Women over 55...pushing 60 years-old

I am a 59-year-old female, 5'5" and 159 pounds. My goal weight is 140. I recently upped my calories and lowered my carbs and actually lost a few pounds. My activity level is stagnant....as a store clerk, my body is accustomed to the level of motion. I do an exercise routine with my 84-year-old mom which is great for her and not enough for me, but anything is better than a zero. What I would like to know is ......what is working for others in my group? While I know that everyone is different, I do think that there is the magic formula that will work for every individual. My friend, The Biscuiteater, dropped 53+ pounds when he found what worked for HIM. Most of the forums I have been reading are much younger folks who have reached goals and have had so much success....at a younger age, losing weight wasn't that hard. In a nutshell, I would like to hear from women in my age group....whatever the topic. Much success to everyone!

Replies

  • Great idea!! I'm 56, 5'7", and 162 pound. My goal is 140 (haven't seen that in a number of years). Now that I'm 2 years out from cancer treatments, I've recently gotten serious about dropping some weight and getting back in shape.I've dropped 14 pounds since I got my FitBit and joined this site (in a month's time). I strength train 2 to 3 times a week and do cardio (walk/run, run, elliptical) at least 1 hour a day 4 to 5 days a week. Unfortunately, I've just hit a bump.....weight hasn't budged an ounce in a week....but I'm sticking with it and will weigh inagain next week.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    I'm 64. I keep an open diary, log everything, do both cardio ( elliptical machine and stall cleaning/farm work) and a weight program with 5-lb. weights. I'm taking it slow because if I don't my skin will wrinkle too much. It is possible to do, I've been down at every weigh in and generally under my calorie goal.
  • juliana813
    juliana813 Posts: 67 Member
    bumping for my mom on here!
  • sophieblackdog
    sophieblackdog Posts: 4 Member
    At 5'7", you should look pretty darn good! My problem is that I look better with clothes on than clothes off....LOL. At this point, I do believe that exercise is the key.....and that magic diet. Also, I believe that our age group is in the same boat...if you know what I mean. We are special in our age and experience in life. Great to hear from you and congratulations in your recovery from cancer!
  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    Hi, sophie. Best wishes to you getting your health in check.

    I just turned 59 in March. I weighed 178 at the beginning of April, joined MFP in mid-April at 172 pounds, and weigh 167 right now.

    I stopped eating junk food, sweets, and bread. I'm eating all my meals (mostly lentils, brown rice and steamed vegetables), making sure I'm never hungry so I won't be tempted to eat junk. I fill up on broccoli and other veggies before social occasions and explain to people that I'm on a diet.

    I walk everywhere I can instead of using the car (I live in a small town with a lot of sidewalks). Before, I would walk my dog twice a day, probably 1-2 miles. Now, between errands and a deliberate once a day hike to a specific landmark, I walk anywhere from 4-7 miles a day. I've also started C25K and plan to learn to run. I am absolutely determined to become healthy again. I am through with being fat.
  • 1yoyoKAT
    1yoyoKAT Posts: 206 Member
    What's working for me is that I have totally changed my lifestyle. I avoid processed food and pay attention to getting enough (higher than MFP default) protein, fiber, water and keeping my salt down. I walk at least 1/2 hour per day and try to do some elliptical, ARC trainer and just started some resistance machines at the gym as my (osteoarthritis) knee allows. I feel better than I have in years and I've been steadily losing weight. I'm looking to make holistic, sustainable and permanent changes to how I live; not a quick blitz to drop pounds. I imagine in our age group we may have a bit more patience. :flowerforyou: Continued success to us!
  • sophieblackdog
    sophieblackdog Posts: 4 Member
    Holli, I can appreciate your determination. Yours sounds like a success story to me! My 84-year-old mom has dropped 22 pounds and I can't loose 10! I am so proud of her! I am being patient, and, too, have quit eating the junk and am praying for the will power to get up and exercise no matter how tired I am. Healthy I am......schedules are pretty much for the birds. I hope you continue to drop the weight.....oh, and I love dogs!
  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    Holli, I can appreciate your determination. Yours sounds like a success story to me! My 84-year-old mom has dropped 22 pounds and I can't loose 10! I am so proud of her! I am being patient, and, too, have quit eating the junk and am praying for the will power to get up and exercise no matter how tired I am. Healthy I am......schedules are pretty much for the birds. I hope you continue to drop the weight.....oh, and I love dogs!

    Hi Sophie. In the past I seemed to be exhausted all the time, but since I stopped eating junk food and started trying to walk everywhere, my energy has tripled. It's wonderful that you exercise with your mother. Can you exercise for yourself several times a week?
  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
    You sound like you are doing good, I am same age,same height. I weigh 164, but I am glad to be in the 160s, it seems right for me. I use to weigh 208 two years ago. I wear size 10 and 12. When I was 145 I was too thin in the face back in my WW days. I guess it is different for everyone, especially women with those skinny legs, they can weigh less. My neighbor weighs 20 lbs less than me but I wear smaller clothes, I guess the way our weight is distributed. I have boobs, she doesnt. So we have to find what we feel good at.
    WW says for me to weigh 145 but I am happy where I am, 15-20 lbs heavier.

    I was eating too many calories, eating veg and fruits like they say in WW and eating too many and gained weight. Logging my calories made the difference.
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    It's definitely possible! I'm 5'7 and 60; I started 2 years ago at 147 and now weigh 129. What worked for me was also eliminating junk (except carefully-chosen junk in small quantities on rare occasions) as well as 5:2 fasting (there are other discussions on that) ad kicking up my exercise a notch. I now work out about an hour a day and I use a FitBit as well as a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor. My employer wellness program rewards fitness activities but only if they're logged electronically and I like to have both devices in case one stops working. (The FT7 is the only one I can use while swimming.) Having electronic toys monitoring my workout really helps me see how hard I'm working.
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    I'm 60, 5'5", and 153 lbs., medium frame. Two years ago, I lost 70 lbs in a year's time, stopped being vigilant, and put back on 20 over the next year. Back to logging since December, I've dropped 10-12 lbs. and would like to get back to 145, and maybe 140. I spend 3 hours at the barn every day with my horses, cleaning paddocks, grooming, ground work and/or riding, and walking all over the place. I'm doing TDEE-15% (got tired of logging every little type of exercise), eat primal/paleo (grain and gluten-free), and aim to keep carbs <70 g/day. I weighed 135-140 when at my most fit in my late 20's (before kids), so I think that's a reasonable goal. I feel good where I am now, but there is still pudge around my waistline that I'd like to have gone.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,290 Member
    I am 58, 5'6" and currently weight 160. Most of my exercise consists of power walking, street bicycling and stationary biking. In the summertime, I do water jogging in the pool. I do belong to a gym but am not much of a gym goer. I have type 2 diabetes and have to limit my carbs and sugar. That has really helped to lose the 50 pounds I have so far. Continued success to you!
  • alsoagood1
    alsoagood1 Posts: 79 Member
    I'm 55 and will be 56 in a few months. My mother (85) lives with us and I'm her caregiver. My husband is a heart patient so he is
    also someone I take care of. I have Type 2 diabetes plus a few other ailments.

    No offense to anyone but people under 50 don't have the same trouble loosing weight that I do and while I'm thrilled for their success people my own age are who I am more interested in being friends with and helping.

    I am glad you found MFP and wish you great luck in getting to your goal.
  • barbaratrollman
    barbaratrollman Posts: 317 Member
    I'm 55-years old and 5'5". I currently weigh 153 pounds and my starting weight was 185 pounds on Jan. 4 of this year.
    Mostly I've been working out, plenty of cardio exercise (I try for at least 5 to 6 days per week.) and I try to lift heavy weight and other resistance training at least 3 to 4 days per week.

    I tend to eat clean anyway, but I had slipped into eating more breads than I should over the last few years. Artisan breads are my weakness.
    I was losing great, until late Feb. to late March, when I hit a plateau for a month.

    I'm avoiding grains now, but I'm not necessarily doing the low-carb thing...just getting my carbs from lots of veggies and a fair bit of fruit each day.

    I adjusted my net calorie goal for each day from 1,200 to 1,390, and I bumped up my protein intake, especially on lift days. I have also bumped up my fat intake...healthy fats, such as avocados, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, olive oil and the like.
    Now I'm losing weight pretty steadily again.

    I'm very pleased with how energetic, strong, and healthy I feel and for the results I'm seeing with my body...getting much firmer and getting back into my smaller clothing. :) I should add that I never feel that I have to go hungry. I eat a lot, as you can see if you look at my food diary here.

    My diary is wide open, if you are interested. Good luck with your endeavors toward health and fitness. :)
  • cynma
    cynma Posts: 77 Member
    hi I am 56ys and I have been nordic walking or pole walking some people call it. for the past couple of years or so. It is so good for the body and easier on the joints. It burns more calories then just walking. Check out some of the videos on the computer to see a sample and the benefits. Mfp has helped me alot with support of other people and I supporting them. Alot of my mfp friends have left or are no longer logging so if you would like to support each other friend me. Good luck and pounds lighter to you Cyn
  • sophieblackdog
    sophieblackdog Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you everyone so much for the responses to my post. I found them all interesting, informative and intriguing. It is so refreshing that there is such a close knit group.....thanks again!
  • LilOAnnie
    LilOAnnie Posts: 1
    Hi! I'm 60, 5'4" and currently weigh 135. I started working on my weight last October at 152 on another site. Due to some kind of computer glitch last week that doesn't allow me to access my old site I found this site and will start tracking here. It was great to find other people my age fighting the weight battle. My goal is 125. I love gardening so with spring (Hopefully) around the corner that will definitely make my activity easier to get. This winter I walked around a little track I made in the basement. It worked but I can't wait to get outside and walk and garden. I also like to bicycle when possible. I've found that the only thing that works for me is to count every morsel that goes into my mouth. It's way to easy to cheat if I don't hold myself accountable. Good luck with your weight loss. We're all in this together!
  • Hi! I'm 5'5, 60 years old, and started out weighing 189 on 6/18/14....after joing MFP and reducing carbs and sugars, I have lost 16 lbs as of today, 7/14/14!! I feel better than I have in years...I walk at least an hour each day, which really has helped me feel more energetic. And, I drink lots of water....I'm loving watching the scale go down, instead of up!!!
  • dinaesia
    dinaesia Posts: 54 Member
    HI, I'm 56, 5'10, and weigh 222. I lost 8 lbs. in my first month on MFP. I'm only counting calories. I don't exercise, unless housework counts. I occasionally walk with friends, when my schedule permits.
    When I started at MFP, I was surprised at how many calories I actually ate. Now I know better, and make healthier choices.
    For example, I'll choose an apple with a dab of peanut butter for an afternoon snack instead of potato chips. Small changes add up.
    I have hypothyroidism so my metabolism is on vacation. I had tried dieting two years ago and lost only my patience. My scale didn't budge. I went to the DR, who ran some blood tests and lo! and behold, my thyroid was out of whack. Now I'm on meds and I can see a difference. I was eating anywhere from 2500 to 3000 calories a day. Now, I eat between 1800 to 2000. I set up my weight loss in stages. Stage One is 30 lbs. with a goal weight of 200 lbs. Stage Two will be determined when I reach my first goal.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    I swim and I just started the 30 day shred. Yes it's harder now but not impossible. I am 5 feet and weight 153. My goal is 120.
    Have you read in getting started, the guide to sexy pants ? That helped me. I will send you a friend request. Feel free to look at my diary. Good luck to you! :flowerforyou:
  • Luv2eatSweets
    Luv2eatSweets Posts: 221 Member
    I've had a hell of a time losing. I had my leg amputated (to my knee) a few years back and it is hard for me to get on the treadmill. I do it...it's just hard for me. I eat decent, but after quitting all pain meds, just can't seem to budge the belly/as*fat. I think a lot of the meds contributed to the weight gain, but I'm sure being in rehab for a long time on my back didn't help either. I'm trying to eat healthier versus losing weight....as losing doesn't seem to be working right now. As soon as I can look in the mirror without cringing, I will worry about the lbs I need to lose.
  • susanrechter
    susanrechter Posts: 386 Member
    there is a great group of 50+ year olds in Motivation & Support. Check them out. Really friendly and smart group of ladies.
  • Luckee_me
    Luckee_me Posts: 1,425 Member
    Good luck to you.
  • dinaesia
    dinaesia Posts: 54 Member
    Can you do crunches or ride a bike? those are good for belly fat. Also adding calcium, an extra glass of milk, a serving of yogurt can help to burn belly fat. These have worked for me.
  • pjb58
    pjb58 Posts: 100 Member
    Hi Sophie,
    I'm 55; 5'3". Hit my highest weight about 5 years ago (168). Last year I got serious about losing, joined the gym.
    As an introvert it was very hard to go every day with so many thin young bodies that made me feel gross but I kept going.
    Eventually two guys, about 10 years older, who had been faithful at this gym for years got me to join them weight lifting. Nothing serious or super heavy. Up to that point I was walking/running everyday then going in to work on the weight room machines.
    Once I started lifting with the guys 3 days per week I dropped back my walk/run to 3 days per week.
    So now I exercise 6 days per week I have lost 44 pounds and feel great. Best to you!
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    Hi Sophie,

    I'm 55, 5'1.5" and 120 lbs., down from 126 starting MFP in January. I'm stalled at 120 and this might be where I end up staying, but my goal is to have a healthier and more fit body. I agree with everyone who says it is much harder to lose when you're over 50, or even to maintain a reasonable weight without a lot of tracking what you eat and exercise. I do two "heavy" cardio workouts a week, usually an hour of zumba on a Monday and an hour of kickboxing on Friday, 1 hour each of a strength training class Tuesday and Thursday, and I walk at least 30 minutes a day. I also try to do yoga once a week, or some form of core work. If I don't have time for a class, I walk or do a free weight routine on my own. My own routines are under 30 minutes and I have free weights at home that I use in the winter when I get snowed in, which is often. There are lots of good videos on Demand cable, and on the web that you can use. For a while, I was using the Fit for Life book just to have a routine. My advice -- do something for 30 minutes every day, even if it's just walking.

    My diary is open if you want to look at it. I eat "normal" foods and for the most part, avoid over processed food, and try to net under 1200. I eat back exercise calories; if I don't, I feel awful.
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,552 Member
    I am 62 and log every day and have an open food diary! Send a friend request if you like how my profile reads.
  • swimdeb1
    swimdeb1 Posts: 42 Member
    I am 57 and weigh 187! That is the most I have ever weighed. I feel huge. You post is inspiring. You mentioned that your diary is open to look at. Where do I go to look and how do I enable the bar that indicates weight loss on my posts.