been logging daily since I seriously started here. I signed up in February 2012, but did not begin until March 12th.
I mostly walk with light weights for excersise. I am looking for an eliptical machine (used)
I have lost 80# so far, but still have a lot to lose. I started out at 290# and weighed in at 210# on Monday, August 13, 2012.
What has kept me focused on my goals is the realization that at the age of almost 61, I can no longer keep telling myself that I will start tomorrow, because there are not that many tomorrows left. That, and asking myself frequently, "are you really hungry?" The answer is mostly no, so that helps to keep me from eating things that I shouldn't eat. I have been really good about eating healthy and portion control, and it is paying off for me.
My only regret is that I didn't know about MFP sooner!

Shamrock9377

I've been using MFP since November. Was starting to feel like I was starving on 1200 calories. So I found the EM2WL group. EatMore2WeighLess. I've started my metabolism reset and am sooooo enjoying being able to eat again. Check it out. I lost 72-73 pounds prior to this by just counting calories, but figured I can't go on living on 1200 calories the rest of my life. Had to figure out a way to eat more but not gain weight. Starting to lift weights next week. Been reading the book, The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Lots of wonderful information. :happy:

EbnyIvry

I log my meals and workout daily. Spin at home with a video on my iPad each morning before I leave for work. I use the iPhone pedometer app to track my progress when I walk my dog. That's Snowball and me in the photo.

Dyetcoke1

Slowly...but surely. I am 20 pounds lighter than last summer, but have made it a top priority to have a baseline 30 mins exervise each day and moved my calorie goal from 1800 to 1500. My new weighxt target loss is the next 8 pounds. This will move me off pre-diabetic status. I only set small goals, normally 5

Dyetcoke1

Super great job! My arthritis bad so exercise hurts but always helps pain if that makes sense.

fastforlife1

Does anybody else find that if they exercise too much their weight loss stops? I am not sure if because this makes me hungrier or what.

ktsmom430

Fastforlife, I think part of it is from muscle weighing more than fat. Exercise builds/tones muscle. Some advice that I have heard is to take measurements.
I was wondering if you could tell us more about fasting?
Thanks!

mamawjoyce

Fastforlife i watch my calories 1500 a day, thats hard some days so i stay busy working on crafts etc,as i am retired i need to stay busy or would be a couch tater! just keep moving the body,walking,bending, squatting,etc. anyway u can burn calories. I am not for fasting myself. After u come off a fast aren't u starving & eat like a horse? Just saying! anyway the older u get the harder & longer it takes to lose a lb. & u want to have it stay off not pop back on.

jkcrawford

Super great job! My arthritis bad so exercise hurts but always helps pain if that makes sense.

I also suffer from arthritis in all my joints, some days are worse then others. I try to do a little exercise everyday, probably not what I need. I keep track of everything I put in my mouth down to the tsp of margarine. I have lost 12 pounds so far. slow and steady for me. I will not fast I don't believe this is good for your body. I keep a steady change up of food to keep my body fueled. If you are eating less than 1200 calories your body thinks you are starving it. Weight loss is not a quick fix if you take it off too fast you will only end up putting it back on.

hiawathaperez

Low Low Carb....Almost Paleo Exercise....

Lite yoga stretching.

The Shred.

Loosing more inches than weight at the moment.....

That'll work.

fastforlife1

For those of you asking about fasting - go to YouTube and watch the BBC video "Eat, fast, and live longer." Intermittent fasting has many health benifits and can also be used for weight loss.
I actually find eating sugar makes me hungry. My sweet daughter gave me some peanut brittle which I was eating yesterday and it made me starving for dinner, The more I fast, the more my appetite shrinks and my self control grows. There are many different types of fasting called Intermittent Fasting. There is a group here on MFP called that too. However, I have not fasted for a week. I have been very busy and burning lots of calories, so I hope I have lost a pound or two when I weigh tomorrow!

myooper1

Hi Baby Boomers. I started MFP about3 weeks ago. Have lost 3.5 lbs. Trying very hard to stay within my calorie limits and today didn't do so well. I'm in it for the long haul for health reason.

BabyJago

My approach is pretty basic. I count calories, weigh myself every day and, focus on a high protein, moderate fiber, low fat diet. I also try to exercise at least 30-60 minutes day, either at my gym, using my stationary bike or walking outdoors on my lunch break. Now that I'm in my 50's (menopause UGH), I find it's even more challenging to stay my size and maintain my weight. I gave up even social drinking two years ago and almost never snack - I think those things help as well.

I've learned to choose healthier treats and have low calorie ice cream bars (Blue Bunny from WalMart makes great 70 calories bars) or I have Yoplait Light with a little lite Cool Whip for my after-dinner dessert.

There's always room in my budget for new pairs of jeans! Jeans are the most honest garment you can buy - I always know when to become more diligent in my weight battle when my jeans don't fit quite right

My Fitness Pal ensures that I'll be accountable to myself and I'm having more "good" days than "bad" days - i.e. I'm maintaining rather than gaining or weighing in on the lower end of my weight range some days.

So, there's hope! All the best to all of you! I hope my ideas help others.

fastforlife1

KtS mom - Congradulations on your impressive progress!

ktsmom430

Thanks, Fastforlife. I am at the point now where everyone I see everyday, has noticed and commented on it. Just last week, my boss called me "skinny" (which I am definately not), but I can not believe how good that made me feel. I can hardly believe it myself, that I have been able to stick to this for so long. Who knew that logging in exercise and everything I eat and drink would be the key to help me commit to a life style change. MFP is a lifesaver for me. I am so thankful that I have found this website!

wiggywompus

I am being more physical. My husband is retired and because he has done all the things he wants during the day thinks when I get home I should sit down and spend time with him. I block book Zumba so prepay for 10 classes, same with horse riding and swimming too mean not to go as I have paid! Log my food on MFP, feel bad if I have to enter eaten something or more than I should.

mamawjoyce

Sounds like you are on the right track,stay focused ,My husband & I are both retired & I can relate! Just stay busy maybe crafting,gardening,needlepoint, tYou can do this!ake a walk, what ever floats your boat!

hilary57

I'm aiming for daily net calorie consumption of 1200. I set up MFP as "sedentary" .... which was/is honest so I track every piece of exercise including cleaning house, horseback riding, etc along with specific exercises of swimming and ellyptical which are my cardio of choice, and also strength training.

I don't have a scale ... I dislike them intensely so I'm going by measurements and how certain clothes fit. I have a long way to go to get back into my size 8 clothes! I was running back then, but running isn't comfortable for me any more. The tops of my feet BURN every time I break out into a jog. I figure it's an age thing.

Food wise ... I've cut out wheat and corn. It's dense, it's almost all genetically modified and I can live without it as a staple in my diet. My carbs are fruits and vegetables with occasional rice or potato. I try to eat seasonal and local as much as possible.

My meat all comes from one source ... a rancher about 1 hour away from me and he raises all his critters 100% natural. The beef is all grass fed. His pork is totally amazing. His chicken has hardly any "dark" meat ... the thigh and the breast are hard to tell apart once separated from the bones, and it's all quite moist and delicious. I get my eggs either from him or from a couple of friends who have real free-ranging chickens. There are a number of studies showing the health benefit of natually raised protein sources over commercial. The difference is drastic and compelling.

All my dairy is sourced from one place too ... another ranch just about 1 miles away from me. I buy raw whole milk and try and drink 8 ounces a day. The cattle are both Gurnsey and Jersey ... not a Holstein in the bunch and there is a compelling reason for this too. The studies are somewhat conflicting but all I know is that all my allergies to pollens and molds have almost entirely disappeared since drinking his milk. I can also buy pasturized milk product at his little store ... drinkable yogurt, cheese, butter and the most delicious milk caramel.

Just about every day, almost 50% or more of my calories comes from fat. But I'm losing because of the strict watch on calories. And I feel 100% better than I did two months ago. I'm actually looking forward to visiting my doctor, who I have been avoiding the past few years because deep down I knew I was going down the wrong road.

Sorry ... I can get long-winded on this subject. I'm passionate about food!!! If you made it this far, I'm impressed. )

fastforlife1

I'm aiming for daily net calorie consumption of 1200. I set up MFP as "sedentary" .... which was/is honest so I track every piece of exercise including cleaning house, horseback riding, etc along with specific exercises of swimming and ellyptical which are my cardio of choice, and also strength training.

I don't have a scale ... I dislike them intensely so I'm going by measurements and how certain clothes fit. I have a long way to go to get back into my size 8 clothes! I was running back then, but running isn't comfortable for me any more. The tops of my feet BURN every time I break out into a jog. I figure it's an age thing.

Food wise ... I've cut out wheat and corn. It's dense, it's almost all genetically modified and I can live without it as a staple in my diet. My carbs are fruits and vegetables with occasional rice or potato. I try to eat seasonal and local as much as possible.

My meat all comes from one source ... a rancher about 1 hour away from me and he raises all his critters 100% natural. The beef is all grass fed. His pork is totally amazing. His chicken has hardly any "dark" meat ... the thigh and the breast are hard to tell apart once separated from the bones, and it's all quite moist and delicious. I get my eggs either from him or from a couple of friends who have real free-ranging chickens. There are a number of studies showing the health benefit of natually raised protein sources over commercial. The difference is drastic and compelling.

All my dairy is sourced from one place too ... another ranch just about 1 miles away from me. I buy raw whole milk and try and drink 8 ounces a day. The cattle are both Gurnsey and Jersey ... not a Holstein in the bunch and there is a compelling reason for this too. The studies are somewhat conflicting but all I know is that all my allergies to pollens and molds have almost entirely disappeared since drinking his milk. I can also buy pasturized milk product at his little store ... drinkable yogurt, cheese, butter and the most delicious milk caramel.

Just about every day, almost 50% or more of my calories comes from fat. But I'm losing because of the strict watch on calories. And I feel 100% better than I did two months ago. I'm actually looking forward to visiting my doctor, who I have been avoiding the past few years because deep down I knew I was going down the wrong road.

Sorry ... I can get long-winded on this subject. I'm passionate about food!!! If you made it this far, I'm impressed. )

I'm jealous. I'm a true believer in eating naturally raised animals - it's not only much healthier but also more humane. Unfortunately I can rarely afford grass raised beef. I do only buy pasture raised eggs from a local source. They taste much better and ha e dark orange yolks. Yum!

dianefisher47

I count calories do exercise and make sure to get enough proteines and Fiber, I have lost 30 prior to joining MFP but having a hard time loosing At one point I think I was not eating enough calories so after the 30 lbs lost my body went into starvation mode..so not loosing as I should. I have now upped my calories eaten per day to 1300 and I eat the exercise calories to average about 1500 calories per day of eating so I will see what happens:drinker: