Never even considered weight loss until now

fromline
fromline Posts: 4
edited September 20 in Introduce Yourself
Hello,

I'm 5'7+ and 140 lbs.

When I graduated from college I was 126 and maintained that for 15 years or so. Then, 130-135. I've always been very athletic and active.

I'm age 43 now and last I checked, I'm about 140 pounds. Nobody notices my weight gain, but I can tell of course. I'm starting to face the reality that my high metabolism and being able to eat as much as I want are not the same as they used to be.

I've never been in a situation in my entire life where I've even thought of shedding a couple of pounds.

While exercise and fitness are very important, I was informed by one of my doctors that regulating calorie intake is a key factor in maintaining, or slightly losing, weight.

I'm not going to go too crazy on this, but want to be aware. My goal is to lose an average of 1/4 pound per weak. If I continue on this path, I might take off 5 pounds about 20 weeks, or within six months.

However, I feel that in my particular case, losing 5 pounds is more difficult that an obesse person losing 15-to-25 pounds.

From what I hear, it's always the last 5-10 pounds that are the most difficult.

Using the online fitness calculator and given my age, height, and weight, It said I should consume:

1,760 calories/day

Carbs / Day 239 g

Fat / Day 58 g

Protein / Day 65 g

This combined with moderate exercise should burn about 1,990 calories/day.

I'm just getting started, but I've been amazed at how many calories some of the snack packets I've been consuming on a regaular basis contain. It wasn't until very recently that I've actually even thought about counting calories.

I look forward to measuring the progress in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Replies

  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Welcome! Congrats on deciding to get a handle on things before they get out of control. It can be hard to lose the last 10 lbs (I'm working on it now and it is slow going). Welcome!
  • lisa811
    lisa811 Posts: 363
    I'm your age too, and had only 20 lbs. to lose (14 down so far). Other than shedding a few pounds, keep this in mind: you're also being kinder to your body (you only get one!), fueling it with healthier foods, hopefully warding off some serious health issues that plague so many older people. That's what I mostly try to keep in mind. Good luck...you can do anything you set your mind to! :smile:
  • fitinyoga14
    fitinyoga14 Posts: 448 Member
    hi there! it sounds like you already have some good knowledge so you're already on the right track. i only wanted to lose ten pounds when i started on here and tried to lose about a half pound each week. as i started losing, however, it became too difficult to lose a half pound a week so i lowered my calories slightly and just waited patiently. it worked for me and it will work for you too.

    check out the forum posts on here that have the push-pin icons next to them. (if you go to forum topics and choose one, they are first on the list.) they have a lot of useful information that can clear up and confusion you may have. good luck!
  • lgblack
    lgblack Posts: 73 Member
    I wanted to lose 20 lbs. I am 5'4" and was at 158 lbs when I finally decided that the older I got (just turned 50 last year) this losing weight was just going to get harder...and it would keep on creeping up if I didn't change anything. So Jan 2010 I started swimming 3x/wk, Feb 2010 started with MFP and added in a few lunch time strength classes, mid Feb to end of March I had a personal trainer twice a week (a freebie at work!), and also did a 9 week (1x/wk) session of TRX suspension training. The first 15 lbs went fairly easy. Now I haven't budged in about a month. Sure the pants are lose and everythings fits and looks TONS better....but those last 5 lbs are going to be my nemisis!! I want them gone by July 1!!!

    I find that by adding sugar, and sodium, as two other categories that are measured along with the calories, etc. makes me far more aware of the makeup of the foods I am eating. I already know I have to ditch those summer coolers and chose a white wine spritzer instead as the sugar really seems to put a stop on weight loss - regardless of whether I am under calories for the day or not. Good luck on your journey. May it be successful....and you reap the rewards of a balanced lifestyle.
  • fromline
    fromline Posts: 4
    Thanks for all the feedback and welcome messages.

    Incidentally, I was gymnast in college for three years.
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