For the more mature crowd

TedStout
TedStout Posts: 241
in Health and Weight Loss
Do you find that your ability to lose weight, and maybe more importantly, to maintain a fitness level you desire has become increasingly difficult. My body keeps reminding me I am not 18 anymore. Ugh! :ohwell:

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I'm 55 and the only difference I've noticed is I seem to need to eat a lot less to maintain the same weight. All those high calorie meals I ate when I was younger now just stick to my gut!
  • jbs2travel
    jbs2travel Posts: 68 Member
    I'm 66 and I'm finding it hard to lose weight now, but I have health issues that can make it more difficult to exercise which helps to be fit and lose weight.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    True, for sure. But it also is hard to workout when your body protests. Do you have any heavy day/light day kind of rotation or just go with whatever feels right?
  • shirleygirl910
    shirleygirl910 Posts: 503 Member
    I've never been a healthy weight before. This is the best I've felt in my life. It's a constant struggle to eat healthy and exercise, but I love it now. I almost feel like I have an addiction to being healthy. Can that be a bad thing?
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,467 Member
    I'm about your age and I notice a BIG difference with fitness. It's as if I have to fight for every bit of it that I gain! I don't seem to have any in reserve any more. I have to keep working at it all the time.

    (And even with the work, my fitness is just a small fraction of what it was in my 20s).
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    True, for sure. But it also is hard to workout when your body protests. Do you have any heavy day/light day kind of rotation or just go with whatever feels right?

    For me at 61, recovery is the biggest issue. I can do intense workouts 3 days, maybe 4 days tops. I do some light cardio sometimes on off days. I don't workout when my body protests but with a 3 or 4 day per week, HIIT and or lifting schedule and some light days, that rarely happens.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    I can't eat as much as I used to for sure and have to really watch the sodium (for weight not health reasons). I was able to exercise without issue until I sprained my ankle and pulled ligaments in my foot, it is taking forever to heal although my doctor says I can continue with everything as usual. Push yourself but not to the point of injury.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Sigh. Yeah its a fight. I imagine thats just part of passing the 50 mark. Guess one just has to slow things down a bit. Patience.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I was running 5k 3 times a week and either doing strength or cycling the other days but my mom fell and broke her hip 6 weeks ago so now exercise is mostly getting her in and out of bed and trying to get her to do her exercises! I have discovered that I can completely maintain my weight with my diet though which is nice to know but I'm sure by the time I get back to exercise I'm going to be really disappointed in my performance.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Thanks all. Was really hoping for some magic formula (ha!) but sounds like its more adjusting to the reality of aging. May have to back off on the workouts a bit and let recovery drive the exercise routine.
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    I'm 45. When I was in my 20's and early 30's, I was very tiny but didn't really exercise. I could go all day with just eating one salad. Eating less kept me skinny (what I've now learned is skinny fat). My body doesn't work like that anymore. Now if I eat that little, I'll get a headache and feel lethargic. I have to eat more now, so I have to exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Thanks again! How about eating habits (other than less)?
  • harlychic
    harlychic Posts: 58
    For sure years ago all I had to do to lose 10 pounds was stop eating a candy bar each day. Now I dont know the last time I ate a candy bar and Im fighting to get the last 10 off. Working out 6 days a week before work and counting calories and it is still a slow go. I just dont worry about it, I just get up and do the work and go on knowing Im doing the right things and sooner or later the scales will show it.
  • harlychic
    harlychic Posts: 58
    bump
  • LowcarbNY
    LowcarbNY Posts: 546 Member
    Yes Ted:

    1) I need less calories to maintain then when I was younger

    2) I've got more responsibilities that consume my time. Hard to believe that I was one able to watch 3 football games on a weekend. Now I don't watch any and wonder where the time went. I thought TECHNOLOGY was going to free us. Instead I think it mastered us.

    3) My parts are wearing out. I love to play tennis but my wrist and shoulder and getting very arthritic. Hard to be as active when you hurt and aches and pains come more easily too. I try to rotate through different activities to keep the stress level down different body parts. My incline treadmill has become a good friend. Able to get a good burn with low impact.


    Stay with it. However much strain exercise puts on your joints it would be far worse if you are 50# heavier.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Kind of in the same boat harleychic. I am just very sore today from working out and wondering how I am going to get up and do it tomorrow. Ugh.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Thanks again to all. Good to know I am not alone in this :smile:
  • TAMayorga
    TAMayorga Posts: 341 Member
    I never "tried" to lose weight when I was younger, so don't have a comparison. Coincidentally, I started "the change" about the same time I started on MFP; so far I've had good results, but it's only been a few weeks, so we'll see if I can maintain this for the long run.

    I have problems with my wrists and shoulders that keep me from doing some stuff.

    Ted, have you ever considered yoga on your "off" days? Someone on MFP said that you feel like you've just given yourself a massage when you're done, and that's the best way I've ever heard to describe how I feel about it.
  • harlychic
    harlychic Posts: 58
    I find that a good nights rest does wonders for the body I still get 7-8 hours each night. :smile:
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    I find that a good nights rest does wonders for the body I still get 7-8 hours each night. :smile:

    This, too! I used to be able to get by on 5 hours sleep. My body doesn't like that anymore!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    i feel the best that i have ever felt,people say i look the best too,,
    i do have secrets tho..
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    i do have secrets tho..

    I want to know secrets! I won't tell anyone else...
  • getup25
    getup25 Posts: 119 Member
    I'm 51. I watch my carbs. It's the only thing I've found so far that let's me drop the weight. I also started doing Pilates which I'm really enjoying. It's helping with my core muscles as well as the others. The instructors are great and they will help me modify if my lower back is bugging me.
  • KeriW626
    KeriW626 Posts: 430
    Im 48. I have noticed with my in laws who are in there early and late 70's, they eat less (sometimes down right not enough), they also sleep alot less.
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    I remember saying to my mom recently, "I don't know why I've suddenly gained weight; I've been eating the same way". Her reply, "Awww, sweetheart, you're older now. You're supposed to eat less, not the same". Thanks, mom!
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Laugh! Momma knows best! TAMayorga, I have only tried Yoga once and it was very difficult for me. I am a "big" muscle kind of guy and the small muscle small motor skills thing was tough for me. And I am a bit inflexible. However, that being said, I have considered it. Maybe start with a home tape? Thanks for the suggestion.

    Sleep...yes...I suppose that is a key element too. I do get good sleep, but probably not enough. I get up at 4 am so its kind of off cycle for my natural body rhythm. Will take it all under advisement.
  • Alissakae
    Alissakae Posts: 317 Member
    I'm a postmenopausal woman who should be having a very hard time losing weight (so they say). It's not coming off as fast as I would like, but over 50 pounds in 6 months isn't bad right? I am working out hard 3-4 days per week with lighter cardio on other days ("resting" on Sunday) and getting results. I think giving your body some recovery time is important as well as consistency with eating well and exercise. Wish I had kicked into gear 10 years ago - I feel better now than I did then. I want to enjoy my grandchildren (and great-grandchildren some day) and not become feeble in old age!
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Alissa, pretty much my goal is to be able to do all the things I do now when I retire in another 10 (or more) years. Sounds like you, like me, kind of got on the bandwagon a bit later than we would have liked. Keep up the great work!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I find that a good nights rest does wonders for the body I still get 7-8 hours each night. :smile:

    This, too! I used to be able to get by on 5 hours sleep. My body doesn't like that anymore!

    Man, after a workout day, I sleep more than I ever did! lol. Sometimes 9 or 10 hours. At least 8. It's great sleep too. Very sound from all the exercise.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I'm a postmenopausal woman who should be having a very hard time losing weight (so they say). It's not coming off as fast as I would like, but over 50 pounds in 6 months isn't bad right? I am working out hard 3-4 days per week with lighter cardio on other days ("resting" on Sunday) and getting results. I think giving your body some recovery time is important as well as consistency with eating well and exercise. Wish I had kicked into gear 10 years ago - I feel better now than I did then. I want to enjoy my grandchildren (and great-grandchildren some day) and not become feeble in old age!

    Heck no! 50 lbs in 6 months is fantastic!!

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