Older women success stories please!

Smokey19

Don't throw in the towel. It is possible to lose wt. and look younger. I am 49 and I don't think that I look that age anymore and people have told me that I look so much better. I have more energy than I used to and feel much better. I am unable to do much exercise due to becoming physically disabled, so I've lost of my wt. through diet. Please feel free to add me for support and motivation.

barky586

You can do it. I did. Today makes the 2nd day of my 19th month. I am 46. Down from 307 to my current 118...no surgeries, but a buttload (lol) of weights and cardio. If I can do it, anyone can....unless there are health challenges perhaps.

ktsmom430

I turned 61 on 9/30/12. I signed up on MFP in February 2012, but have been active, daily, since 3/12/12.
Yes, it can be done. It is as easy (and hard) as calories in, calories out. It does take desire, commitment and a lot of determination, but, "if I can do it, anyone can".
You can teach an old dog new tricks, and I am continuing to learn.

BarbaraC47

I started my journey way back in February and have lost 55lbs to far. I'll be 65 in a couple of weeks - does this count as a success story??

Remember: NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!!!! :flowerforyou:

runlaugheatpie

I'm 44 and still working towards my goal weight - and I started in March 2009. So I'm success in progress

I think it is harder to get the weight off, but possibly not harder to maintain it. Though my experience includes a really long plateau (2.5 years) but I 'm not giving up.

There's no reason to throw in the towel. i'm the fittest and healthiest I've been in my life. So I am still a few pounds overweight - I'd rather have it be like this than do this in an unhealthy way or gain the weight back (I've already done both of those in my life).

pkw58

I do. I went from a US size 14 jean on 12/31/11 to a size 6 jean this year. I lost 43 pounds. I am now 54 years old and am enjoying life more than I ever have. No matter what!

Look, everyone is told that as women age we get fat - to me, I put on excess pounds because I ate too much and didn't stay as active physically as I should or monitor my sleep patterns enough. We all need to monitor our health and as we age, we need to be aware of the daily discipline of caring for our health just as we should brush our teeth!

The book that shatters all the pre, during and post Menopause Fact vs Fiction is "The Menopause Makeover". I have it on my kindle ap on my iPad and refer back to it frequently.

My new inspiration book is "Ballet Beautiful".

Susanthecatwhisperer

I'm 41, and have lost 30 pounds, since May. (15 more to my goal) :happy:
My neighbor noticed, but no one else. I wear scrubs or jeans & a sweatshirt, so nothing to really show off anything. I don't know how much better I LOOK, but I certainly FEEL better!
It's WAY easier to put weight on than to take it off.
Feel free to add me as a friend. We can help keep each other on track and motivated. :flowerforyou:

tsjourney

Don't give up! I am about to be 50 and have been doing MFP for a year now and so far have lost 46 lbs! It is a slow process for me only because I have been doing it slowly. Am at the stage now where I can finally see in my mind where the exercise/weight lifting would benefit me greatly with the flab/skin stuff! You can do it!! Who knows what we are going to look like when we have finally "finished", but I know that I will be healthier and look a lot better than I did with 100+ lbs extra on me! People are already noticing and saying how great I look, my attitude has changed and my confidence is coming back. There are so many benefits to keep going, just reading all these success stories has motivated me this morning :-). Feel free to friend me if you would like!

debi_f

I'm 48 and have lost almost 75 pounds since February just by cleaning up and eating and taking up more cardio exercise. I went from an EU size 42 to a 34 (I believe the US equivalents are a 12 to a 6 (ish)). It can be done!

You can do it!

mjrn1221

I will be 42 next month (yikes!!! LOL) , I have lost 51 pounds since July. Still have about 80 pounds to lose but I can tell you that I already feel so much better!!! It was a struggle in the beginning, I can remember the first time I went out to walk and I got 1 mile in and thought I would collapse. Today I walk at least 5 miles/5 times a week and I am also starting Turbo Fit (the prep class right now) daily. This last week I bought clothes that were 4 sizes down from where I began, I literally cried tears of joy in the dressing room!!!! I wore my new jeans last night and I got so many compliments, felt so good to not be ashamed of how I look!!!
You can do it, it does take more time than when I was younger. Just remember the time is going to pass no matter what you do, you might as well chose healthy!
I sent you a friend request, I need more fabulous 40 friends since I have many of the youngsters and they are loosing weight like wildfire!!! LOL Good luck!

minkakross

just a few months away from 42 here and going strong on my journey to undo years and years of neglect. I have never felt better and have enough energy now to keep up with my 2 and 5 year old. I haven't quite hit a hundred pounds lost but I'm on my way and once I reach my initial goal I may aim to take off another 10-15. I don't think you are ever to old to take better care of yourself but I do understand that it's harder. I'm not menopausal yet but my minimum calorie intake is definitely adjusted for age.

dakitten2

My story: I'm a 58 year old woman who has had two knee replacements. During my first knee replacement they broke my leg and caused me to endure additional surgeries. That really slowed me down and even more weight started piling on. That started in 2005 and my knee/leg was more painful than ever before. Then January 2011 I had my second knee replacement and all went well with that, but by the summer I was having horrible back pain which was bulging disc.

I was given the option of back surgery, gastric bypass surgery, a pain management clinic or lose weight. As far as I was concerned I had no desire for any more surgeries and I didnt want to be on pain killers the rest of my life, so I chose to see a dietician and try to lose the weight on my own.

So my new life started on October 20, 2011. Honestly I figured I woudnt last two weeks. I joined MFP the same day. Luckily I made some amazing friends right away, that inspired and motivated me. I joined the YMCA and the only exercising I was allowed to do by my doctor was water aerobics, which was great because I am a water lover. My dietician set my daily calories and all my macro percentages.

Fast forward now to today and I have lost 114 pounds and have 31 pounds left to go. I was wearing 26W when I started, I now wear Medium tops and size 12 pants and dresses.

So I guess my message is, Yes You Can lose weight regardless of age. Of course everyone is different and may lose at a different pace.

FitzyFitzpatrick

OK. Here it is.

I am 55 and have already gone thru menopause. Pffft! To the notion of difficult weight loss.

I'll never, ever, look like a 40yo again, but that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to regain control of myself, in a healthy and intelligent manner. Accepting who I am today is part of the process. (And some days I "get it", and some days I don't. The number of "get it" days" are increasing tenfold.)

No, the skin under my chin will ever be tight again (says my dermo), and my batwings will forever wave to some degree. I am very happy, very healthy and have the unconditional love of my husband. It's all good.

We've made the "lifestyle" change, that's what it was all about for us.

The time is NOW.

19veronica

Am I the only Pensioner on here , your all still spring chickens lol. I am 61 and put the weight on since I retired in June
I have lost 9lb in 7 weeks. I go to Rosemary Conley class every Monday and that's when I get weighed . I dont own any scales
which is a good job for me as I would be jumping on them every day. I am new to this site only joined last week. Nice to see your
posts.

waistfinder

I'm 47 and although I've lost and gained most of my life, I find now is easier to focus on myself and get fit. I have less distractions, my life is more stable, I have so much wisdom from past experiences, and can spend more time on myself. I have heard that skin will bounce back, but I don't expect it. A little extra fat kept my wrinkles at bay by plumping them out. I will accept them because I don't believe expensive wrinkle cream is worth it. What's astounding me is my big firm muscles that are being revealed as my fat disminishes...I've been strength training for almost a year, but only got serious again with healthy eating in the past few months. I can FEEL and SEE muscles that I never knew were in there until I woke them up! It feels sexy inside to be strong.

havingitall

Tanks for this thread...it reminds me that I do have it in me

ggrushing

I am 59. I must be the oldest one here! Today is my first day on myfitnesspal. Failure is not an option.

I don't have a success story yet, but I can reinforce why you must never throw in the towel. Diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are just some of the life threatening diseases that lurk for the opportune moment to attack. I am speaking from experience. Think about the health risk involved in maintaining excess weight.

RVfrog

Guess I'm the old one on here cause I'm the big 60. I started at 210 lbs and I am about 20 lbs from goal. To be honest I wished I would of done it alot earlier in my life. The health benefits are so worth the effort. Hang in there.

bikhi

56 here and was guessed at 37 yesterday. i've lost 69 pounds total.

keepersmom8

I'm 52 and have lost almost 55 pounds since the beginning of April this year. I have made changes to my diet, not simply for weight loss, but for my overall health. I am working out more, and harder, than I ever have in my life. I'm almost at the weight that I had originally set for my goal, but I know that I can do so much better. I certainly can be done.

nikkinoonarr

I'm 41 next month, In my entire adult life I have never been this slim. I hit my goal last month and am still loosing nice and slowly.

I started at 202lb in March and have so far lost 58lb.

I have never felt so good. I found bones that had been hidden for 20 years! I certainly don't feel 40!!!

It can be done!

michladyme

I started this the first part of September and the loss has been slow, which can be discouraging but I joined a group and the support and encouragement I receive from them is a tremendous help. I keep getting bombarded with all these quick weight loss pills/drinks offers but don't want to try them, actually can't see spending that kind of money! It will take me longer to reach my goal but I'm plugging along. We can do it!

Terree_G

Don't throw in that towel -- use it to mop your brow! I am 52 and have lost 25 lbs since March 20th through diet and exercise. I lost 3 of those lbs (after a long, agonizing plateau) in my first week with MFP, three weeks ago, simply by lowering my calorie intake.

Please feel free to add me if you wish.

Lyssa62

I turned 50 in September of this year.(starting weight 165) On July 5th of this year I took a step towards better health..I started walking..slowly at first 2.5 mph and gradually made it up to 4mph. * the midwest turns brutal about this time of year* -- so I've gained all kinds of free videos on youtube...own a couple of cardio blast dvd's and bought a golds gym mini stepper. I alternate and switch out routines and add zumba in on Tuesday nights through our local Y.





that picture was taken in August I believe and those were 1 size jeans smaller than I had been wearing. Yesterday I went to the store to buy a pair of size 10's. I have NEVER worn size 10's. Not even during my younger days. So my weight as of yesterday 137.2 and I'm feeling pretty damn good about it. Ps..I'm a shorty too -- height in at 5'2 on a good day.

I love the poster who talked about the neck and chin skin along with batwings.(one of the comedians said those things have saved lives in car crashes) LOL THOSE we might have to accept (although to be honest I HATE that)...but the rest of this..we can take control of.

we can sooooo do this at our age! I will always be rebellious -- say I can't do it..I'll prove you wrong!

marthathebear

I am 54 years old. I started in July 2012 and have lost 30 pounds. Since 2009 I have lost 55 pounds. I look and feel great. I have abs and muscles in my arms. I love it.

Punkin7411

Absolutely DO NOT throw in the towel. I am an "older woman" at 55 and I have lost 25 lbs, averaging 1.5 - 2 lbs loss per week. I'm using MFP to compute calories and Chalene Johnson's Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire for morning workouts. I just weighed this morning and this week was only a 1.2 lb loss but I'm not sweating it....except later today when I do my 50 min Turbo Jam Cardio Party!!! Keep moving. Track all you eat and up the exercise if you can. I started losing a little mid-summer just trying to watch my diet but the majority has been lost since beginning of September when I got really serious. It is never too late to start this journey. There are 60 year old's out there doing the thing successfully so we can too!! Keep up the good work!!!

denise33027

I saw this on Chalene Johnson's facebook page: "Don't compare your start to someone elses middle"......I would add don't compre yourself to 20 somethings. I would recommend considering weight training. I have been doing Chalene Extreme for the past 90 days, lost 10% body fat, several inches. I don't weight myself too much, more concerned about how I feel and look plus the scale is just too stressful! Don't give up.

UpEarly

I'm starting to get intimidated by all the 20 something people who lose 100 lbs and look AMAZING!! I'm afraid that when I lose my 60 lbs, I'm still going to look like an "eh" 45 year old. I also have heard that it's so much harder to lose weight post-menopause. Should I just throw in the towel now?:ohwell:

Maybe you should step back and rethink your attitude! You sound defeated before you've really even started! :flowerforyou:

I'm 41. Though, I don't personally consider myself to be an 'older woman', I suppose I fit your description. I lost 66 pounds - going from 202 down to 136.

I cut my calories by 500 a day, which meant I typically ate about 1850-2250 calories each day. I ate whatever I wanted as long as it fit within my calorie goals. So yes... that means I ate pizza, cookies, cake, cheese, wine, etc. I did a lot of walking and lifted weights. The weight came off at a rate of 1-2 pounds a week. It was fairly effortless.

My 52 year old co-worker noticed my weight-loss and asked what I was doing. I told her about MFP and what I was doing for exercise. Over the last 10 months, she's lost almost 45 pounds following the same plan of moderation.

I know plenty of 20-somethings that are struggling to lose. And I know plenty of 'older women' who are doing just fine.

debb1010

Its sure nice to know we are not alone in this journey. I'm about to turn 50. I sure dont feel it mentally but physically, I'm feelin it and then some on some days! LOL I had a hysterectomy (total) almost 4 years ago and am still experiencing menopause to the utmost!!! I have been working at bringing my weight down since January of this year. I've stayed the course really good for awhile and then I up and blow it for awhile then manage to climb back on the wagon again. Seems my weight loss wants to average about 2lbs a month. When I was hoping for at least 2lbs a week. If I had known it would be this hard, I most definitely would have started this years ago...."hind sight" huh!?!?

I keep telling myself its not going to get better if I quit...I must keep going. Not to get discouraged...so long as the scale continues to come DOWN instead of up, I'm winning the battle. So long as the days that I eat good/healthy out number the days I want to throw caution to the wind and eat anything...then I'm doing good. Also working on my work-outs and trying to build muscle and build my strength. I'm only down 21lbs. and I have a very looooooooooooooooong way to go when I look at the over all picture. But I just try to focus on one day at a time. When trying to succeed at something like this and there's much pain in the body to fight through on a daily basis....I cant look at the whole picture...I would feel defeated before I ever start the day. The good Lord gives me the strength I need to get through each and every day and I am determined to win this battle!!

I said it once and I'll say it again....it still really good to know we are not alone on this journey!

Everyone have a fabulous day!

mslainie

Very inspiring and I believe thatt. I know losing weight right now my skin just hangs off my body (ugly), but I think weight lifting will help that.