Older women success stories please!

ElenaChristofides

There are several factors that affect weight loss as we age and menopause is one of these factors. Aging increases our insulin resistance and we need to dramatically lower our carb/sugar intake in order to counter act these changes. This will be effective regardless of whether you take HRT or not. Taking HRT will dramatically help your weight loss and muscle function but that was not your question. If you set your custom goals to 50% fat, 25% protein, 25% carbohydrates and your sugar goal to less than 20 gm you will see significantly better weight loss. If you weight lift at least once a week, twice would be better, then you will see firming and toning of your skin to avoid the sag.
Good Luck!

otrlynn

There are a lot of dedicated, amazing women in this thread! I am 60 and consider myself a success because I have changed my lifestyle considerably and for the better. I walk daily and usually go to the gym 3 times a week. If the weather is nice, I might substitute a longer walk for one of the gym visits. I'm probably in the best physical shape of my adult life. In a way, I think this journey is really what I will call the rest of my life. I have not quite reached my weight goal but I am a few pounds from it. However I would like to continue to build some more muscle. I don't know whether I look any younger, but that wasn't really my goal anyway. I am happy to be buying pants two sizes smaller than when I started!

thurberj

Just turned 58 and lost most of the 20 by last year at this time....working to lose a few more and maintain.....Yesterday at book club I saw a neighbor that I hadn't seen in a while and she commented on how I had maintained my weight loss....I felt great :-) It can be done, but is definitely harder now than when I was 20 or 30!!

yaddayaddayadda

If you compare yourself to people who are 20 years younger than you, you will always be disappointed! :brokenheart:

Compete with yourself! Not with others. Its all about improving YOUR health and YOUR life!

I'm 52 and in better shape than ever! All because of MFP. If you log your calories and exercise every day, you can do it!

Feel free to friend me if you want support from an old girl! :bigsmile:

charrisonwms

I am 60 turning 61 tomorrow! I'm 5"11 and need to lose about 45 lbs. I too, am not a "Success Story" yet... but I'm working on it. I have only lost 10lbs thus far; however, I will not give up even if the weight shed at a snail pace, I am the better for it! I have lovely grands that I need to stay healthy so that I can enjoy them and watch them blossom. NEVER GIVE UP...

5kidsforme

Hi there,
I've been trying to lose about 12-18 lbs since October 2011. It has been very difficult. When I was in my 20's and 30's it was not a problem to lose 1 to 2 lbs consistently each week. It just fell off so easily. But now I am lucky if I get a 1/2 pound every once in awhile. I am 45 years old. DON'T give up, even if it takes you much longer than expected. I just keep trying and very, very, slowly the weight has come off! Good luck!

Amy911Gray

Nah....You are going to look like a better you! I'm very excited to be celebrating my 50th birthday in 2 years. I"m really excited that I have achieved my weight loss (okay--2 pounds to go) and moving into maintenance which I have heard is a real chore!

Keep up the good work, one day at a time, one meal at a time, one great opportunity for the rest of your life!

pcotter54

Well, I'm 57 and a partial success-- still have a way to go. It's definitely more difficult to lose weight as you get older. But I feel like my greater patience and perspective make up for the physical side. So hang in there and your perseverance will pay off.

MammaC66

I am 64 years old, and don't consider myself a success, more a work in progress, but I have lost a total of 82 pounds now. I lost the first 35 on Weight Watchers before coming here to MFP and the last 47 since joining MFP in March. I don't expect to look like someone half my age when I finish. I have about 22 more pounds to go and maybe more after I get there. I just want to be as fit and healthy as I can be, and look as good as I can at this stage of my life. Don't compare yourself with anyone else! Just work on being the best you can be! It is so worth it! :flowerforyou:

claresusan

I'm 50 yrs old and for many years I tried to lose weight to no avail until I joined MFP.

By watching my calorie intake with careful consideration to my macros, giving up wheat due to a gluten intollerance, controlling my sodium intake and eating minimal amounts of processed food has given me fantastic success.

46kg's or 101lb's loss since Dec last year. I'm thrilled with the healthful changes to both the way I eat and my level of fitness. I burn approximately 900-1100 calories every day, six times a week by concentrating mainly on cardio, interspersed with weight training. Best of luck to you on your journey

LorinaLynn

I honestly found it sooooo much easier losing weight this time around (starting at age 38... 38.5 if you want to be particular) than it was last time at 32.

Last time, I tried too hard. I cut calories too much. I was too restrictive. Weight loss was slow and I felt like crap.

This time, I wasn't even aiming to lose, because I didn't believe I could, I just wanted to get healthier. So I wasn't very restrictive. I didn't cut calories too much... I ate in an appropriate deficit for the amount I had to lose, and lost the amount I was aiming to lose. I became more active and didn't think of exercise as punishing my body like I did in the past ("Ugh... I gotta do something about these thigh! Ugh... I gotta work off that piece of pizza!"), but as a reward... an investment in my health.

I'm sure to some, what I'm doing now isn't easy. I run 3-6 miles three times a week, and lift heavy weights three times a week. But to me, it's a helluva lot easier and more satisfiying to spend 30-60 minutes exercising most days and be able to eat pretty much whatever I want, and better still, get the results I want, than just cut calories more and more and more and never feel good.

tpt1950

I'm 62 and I have consistently lost weight since joining MFP because I've been consistent with my exercising and calorie intake. I think that exercising may be a bit more difficult or slow, but a lot of it is "state of mind" and "mind over matter". You really gotta want it. If you do aerobics to lose weight and strength train to tone up and watch what you eat, you will get to where you want to be. It may not be fast but it is attainable. Good luck and don't give up - be patient and keep thinking about how much better you will feel and look in 6 months, if you just keep going.... slow and steady wins the race.

LadyIntrepid

Don't throw in the towel! I just turned 50, haven't felt -- and looked -- this great since somewhere in my 30s. Sure, things slow down but you just find a new rhythm and make the working harder fun rather than a chore! And it's exceedingly gratifying when 20-somethings say they want to be like me some day. P.S. I just tell myself the hot flashes burn more calories! (Have a look at my photos. You can definitely be more than "eh".)

raindancer

I am 58 years old and it has been a long struggle but I have had some success. I just keep falling off the wagon from time to time.
This website is all the support I have. My family is kind but not supportive. My friends are small and can eat anything and really don't get it. I just refuse to give up.

ctgirlscout

I'm 52 and I've lost 69 lbs since May. Still a long way to go...I'm only half-way there, but it is worth it. I "feel" younger with more energy, and many of the aches and pains I was beginning to experience are gone.

Mendham07945

I am 63 and started in January 2012. I went to Canyon Ranch in Tucson for a Weight Loss Program. I learned so much...and got my head screwed on straight for this journey.
I'm currently down 63 pounds, with about 67 pounds to go.
It's slow, but has become habit. When I look at calorie intake vs calories burned, I should be further ahead. No, it's not like losing weight in my 20s, but it still can be done.
When I get discouraged, I look at my diary and remind myself that I've come a long way. The feedback from friends has been fantastic and keeps me going.
I eat 1500 +/- calories/day, 10,000 Fitbit steps/day, weight training 2x/week.

BIRT1956

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.

This could have been written by me, except I'm 56 years old. I have also gone thru menopause without much problem with weight gain. I gained about 20 lbs last December when I surgery on my foot and had to stay off of it for about 4 weeks. No exercise allowed. Once I got the OK from my doctor I started exercising again which was in Jan. of this year and have slowly lost 15 lbs of that 20. It seems that since I am older and more mature, I don't have that urgency to get the weight off so fast by using unhealthy means. I also am a strong supporter of weight lifting sessions also. I use Chalean Extreme and Jillian Michaels most days and it has made a tremendous difference in how I look and feel.

So I guess I am saying never give up, no matter what your age. Also as a side note, I originally starting taking losing weight seriously when I weight 283 lbs in 1999 and have stayed pretty close to my goal weight between 155 -160 lbs at 5'8" for about the last 10 years.

m_wilh

I'm 46 and have lost just shy of 60 pounds. It has taken me two years having lost most of it in 2011 and 15 pounds in this past year. However, I've scratched and clawed to lose those 15 pounds. I also have 15 more to go before meeting goal weight. I have the mindset that if it takes me another year or two to lose it, oh well. What is the alternative? There really isn't one for me. I'd rather eat healthy and look great for my age than go back to being fat and miserable all the while eating what I want. I feel great and wouldn't trade that for anything even if the scales aren't moving the way I want them to.

I will say that it irks me just a bit from comments I've read from a few of the really young ladies (not most of them--just a few). They have the mentality that we're just not trying hard enough or the weight would come off. That simply is not true. Some of these women are eating fast food or some type of processed foods everyday (my diet is completely clean so I do eat healthier). They eat more calories than I do and exercise no more than I do but the results are totally different. When I was there age, I lost weight easily too, but not now. It does get much harder for us as we get older but it is doable. Hang in there and refuse to quit!

k121777

49 years YOUNG. Hard work, dedication and diet will get you there. It may take you longer but you will get there. Use MFP to get you there. It works! Good luck. Just finished losing 20 pounds and I'm going to maintain now and continue to use MFP and exercise every stinking day....even if I don't feel like it!

julimonster

Hi, I sent you a friend request, I'm 46 and since March have lost 50 lbs - I may not have my 20 year old body anymore but frankly i think I like this one better!

vmcshannon

Well I'm 52 and my goal was to lose the weight by the time I hit 50. Needless to say I missed that goal and I was Devastated! I don't know if I've ever gotten over it. I lost and gained the same 30 lbs+ over the years. It is definitely harder the older you get. It also gets harder to exercise. Bad joints etc.
But I keep trying anyway. Maybe I'm a gluten for punishment. I keep looking for the secret. And the more I think about it the more depressed I get. But maybe I'll get lucky. I know it won't turn back the clock or make me young again. But I don't want to die obese.
I've got to lose weight.

skinnyinnotime

Do NOT throw in the towel, it's so worth doing this, now get on with it, lol!!

nana6799

Don't give up!! You actually will look younger by losing weight, and doing whatever activities you like best to get toned and fit.

I am 66 years "young". I have kept my weight down and worked-out most of my life. However, unfortuantes do come our wayI And it did come my way, full force, from 2007 - 2010 and then this last summer again. I gained 16 lbs, during that time, didn't work out at all, due to recovering from several surgeries, my husband at that time lost his life from an accident and then losing my closest sister this summer.

It has just been since this last September that I am now serious about losing those 16 pounds, and getting back into the habit of some kind of daily activity. Since then I have lost 7 lbs and have gained some muscle and tone back. I do not believe, just because we get older, that we need to use that excuse and gain weight and get flabby. I want to prove that wrong and be an inspiration to other older women. No, I will never again look like someone in their 20's, 30.s or 40's, but I can certainly look dang good for a 66 year old!

scrappy25

50 here, fighting for every pound. Up and down but in the meantime have become a regular exerciser thanks to home videos. Currently down 11 lb in one year, 4 more to go. I was never fat but with all that toning, people have noticed. Three times this year I was mistaken for a college student and once in my garage a salesperson asked me if my mom was home (it was dark). I seem to get more respect from my partners at work also. Good luck! Remember that 50 is the new 30!

weightnomore33

WE need to talk. I've been doing this 3 and 1/2 weeks. down 7 pounds. But last time I hit my current weight, I though ok I'm done. Need to stay with this, goal is 15 more. Would love to hear more of your meal ideas. Thanks for posting.

barb1241

I'm here. I am 51. I am a work in progress, but I've lost 63 lbs so far. Want to lose another 30-40, I think. I will never look like I am 20-something. I'm not sure if I should. I guess it depends on perspective. I would definitely not want to BE 20-something again if I had to go there to look my best. What I am hoping for is to be my own best at whatever age. I don't want to grow old gracefully...I want to do it with a vengeance!

No, to the OP you should NOT give up. Instead, you should try to be realistic and focus on the positives instead of some artificial "ideal".

Barb

Christine1110

I have lost 120 pounds...the Old-Fashioned Way! Diet mostly...and exercise!!

weightnomore33

I have 15 to go. I'd love to do it with you, since you seem to have a handle of this weight loss thing. Friend me and nag me, please.
: )

m23gm25

I'm 61 and have been working hard at this for 3 months. I've lost 30lbs. If I can do it so can you! I mostly do walk at home videos by Leslie Sansone. But I live on 5 acres so I also do alot of work just trying to clean up the property. (picking up rocks, pulling out dead sage brush, and dead limbs from the trees, pulling weeds.) What I have learned is that it is all a balancing act and a lot of portion control. But it can be done. I still have 50 lbs. to go. I am thankful to have so much property to use for exercise!

ruggedBear

I just turned 44 and still can't believe this past year has been so much easier than I expected it to be! I lost 70 lbs when I was 25 and was 'skinny fat'. This time around, I've lost almost the same amount of weight, but have packed on a lot more muscle and the benefit has been lots more overall strength and endurance - which is a far more motivating outcome than the weight loss itself (ok - so going from a 22W to size 12 Levi's doesn't suck either!). No one believes I am 44 - especially the 20-somethings I see trail running every week! You can do this - it doesn't have to be slow and your age doesn't matter!

One tip my trainer shared with me early on that has helped me - don't be afraid to push yourself harder every workout - you are stronger than you know and keeping the same routine for more than 2-3 weeks will slow the process and you need to constantly adapt your workouts as you get stronger. Push harder every day, run an extra 5 minutes, do an extra set of lifts or add another 10lbs, up the incline on the treadmill to 18% for as long as you can and you will see results!

I have some family members who walk every day, eat well and complain they can't lose weight. They want to know what my 'magic bullet' is - and I tell them - you're not pushing yourself hard enough! (so I'm not very popular with those folks, oh well)