harder to lose weight as you get older?

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  • blackie1741
    blackie1741 Posts: 1
    I joined two weeks ago and it has been very difficult to stay on track and lose weight especialy as you get older. So far I have lost 8lbs
  • pattyann1112
    pattyann1112 Posts: 24
    bump for later
  • wkrd
    wkrd Posts: 45
    Oh yes, I can relate. I'm 52 now and while I could eat less for one week and lose quickly in my 20's and even 30's, I have been exercising and striving to eat better along with logging in for about 2 1/2 weeks. Though I do see a bit of difference in the way my clothes fit, I have seen ZERO weight loss on the scale. To say that is depressing and discouraging is an understatement to say the least. I just keep telling myself to just keep exercising and trying to eat a little cleaner everyday. I have been told taht 6-8 weeks is a magic number and sometimes the scale stubbornly holds on to a number and then drops all at once. I hope so. I keep telling myself I am building muscle and it will all work out in the end. I do need some more friends who are active on MFP so that we may keep pushing each other on to a better life. Feel free to add me.

    PS. I also seem to find it harder to just say no to cakes, cookies. In earlier days, I could just eat one small piece and be satisfied, now I want to whole cake or entire plate of cookies, and then I'm not satisfied, but miserable. :)
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    God yes. Horrible. Especially my abs or lack of. LOL
  • AZiegenhorn
    AZiegenhorn Posts: 19 Member
    This blog is written by a friend of mine . . . this particular blog is a part of a brest cancer awareness seriries but it is mostly about personal responsibility to health and and I think really great information in regards to age and weight gain.

    http://blog.secondchancefit.com/2012/10/14/breast-cancer-awareness-birthday/

    Enjoy :)
  • Chocohen
    Chocohen Posts: 10 Member
    chatterbox
    I just wanted to say that I liked your comment and also to congratulate you on the great progress you are making on your lifestyle change.
  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    I have not really noticed a difference. I am 42 years old, and I have lost 106 pounds since March of this year just by eating healthy and doing a lot of walking. I lost a lot of weight once before, when I was about 25. I don't remember exactly how fast it came off that time, but it does not seem any harder now.
  • DaylilyKathy
    DaylilyKathy Posts: 1
    I am 62 and it is definately harder to lose weight when you are older. I think you get set in your ways and it is hard to change them. I have no choice now. I have Type 2 Diabeties and have to eat better and lose weight. I am hoping since I am borderline and taking meds for 3 months and losing weight that maybe I have caught it in time to change it. I don't know much about it and even if that is possible but I will try. With support from this site, I am hoping that I can do it. I have lost 5 lbs before joining this site and now that I found this site, I hope to lose more and find out when and what I should and should not eat. Good Luck with your journey also.:flowerforyou:
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,455 Member
    It's hard because we are less active due to illness, disabilities etc. but it can be done successfully using the tools and support MFP has to offer. You have to do the work though and it ain't easy! Good Luck!
  • SaraBiston1
    SaraBiston1 Posts: 45 Member
    Hello,
    Yes dear, its sometimes difficult to lose weight when you become older. It must be necessary to eat proper diet. take proper vitamins so that you can get strength to lose weight. Do that much of exercise which wont hurt you most.
  • 2essie
    2essie Posts: 2,848 Member
    Thanks to mfp I haven't found it harder. I found my appitite was getting less anyway and I couldn't eat as much as I used to. I am losing weight steadily. I do lots of exercise. Now I am retired I have the time (I am 61 by the way but I certainly don't feel it). I tried to loose weight many times before mfp but the diets barley lasted a week. I am now commmitted to this so come on lets get this weight off because we can, at any age.
  • tellyportation
    tellyportation Posts: 12 Member
    It's really hard to lose weight as we age. It requires a lot of discipline and will power. We have to forego the bad habits in order to be what we want to be. Let's all help each other. =)
  • gwenversue
    gwenversue Posts: 12 Member
    I have tried also eats of diets, lose for a few weeks then plateaued, it happened again but the support has spurred me on, if you want a friend who has the same struggle add me.
  • cindys0417
    cindys0417 Posts: 1,279 Member
    Im 65 yrs old and have lost about 40 lbs. MFP is great and I have great motivating friends. Just watch your sugars and sodium and stick with high protein and drink your water.. Its the key to your weight loss. good luck
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    Depends on what you consider is older. I am 44 and have had no problems losing weight this time around (thanks MFP :bigsmile: ).

    I do think that as you get older you become more sedantary which will slow weight loss. For example, I went clubbing for the first time in years last weekend, I drank less than I would normally do on a night out, and I danced for hours. Normally on a night out I would just prop up the bar and drink more.

    I am also on blood pressure meds, and was told 7 years ago by my doctor only to do low impact exercise, ie. walking. I followed that advise for years and got fat. I only started losing weight when I ignored this advise, and when I informed my doctor how much exercise I was doing, he congratulated me (WTF :explode: ).

    That old addage "you are only as old as you feel" applies to dieting and exercise as well.
  • Kymmu
    Kymmu Posts: 1,650 Member
    Weight loss-It's definitely slower than it used to be for me.
    Maybe I was just more active though- ballet, walking everywhere, a more physical job...Also going out and skipping meals, socialising didn't always mean a meal out- more dancing, or bike riding, swimming etc.
    I think we forget all of the things we used to do. I'm not saying we aren't busy, but it's just different as we get get older.
    It's good advice to younger people don't put too much on to start with.
    Even when we lose the weight, our skin tone is different to the 20 year olds....Arhhh it sux!
  • maryfetters
    maryfetters Posts: 1
    I'm 62 and the weight is coming off very slow. I'm quite active during the day but after supper, I'm done!! I have no more energy for anything. I do clean up my kitchen but after that, its to the couch where I stay until bed time. We walk during both of our 15 minute breaks and I have been taking the stairs down 9 flights 3 times a day. Not sure what else I can do besides zip my lips shut and don't eat anything. lol!! Any ideas out there???
  • supermoo2
    supermoo2 Posts: 77
    I found that it's not actually the age, but how dedicated we are, and also that generally we are less active.

    I'm 53 and lost 3.5 stone this year, but I was dedicated to losing it this time, rather than being half hearted about it.

    While there can be some barriers, essentially committment is the key thing - and I am NOT saying it is easy, but it can be done.
  • ChristineS_51
    ChristineS_51 Posts: 872 Member
    I think it's attitude not age!

    You just need to make sure you eat well, get some exercise, break old habits, and get that all important motivation.

    I am 61 (today in fact)! and at Christmas 2011 I hit 98 kgs. I finally had that "moment" and have lost 25 kgs, mostly in the first 4-5 months. I am still losing weight, but more slowly as I get to my goal, and it has NOT been difficult.

    I work in an office, have a family, menopausal, have had issues with knees that prevented a lot of exercise etc, I still lost.
  • Filletsteak
    Filletsteak Posts: 85 Member
    Great stories, ladies! Why does it have to be so hard? I haven't hit the menopause yet but things are moving (bodywise) and not moving (scales). MFP is a great, free tool which helps me keep an honest account of my food and exercise activities. Good to hear that it's happening to many others.
  • luvmydog2
    luvmydog2 Posts: 243 Member
    :wink: A lot depends on the person and your out look on life ...I am 65 yrs young ...have been in several car accidents not my fault , has left me with back injuries .
    So exercise for me is very hard ....but i try to do as much as i can including walking , gardening , just generally keep moving .
    Since i have been on MFP ... I have had only 0.5 gain in a year .
    MFP.. Lets you track your eating habits ..and your friends on here keep you motivated.
    I to have been to all sorts of weight reducing clubs ...only to put it back on again . And lets face it they are expensive !
    Take this challenge on as a new journey ...not a diet ...and i am sure you will succeed as i have done .
    Wish you luck ...and success this time around .
  • luvmydog2
    luvmydog2 Posts: 243 Member
    I think it's attitude not age!

    You just need to make sure you eat well, get some exercise, break old habits, and get that all important motivation.

    I am 61 (today in fact)! and at Christmas 2011 I hit 98 kgs. I finally had that "moment" and have lost 25 kgs, mostly in the first 4-5 months. I am still losing weight, but more slowly as I get to my goal, and it has NOT been difficult.

    I work in an office, have a family, menopausal, have had issues with knees that prevented a lot of exercise etc, I still lost.

    Well said my friend ..And happy birthday ...
  • lucyricky2
    lucyricky2 Posts: 450 Member
    it is harder. i think you have to log and weigh food and exercise more and of course the water to flush out the fat cells!!!

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