Weight loss over 55

peterchin2013
peterchin2013 Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
I have read so much on the struggle to lose weight when you reach your 50's and 60"s. I want to lose about 25 pounds. Menopause along with lack of motivation over the last 2 years has contributed to the weight gain.

I had my yearly physical yesterday. Well, its time I get serious and committed; no more excuses. What does this mean? No more vegging out playing computer games or watching TV for hours on end.

Got off topic. Has anyone succeeded in losing weight over 55? 60?

Replies

  • smilingalltheway
    smilingalltheway Posts: 216 Member
    I'm 55 and I lost 76 pounds and avoided knee replacement surgery. I still would like to lose 20 more pounds. You can do this just make small changes that add up to large ones....Good luck
  • drosen32
    drosen32 Posts: 23 Member
    If almost-55 (this summer) counts, my wife has lost about 15-20 using MFP. Stick with it and it'll work for you. You'll struggle a little bit at first figuring out what works (veggies- lots of them) and when to eat. Once you figure out what'll work for you, trust the program. Get in exercise and it'll drop off by about a pound, maybe more, per week. You can do it.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    Hi, I'm 59 and I've lost 13 pounds since the end of Dec. and I'm almost at goal so u can do it at this age. I eat tons if veggies, some protein and treats here and there. I workout 6 days and take a long walk on the 7th. Just stick with it and don't give up-it will come off and you'll feel fantastic! My LDL went down to normal and my HDL went to 85!
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    My wife is 58 and has lost about 11 pounds in about 10 weeks. I'm 63 and have lost about 19 in the same period. It can be done.

    I think one key to our success is meticulously counting calories. Prior to logging our calories on MFP we were trying to cut back, thought we were cutting back, but were having no success. Once we started logging on MFP and making a concerted effort to meet our calorie goals the pounds started coming off.

    In addition to counting calories we are also doing a lot of cardio and regular weight lifting.

    Go for it. Once that first 5 pounds comes off you'll be hooked.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    I'm 59...have lost 44 lbs so far in a bit over a year. I feel great, I think I'm in the best shape of my life. It can be done!
  • saminmio
    saminmio Posts: 44 Member
    Hi, I'm 66 and I've been on this site for about 2 1/2 months and I've lost 11 lbs - should be 12 lbs but I hit my starting weight at 188 lbs when it should have been 189. I hope that helps you. You don't have to starve either check out my food entries - you do have to exercise. This site will help you with the journaling of all of your food. Makes you very aware of how much exercise it takes to counteract the food your eating.
  • FattieBabs
    FattieBabs Posts: 542 Member
    53 here with a very sedentary lifestyle 6 months ago. It has taken me 6 months to lose around 20-22 pounds but I have had Christmas and two holidays where I ate and drank what I liked during that time. MFP works. I set my cals for a one pound a week weight loss and 1600-1800 cals a week with some exercising. Good luck!
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    The only reason weight loss is harder as we age is because we tend to be more sedentary and in turn have lost lean muscle mass which means we burn fewer calories at rest as well.

    Eat right, move more, build muscle and weight comes off just like it does at any other age.
  • potluck965
    potluck965 Posts: 529 Member
    I lost around 30 pounds starting a couple of years ago when I was 60. I have to work at maintenance, for sure, but you can do it.

    Don't try to use age as an excuse!!! We are supposed to gain wisdom as we age and that helps give us the tools we need to figure out any special problems related to weight loss that we might have due to an advancing state of decrepitancy :laugh:
  • MammaC66
    MammaC66 Posts: 120 Member
    Hi. I am 64 and have lost 90 pounds over the last two years. The first 35 on Weight Watchers and the other 55 using MFP. It could have been more, but I took a few months off when I was making a long distance move. Don't let your age hold you back. You will feel years younger if you lose weight eating a healthy diet and building up to a good exercise program. At least that is how it has worked for me.
  • Fozzi43
    Fozzi43 Posts: 2,984 Member
    My mum lost two stones when she was 71.. She followed slimming world diet..it worked for her.
  • peterchin2013
    peterchin2013 Posts: 6
    Thanks everyone for the support and words of encouragement. Since I started last week, I have faithfully walked each day 45-60 minutes at the park. The inner loop is about 1.5 miles with a hill in either direction. I added a few sets of jogging. I use to run years ago and sometimes I just need to go a little faster. I do feel great.

    I don't own a scale so I'm going on the fit of my clothes. I will also rely on measurements: waist, biceps, thigh, calf and the midriff area where it seems I am storing fat.

    I have a doctor's appt in 5 weeks, so I will see the results then. My doctor is the one who told me about this web site.

    Thanks again! :smile:
  • yanniejannie
    yanniejannie Posts: 1,090 Member
    I'm your age---61...........I started Jan.11 and as of yesterday have lost 16 lbs.........less than 3 months
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I'm 54. I have lost 35 pounds and am back to my just graduated from college weight. BMI 22. It's been a year. I can't tell you how happy I am about it.

    And yeah, encrouching menopause and not enough exercise will pack on those pounds.
  • ska41
    ska41 Posts: 15 Member
    Yep. It's definitely possible. I'm 56 and have lost 107 pounds since Labor Day. Still have quite a few to go. I was a computer vegetable before then. I also no longer have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea. Hang in there!
  • boatsie77
    boatsie77 Posts: 480 Member
    Just hit my goal last week...here's my story

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/950527-58-years-old-and-81-pounds-gone-pics-too
  • Fairlieboy
    Fairlieboy Posts: 84 Member
    Counting down to 60th birthday soon. Only 6kg (14 lbs, 1 stone) to loose, and have lost 4kg so far in 3 weeks. But going the 5:2 diet, because I can have 2 days to keep below 600 Calories, and then don't have to worry, count calories, exercise, or give up beer, wine, socialise. So it is workable eating program, and to get under 600C on those 2 days it means I have to eat small amounts of protein and green veges. No bread, no sugar, no carbs. No guilt on the up days. And the science research from lots of researchers around the world say that the diet is sustainable for more than 2 years. If you blow it one day, then a fast day works recovers that damage from the day.

    There is a group on mfp, and there is also an intermittent fasting group, but that seemed too low for me to handle.
    When I reach my BMI I will go back to 1 day a week fast.
  • nm8962
    nm8962 Posts: 43 Member
    I am 61 & have loss 79.5 pounds since June 27, 2012. If you are looking for friends, I would be honored to have you add me to your list.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    I'm 56 and I've lost just over 100 pounds in the last 5 years - 18 pounds since January.

    You can do it! Small changes add up to big ones, and make sure that any changes you do make are sustainable.
  • fabulara
    fabulara Posts: 94 Member
    Bump
  • jbs2travel
    jbs2travel Posts: 68 Member
    I am 66 and have lost a total of 55 pounds since 12/11. I have diabetes, hypothyroid and fibromyalgia. If I can do it - you can do it!!
    One day at a time making better choices and getting off my butt!
  • barbaratrollman
    barbaratrollman Posts: 317 Member
    I am 55, going to be 56 this coming August.
    I *do* find it a little bit more difficult for me to lose than it has been in my younger years, but I have still had some success. I started Jan. 4th of this year, so I guess 27 pounds isn't too bad.

    Stay active, get in some cardio and weight training. Get support from some very knowledgeable and good people here. You'll be successful. :) I won't ever use age as a reason to not be working toward fitness. I plan to still be working on staying fit when I'm 100-years old. :D
  • darwinwoodka
    darwinwoodka Posts: 322 Member
    Will be 55 in November. Wasn't losing anything til I got on here and started logging, in spite of a LOT of exercise and strength training.

    Ya gotta eat less than you burn, that's all.

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