50 year old femaie - need help losing weight!
hopegirl63
Posts: 4
Hi!
I'm a 50 year old female and I walk at about 4 mi per hour 5 days a week and try to stick to around 1200 to 1400 calories a day, but my weight absolutely won't budge in fact I've gained some since I've started working out regularly. I've never ever had so much trouble losing weight. I'm eating considerably low carb and just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I have racked my brain trying to figure out what I can do to get the weight to budge. I've never posted to a community board so I'm new to all this. I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, etc.
:sad:
I'm a 50 year old female and I walk at about 4 mi per hour 5 days a week and try to stick to around 1200 to 1400 calories a day, but my weight absolutely won't budge in fact I've gained some since I've started working out regularly. I've never ever had so much trouble losing weight. I'm eating considerably low carb and just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I have racked my brain trying to figure out what I can do to get the weight to budge. I've never posted to a community board so I'm new to all this. I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, etc.
:sad:
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Replies
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Hi,
I am new to MFP and I welcome you here too. I am not sure if I can help you much since I just started this weight loss journey and I just lost 10 lbs. but gained two pounds back this week. I am very frustrated about it too. I've been doing a lot of walking and eating very healthy so not sure what is going on. Do you think you are putting on muscle? I am not sure if that is what I am doing from all the walking, but I need to get with it. I do wish you the best at your weight loss journey. Do you have a lot of weight to lose? I have to lose about 100 lbs. It will take some time, but I am setting small goals for myself and changing some bad habits. Wish you the best!!!0 -
would you be willing to give your basic stats?
Age, Height and weight?
It would also help if you opened up your diary.0 -
I'm iffy on the diary so not sure it would help much.
I'm 50, 5'6" and currently 179 lbs. Would like to reach 150.0 -
Thank you! I have about 30 lbs. to lose. Starting to think I need a physical to get some blood work done. Best of luck to you as well!0
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I hate to put it this way but I feel it gets tougher the older we get. Dealing with hormones & things make it even harder. Getting the right carb/fat/protein ratio is important too. You can add me as a friend if you want and we can talk more.0
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I am in my 50's also and am just as frustrated at you. My weight does not budge. I stay within the same amount of calories and do about 30 minutes / day cardio. Don't know what else to do but keep at it!!
I'd be happy to be your friend if you would like!0 -
Ok so your TDEE is about 2300 calories a day (The amount of calories you actually burn)
Your BMR is about 1500 calories (The amount of calories to sit around and do nothing)
I would suggest not going below 1500 calories net (your food calories - your exercise calories = your net calories)
And I would actually say that 1600 to 1700 calories would be a really good zone to be in.
1200 calories is really aggressive. It's hard to sustain. The body just tries desperately to hold on to as many calories as it can because it's getting the sense that's it's being malnourished.0 -
How long do you walk? your calories may be putting you into a hibernation mode as your body may think it's being starved. Even low carb won't help that. You have to be very honest with what you are eating and log it in; as hard as that may be. An ounce of almonds twice a day adds up quickly. I found that by logging in the diary religiously made me realize how little protein I was eating, how much salt is out there in processed foods (and some not processed) resulting in totally changing how and what I eat. I also joined a gym and worked out with a personal trainer two times per week. Pricey, but worth the 16 lbs I've lost over 8 months. I agree with one of the other posts that you could also be adding muscle, which does weight more than fat; however--you will note that your clothes fit better with you are more toned with more muscle. Keep it up, it's a journey, but well worth it.0
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52 here with thyroid issues here. I've been at it a year and am down 45 pounds but just had an ugly three month stretch where I was doing the same thing and staying within the same five pound range. There are a million different ideas about what to do when the stalls come, and I've tried a few things but nothing seemed to help a lot so ended up trying to up my exercise and keep an eye on my carb intake. I continue to struggle to try and eat more protein which is also supposed to help.
Your bloodwork may show something that will give you some direction but in the meantime, try to be strict with your calorie logging an d just keep at it. Feel free to FR me. Good luck, it can be done, just maybe not as easily as it seems like it should be.0 -
I am 46, female and yes, since I started exercising it has been sloooow. First, how long have you been walking 4 miles an hour? And are you eating the calories back?
So here is my story, started Primal last year - without much exercise. Went down, went up. I was walking, thinking I was doing good and nothing happened except gaining weight.
So I started running some. Only I couldn't really tell how far, and my car's odometer is off. Someone recommend the app MapMyRun. Which, because you put in your weight, and it tracks you on your smart phone (or tablet in my case, in my backpack) you get a better idea of both distance and calories. I plug in the calories to MFP. A good brisk, 4 mph walk at my weight equals about 400 calories. If I run for parts so that I am doing 13 minute miles, then it is about 457 calories. I think I am MUCH more accurate with my distance and time now.
I also have gotten more accurate with my portions - I try to measure to be sure I am correct, and to overestimate. I try not to eat back all of my calories, but do try for about 1200. I usually am full with that.
And I did all of this for about 3 weeks....and nothing happened. I gained some. Then the last two weeks, it has started coming off - slowly. About a pound or two a week. I was thinking I wouldn't reach those 5 week goals, but it does look like maybe I will.
So, long story short, you may need to be more accurate with your calories and your exercise. If you can do the app, try it out and see if you are doing what you think you are doing. I know that the first few weeks I was gaining a lot of muscle that weighs more than fat.
And yes, it can't hurt to get your thyroid checked. But while you are waiting for that appointment, keep on doing what you are doing! Benefits I found: less likely to get hurt when playing with the kids, planter facitice is healing. When the other 4 members of the family got the coughing crud - I didn't get sick when usually I am the first one ill (despite me taking swigs from their cups by mistake!)0 -
The posters above have pretty well covered it. Be sure that you are counting your calories accurately. The other thing is patience. It has taken me 4 years to get to where I am now (from 190 to 133). I have had a few ups and down but I just keep walking (I use RunKeeper) and counting my calories. I recently added a Pilates class twice a week. By the way, I eat back about 2/3 of my exercise calories.
If you are into spreadsheets, HeyBales on this site has one that will figure out your BMR and TDEE and what amount you should be eating. There are a few tweaks on it that can customize it to what works for you. On it, I figured out my TDEE without exercise and then use the MFP tweak tab to figure out how much of my exercise calories I eat back. My weight loss isn't steady from week to week, but overall it keeps coming down ever so slowly now that I am close to my goal.
Good luck! You can do it!0 -
To the girls here who are 50 and over there is an absolutely terrific group here call women 50+ . I think we are more than just a support group. We are a family who help each other not only with our nutritional stays but by giving each other friendship. The over 50 women do have different issues they are dealing with. I think some times the more at ease we become talking about ourselves an individuals it helps us understand more what is keeping these pounds stuck on our body. You don't have to do anything to join, just post and you will find a big family of supportive women there to help you.0
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Thanks all! Good thoughts! I do use RunKeeper and try to stick to 1200 cals (my exercise cals are consistently around 350 give or take) I do have those import into MFP, but try not to eat them back - not sure if that's good or bad.
Thanks for the advice! I'll keep ya posted!0 -
This is about the Olivia Method. It is what I do. I'll just post how I do it so it will be easier to explain. I have set my goals to not lose any weight and that I'm not going to be doing any exercise. This is how many calories I can eat to maintain the exact weight I am now. Next, I go under "Apps" and figure out my BMR. I want to make sure I at least eat that many calories daily since that is how much my body needs for it to do basic functions. Right now, to maintain my weight, I can eat 1540 calories (doing no exercise to pad that number). But I still want to lose weight and I still need to at least eat what my BMR number is. Are you following, so far? My BMR number is 1231 calories. So if I do nothing else but not go above my BMR calories, I am at a calorie deficit of 309.
1540 maintenance calories -
1231 BMR calories
309 calorie deficit
If I do that every day, I would lose almost a pound a week. But what if I want to lose more? Exercise is the key! Let's take yesterday...
1540 where I have MFP set -
1374 I ate a little extra
166 calorie deficit +
512 calorie deficit that I burned from exercise
678 calorie deficit
I hope this is making sense. If you just set MFP for maintenance (before exercise), and figure out your BMR calories each time you lose weight, as you log your food and exercise, MFP will figure out your deficits for you! :-) The big things to remember are:
NEVER eat less than your BMR calories.
NEVER create a deficit larger than 1000 calories.
Both of those things will hamper your weight loss!
If your deficit is showing larger than 1000 calories, only those exercise calories (the ones to bring your number back to 1000) are the ones that you would eat back. If I don't have a very large deficit the day before, and I'm just a little over the 1000, I don't eat them back. I also really recommend the Polar FT7 HRM, to track your exercise calories, so you're not just guessing since MFP can be a little off and so can the gym exercise machines.
This method has made a lot of sense to me and has helped me. I really like knowing and being in control of my deficit. It isn't an exact science. In other words, if you figure your deficits, and know that you should lose 2.4 lbs this week, but you've only lost 1.8, the other extra might be coming off next week with that loss.
One more thing... Olivia is the woman who posted about this. That's why it's called the Olivia method. She didn't make it up. She got it from a nutritionist that is specialized for runners. I figured that, even though I don't run, I do other exercise that burns calories.
P.S. As you lose weight, you will need to change your maintenance numbers also.0 -
took a long time to gain. Im guessing, will take a long time to get it off. sounds like your doing great just be patient. Two pounds a weak is great, but two pounds a month is also good. It s a process, enjoy the process embrace the process not just look forward to the weight loss. Hope this helps.0
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Hello
I just joined and am looking for some encouragement. I am 59 and weight 168. High every thing and need to get off my but and start exercising. How are you doing?0 -
Hi I'm 50 also and has truggled my whole life maybe we can help each other0
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Read your message. This is my third time using myfitnesspal. It works, but as soon as I go off of it, back comes the weight. This time around I am going to try and hold myself accountable. It would help to have others help hold me accountable too! (Of course, celibrate the little victories along the way). Add me if you want to share some accountability.0
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If there is nothing wrong with your thyroid you should be losing weight. The simple math should work. Exercise more would be my only suggestion, and try to keep your calories around 1300.0
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sounds like your body is storing fat. Happen to me before. So i changed my workout to interval training 20 minutes a day. you can google it for differant ways to workout. I use the Elliptical and do 20-30 min of interval training. 5 times a week.. good luck0
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Does it never occur to anyone that the OP's weight may be right and natural for her body? She does not look remotely overweight to me and I sincerely believe that if she lived on a desert island with no weighing machines, no charts telling her what weight she is supposed to be, no magazines and tv etc, the thought of dieting would not cross her mind.0
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I hate to put it this way but I feel it gets tougher the older we get. Dealing with hormones & things make it even harder. Getting the right carb/fat/protein ratio is important too. You can add me as a friend if you want and we can talk more.
I'm 53 & have lost 15kg/ 34lb this year so am bound to contest your theory, sorry:flowerforyou:
In reading these forums for 8 months it nearly always comes down to mis counting intake, & exercise. Granted in a (very) few cases there are medical reasons.
- get some kitchen scales & weigh EVERYTHING, cups of tea, squidges of mayo/ ketchup, everything that passes your lips.
- 50's people normally walk, you can book 100 cals per mile roughly for exercise.
- keep logging (exact) food, & exercise for a month; add those numbers together; IF you don't lose any weight that is your TDEE & you can work out a 10% or 20% deficit by cutting food & increasing the exercise.
I don't want to address the 'those who eat too little' issue here because I think women who eat less than 1200 & men less than 1500 are simply silly.0 -
oh, & if any 50's people would like a supportive & helpful friend to keep you going please feel free to add me :-)0
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Hi I just hit 50 myself this week. It really does make a big difference after about 45 or so. Women under that age just really don't get it, until they get it! And I don't think men EVER get it! Our caloric needs are just much lower than many people on here claim they should be. The online BMR calculators are extremely off for most of us.
I started here on my 49th birthday, wanting to get to 155 by the time I hit 50. Didn't quite make it, but did get within 30 pounds, and I feel much better than I did a year ago. I still have 28 more to go, but I will get there eventually.
I do have to be extremely strict with my measuring and logging. I simply can't get away with slacking off if I want to see the scale move any at all. I have recently started doing 5:2, and so far that is working pretty well for me.
The keys for me have been consistency and patience. Surrounding myself with other women on here around my age has been so important as well. I could not be doing this without their support.
Sending you a FR.0 -
Two things started happening 10 years ago, when I was 50. I married DH, who is a wonderful cook, and I went from about 130 lbs. to 147 lbs. over a few years. I just figured that menopause was messing with my metabolism. I'd always done 45 minutes of cardio per day and eaten reasonably, although I wasn't very good at exercising portion control over DH's good food. Fortunately he didn't go heavy on cheese, fried stuff or cream sauces, but lean meats and starches have calories, too!
A few things came together to change things. First, I discovered 5:2 fasting, which somehow suits me. It taught me to ignore minor hunger pangs even on the non-fast days, or to eat something like baby carrots that are practically zero calories. Second, I started doing cardio more seriously because I got into sprint triathlons (typically 1/3 mile lake swim, 9 miles on the bike, then a 5K). I'm up to 55 minutes during the week (I work for a living so I don't have infinite time) and longer on the weeknds- sometimes I'll go out on my bike for 2 hours in nice weather. I also got a heart rate monitor so now I know when I'm really pushing it and when I'm being lazy during my workout.
It was very slow going and I never weighed myself (day-to-day fluctuations drive me crazy) but I'm now back down to 130. Last weekend I completed a 31-mile charity bike ride (pic in my avatar) and next month I have a 38-mile ride for MS.
So, yes, you can lose weight after 50. If what you're doing doesn't work, change it around, but don't give up!0 -
ARMYANTZZZ at your service...0
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Hi Kristen
I am really keen on this challenge and also on the Olivia method , i may be a bit thick but cant get my head around the calculations .
My BMR IS 1473 and i have been working on a weight loss goal of 1200 cals (recommended ) my loss has been very slow and you may have the answer(Olivia method ) - i have changed my goal to maintainance as suggested by yourself which give a calorie intake of 2533 which seems high . I exercise at least 4 times a week .
I am getting my deficit to 1060 cals - is this right
Help please
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Does it never occur to anyone that the OP's weight may be right and natural for her body? She does not look remotely overweight to me and I sincerely believe that if she lived on a desert island with no weighing machines, no charts telling her what weight she is supposed to be, no magazines and tv etc, the thought of dieting would not cross her mind.
You might be right, but I don't know how you can tell that from just a face picture. Some people don't carry much weight in their face. And I know that the BMI charts can be flawed, but they show her to be overweight. Losing 30 lbs will put her near the top of the "normal" range. Again, you could be right, but you cannot make that determination just from her profile pic.0 -
I am also having the same problem.I was the type of person who lost weight without trying. Who is living in my body??? I think my hormones really have been doing a number on my weight for the last nine months. I have gained 35 nasty pounds. Started using the food diary {Per Arrigosauce's recomendation} I can't believe how much I eat. It really helps to put everything into light. I also walk every single day. I just can't budge a pound. I guess I need to step it up a bit. Now I have started the T25 workouts. It is a really good workout. I feel great afterwards. Energized.The next thing I think I have to do is stop eatting so late. Like right before bed. A bad habit I have had since being a little kid. Now at 50 It goes straight to my hips, butt, and thighs. I feel like I am having some bad nightmare. Arrigosauce is going to look over my food diary and see if she can put me on right path. I know my biggest obstacle is fixing my diet, which is bad.0
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Okay Everyone my name is Tyletta I am 48 years old and have recently found more energy that I had since I was in my teens and my weight is coming off!!! I have lost 2 dress sizes and stopped drinking coffee and have put on 10 lbs of muscle. After receiving these results and feeling great, I have decided to help others do the same. Take a look at this clip below by highlighting it and left click and select go to motiveeight.. I'm starting my third 24 day challenge right after the thanksgiving holidays and would love to have any where from 10 to 15 people join me in this.How may know that weight loss if much more fun and easier when you have people doing it with you... and holding one another ACCOUNTABLE.. I lost 20 pounds the first time I did one. If you have found that you are having a hard time losing weight or just need to kick start your weight loss this could be for you. COME ON WHO IS WITH ME.. WE CAN GO INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH A BANG!!
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