LF women over 40 who have lost 50+ pounds
DebbieLyn63
Posts: 2,654 Member
PLEASE, I respectfully ask that ONLY WOMEN over 40 who have lost, or need to lose more than 50 pounds respond here. No offense, but men's and younger women's metabolism and body makeup is drastically different. NO, I am not saying I am a unique snowflake, but we older women ARE unique as a group.
So my question is- how did you lose the weight and how quickly did it come off?
I completely understand that I will not drop 50 pounds in a month. I have realistic expectations of .5-1 pound per week.
From what I have found so far, all the women in my age range who have lost more than 50 lbs, have done so by eating well under the required calorie goals, and not eating back exercise calories. I know this freaks people out to hear, and I am in no way supporting unhealthy starvation techniques. They have been on nutritionally healthy diets- good protein and fats, high fiber carbs- but fewer calories overall. Basically keeping the good stuff and getting rid of the junk foods.
I am sincerely looking for women who have figured out what works for them.
PLEASE no one turn this into a flame war and keep all comments respectful. Thanks
So my question is- how did you lose the weight and how quickly did it come off?
I completely understand that I will not drop 50 pounds in a month. I have realistic expectations of .5-1 pound per week.
From what I have found so far, all the women in my age range who have lost more than 50 lbs, have done so by eating well under the required calorie goals, and not eating back exercise calories. I know this freaks people out to hear, and I am in no way supporting unhealthy starvation techniques. They have been on nutritionally healthy diets- good protein and fats, high fiber carbs- but fewer calories overall. Basically keeping the good stuff and getting rid of the junk foods.
I am sincerely looking for women who have figured out what works for them.
PLEASE no one turn this into a flame war and keep all comments respectful. Thanks
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Replies
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guess they just want a flame war0
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I am soon to be 50 and have dropped 22 pounds in 4 months.... I lose about a pound a week. I still eat the same foods just reasonable portions and yes I do eat back a small percentage of my exercise calories. I walk every workday morning and either strength train or bike in the evening.0
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I am soon to be 50 and have dropped 22 pounds in 4 months.... I lose about a pound a week. I still eat the same foods just reasonable portions and yes I do eat back a small percentage of my exercise calories. I walk every workday morning and either strength train or bike in the evening.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your calorie level with and without exercise calories?0 -
Morning Sunshine,
I'm over 40 and I've lost over 50 so I guess I qualify
whooo hooo I finally fit the profile!!!!!!!!!
ok so seriously now, what worked for me was getting real and separating the me inside of ME from this demanding whiny body.....
I started with the Atkins diet hardcore..... if you don't like it don't do it and don't scold me..... I'm telling you how I did it not how YOU should do it!
I cut out all the empty carbs that I could.... think of it like quitting smoking... cuz it really is!.... your body doesn't need all these empty overprocessed carbs that it doesn't know what to do with and it needs real honest food. after a couple of weeks I started feeling a LOT better than I had in years.... the word CLEANER comes to mind....I wasn't so bogged down and tired and I knew that the food thing was under control......There were a LOT of slip ups along the way I won't lie.....I would get tempted and eat those fries "just this once" and like having "just one puff" of a cigarette all the old cravings came RIGHT back and I would have to go through a roller coaster of ups and downs to get back on track.... it was a tough lesson to learn and it's one that still teases me now and then... I honestly can say after living the low carb lifestly for 4 years now I really enjoy food more than I ever have before and I have control over it MOST of the time, now when I do "cheat" I know what to expect in the way of cravings and I'm ready for them so they don't take control again, but mostly I just try to steer clear of temptations.
Second part is exercise..... I tried the gym, I would go to my local and work out for 3 hours a day 6 days a week and I LOVED it..... I felt like I was really working towards getting my body back, I was sweating and could feel the muscles building, but to be totally honest I don't really feel like it helped all that much.... afterwards I would come home and sit on the couch all day feeling proud of myself for having worked out those three hours and it was understandable that I was exhausted and had no energy to do anything else....after all.. I had already worked out for the day..... The weight was coming off slowly but not nearly as fast as I wanted it to.
I started trying to do little extra things.... I know this will sound crazy but every time I went to the bathroom I would hold the counter and for balance and do squats until my legs were sore...not really sore.... just enough so that I could feel it.... when you go to the bathroom ten times a day they add up!..... things like parking further away, taking the stairs, leg lifts when you re sitting on the couch.... I figured if the calories piled on one at a time they could come off the same way...... the more I did this the more energy I had, the more focused I became and THATS when the weight started falling off.... I really believe my metabolism is faster now than it has ever been.... I have more energy now at 44 than I did at 24 and I am FAR FAR more active than ever before.....
good luck
The opinions and experiences expressed here are purely my own and what worked for me don't be a hater:flowerforyou: 0 -
1420 without exercise --- but on my no workout days(one day a week) I am closer to 1300
17-1800 with exercise and I am usually eat between 15 and 1600 calories0 -
guess they just want a flame war
I have faith that if I asked nicely enough, the flamers will stay away, dear daughter of mine. And thank you for never yelling at me for my dieting strategies. As you have probably learned by now, not everyone is the same. The difficult part is finding success stories. I have found several already, but am looking for more so I have enough to find some commonalities.0 -
Morning Sunshine,
I'm over 40 and I've lost over 50 so I guess I qualify
whooo hooo I finally fit the profile!!!!!!!!!
ok so seriously now, what worked for me was getting real and separating the me inside of ME from this demanding whiny body.....
I started with the Atkins diet hardcore..... if you don't like it don't do it and don't scold me..... I'm telling you how I did it not how YOU should do it!
I cut out all the empty carbs that I could.... think of it like quitting smoking... cuz it really is!.... your body doesn't need all these empty overprocessed carbs that it doesn't know what to do with and it needs real honest food. after a couple of weeks I started feeling a LOT better than I had in years.... the word CLEANER comes to mind....I wasn't so bogged down and tired and I knew that the food thing was under control......There were a LOT of slip ups along the way I won't lie.....I would get tempted and eat those fries "just this once" and like having "just one puff" of a cigarette all the old cravings came RIGHT back and I would have to go through a roller coaster of ups and downs to get back on track.... it was a tough lesson to learn and it's one that still teases me now and then... I honestly can say after living the low carb lifestly for 4 years now I really enjoy food more than I ever have before and I have control over it MOST of the time, now when I do "cheat" I know what to expect in the way of cravings and I'm ready for them so they don't take control again, but mostly I just try to steer clear of temptations.
Second part is exercise..... I tried the gym, I would go to my local and work out for 3 hours a day 6 days a week and I LOVED it..... I felt like I was really working towards getting my body back, I was sweating and could feel the muscles building, but to be totally honest I don't really feel like it helped all that much.... afterwards I would come home and sit on the couch all day feeling proud of myself for having worked out those three hours and it was understandable that I was exhausted and had no energy to do anything else....after all.. I had already worked out for the day..... The weight was coming off slowly but not nearly as fast as I wanted it to.
I started trying to do little extra things.... I know this will sound crazy but every time I went to the bathroom I would hold the counter and for balance and do squats until my legs were sore...not really sore.... just enough so that I could feel it.... when you go to the bathroom ten times a day they add up!..... things like parking further away, taking the stairs, leg lifts when you re sitting on the couch.... I figured if the calories piled on one at a time they could come off the same way...... the more I did this the more energy I had, the more focused I became and THATS when the weight started falling off.... I really believe my metabolism is faster now than it has ever been.... I have more energy now at 44 than I did at 24 and I am FAR FAR more active than ever before.....
good luck
The opinions and experiences expressed here are purely my own and what worked for me don't be a hater:flowerforyou:
You are amazing. So glad that you found what works for you. I have lost eleven lbs in 45 days on a low carb diet (doctors orders) & I feel good. Hopefully my tryclerides will be down when I go back for blood work.0 -
I am 49 and have lost 40 since the 1 st of the yr. (28 since joining 12 before ) so that is close to 1 lb a week. Some weeks none some 1 or 2. I have 10 more to go. I have never eaten under my calorie goal (1400+) on purpose and I eat back a good portion of my exercise calories. I only walk/jog and let fitbit figure my exercise.
The best thing I did was get a food scale and start to log my all my food, the good the bad and the ugly.0 -
Hi, I'm 44 and have lost close to 80 lbs over the last 2 years. I counted both calories in and out, but wasn't completely obsessed with having them be exact, so I found if I still had 300-400 calories available at the end of the day, that seemed to be when I dropped the weight the fastest. although my ticker says I still have 20-30 lbs to lose, I have started doing a lot of strength training so I'm eating back more of my exercise calories and my weight has plateaued, but I am still dropping clothing sizes.0
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1420 without exercise --- but on my no workout days(one day a week) I am closer to 1300
17-1800 with exercise and I am usually eat between 15 and 1600 calories
Thanks0 -
What does "LF" stand for?0
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I am fairly new to this, 90 days today. I have lost 20 lbs. (as of last Friday) My daily calorie goal is 1500 calories. I do 30 to 40 minutes of cardio a day, if I don't walk. I try to walk 3 -4 times a week (anywhere from 3.5 to 5 miles, time permitting) I eat what my family eats. I don't deprive myself. I am 52 and hypothyroid. I averaged 1.55 lbs a week for the past 3 months.0
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What does "LF" stand for?
'Looking for'0 -
I'm 41 and I haven't quite lost 50 lbs...yet. But I'm at 42 lbs. down in just over 6 months, with another 80 or so to go.
So far, I am eating lots more veggies, drinking lots more water and watching my portion sizes. I, too, have tried to cut way down on as many refined carbs as I can manage (in other words, the ones that I can happily live without) but I haven't cut anything out completely. If I want something, I have it...just in a much smaller portion that I would have before.
The other thing I've been doing is walking...I try to do at least 20 minutes or so every day. MFP builds in your caloric deficit so you don't NEED to exercise but I definitely feel better when I do...and believe me, I NEVER thought I'd hear myself say THAT! lol I do eat back some or all of my exercise calories but you'll figure out your own way with that issue and there are MANY threads on here that can help you (or confuse the heck out of you!). Do what feels right for you and what works...if you eat 'em back and lose, do that! If you don't lose, stop that and try the other way!
Feel free to add me if you'd like (my diary is open to my friends, which would let you see what and how much I've been eating, if you're interested) and best of luck in your journey!
) 0 -
I (just barely) qualify - I'm 41 and I just topped 50 pounds lost when I weighed in this morning.
For me, the key has been eating clean - I don't eat any processed foods. And yes, that includes sugar and flour. I used to track my calories religiously but now that I feel more comfortable with my choices I don't do it as much - I've learned how I need to eat for weight loss (and I know people around here get up in arms over that, but it's worked for me). When I was tracking, I was eating about 1450-1600 calories a day, but again - all veggies, fruits, meat/seafood, dairy & eggs. No refined sugar, bread, pasta or cereal.
I don't have a specific exercise program, but as the weight has come off, I've been way more active - doing things like taking walks or running around playing tag with my kids.0 -
What does "LF" stand for?
'Looking for'
Thanks.
I'mi in the right age range and the right gender but I've always maintained my weight. The key was refusing to be in denial about what I could eat and doing something about it rather quickly. I think that applies to people who want to lose weight as well.
And yes, it generally is much harder for a woman to lose weight as she gets older, not impossible, but harder. You simply can't eat the same way you did when you were young. Being healthily trim has to mean something to you and you have to replace the pleasure you got from overeating or eating the wrong foods with something else.
Best of luck.0 -
I'm 41.5 and I lost 55 lbs in one year. I did it one pound a week for one year in 2011 and I have kept the weight off. I thought trying to lose 20 in a month would be the death of me (if it works for some; great)! Honestly, I could not have done it without mfp.com. There, I've said it. I have been logging what I eat; everything EVERY-THING LOL. The good, the bad and the pms; if I bit it I write it! It helped me recognize my bad habits and fix them. I eat more fruits and veggies now. I work out 4x a week, do Meatless Monday's and I eat/drink what I want on Saturdays so that I don't feel deprived. I still go out to eat, but now I can check the menu items before I order and make better decisions.0
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I forgot to add that I drink 8+ cups of water a day and watch my sodium (hbp) I also eat some of my exercise calories.0
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I am 47 and have lost 28 lbs sincs April 24th and have a goal of 60 to 75. I think there are many little things that you can do on a daily basis. I hardly exercise at all. I do have fit bit so I can track what I am doing throughout the course of my day but I have a full day with kids and work so adding extra is not always possible. I am not one to get up early to go to the gym. Wish I was.
Little things:
If I can walk while one of my children are a practice, I consider it a bonus for that day
I eat about 1200 calories each day. My BMR is 1474 so I hardly ever go about that
I do wall pushups at work each time I go to the bathroom at work
I do arm circles when they come to mind at work while at my desk
I eat as few obvious carbs as possible
I eat Greek yogurt several days a week and this has done wonders for my stomach issues
If I eat a sandwich, I eat only half of the bread
I have a good friend who I discuss my journey with everyday!!! I found this to be critical
I weigh myself every morning on a new digital scale but I do not obsess. It just helps me stay focused
I drink my water of 8 classes as often as possible and when I do not, I feel it.
I mentally tell myself 1 lb a week
I record and weigh everything I eat
The most important thing is how I view this process. I tell people I have just made the decision to change my life and it is not a diet. The bottom line, is I cannot continue to eat the crap I was eating. Do I miss having my little chocolate donuts of course but each day it is easier.
Good Luck and remeber the weight did not happen overnight and if it comes off slowly and correctly you are more apt to keep it off.0 -
I (just barely) qualify - I'm 41 and I just topped 50 pounds lost when I weighed in this morning.
For me, the key has been eating clean - I don't eat any processed foods. And yes, that includes sugar and flour. I used to track my calories religiously but now that I feel more comfortable with my choices I don't do it as much - I've learned how I need to eat for weight loss (and I know people around here get up in arms over that, but it's worked for me). When I was tracking, I was eating about 1450-1600 calories a day, but again - all veggies, fruits, meat/seafood, dairy & eggs. No refined sugar, bread, pasta or cereal.
I don't have a specific exercise program, but as the weight has come off, I've been way more active - doing things like taking walks or running around playing tag with my kids.
I am 43 and have lost 75 pounds and it took me a year and a half, I followed WW most of that time but I did the Simply Filling diet, it stresses fruits and vegetables, lean protein and as little processed food as possible. And like the above comment NO SUGAR and that includes all the fake sugars too!!
Second is exercise, find something that challenges you and something you will do 6 days a week and something you love! I do Boot Camp, if you would have told me that 5 years ago I would have thought you were insane, but I LOVE it and I now have strength and stamina and confidence that I never thought I would have! SOOOOO try lots of different exercises and fine one or two that you love!
The last piece of advice is don't give up! So you have a bad day, so you get sick, so you have a personal problem, do the best you can through the tough parts of life and then get back to it! I speak from experience here...this has been a hard year and lots of ups and downs but the strength I have found in myself physically and mentally have made it more manageable.
I just read a quote yesterday " Because compared to everything else I have been through, eating right and exercising is easy!"
You can do this!0 -
Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I am getting some good info.
I do eat low/slow carb. As sugar free as possible, with high lean protein, good fat, and as much fiber as I can get in. I do feel SO much better without the sugar. I have mild RA, and my joints don't hurt nearly as much without the sugar. I ride a recumbent bike usually 6 days a week, and have worked up to an hour a day, tension level 4 so it doesn't trash my lousy knees, and spin 10-12 mph.
The diet changes and exercise have resulted in less pain, more energy and sleeping better, so my efforts have definitely not been in vain, I just really want to see even a little weight loss each week. I started off with 6 lbs the first week, (normal water loss for me the first week on a diet) but I have hit a stall now. I tried upping my calories and exercise, but that resulted in a 1-2 pound gain. I seem to be able to maintain on 1200 calories, burning 500-600 on the bike, and not eating back the calories. (occasionally going over or under 100 cals). I am finding so many women that are successfully losing on 800-1000 p/day, exercising daily, but not eating back many calories. It goes against the general consensus of this site, but for them it has worked and is still working long term. Their cals come from lean protein, good fats, lower carbs with lots of veggies. I know you can't eat 800 a day in donuts and be successful long term.
The poster suggesting more movement thruout the day made a lot of sense. My hubby actually suggested that as well. I will put my pedometer on and purposely try to move more thru out the day. I know I need to build more muscle, but need to find some exercises that don't hurt my joints, back or neck. In addition to the arthritis, I have a spinal cord injury/disease as well that creates challenges for me. I have used that excuse to gain a lot of weight over the passed 10 yrs, so now I am finding ways to get the exercise in despite the challenges, without causing major flare ups. So far, so good.
I think my body may get used to a set calorie level quickly, and am thinking about changing it up, eating 200 less one day and 200 more the next, or something like that to try to shake it up. Has this worked for any of you?
I know I have only been at this for a month, and I know it will take time, but I just want to quickly figure out what will and won't work for me so I can make the most of my efforts, and not get frustrated. I know how to maintain and keep the weight off, it's just very difficult to lose the weight I gained due to my accident, a baby at 37, and getting older. I know WHY I gained and have changed those habits, now I just have to undo the damage.
Thanks again for all the info.0 -
49 yrs. old and lost 60 pounds between Oct. 2010 and Dec. 2011. I lost approx. 1 lb. per week, which was my goal. Slow and steady. I did it by eating responsibly, did not cut out anything but ate in moderation, portion control. Used a food scale to control portions and kept w/in 1500-1600 calories per day (most days) and exercise between 300-500 calories a day (give or take). I have managed to maintain since Dec. 2011 w/a few fluctuations but my body continues to improve in it's tone as I continue to exercise. I found a heart rate monitor to be essential in the process; bike, run (3 - 5Ks and won most of them in my age range), kettelbell weights and strength training.0
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I am 53 years old, and beginning on Feb. 24th of this year, I started a journey to a FOREVER "change of lifestyle". Basically, I started on a very rigid low carb, high protein, calorie counting weight loss program tracking every single bite of food, and every minute of exercise on myfitnesspal.
I have solidly averaged a 10 pound weight loss each month of my journey in the past 6 months, and have currently lost a total of 61 pounds!
I have combined the proper eating plan with lots of daily cardio/strength training as well, averaging a good 45-60 minutes a day in a personal workout routine.
Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done over 40 or 50, as I am living proof that it CAN!!
Feeling so much better, with renewed energy each day!
Wouldn't trade this new lifestyle for anything, and my motto for these past 6 months has been "NOTHING tastes as good, as this feels"0 -
I'm over 40 and I lost 40 or so lbs in 6 months. I found that I needed to eat more because I ruined my metabolism. I ate low cal for too long (low cal being around 1200 cals) I didn't change what I was eating...just had more of it. I also changed up my workouts.
I did LESS cardio and challenged myself by doing P90X. Before that I was doing old school lifting. I had muscle but nothing like the strength and definition I got with P90X.
I've managed to keep it all off for years, and continue to reshape my body losing inches (but not weights really) I swear by all the Beachbody programs as they all have given me great results. I have tried just about everything out there... you name it,I probably have done it.......and nothing works like Beachbody.
That's my story!0 -
I am well over 50 and have lost 100 lbs. The time it has taken me to accomplish that has been two years. Eating healthy, smaller portions, and exercise. I do a variety of things for exercise including Zumba, 5k's for charitable causes, elliptical, weights, and just trying different things. I try to go to the gym at least 2 times/week. I wish the weight would come off faster but I just need to stay healthy and losing the weight and keeping it off is the goal. I still have a long way to go (80 lbs. more) but I am confident I'll get it off.0
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Morning Sunshine,
I'm over 40 and I've lost over 50 so I guess I qualify
whooo hooo I finally fit the profile!!!!!!!!!
ok so seriously now, what worked for me was getting real and separating the me inside of ME from this demanding whiny body.....
I started with the Atkins diet hardcore..... if you don't like it don't do it and don't scold me..... I'm telling you how I did it not how YOU should do it!
I cut out all the empty carbs that I could.... think of it like quitting smoking... cuz it really is!.... your body doesn't need all these empty overprocessed carbs that it doesn't know what to do with and it needs real honest food. after a couple of weeks I started feeling a LOT better than I had in years.... the word CLEANER comes to mind....I wasn't so bogged down and tired and I knew that the food thing was under control......There were a LOT of slip ups along the way I won't lie.....I would get tempted and eat those fries "just this once" and like having "just one puff" of a cigarette all the old cravings came RIGHT back and I would have to go through a roller coaster of ups and downs to get back on track.... it was a tough lesson to learn and it's one that still teases me now and then... I honestly can say after living the low carb lifestly for 4 years now I really enjoy food more than I ever have before and I have control over it MOST of the time, now when I do "cheat" I know what to expect in the way of cravings and I'm ready for them so they don't take control again, but mostly I just try to steer clear of temptations.
Second part is exercise..... I tried the gym, I would go to my local and work out for 3 hours a day 6 days a week and I LOVED it..... I felt like I was really working towards getting my body back, I was sweating and could feel the muscles building, but to be totally honest I don't really feel like it helped all that much.... afterwards I would come home and sit on the couch all day feeling proud of myself for having worked out those three hours and it was understandable that I was exhausted and had no energy to do anything else....after all.. I had already worked out for the day..... The weight was coming off slowly but not nearly as fast as I wanted it to.
I started trying to do little extra things.... I know this will sound crazy but every time I went to the bathroom I would hold the counter and for balance and do squats until my legs were sore...not really sore.... just enough so that I could feel it.... when you go to the bathroom ten times a day they add up!..... things like parking further away, taking the stairs, leg lifts when you re sitting on the couch.... I figured if the calories piled on one at a time they could come off the same way...... the more I did this the more energy I had, the more focused I became and THATS when the weight started falling off.... I really believe my metabolism is faster now than it has ever been.... I have more energy now at 44 than I did at 24 and I am FAR FAR more active than ever before.....
good luck
The opinions and experiences expressed here are purely my own and what worked for me don't be a hater:flowerforyou:
You are amazing. So glad that you found what works for you. I have lost eleven lbs in 45 days on a low carb diet (doctors orders) & I feel good. Hopefully my tryclerides will be down when I go back for blood work.
I bet they will be 0 -
PLEASE, I respectfully ask that ONLY WOMEN over 40 who have lost, or need to lose more than 50 pounds respond here. No offense, but men's and younger women's metabolism and body makeup is drastically different. NO, I am not saying I am a unique snowflake, but we older women ARE unique as a group.
So my question is- how did you lose the weight and how quickly did it come off?
I completely understand that I will not drop 50 pounds in a month. I have realistic expectations of .5-1 pound per week.
From what I have found so far, all the women in my age range who have lost more than 50 lbs, have done so by eating well under the required calorie goals, and not eating back exercise calories. I know this freaks people out to hear, and I am in no way supporting unhealthy starvation techniques. They have been on nutritionally healthy diets- good protein and fats, high fiber carbs- but fewer calories overall. Basically keeping the good stuff and getting rid of the junk foods.
I am sincerely looking for women who have figured out what works for them.
PLEASE no one turn this into a flame war and keep all comments respectful. Thanks
My wife is Bonwell here on MFP she is over 50 and has lost 95 lbs0 -
I'm 46 and am now entering my 4th week of MFP and my goal is around 50lb. For me eating is what works best, not starvation. I eat most of my recommended calories to give my body something to work with. I also eat back the excercise calories as well, because sometimes I need them to accommdate a particular recipe or meal, or even the odd treat so I don't feel I'm missing out and start bingeing. But if I'm satisfied after my evening meal and I have spare calories I leave them alone, and just make sure I've had at least 1200 for the day. I weigh and measure everything religously because that's what I need to do to really get a feel for portion sizes and to really stick with my program. In my head I want to average less than 1500 calories a day, and I'm tracking that to keep things in check. This average allows me to not beat myself up if I go over my allowance once or twice. And I'm also trying to move more - the next bus stop, the tube station that has stairs, going up and down the stairs at home every time I need something, not saving everything up to do it all in one hit. It all helps.0
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I am 47 and have lost 28 lbs sincs April 24th and have a goal of 60 to 75. I think there are many little things that you can do on a daily basis. I hardly exercise at all. I do have fit bit so I can track what I am doing throughout the course of my day but I have a full day with kids and work so adding extra is not always possible. I am not one to get up early to go to the gym. Wish I was.
Little things:
If I can walk while one of my children are a practice, I consider it a bonus for that day
I eat about 1200 calories each day. My BMR is 1474 so I hardly ever go about that
I do wall pushups at work each time I go to the bathroom at work
I do arm circles when they come to mind at work while at my desk
I eat as few obvious carbs as possible
I eat Greek yogurt several days a week and this has done wonders for my stomach issues
If I eat a sandwich, I eat only half of the bread
I have a good friend who I discuss my journey with everyday!!! I found this to be critical
I weigh myself every morning on a new digital scale but I do not obsess. It just helps me stay focused
I drink my water of 8 classes as often as possible and when I do not, I feel it.
I mentally tell myself 1 lb a week
I record and weigh everything I eat
The most important thing is how I view this process. I tell people I have just made the decision to change my life and it is not a diet. The bottom line, is I cannot continue to eat the crap I was eating. Do I miss having my little chocolate donuts of course but each day it is easier.
Good Luck and remeber the weight did not happen overnight and if it comes off slowly and correctly you are more apt to keep it off.
Thanks, I made a big adjustment 4 years ago when I found my triglycerides were almost 700. My mom passed away from Diabetes this summer, so that number got my attention. I cut back on my sugar and bread at that time and started 'watching what I ate' and managed to get it down to 250 as of 2 yrs ago. I need to have my numbers checked again, but want to wait til I get under 200. I have been eating healthier since then, but haven't tracked every calorie till I started MFP a month ago. I also was exercising sporadically then and now I am dedicated to 6 days a week.
1 pound a week would be amazing for me. I wanted to lose 2 a week, but realistically didn't expect more than 1 pound. But now I am not even getting that since the first week water loss. But I will focus on moving more thru out the day and just keep eating healthy and try to be patient. That is what I would tell anyone else, so I guess I should tell it to myself as well.0 -
I'll offer myself as another example. I joined MFP in Dec. 2009 when I was 58. I used the tools to figure out what my maintenance calorie level would be once I hit my goal weight. I figured out how much I thought I would actually exercise on a daily basis. My daily calorie level was 2000 and my exercise calorie level was 500.
The important bits to know are that I wanted to lose over 100 pounds, I'm 5'5" tall and I use an elliptical trainer (though I hadn't used it in over a year when I started.)
So, I started out by eating my maintenance calories. And I've stayed eating at that 2000 calorie level ever since. Sure sometimes I'm over, sometimes I'm under. My exercise calories have gone up - I'm at about 800 calories on the elliptical now when I use it. I also now run three miles times a week which is supposedly only 300 calorie a run. I bike about twice a week which is anywhere between 600 and 1200 calories.
How'd I do?
The first year - I lost 65 pounds
The second year - I lost 30 pounds.
This third year - I've lost 5 pounds.
100 pounds total over 2.75 years.
Was it slower than when I was younger? You bet.
Do I care? Well, let me put it this way - I've gone almost three years without gaining back that first pound I lost in December 2009. I've always gained back all the weight I've ever lost and this time I haven't.
And now all I have to do is just keeping doing what I've been doing for the past three years.
So I don't care how long it took me because now I feel terrific and I look better than I have in my whole life.
My advice - don't try to replicate the speed at which you lost weight when you were younger. That obviously didn't work out because now you have the weight to lose again. Instead, try to lose weight so that you don't ever gain it back again.0
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