diet advice for 58 yr old ex smoker

maody
maody Posts: 4
in Introduce Yourself
I quit smoking almost 8 months ago (YAY ME!) and within the 1st six months had gained 20lbs. My doc is, of course, elated for me, but said, 'get on the diet/fitness' trail now, girl' since the rest of my natal family tended to become overweight. I've been on a 1200 calorie a day diet with occasional cheats and lost no weight, am a gardener/laborer for work and started a walking regime on my road in the country. Now I'm up to 2+ miles of brisk aerobic walking a day and some slower enjoyable strolling just to add miles, do stretching and some indoor aerobics too. I have always tended to drink 2-3 liters of water a day. Needless to say, I feel a TON better, but none of my clothes fit and I can't afford new ones. My extra weight seems evenly distributed. I'd love to get back to my 130lb weight.
Give me feedback please. Does it just take some time to readjust metabolism? I'm a rural female/58yrs old/150lbs.

Replies

  • arathena720
    arathena720 Posts: 449 Member
    Congrats on quitting smoking! I quit back in 2008, and quit drinking in July. Now if I could just quit over eating... Feel free to add me!
  • maody
    maody Posts: 4
    Congrats on quitting, Arathena! I feel like the gym will be my new vice - that and my "you can't see thru it coffee" ! I don't drink either and glad of it.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Maybe eat a little more - your active lifestyle would suggest to me that you could use 300-400 calories a day more as your base calories (before adding exercise to your log) - unless you're five foot nothing.

    Just be consistent over time, you'll drop the weight. 20 pounds isn't a lot, so set your Goal here to "Lose 1/2 pound per week" and call yourself "Moderately Active" - give yourself 200-400 extra additional calories on those days you exercise purposefully for an hour or more - just enter them into your Exercise log here, and it will calculate for you.

    With not much to lose, you can't afford to cut your nutritional intake by much - insufficient fat stores from which your body can draw sustenance.
  • maody
    maody Posts: 4
    Hey y'all.
    My doc said cutting calories to 1200/day (before exercise) would be the best way to lose that "quit smoking 20 lb gain", but will ask her again about that. I'm eating more protein now. Am surprised at how I've been able to up the ante on cardio training at the gym which gives me tremendous hope. It makes me want to train to thru hike the Appalachian Trail if I can find a willing partner.
  • carollynch09
    carollynch09 Posts: 111
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Quitting that habit is a tough one. I had to up by cardio by about 15 minutes and FINALLY saw the scale tip. I think us being over 50 coughcoughcough makes it a bit harder. You'll do it! If you quit smoking, you can do ANYTHING! :D
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,448 Member
    I am 61 and quit Jan of 2012 and still have trouble getting even a pound off.I wish I could find the answer.
  • maody
    maody Posts: 4
    i think we all just need to hang in there. i am increasing my cardio already so there is hope! and that means more fitness whether the pounds are leaving the stage yet or not.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    I'm 55 and quit smoking on Jan. 3, 2012. It was well worth it. Use the links below to run your numbers and get started on a plan that will work for you. Good luck!!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE

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