Older women success stories please!

1948sixty · April 2014

Throw away that towel...it isn't an option. I'm 65 . Yes, yes, yes...it is harder to lose weight as we age but we are wiser (and stubborn!). I was at my goal weight for a few years but during my mother's illness and passing, I put it back on. But I'm on the path to getting back to fitness. Believe in yourself and make yourself a priority...the time you commit to exercise, to planning healthy meals, tracking your food intake, are all gifts you deserve.

IcanIwill1 · April 2014

I will be 53yrs old in Nov
I am 5'1" (gosh I used to be 5'2") fancy losing a whole inch with age.:grumble: ..never mind I still love me as I am:bigsmile:

On the 1st of July 2013 when I started I weighed 227lbs.
I am now 143lbs.

This is the easiest I have found weight loss....I found what worked for me.

simply put it is "any food in of itself or in combination with other foods, which inhibit my body from flooding insulin into my system when I eat"
I find that for the first time, I am not consumed with ravenous hunger.
I eat mostly leafy green/ cruciferous vegetables with a very limited amount of starchy vegetables, with moderate amounts of lean protein and a moderate amount of MUFA.

I walk daily... between 5 and 10 miles...I find it effortless and very enjoyable.

I am now 143lbs and will lose another 10-15 to hit goal.

Before photo at 227lbs

After photo at 145lbs or thereabout.

notgivingupever · April 2014

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm turning 50 in 89 days! I am a mom of 7 year old triplets and since I was promoted to a supervisory position 3 1/2 years ago, I gained 40 pounds. That's on top of the 10 I wanted to lose back then. I have never felt so out of control in my life and I am a STRESS eater. It's so nice to be able to come here for motivation.

megansam1145 · April 2014

Hi There,

I'm a young-at-heart (61) and feeling better than ever. 34 pounds gone and determined to make 50. Down from 201 in January 2014 and feeling great. MFP has been a real find in helping me with food tracking, education and friendly motivation. My husband is down 15 pounds also. These last few weeks have provided plenty of NSVs: All my pants are too big and my bras are leading very sad empty lives now! What a joy it is to be without the ugly weight. Great to be part of the MFP community.

PJPrimrose · April 2014

Wow! Some of these are so awe inspiring! I'm 44, a competitive kickboxer , that is looking to add strength without adding weight to stay in my "weight class" for sparing. I'm rangy so it's hard to tell by looking when I gain muscle but I'm getting faster and more agile slowly. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Cby60 · April 2014

We are never to old to exercise. My in-laws are 92 and 93 and they walk outside spring, summer and fall and use ski poles for balance. This past year they were both walking at least 4 km and found they got too tired so instead they do 2 km in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. They also lift weights and do stretches. In winter they walk the hallways and stairs. They are amazing and my inspiration! My mother-law has macular degeneration and is basically blind but she still tries to do everything. She fell in September and spent the whole winter healing very slowly and I am so amazed that she is walking and exercising again. Until their mid 80's they went on long camping trips in a tent and until last year still pulled a camper and went canoeing. I bet this summer they will canoe again! Their advice is always to eat healthy and to keep exercising.

brendaks62 · April 2014

yep im 52 and the weight definiely comes off SLOWER than years ago. always was "hippy" and carried weight around lower abs but upper body was leaner. now as i age my upper body is carrying more annoying fat and also back fat that i did nt use to have. have started walking a few months ago to lose the extra 30-40 lbs i have.

I am tring to concentrate on feeling heathy vs the weight that i lose. But i will say since i started walking and also doing Jilliamn MIchaels DVDs i am noticing inches lost more that weight. and i do feel better and stronger. i am able to walk and jog on treadmill with the jogging part going for longer periods of time. now with nice weather here in Ohio i have started walking outside also.

good luck to all of us "older" people LOL. just because we are older does not mean we have to settlle with extra weight! our hard work will pay off, it just may take longer now.

amagus · April 2014

Weight might come off slower now, but that might be because I no longer eat to a "diet plan" for now. I can still lose weight fast if I eat nothing but grapefruit, but I know that I will just gain it back immediately.

My goal until I reach my weight I want to stay at is to weigh less at the end of every month than I did at the beginning of it. I have learned that weighing .5 pounds less, is healthier than any weight gain, and for the first time in the last 40 years, I have lost weight and kept it off for years. Yes, I would like to be at goal now, but I personally would rather go very slow and never go back to being obese. I have a weight loss journey still ahead of me, but I am determined to avoid the weight gain side trip.

onematch · April 2014

I will be 53yrs old in Nov
I am 5'1" (gosh I used to be 5'2") fancy losing a whole inch with age.:grumble: ..never mind I still love me as I am:bigsmile:

On the 1st of July 2013 when I started I weighed 227lbs.
I am now 143lbs.

This is the easiest I have found weight loss....I found what worked for me.

simply put it is "any food in of itself or in combination with other foods, which inhibit my body from flooding insulin into my system when I eat"
I find that for the first time, I am not consumed with ravenous hunger.
I eat mostly leafy green/ cruciferous vegetables with a very limited amount of starchy vegetables, with moderate amounts of lean protein and a moderate amount of MUFA.

I walk daily... between 5 and 10 miles...I find it effortless and very enjoyable.

I am now 143lbs and will lose another 10-15 to hit goal.

Before photo at 227lbs

After photo at 145lbs or thereabout.

WOW! You are amazing! My starting weight and goal are very close to yours and I'm 43. I do not want to be still fighting this battle into my 50s. I love seeing what is possible with patience, persistence and hard work. So impressive!

bjabdullah · April 2014

Hello there, I'm 66 and (God Willing) I'm determined to release these extra pounds. MFP is a great instrument for tracking food and exercise. We can do this!

fisherlassie · April 2014

I'm 52 and I lost …well 100 and then I gained some so I am hovering around 80 lost. Being strong is good! I started long boarding last year! love it! It is definitely worth it!

Jelaan · April 2014

It's never too late, you just have to approach it a little differently and it may take longer. I am fitter now than many women half my age. I got my black belt in karate at 52, so menopause and weight gain are not going to beat me!!!

retirehappy · April 2014

We are never to old to exercise. My in-laws are 92 and 93 and they walk outside spring, summer and fall and use ski poles for balance. This past year they were both walking at least 4 km and found they got too tired so instead they do 2 km in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. They also lift weights and do stretches. In winter they walk the hallways and stairs. They are amazing and my inspiration! My mother-law has macular degeneration and is basically blind but she still tries to do everything. She fell in September and spent the whole winter healing very slowly and I am so amazed that she is walking and exercising again. Until their mid 80's they went on long camping trips in a tent and until last year still pulled a camper and went canoeing. I bet this summer they will canoe again! Their advice is always to eat healthy and to keep exercising.

Awesome. Thanks for posting this one.

hwinnm · April 2014

Keep it up and please avoid comparing apples to apple seeds!
You are unique and being healthy and fit is more than skin deep. Your preventing disease and loving your self are what matter. :flowerforyou:

brendaks62 · April 2014

awesome job. great inspiration!

brendaks62 · April 2014

I will be 53yrs old in Nov
I am 5'1" (gosh I used to be 5'2") fancy losing a whole inch with age.:grumble: ..never mind I still love me as I am:bigsmile:

On the 1st of July 2013 when I started I weighed 227lbs.
I am now 143lbs.

This is the easiest I have found weight loss....I found what worked for me.

simply put it is "any food in of itself or in combination with other foods, which inhibit my body from flooding insulin into my system when I eat"
I find that for the first time, I am not consumed with ravenous hunger.
I eat mostly leafy green/ cruciferous vegetables with a very limited amount of starchy vegetables, with moderate amounts of lean protein and a moderate amount of MUFA.

I walk daily... between 5 and 10 miles...I find it effortless and very enjoyable.

I am now 143lbs and will lose another 10-15 to hit goal.

Before photo at 227lbs

After photo at 145lbs or thereabout.

WOW! You are amazing! My starting weight and goal are very close to yours and I'm 43. I do not want to be still fighting this battle into my 50s. I love seeing what is possible with patience, persistence and hard work. So impressive!

paprad · April 2014

tagging

jenilla1 · April 2014

If your goal is to look like a 20 yo at 45, then yes, throw in the towel...

I disagree. I look better than most of the 20-somethings I see. :drinker:

Daisychain65 · April 2014

Bump

CherylP67 · April 2014

It was 51 weeks ago that this picture was taken, I WAS 45 years old. I'm a nurse and I had a practicum student, I went to her pinning ceremony and her mom posted this picture on Facebook. I could not believe how bad I looked. I was unhappy with my weight and appearance, and my next size up was plus size. This was my turning point.

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I figured out my TDEE, ate enough to lose and had some success. In August, 5 days before my 46th birthday, I decided to start the couch to 5k program for the EIGHTH TIME. I was succesful and ran a 5k in October. I then started training for a 10k and completed it on January 1, 9th place in my age group! I decided to train for a half marathon.... Little did I know winter would be so horrible. I got behind in my training tried to catch up and ended up hurting myself. I was out of exercise for a while and gained some of my weight back. This photo was taken a month ago. It's the only full body one I have that's recent, I look like my belly is sticking out, but that's just the print on my size small dress and sweater. I've since lost a few more pounds.

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I ran 10 miles yesterday! My half marathon is in 8 days and I can't wait. I used to not believe in myself but now I do.

2ndAct2014 · May 2014

bump

sympha01 · May 2014

I'm 44, I've been at this a year, and I'm looking down the barrel of a 100 pound loss soon.

Technically the weight has been coming off a bit FASTER for me now in my 40s than it did when I dieted (successfully) in my 20s. But I'm chalking that up to wisdom coming with age. I eat more calories than I did dieting in my 20s, but I exercise better and smarter than I did back then, and I track my food more accurately.

LanaBerk · May 2014

I'm here. I am 67 and have been a couch potato for 24 yrs. I have wasted all my muscle and couldn't sit in a Jacuzzi because I float to the top...can't even sit..*sigh.

So, I was 233 lbs. 6 months ago. Right now, I am 171. I didn't think it was possible. I got inspired and decided to get my brain out of the nonsense of only younger people can do it. I had to convince myself that it was possible. I didn't exercise for 4 months because I couldn't. I could only do x5 min on a treadmill. So I decided to wait it out...till I got to about 180 to start. I still don't do that much but I can over an hr on the treadmill now...walking.

I drastically had to cut my calories to get where I am. Nothing else will work for me. Not ready for strength yet due to I want to lose fat first. I mess around with some equip. but have no idea what I am doing. I sorta play at it. I can't afford a trainer.

Don't be fooled or mislead by the myths of "can't be done after menopause"...tell them to "Stick it". Sure my loss would have been quicker if I were younger but I am a perfect example of weight loss in seniors. I was using a scooter and then a cane till 6 months ago. If I did it, anyone can. People said it was unrealistic. My doctor said "No" also. Well, I'm glad I'm doing this and I am shocked at the results.

sybilmaybe · May 2014

Don't give up...you'll look and feel great:flowerforyou:

CLDeyette · May 2014

bump

Outwardlycalm · May 2014

I lost 10 pounds then had to have surgery in 2011 gained 15 pounds back and long recovery. Then lost 10 pounds again and back went out. Funny not only did I gain weight I lost inches in height. went from 5'5 to 5'4'. Got back on track and lost 15 pounds. The had to have surgery again. Looking at 3-6 months of recovery, but told I could walk. So in three years I have gained and lost, it seems the same 15 lbs. This is the definition of a roller coaster for sure! Hopefully I am finished with the surgeries for good, but still have to deal with back and knees. Nothing can be done there and pain pills are out. My doctor even joked that because I couldn't take pain pills maybe I could just drink a few beers, lite of course! LOL. Going to start walking 15 mins at a time 5 times a day until I can do more. Wish me luck.

mbadam69 · May 2014

Phew! So glad you said that...I just turned 45 on April 29th...I never considered myself one of the 'older ladies' before...maybe at 70 or so....but anyhow, I agree...put the mind to it and there's nothing we cannot achieve!

Anniebotnen · May 2014

I'm here. I am 67 and have been a couch potato for 24 yrs. I have wasted all my muscle and couldn't sit in a Jacuzzi because I float to the top...can't even sit..*sigh.

So, I was 233 lbs. 6 months ago. Right now, I am 171. I didn't think it was possible. I got inspired and decided to get my brain out of the nonsense of only younger people can do it. I had to convince myself that it was possible. I didn't exercise for 4 months because I couldn't. I could only do x5 min on a treadmill. So I decided to wait it out...till I got to about 180 to start. I still don't do that much but I can over an hr on the treadmill now...walking.

I drastically had to cut my calories to get where I am. Nothing else will work for me. Not ready for strength yet due to I want to lose fat first. I mess around with some equip. but have no idea what I am doing. I sorta play at it. I can't afford a trainer.

Don't be fooled or mislead by the myths of "can't be done after menopause"...tell them to "Stick it". Sure my loss would have been quicker if I were younger but I am a perfect example of weight loss in seniors. I was using a scooter and then a cane till 6 months ago. If I did it, anyone can. People said it was unrealistic. My doctor said "No" also. Well, I'm glad I'm doing this and I am shocked at the results.

Wow - what an achievement! It's amazing what determination can do!

kwantlen2051 · May 2014

Hi I'm 56 and have on MFP since Sept 2013. I am 5'2" and needed to lose 25 lbs. I've lost 22 lbs so far. Feeling much better than I did last year! We just have to keep trying. We can be healthy at any age!

Donna6017 · May 2014

Just found this post and this is just what I needed. I was also feeling like I couldn't achieve my goal because I'm 51. All your stories have been inspiring. I need to get back to logging my food and dusting off my treadmill. Thanks ladies.

Older women success stories please!

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