40 plus women out there struggling?

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erikarobles
erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello my name is Erika and as even though I have always watched what I eat I still have 60lbs to lose. I eat very healthy for the most part and I have recently started a love affair with my HRM watch....lol. But I barely lose at all. I HATE the scale since the damn thing never moves anywhere but up. My clothes still fit but at 5'3" and a size 14 I am just like a teapot short and stout. I am looking for other women in their 40's that are in the same boat and maybe between us we can come up with some different ideas for each other. I will also mention that my doctor runs the thyroid test on my every few months and sometimes they think I have problems sometimes they don't but to date I am on no meds. I have also been restricted to low impact activities due to disc problems in my neck and back. I have an elliptical and a recumbent bike that I get on daily. Please feel free to add me or message me!!!! Thanks ladies!!!!!
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Replies

  • twilight0820
    twilight0820 Posts: 2
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    Hi Erika!

    I actually started last week but this is my first post. I'm 50 and I have the same problem with the scale not moving any direction but UP! It's been tough. The older I get the more difficult it is. I had back surgery a few years ago and just had a total hip replacement (right side) last year. Both surgeries are the result of an injury which caused "traumatic stress arthritis" to settle into those areas. Then osteoarthritis took over. By the time I had the hip surgery there was no cartilidge left in my hip joint and I was rubbing bone-against-bone (painful!). I also have to do low impact exercises and am trying to strengthen my body on the right side as I'm still walking with a limp. I would LOVE to have an eliptical but can't afford one right now. I do have a stationary bicycle though.

    We've having a "Biggest Loser" contest at work which is motivating me right now. That's been going on for 2 weeks and I'm down 7.6 lbs. Not too bad to start but it's a struggle.

    Good luck with your weight loss!

    Melanie

    Good luck with your weight
  • aimeedavids13
    aimeedavids13 Posts: 12
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    Hi Erika. I am 41 YO and started 3 months ago but I've only lost 11 lbs., actually I lost 14 lbs and I've gained 3 back so it's time I got serious. I've got about 60 lbs to go before reaching my ideal weight too. I weigh 187 now and I'm 5'6". I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last Fall and after they were finally able to get my thyroid level right I decided I better start working on all the weight I gained waiting for the proper diagnosis. After the birth of my daughter in 2005 I started taking Phentermine 37.5 mg and was able to lose all the baby weight and then some falling a 1200 calorie diet with the Phentermine but over the years I've had to have a couple of surgeries that left me unable to exercise and I quickly fell back into the bad eating habits as well. I started taking Phentermine in February but I did not do such a good job counting calories and only lost 14 lbs. Then my doctor put me on muscle relaxers for "clenching my jaw" and the muscle relaxers seem to have slowed down my weight loss to the point that when I went back to my weight loss doctor he was unable to prescribe any more Phentermine because I did not lose the amount of weight required by law (only 1/2 pound) to continue the prescription. I was really embarassed when I went to the doctor's office Saturday so I've decided it that it is time to take is seriously again. I'm tracking my foods again and I'm shooting for a 1200 calorie per day diet as I increase my activity level this week. I play tennis but do not do any kind of exercise on a regular basis so I decided now is the time. I would really like to be able to show the doctor that I am able to lose the weight without the Phentermine.
    You should ask your doctor what he considers normal to be for your thyroid levels. My TSH level was over 5.0 and now it's just over 1.0 but I've recently learned that some doctors consider 5 to be normal wherein other doctors consider under 3.0 to be normal. The doctor I am seeing right now considers a TSH level of between 1.0 - 2.0 to be normal so I think I am in good hands for now. Just something you might want to check on b/c a "normal thyroid" to one physician may not be the same with a physician that uses the updated guidelines. I do know that with my thyroid levels out of whack it was impossible for me to lose weight (and I was exercising then) and my weight just kept climbing and climbing. Another reason for weight to continually climb would be if you've started strength training and you didn't before. The added muscle will weigh more than the fat being loss so your weight may actually go up. That's why they recommend doing measurements too. My weight loss doctor told me to just start with walking to avoid the weight gain with strength training initially so I don't get discouraged and give up before I have an opportunity to see results. Just a couple of thoughts . . .
  • MidModJenn
    MidModJenn Posts: 216 Member
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    hi erika! nice to meet you. i just joined as well... i'm jenn, 42 and have had weight issues since my teens that have gotten much worse in the past 5 years. i have about 65 to lose and i hope this (plus my fitbit) does the trick.

    for your thyroid -- do you know if they've done an antibody test on you as well? sometimes all they test is TSH, which doesn't tell the whole story. my TSH is normal, but i have a thyroid antibody titer that's through the roof (over 2000, and it's supposed to be less than 2). this means that i have antibodies that are attacking my thyroid, and making it want to shut down, but my body isn't compensating with the TSH levels. it took years of weight gain in my 20s and multiple doctors (including specialists) before someone finally "got it" and put me on synthroid. while it hasn't helped my weight, it's certainly helped my energy level and stopped my hair from falling out. best of luck!
  • earvizu92
    earvizu92 Posts: 320 Member
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    Not quite 40 but 39...........feel free to add me!! :smile:
  • skinnyforcruise2013
    skinnyforcruise2013 Posts: 74
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    Hi Erika!

    I feel your pain. I'm in my 40's and had lost a total of 64lbs. I've put 20 back on and I'm pissed about it.

    Today is a new day and I'm going to get this off once and for all!!
  • BobcatGirl110
    BobcatGirl110 Posts: 364 Member
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    I will be 45 here in about 6 weeks, mother of two, 5'3" who started this journey in February with 60 lbs to lose so I'm right there with you :) We can do this...feel absolutely free to add me....and welcome! It's easier to win the battle when you can do it with others.
  • Melfleming1
    Melfleming1 Posts: 13
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    Hi Erika!

    I just turned 42 and you can add me to the struggling. It has gotten so much harder to lose as I've gotten older. I've been at it since Jan.

    Always looking for friends! Please feel free to add me!

    Melissa
  • erikarobles
    erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
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    Hi Melanie,
    Sorry to hear about your struggles, I believe that by sharing it isnt misery loves company but support, please keep me in the loop with your progress and vise versa!!!!!
  • erikarobles
    erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
    Options
    Hi Erika. I am 41 YO and started 3 months ago but I've only lost 11 lbs., actually I lost 14 lbs and I've gained 3 back so it's time I got serious. I've got about 60 lbs to go before reaching my ideal weight too. I weigh 187 now and I'm 5'6". I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last Fall and after they were finally able to get my thyroid level right I decided I better start working on all the weight I gained waiting for the proper diagnosis. After the birth of my daughter in 2005 I started taking Phentermine 37.5 mg and was able to lose all the baby weight and then some falling a 1200 calorie diet with the Phentermine but over the years I've had to have a couple of surgeries that left me unable to exercise and I quickly fell back into the bad eating habits as well. I started taking Phentermine in February but I did not do such a good job counting calories and only lost 14 lbs. Then my doctor put me on muscle relaxers for "clenching my jaw" and the muscle relaxers seem to have slowed down my weight loss to the point that when I went back to my weight loss doctor he was unable to prescribe any more Phentermine because I did not lose the amount of weight required by law (only 1/2 pound) to continue the prescription. I was really embarassed when I went to the doctor's office Saturday so I've decided it that it is time to take is seriously again. I'm tracking my foods again and I'm shooting for a 1200 calorie per day diet as I increase my activity level this week. I play tennis but do not do any kind of exercise on a regular basis so I decided now is the time. I would really like to be able to show the doctor that I am able to lose the weight without the Phentermine.
    You should ask your doctor what he considers normal to be for your thyroid levels. My TSH level was over 5.0 and now it's just over 1.0 but I've recently learned that some doctors consider 5 to be normal wherein other doctors consider under 3.0 to be normal. The doctor I am seeing right now considers a TSH level of between 1.0 - 2.0 to be normal so I think I am in good hands for now. Just something you might want to check on b/c a "normal thyroid" to one physician may not be the same with a physician that uses the updated guidelines. I do know that with my thyroid levels out of whack it was impossible for me to lose weight (and I was exercising then) and my weight just kept climbing and climbing. Another reason for weight to continually climb would be if you've started strength training and you didn't before. The added muscle will weigh more than the fat being loss so your weight may actually go up. That's why they recommend doing measurements too. My weight loss doctor told me to just start with walking to avoid the weight gain with strength training initially so I don't get discouraged and give up before I have an opportunity to see results. Just a couple of thoughts . . .
  • erikarobles
    erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
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    I have been on phentermine too and like you did not lose what I was required too:( it was awful!!!!
  • erikarobles
    erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
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    Hi Jen-
    Thanks for advice!!!!
  • joy5877
    joy5877 Posts: 166 Member
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    I am 48 and have lost a little over 80 pounds in 11 months. I find that it comes off slower for me than for others. Any of you can add me and we can try to motivate and support one another on this journey.
  • jenniferwren
    jenniferwren Posts: 189
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    Hi, I'm 41 and was only thinking earlier, it's harder to lose when you're older (wiser, calmer and more confident tho :wink: ) best of British to us all :heart:
  • erikarobles
    erikarobles Posts: 205 Member
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    Thank you all for the comments and advice please feel free to add me!!!! There is strength in numbers!!!!!
  • larsensue
    larsensue Posts: 461 Member
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    Hi, I'm Suzanne and I have been here since January. I keep losing and gaining the same 4 lbs and can't seem to get it to stay off! SOOO Frustrated. bought a new scale and it id telling me I have 29.6% body fat but had it analyzed in January and was at 18.89. I think the scale is screwed.... but I digress. I feel your pain and am here with you. Not sure what to try next. I do water aerobics 3X per week and try to walk every day. have tried the DVD work outs but start strong then can't seem to keep on with it. (NOT a fan of dry land working out, much prefer water workouts). anyways there is an over 40 group I joined, anyone can join. that might be the best place for all of us to share our ideas.....
  • keely1998
    keely1998 Posts: 148 Member
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    girl i am n the same boat as u r feel free to add me
  • Ericsmom1991
    Ericsmom1991 Posts: 16
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    Hey Erika,
    I'm Kim I'm 50 years old and live down here in the south where everything's deep fried from our potatoes to our Oreo's, Needless to say I got up to almost 280 pounds. I bought P90X and i am down to 257 my weight yo- yo's due to adding muscle.I'm new on here too and would like friends for encouragement and understanding what we "older" ladies go through.:wink:
  • SpiritRockBernie
    SpiritRockBernie Posts: 135
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    add me and anyone who sees this! 42 but young at heart!
  • tonicandgin
    tonicandgin Posts: 175
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    hi erika, I'll be 46 in June, and celebrate my one year anniversary on mfp today:) Ive lost 50lbs which I am of course happy about but get frustrated at how slow it is taking (im also hypothyroid that im on meds for) ....no matter how slow and frustrating it can be it is still worth the effort....please feel free to add me, i like to help motivate my friends, and appreciate all the help and motivation i receive
  • SandiW02
    SandiW02 Posts: 223 Member
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    HI! I am 41 and have battled weight problems since I was a teen. I have about 100 lbs I would like to loose but i know the older I get the harder it is. I have yo-yo'd my entire life doing fad after fad. One week into the MFP and I already feel better about myself and my choices. I have done the weekly counting points and meetings but having the daily support fromt the wonderful friends I have made in the past week is more support than I have ever felt like I had in the past.

    I would love to share support and tips.

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