weight loss over 40

ldicianno
ldicianno Posts: 13 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I am trying to lose 20 lbs I am 46 and 170lbs I am currently training for a 10 mile race I've been running or walking 6 days a week since november and I have not lost one pound... I am looking for advice. Just from the extra calories I should have lost 5-10lbs! I really don't get it! I am a very healthy eater. I usually have a cheat one day a week but its usually wine and not food that causes the trouble..
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Replies

  • ldicianno
    ldicianno Posts: 13 Member
    Oh ya and I'm 5'8
  • Shuuma
    Shuuma Posts: 465 Member
    I'd just suggest getting a food scale and measuring everything for a couple of weeks to make sure you're not eating more than you think. If you use a heart rate monitor, you'll also have more accurate calorie burns to track. Generally, we tend to overestimate our calorie burn and underestimate our calorie intake.

    Keep up the good work!

    ETA: I'd also point out that 20 lbs to lose is going to go much slower than if you had much more to lose. You'll get there!
  • loriq41
    loriq41 Posts: 479 Member
    You can do it..I am almost 43 and started in January 2013..have lost 42 lbs thus far..now I am working on getting ripped. I will say it is a bit more challenging at this age but do-able..best of luck to you!
  • lmjblues
    lmjblues Posts: 117 Member
    I'm with ya... Been trying to lose the same 20lbs for months and months. I try and then get discouraged and throw in the towel. Lose 5 and then gain 5 back. I workout 5 - 6 days a week most weeks so I feel physically fit, but I know the extra 20lbs needs to be removed. That's why I'm here. Tracking everything! Weighing and measuring my foods and trying to get an accurate feel for how many calories and what types of nutrients I am putting in my body. It has to be a misconception on MY part that I'm not eating as much as I think I am. I know it's tougher in our 40's to lose the weight than it was in our 20's, but I refuse to believe we're stuck.

    We can do this!! Track track track!! See what's really going in there. :wink:
  • mrsfyredude
    mrsfyredude Posts: 177 Member
    Count me in on the "over 40 and trying to lose 20 lbs", started in January, ONE POUND DOWN! 19 to go....~sigh~ :ohwell:
  • Blokeypoo
    Blokeypoo Posts: 274 Member
    I'm 46 and lost 28lbs on 1400 cals/day. I didn't find it any harder than losing wt in my 20's/30's. I logged and measured religiously, liquids or solids. Been maintaining a year.

    I had some regular breaks for social stuff but don't think I'd have lost with a cheat day a week.

    Hope you pinpoint the problem - good luck :o)
  • PurpleStars73
    PurpleStars73 Posts: 21
    It's so strange, I lost 50 pounds when I was 38, it basically fell off me just by counting calories and walking, now that I'm 40, it's so much harder for some reason. I've been counting calories and I'm at gym. I'm not giving up, just need to push a little harder.
    I need to lose about 10-15.
  • fitandfortyish
    fitandfortyish Posts: 194 Member
    I'm 5'7", 46 and had put on 15lbs...same story as you-- always been thin. Then kids.... then life and before i knew it--yikes.

    I'm huge into cardio now...but started with weight training (mostly squats cause they were fun and upper body 'cause i was shamelessly whimpy) and HIIT ....did a 6 week program and the fat melted away--my calories were about 1400 per day.

    It can be done after 40, you just have to find what works for you :drinker:
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    I am having the same issue. I will be 46 on Thursday. I am 5'9" and I workout at least 6 days a week. I am trying to lose at least 20lbs and I am 178.5. I follow MFP logging everything. I have been on this plateau for a while now. I am interested in reading some repsonses.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Your food logs are inconsistent but from what I saw, there was not a lot for breakfast. If you are a true 5'8" (I'm 5'9", that 69 inches) then 170 is a pretty good weight to start with. However, you need to eat to burn. If you are hella walking but not feeding yourself, your body is going to hang onto what it can.

    I'm not saying your're not eating but I can't tell anything by your logs.

    it also looks like you are trying to lose 29lbs off your 170. That's a lot. Watch what you are eating (or not eating). Watch the alcohol (if that is the case). Watch it if you're juicing too. I hear people in my office talkign about throwing a banana, an apple, strawberries and other stuff into a juice. That's all sugar, man! Lots of sugar.

    be more consistent in your food logs and you may get the answer there.
  • Spaghetti_Bender
    Spaghetti_Bender Posts: 509 Member
    I know you're a runner, but maybe try and incorporate some light weight or resistance training. That might help you lose those sought after pounds. I lost 38 pounds two years ago (i was 43) and even though it took a while to lose it, it WAS possible to lose it, even being in my 40's. Just don't give up hope, and again try adding some light weight training to the mix. Good luck to you!
  • angel7472
    angel7472 Posts: 317 Member
    Ill be 42 in a week. Lost all the weight and then some. I found that when I added protein my weight started falling off. You NEED more protein especially since lets face it we are older. We want to have lean physiques and cant do that if our natural body is trying to eat our muscle. Up your protein, log all food, make sure that your exercise calories are really what you burned before you eat any back.

    BTW: I have and still do cheat weekends! I like to be able to sit on the couch on movie night with my hubby and eat ice cream and such. Its part of living.
  • LFDBabs
    LFDBabs Posts: 297 Member
    Your macros seem out of whack. Too many carbs and no where near enough protein. Try a 40/30/30 ratio. 40% protein, 30% carbs, 30% fat. I do this and then every once in a while (1 week out of 6) drop the carbs to 25% and up the fat to 35%. Worth a shot.
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    Your macros seem out of whack. Too many carbs and no where near enough protein. Try a 40/30/30 ratio. 40% protein, 30% carbs, 30% fat. I do this and then every once in a while (1 week out of 6) drop the carbs to 25% and up the fat to 35%. Worth a shot.

    Thanks for this even though I am not the OP! LOL! My husband has been telling me to decrease my carbs. I've been eating a lot of fruit, wheat bread for sandwhiches, wine, etc...

    I am going to give this a try.
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    53 here. You can lose weight at any age...it's just a bit more work.

    Unless I'm missing something, you don't seem to be logging your calorie intake, other than the last couple of days.

    Unless you're a hard-core athlete, it's real, real easy to eat far more than you're burning from exercise.

    5' 8" and you've got a goal of 1200 cals per day? Too low. Your BMR is probably far above that.

    Take the food logging seriously. Keeping honest track of your food intake is one of the biggest success enablers for weight loss.

    And bump up your calorie intake goal to something reasonable.
  • ldicianno
    ldicianno Posts: 13 Member
    Im glad I'm not alone! It SUCKS!! I bought a scale before and weighed everything. I know what Im doing Doesn't f'ing work! but I'm hoping this time if I have the right people helping me I'll be able to do it!!
  • ldicianno
    ldicianno Posts: 13 Member
    I've just returned to MFP because I gave up! I'm back on it so we'll see.
  • mrsfyredude
    mrsfyredude Posts: 177 Member
    Im glad I'm not alone! It SUCKS!! I bought a scale before and weighed everything. I know what Im doing Doesn't f'ing work! but I'm hoping this time if I have the right people helping me I'll be able to do it!!

    ^ This. :frown:
  • conversegirl68
    conversegirl68 Posts: 7 Member
    I am with you there! I lost 89 lbs in 1.5 years at 38, I am now 45 and they have all come back.
  • sapicsr
    sapicsr Posts: 69 Member
    49 5'7" 182lbs, over the past 5 years I managed to put on 25lbs. I have been on this site for a couple years now but have not been consistent. I have always worked out on a regular basis however I enjoy my wine and Jamison which has been my biggest downfall in losing weight. I have just started using the message board and making some MFP friends with the hope that peer pressure will help me stick with the program and reduce the alcohol intake. Feel free to friend me..
  • Armyguy744
    Armyguy744 Posts: 32
    43 5'11'' 210lbs. Jan 1, 2013 I weighed 245 and by Thanksgiving I was 202. My wife and friends starting making fun of me at that point and lost my mojo. I started yesterday to get back on track to my goal of 185. Constant struggle to try to do this alone.
  • twinteensmom
    twinteensmom Posts: 371 Member
    I didn't start my weight loss until I was 49. Once I got serious, the weight fell off. My advice, LOG EVERYTHING!!!! It makes a world of difference. It is so easy to misjudge both quantity and calories unless you do.
  • dreamer722
    dreamer722 Posts: 57 Member
    I am 59. I'll be 60 in July. I started doing this when I was 57 and have been on MFP religiously for almost 2 years now. I lost 75 lbs in that 1st year and I've been maintaining and toning since. I'd say I as probably tighter on my weighing than maybe I needed to be and I worked out like a maniac, even with work hours that are 10 hour days. Most of my "workouts" are climbing stairs at work rather than taking the elevator and walking throughoug most of my lunch ... and then lifting light weights in the evenings for a very short time every night. I go out ... I will have wine & beer on occasion ... I've been on a cruise in the midst of this where most people gain weight (I ate what I pleased and stayed active ... and lost weight duing it). The last 20 lbs was the hardest and the slowest ... and it still fluctuates weekly a bit depending on my schedule. I guess my point is ... just keep at it. If you're consistent, it'll work. Also remember that you may be losing FAT and gaining MUSCLE ... which weighs more. So you might be getting into shape and looking better and feeling better and being more active ... while your weight doesn't change much.

    In amy event ... that's merely my 2 cents ... but being over 40 ... and higher ... doesn't mean it can't work ... it just means you have to work for it. It's well worth it. I have more energy, I can enjoy my life, my husband is thrilled with the outcome, my kids are pleased for me ... and most importantly ... *I* am happy with myself again.
  • dreamer722
    dreamer722 Posts: 57 Member
    I am 59. I'll be 60 in July. I started doing this when I was 57 and have been on MFP religiously for almost 2 years now. I lost 75 lbs in that 1st year and I've been maintaining and toning since. I'd say I as probably tighter on my weighing than maybe I needed to be and I worked out like a maniac, even with work hours that are 10 hour days. Most of my "workouts" are climbing stairs at work rather than taking the elevator and walking throughoug most of my lunch ... and then lifting light weights in the evenings for a very short time every night. I go out ... I will have wine & beer on occasion ... I've been on a cruise in the midst of this where most people gain weight (I ate what I pleased and stayed active ... and lost weight duing it). The last 20 lbs was the hardest and the slowest ... and it still fluctuates weekly a bit depending on my schedule. I guess my point is ... just keep at it. If you're consistent, it'll work. Also remember that you may be losing FAT and gaining MUSCLE ... which weighs more. So you might be getting into shape and looking better and feeling better and being more active ... while your weight doesn't change much.

    In amy event ... that's merely my 2 cents ... but being over 40 ... and higher ... doesn't mean it can't work ... it just means you have to work for it. It's well worth it. I have more energy, I can enjoy my life, my husband is thrilled with the outcome, my kids are pleased for me ... and most importantly ... *I* am happy with myself again.

    Oh ... and I'm 5'10" ...
  • LeahNMe
    LeahNMe Posts: 73 Member
    48 here. Post hysterectomy and ex-smoker. It's like setting myself up to fail it feels like sometimes.
    I don't snack, I don't like sweets, I walk 3 miles three days a week with the hubby, I eat three a day and have just now started putting snacks back in my day since I joined MFP. Yeah, I lost a pound and a half, and put it right back on. I don't get it. It's very frustrating, but I am sticking with it. Surely sooner or later it will start coming off.
    DH 47 ex-smoker, cuts out chips and cokes for three days and loses almost three pounds. :0/ go figure!
  • alexveksler
    alexveksler Posts: 409 Member
    I peeked at your diary. Not bad for the most part. Mine was similar during my weight loss program. I kept a low carb diet and eventually lost 50 pounds. But then weight loss stopped.

    I changed my food plan. Read up on the raw(plant based) foods. Low fat, limited my animal protein and replaced it with proteins from cruciferous vegetables.

    Lost additional 40 pounds. My suggestion - reduce your fat, more specifically have all your fat come from nuts and seeds. Eat more nutrient-dense foods. Welcome to look at my food plan. And good luck.

    Oh yeah, I am 52, went from size 38 pants to 29, and recently completed my first 10K.
  • fitandfortyish
    fitandfortyish Posts: 194 Member
    My biggest complaint with "being over 40 and toning/weight loss" is no matter what I do, or how often I do it, there is still (I'll call it) loose skin. I'm at 23% body fat and it was a grim battle to get there, I do core, bike, row, push ups...body is still NOT tight. Add to that all the great fit people on this site and I get sad :sad:

    Gettin' old....sheesh
  • Rogsman
    Rogsman Posts: 106 Member
    46 here. 5' 8". The first 25 lbs was easy, but every ounce after that was a struggle. I'd lose a lbs or two, then two or three weeks of losing nothing, then another lbs loss overnight and the cycle repeated. Not sure if it had to do with age or just how my body wanted to lose weight. What worked for me:

    1. Get scientific measuring calories.
    2. Weights 3x a week, different group each day (45 min to 1 hour)
    3. 30 - 60 minutes of cardio 5x a week with an HRM (run, bike, elliptical, row).
    4. Keep going.

    Keep in mind that weight loss is done with a kitchen scale, fitness is done with exercise. While the gym helps with weight loss and will certainly make you sexy, your weight loss goal will fail if you don't have calorie control. Period.

    Diet wise I keep it simple. I eat things had have real nutritional value, and try to stay away from empty calorie foods. If I liked a certain thing (like ice cream), I eat it. I closely watch protein, but have lots of carbs too. I don't over think things, I've eaten plenty of buffets.

    Focus on lifestyle change and sustainability!
  • alexveksler
    alexveksler Posts: 409 Member
    My biggest complaint with "being over 40 and toning/weight loss" is no matter what I do, or how often I do it, there is still (I'll call it) loose skin. I'm at 23% body fat and it was a grim battle to get there, I do core, bike, row, push ups...body is still NOT tight. Add to that all the great fit people on this site and I get sad :sad:

    Gettin' old....sheesh

    Cheer up!! Life begins at 50. The fun part is still ahead of you. Here is an article - please read.
    http://www.burnthefat.com/loose_skin.html
  • dchief30
    dchief30 Posts: 129 Member
    you can add me

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