Trying this AGAIN!

daelkin
daelkin Posts: 6
in Introduce Yourself
Trying this again.........(for the 100th time lol) .For most of my life I never had to worry about my weight. I am now 50 yrs old and need to lose about 25 lbs. I HATE, HATE, HATE to exercise...Did I say that I HATE to exercise??? So, I have to do it with changes to my food intake. I was always underweight up until my 30's so I was always a big eater. Now my metabolism has really slowed down and I have gained about 25 lbs. Yet, my big appetite has not slowed down.

My profile picture is about 10-15 lbs lighter than I am now. It has been so hard for me to reduce my calorie intake (not to mention I am literally addicted to chocolate....literally) I wish they would design a pill (like they have for alcoholics) that you can take and it will make you sick if you eat sweets....Or a pill that would make you just nauseous enough to curb your appetite. Not too nauseous that you get sick but just enough to curb that hunger feeling............

A year ago, I took on a different job within my company that hasn't helped either. I used to do a lot of walking in my former position but now I don't. That has caused my weight to go up also.

Not to mention I have hit the BIG 50 and even though I have not gone thru menopause, I can tell that I am in the early phases
of it.

Please don't say to exercise because I wont. I am just being honest. I HATE it that much.

Some ideas on how to reduce my "hunger." and "sugar cravings" would be helpful. Thanks!!

Replies

  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    Hey there!
    I'm 48 and I understand how things are changing.
    Although in the last few years I've learned to Love to exercise.

    Try to go drastic and cut the sweets until you get past the bad cravings?
    Water, water, water and lots more fruit and veggies.

    When do you go for sweets most often? Then you can work on ways to change up habits at that point of the day. Is it more boredom that has you reaching for it?

    Welcome
    Nancy
  • Anthony110101111110001101
    Anthony110101111110001101 Posts: 239 Member
    I really want to say exercise! :laugh:

    For me I've found drinking a lot more water than I used to helps, drinking some before meals helps fill me faster. And eating more vegetables/salad with my meals that are low calorie and fresh also has helped.

    And now I'll say exercise, I understand your dislike, I'm not a fan of cardio and struggle through it but don't discount it just because you haven't found one you like. There is likely something out there that you'll love at least give it a try. One thing that surprised many people about how much they like it is strength training. Anyway won't go on about it, just my advice is to try different things with an open mind, you never know what you might like....
  • ntdrive
    ntdrive Posts: 105 Member
    When you consume carbs try to consume some amount of protein as well to help curb sugar spikes.
  • boatsie77
    boatsie77 Posts: 480 Member
    You can diet away your weight, but as we age it is more important to get in exercise to keep bones and muscles strong. Even if you're thin, a wheelchair or walking frame will increase the number on the scale. Just start walking a few times a week.
  • kagevf
    kagevf Posts: 509 Member
    I skip breakfast and eat all the chocolate my MFP allows. I have a sweet tooth but never gained weight.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Hi and welcome! Have a look around. There are several groups formed by/for women experiencing peri-menopause. Folks there will likely have some good ideas to help you out (or at least be able to commiserate! Including me)

    Best of luck!

    ETA: when I suggest groups, folks often go mental, but I suspect since I'm suggesting a menopause group, no one will have a huge problem with it. cheers!:drinker:
  • daelkin
    daelkin Posts: 6
    Thank you all for your replies! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    I am glad that Christmas is almost over. Too many Christmas parties and food lol.
  • needtogetfit932
    needtogetfit932 Posts: 49
    Hey add me if you want! I'd be happy to support you though your journey!
  • paigenevaeh
    paigenevaeh Posts: 64 Member
    Merry Christmas!

    Why not take up something that doesn't feel like much exercise? You could go walking or zumba! That's always a good giggle with friends.

    Good luck to you!!
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I'm curious... Why do you HATE, HATE, HATE to exercise? What is your idea of exercise?

    Exercise doesn't have to be Insanity or Tae Bo or Sweatin to the Oldies or any other DVD. It doesn't have to be pumping iron at the gym, countless hours on the treadmill or eliptical or miles running around the track.

    For me, exercise is walking - helped me lose 35+ lbs in about 9 months. BTW, I am also 50 and peri-menopausal.

    You can have weight loss success or excuses - but not both.
  • Wilhellmina
    Wilhellmina Posts: 757 Member
    You can diet away your weight, but as we age it is more important to get in exercise to keep bones and muscles strong. Even if you're thin, a wheelchair or walking frame will increase the number on the scale. Just start walking a few times a week.

    This! and if you really don't want to go to a gym, try walking, biking or swimming instead. We oldies have to prevent our muscles from losing mass.
  • daelkin
    daelkin Posts: 6
    UPDATE:

    As you can see, I am not a person who blogs/posts daily. My job keeps me too busy.


    I have lost 7 lbs so far.

    Changing WHEN I eat has made a big difference.

    I am a early riser. I would always eat breakfast when I got up ( 5:30-6am) But then I would be starving by 8-9 am.
    That would cause me to grab something unhealthy (bag of chips, candy bar etc)

    I now postpone my breakfast until around 8 am. For breakfast I drink a protein/fiber shake.

    That now holds me over until lunch.

    For lunch I either eat my usual lean cuisine meal or if I want something different, I go next door to subway
    and get a Turkey/on wheat. Spinach and some spicy mustard.
    That still allows me for a small sweet.

    Then I eat dinner. I don't eat anything special. I have just cut back on the amount.

    So I am staying at around 1300-1500 calories a day. Depending on the day.

    That is about 300-400 less than previous.

    Still have no desire to exercise but I am adding some light weights to my daily routine.
  • LHubb54
    LHubb54 Posts: 14 Member
    I've been on MFP on and off for a couple of years - decided to come back recently - since I need accountability. I want to lose at least 25 lbs before summer vacation. I will be 56 and this does not get any easier as I'm getting older.
  • TheWorstHorse
    TheWorstHorse Posts: 185
    Small, steady changes. It is harder to lose weight at fifty than forty and, for better or worse, being active probably needs to be part of the equation. But don't think of it as exercise... start with simply getting a walk in every day. Hell, don't even keep track of it for the first couple of weeks other than making a mark on your calendar. After a couple of weeks, walking will start to be a habit and you'll feel better, too.

    The same with tweaking your diet. Sugar is a killer for me. Hard to break the habit and easy to fall back into it. But cravings usually go away after a couple of weeks with no sugar if you are willing to stop using it completely. My suggestion is avoid sugar substitutes as there is lots of evidence that they keep you hooked on sweets and do other damage besides. Have a sweet tooth? Have a piece of fruit.

    Most of all, go slowly. Don't make fifteen changes at once. Track your progress very simply at first. Fix one or two things at a time in your diet and exercise and after a couple of months you will see solid progress.

    Feel free to friend me. I'd be happy to offer encouragement. Good luck and welcome!

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