Almost 40 and "Fat"

Born in '69 - raised on Count Chocula, Little Debbie, Spaghettios, and Mountain Dew. I was just a bit overweight, but mom just said I was husky . In December At 6"3' 265 pounds - I had enough - I was 205 when married 18 years ago - although then I could have used to lose a few pounds - that's my new goal . I've found that a good eating program and walking has been the key to bumping my metabolism. I'm doing Larry North's Slimdown for Life - and loving it. Count me in.

Born in July 1970, so 40 is right around the corner. I have struggled with my weight for as far back as I can remember. I have lost about 15 since the beginning of the year, and would like to lose another 40. I am so........... ready for this change, but it's not easy for sure!! Also losing my job, so there is change all over the place - like it or not!!

BTW - My name is Michele and I live in Iowa.........

Born in 1971 and according to my doctor (for my height), I should weigh 115 - 135 pounds. I'm a LONG way away from that. LONG WAY!

I'll be 40 next September. O_O I laughed as I typed that. I almost can't believe it. I'm sure I'll be fabulous at forty, but it would be grand to have conquered my struggle with bad eating habits.

Yes, I don't know how to join either.......... and thanks!!

I found this from someone on another topic on MFP and found it interesting. It doesn't really have to do with being over 40 ... but thought I would share it anyhow as the idea of a set point makes sense to me.

http://bidmc.org./YourHealth/BreakThroughYourSetPoint.aspx

Your body weight set point is the number on the scale your weight normally hovers around, give or take a few pounds.

What determines your set point?

Your heredity and your environment—starting back at the moment of your conception—determine your set point. Over the long term, excess food and insufficient exercise will override your body’s natural tendency to stay at its set point and lead to a higher, less healthy set point.

A slow, gradual weight gain, (a 20-pound weight gain over several decades) will fool your body into thinking that your set point should be higher —and in fact, that does reset your set point. Then, when you try to lose weight, your body defends that higher weight, making weight loss more difficult.

But just as it’s possible to reset your set point to a higher point, it’s also possible to lower it. The secret is to work with, not against, your body’s natural tendencies and lose weight slowly, one silhouette at a time.

Internal Controls vs. Environmental Factors
There are internal controls that govern this complex process. These controls include a tiny structure deep within the brain, nerves that run between the brain and stomach, and a host of hormones, but ultimately, your behavior—how you respond to the environment—trumps your physiology, or your body’s inner workings.

Oversized portions of high-calorie (and often inexpensive) foods are readily available, day and night.
Modern conveniences —everything from electric toothbrushes to leaf-blowers to cars—mean we don’t have as many opportunities to exercise.

The 10% Solution:
Scientific evidence supports losing no more than 10% of your body weight at a time. It turns out that the body’s set point and its many regulatory hormones dictate the effectiveness of the 10% loss. That’s the amount of weight you can lose before your body starts to fight back. Many clinical studies have confirmed this phenomenon. Of course, some people can lose more than 10% at a time, but precious few can then maintain that loss.

After you maintain your new, lower weight for 6 months, you can repeat the cycle and reset your set point again by losing another 10%. Through small, gradual changes in your daily habits, you’ll be able to stay at that new, lower weight for the rest of your life. This prescription is vital to outsmarting the body’s natural tendencies to regain weight.

BTYSP Principles:
Resetting your set point requires you to learn new habits that overtime become second nature. Over the next so many weeks we will focus on learning how to:

Eat Less and Shed Pounds
Eat Well and Be Healthy
Move More and Feel Great
Sleep More
Stress Less

I just want to encourage you that if I can do it....ANYONE CAN! The greatest challenge any of us face is the battle of the mind. I decided 4 years ago that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and I changed my life completely. No more excuses of being too busy to go to the gym...I made time, no more reasons to eat fast food and unhealthy meals at home...I learned to cook healthy, no more reasons to give up when it gets hard...I dug down deep and fought for it with everything that is in me. I still struggle with old habits, but the difference is I have learned to forgive myself and start all over again. This isn't a diet, but a total lifestyle transformation that begins on the inside when you decide that you are worth fighting for. Great men and women get knocked down, but great men and women get right back up. I believe that is you, and YOU CAN DO THIS...one day at a time!


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I am so glad I found this thread. I am almost the big 40. I was born January 1971 and will be 40 in just a few short months. When I turned 39 I had a motto that I was going to be "Fit by 40" Well, I haven't really stuck to anything since then and have to get my rear in gear. I have 70 pounds to lose and looks like I got a nice support group right here.