Anyone here over 50?

Yep, I'm 53 - it is more difficult, but if you stick to good eating habits, and make sure you move more - even just walking everywhere instead of taking the car if possible, and using the stairs instead of the lift, it can be done. Walk up and down escalators as well, it can be done.

I have lost 24 kilos (about 52 lbs) in 11 months just by doing the above, and I didn't deprive myself of any food either, just kept the portions size down, and when I had a treat, it was just a very small amount.

Hi, I'm 51 and yes it is more difficult to lose weight. What worked for me 10 years ago, is not working now. I have decided that I am going to stick to good eating habits and regulary work out and hopefully the weight will start to come off. I know it will be slow, but they say that is the best way to lose. Good Luck.

At 52 nearing 53 have just joined MFP, over the past few years have found it incredibly hard to lose even a 1lb, - I think know what my problem is - no exercise - work day 6.15am to 7.15pm - sitting at a desk all day, not really in the mood to go out in the
evening and weekends always seem to be busy doing something! I need to get in the habit of a walk around the block i think.
I am hoping by counting the calories it may be easier (hopefully) than 'a diet'.

sounds like it is all attitude to me. If you buy into that you're older and will never be as thin as you were at some younger age..you won't. With age comes getting plain ole tired ...and it is easy to give yourself excuses to not try any longer. I think as one ages they move less...are less active..and have more built up toxins in their systems as well as have gained five to ten pounds a decade so they have more to lose. So it takes some thought ..but don't blame it all on age.

I'm 54, 55 in February and it is much harder. How much are you wanting to loose this year?

Just turned 51 in december it can be challenging! but it's worth the work.
Steve Ferris

I just joined the site today. I'm 52 and I lost 50 pounds at the beginning of 2012 and by New Years Eve put it all back on, arghhhhhh! I absolutely think it's harder to loose weight as you get older. Everything is sagging or lagging, need a jump start to feel like a human again.

I'm 58 going on 59 as well. Yes. It much harder to lose weight than it was when I was younger. For us older ladies, losing and then keeping it off means an entire lifetime change of food habits. I've a,ways been able to lose the weight, the trouble I have is being able to maintain the loss.

Don't let anything stand in your way of losing weight if you need to. I'm over 50 but I think Age is but a number. I, too have heard the scare stories about the menopause/hormonal difference/ slower metabolic rate reduces your ability to be able to lose weight in this age group, but frankly, I have never seen or heard of any scientific study/evidence that proves this theory. Have you? Until that day dawns I am inclined to believe that this theory is merely a myth put about by someone who was looking for an excuse for their weight loss failure...and is also latched onto as a good excuse to hide behind by those in this age bracket who know they should be losing weight ... in order to justify why they aren't! Well, if losing weight is seemingly out of their control due to their age and their hormones or their metabolic rate, then they don't have to take any responsibility for any weight loss failure do they? I am sure it even offers others a clear conscience regarding any reluctance to do anything constructive about their weight problem.

Ignore it. Do what you know you need to do to lose weight healthily..and stick at it. No doubt we will all fall off the band wagon at some stage on our weight loss journey - and if that happens to you as well - just pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get back to it.

You can do it. I am sure!

Let me know how it goes. I tried to join the lose 1lb week challenge group I saw on here last night, but blowed if I can find it today...any ideas?

Irene

Hi Charlene and Everyone Else:

I'm 53, and yes it is harder to lose the weight. I am plugging along at a "normal and safe" rate of weight loss though. I average 2 lbs. per week, which should be easier to maintain in the end. As long as I'm losing those 2 lbs I figure I'm doing good. Statistics show that if you lose at a slower rate you have a better chance of keeping those pounds off. You just have to have patience, committment, and determination! I have 85 to 90 additional pounds to lose and I hope to have lost them by the end of 2013. That is my goal. Keep logging your food intake, EVERYTHING. Logging will keep you on track, even if you go over your calories. Good Luck.

I am 54 and yes it seems a little harder because our metabolism changes especially if you're going through the menopausal stage as I am. However, stress can play a huge factor in weight gain as it did with me after a divorce. I was never a big dieter and didn't exercise much, but I'm determined now.

One of the big this as we get older which make it harder to lose the excess weight than when we were younger, aside from the hormonal changes, is that as a whole, the older we get, the less active we are, so with modifications to the eating plan, an increase in exercise is a must. This doesn't have to be at the gym either, it can just be walking if that's all you can do.

I have lost 52 lbs in 11 months, and the only exercise I did was walking, cycling to work occassionally, and using the stairs instead of the lift - did not step foot inside a gym.

Of course a gym can be good, but not unless it is firstly accompanied by a change of eating habits.

I'm 53 and have been riding the gain it, loose it wagon for awhile now. I am determined to log in and log in my food diary everyday. There are so many inspiring people here!

I am 49 years old here. Yes it is harder to lose weight when you are older. I am sending you a friend request.

My name is Gay Lynn and I have at least another 40 pounds to lose.

I am 57. The last few years I let stress and my medical problems totally derail my diet and fitness. I'm here to get back on track.