Females over 50? Swimsuit ready in 6 weeks?

Also 52 and I can certainly relate to the slowing metabolism.
Sending you a request!

I sent you a friend request but I will also respond here.

I'm 62 (still waiting for that "cringe" to subside when I admit that LOL). I'm very healthy and can still rock a good pair of jeans but under the layers of clothing is a body that I am not very happy about. I joined MFP right at the end of December and am still trying to figure out how to accomplish my goals.

However what I can tell you is that when I was your exact age I set upon a course to lose 15 pounds...and I did it. Never in my adult life have I weighed the weight I attained during those months of concerted effort. I wish I could remember just how long it took me but I can't. Not 6 weeks but not a year either. Venturing a guess I'd say about 3 months.

Like you, I was then a "walker". First I tried just upping the speed and distance of walking but I think my body was just so accustomed to that exercise that a little "push" was readily accomodated and no changes were made. So then I started reading and researching. Everything I read pointed to two things: cut down on the carbs but keep a good protein load and start lifting weights. Done, done and DONE!! For me "carbs" meant limiting grains, processed foods, refined sugar and starchy veggies (white potatoes and corn).

I went to the gym 3 times a week right after work (I was a public school Speech/Language Pathologist) and used the weight machines (I know they have fallen out of favor but they sure got the job done for me...I got some rock hard muscles and no I didn't get "bulky" even though I wouldn't have minded that!!). I did at least 2 full circuits (so both upper and lower body work in the same workout so I didn't have to go to the gym every day) and when I got stronger and/or had more time I'd do 3 circuits. I did a warm up 20 minute brisk walk on the track before lifting and another 20 to 30 minutes afterward.

The great thing about having muscle mass is that it burns more calories just by "existing".

Now, 10 years later, I've let myself get away from exercising and I've lost a lot of muscle. There are saggy areas on my body but I'm not sure if that's "fat" or "loose skin"...but I'm here on MFP to find that out. By using the calorie counting I'm eating 1200 healthy calories (not too hard to do once you limit bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and corn) and I've lost 6 pounds.

I've tried to get into home exercise using DVDs, and varous workout routines with dumb bells and body weight. I know that they are working my body but I also know that I can't really increase the work load like I could when I was using the machines. Soooo much as I am loathe to do so, I have to get back to the gym. It's hard to find time not to mention energy because I care for my two year old Granddaughter on a regular basis and occasionally am called upon to sit for my other grandkids but I know I just have to do that if I want to make any real changes.

It's a little "scary" now to think that maybe my body has reached the point at which nothing I do will make it look "great"...but I guess we all just have to try to be "the best we can be".

Hope you accomplish your goals!!

Hi, I'm 58 and have about 15lbs to lose to get to where I want to be. Have switched between MFP and Weight Watchers, and back several times. Still trying to figure out what works, but I love the support on MFP and for that I keep coming back.

I'm just recovering from a broken ankle which meant that I was unable to exercise for about 3 months. In that time I only managed to gain 2lbs, which I have now lost. I do find that losing weight now I am older is HARD, added to that I am only 5st 2" tall, so each extra pound shows. If I could lose 6lbs in 6 weeks, that would make a major difference to how I look and more importantly how I feel. I would welcome any new friends who wished to add me.