over 50 women... how do we lose weight ladies?

Will be 49 in November and it's taken me a YEAR to drop 35 pounds! Had a few months were I either stayed the same or gained a pound. I've measured and tracked every morsel for 364 days (Friday makes 1yr anniversary) and was feeling like I'd die before I'd see -100.

Went to a doc for palpitations and that turned out to be B12, D3 and magnesium deficiency (common in older women). While I was there, he instructed me to eat below 30g carbs/day, moderate on protein and high fat on 1200 budget. That last 5 lbs came off since the 10/1/13, so I'm going to follow a keto/paleo eating style for a while. He also thought I was insulin resistant so that would also explain my carb sensitivity.

All I know is a year blew by quick, and I do feel better... so I guess it'll take another year to drop another 35.<rolls eyes>

Up until menopause, I could eat anything and not gain weight. I was never overweight. Then,... BAM! I packed on 25 lbs. I am now over 50, menopausal, and have found it to be very, very difficult to lose weight, BUT, it can be done! I really believe once I logged every single morsel and crumb, I was able to see what nastiness I was eating....and there was way too much of it. I eat on target and now I have put my weight loss in motion. Interesting, I look at my food diary and compare what I was eating when I first started logging and losing slow with now and my results. I can see where the change occurred. I am eating so much better quality foods that fill me and don't trigger the sugar cravings.
It's a wonderful feeling and shows we older gals can do it, just takes longer. I did all the math, tdee, bmr etc and follow the kcal/day recommendation. I am also strength training. Good Luck!

I am 55, I used to believe at my age it would be super hard to lose weight. I was wrong. It does take effort, follow through, and accuracy.

I've lost 65 pounds, and weigh what I did in my twenties!

Dining out is a rare treat.

I am the cook, so I control the meals.

I weigh everything to the gram, and track it, and stay within my caloric deficit. I do this honestly and accurately.

I walk and hike, fast and uphill. (I live in the Sierra) I do not eat all my exercise calories. I wear a fitbit.

I take an ice chest, with a healthy lunch or snacks, to do errands, that way I am not tempted by high calorie foods, while out and about.

I really try and get my calories from whole, nutrient dense foods. The volume comes from mostly plant foods, with reasonable amounts of lean animal protein.

I try never to get famished, that leads to poor compliance with my goals.

Lastly my husband has supported all my efforts. He eats what I do, and never complains about all the healthy food I have in the house. This has been critical to my success.

Has every day been perfect? No! But overall I stuck with it. You can too!

I did not find it any more difficult to lose weight over 50, than I did when I was younger... it all boils down to determination.

Now on the other hand, I have found it a bit easier to maintain my weight loss since menopause; less weekly/monthly variation. When I was younger, I never kept the weight off. However, a renewed mindset and realization that "one little bite more" won't hurt, actually WILL hurt, changed everything.

On a final note... over 50 now and I never felt better! I have more life, energy and vitality now than I ever did... and more wisdom to boot! Great success to you!

Much harder? No. Slightly harder? Yes. It still boils down to calories in/out.

you are a very young looking 50 yrs, and a bit mannish for a woman. :huh: :laugh: LOL!!!! thanks for the help, mam?
[/quote]

This made me laugh and smile and then laugh again, ha, ha,,,,,, I was thinking the same thing:-)

It is harder as you get older - not for everyone judging by some of the replies - but for the majority of us I would say. I weigh and log everything to the gram and I exercise at least 5 days a week. I have started running which makes me feel great! The weight comes off slowly though - but there are other benefits ... the main one is health - I feel so much better - my diabetes is under control - my blood pressure is at a really good level, I feel so much more active, alert and alive!! Plus I have toned up a lot and my clothes are getting looser even though there is not a huge difference always showing on the scale from week to week. My mindset is that it is going to take me a long time to lose the weight that I want to - my goal is to lose another 30 lbs ... but I know that I will get there - eventually :bigsmile:

Patience ...keep on ...don't give up!!!

Almost 64 here and I've lost 75 lbs. in the last 18 months, a bit slower than I would have years ago. I mainly walked as my exercise with a few other exercise sessions added in. The goal now is to maintain and not slip back into my old ways as I've done so many times before. I've had a great time replacing all my larger clothes with great "on-sale" finds. I enjoy shopping now, something that was always a chore since nothing really looked good. It is a long journey that really doesn't end when you reach your desired weight...but take it as it comes and just know you'll get there.

I am 55 and have lost over 138 pounds in the past 14 months. I don't think it's harder, but I am approaching it differently than when I have lost weight in the past. I'm adopting a healthy lifestyle with the weight loss being an effect of that, I'm not "dieting", this is a sustainable long-term life change.

I eat less, but eat much healthier selections. I focus on getting great protein, fiber and keeping lower sodium (I used to have high blood pressure). I don't waste my calories on junk, opting for more unprocessed and homemade foods. I also drink about 10+ glasses of water per day and get 8 hours of actual sleep. I am a lot more active than I was before. I take multiple walks everyday and now I also go to the gym for about an hour 3 days a week. I feel exponentially better about myself, and that spurs me on to continue.

I don't think age a barrier to a healthier way of life, the number on the scale is just our relationship to gravity. Concentrate on the changes you can make towards health, and that number will follow. :flowerforyou:

Can one of you over 50 ladies who've lost weight reassure me that the skin goes back eventually? I don't have heaps to lose but I'm just a bit concerned/curious to know if I'll end up with flabby skin
&/or wrinkles I know that sounds dumb but I know my skin is not as elastic as it once was....-.-