Turning 51 and REALLY serious this time. Anyone else?

Add me as a friend. I don't get on here every day as I have been in maintenance for about 3 years. The support here can be great! Some of us old timers can be a great resource. (I am 63).

I'm soon to be 53 and yes the dreaded middle age spread crept up when I wasn't looking. Weight was never an issue until 6 months ago and then all heck broke loose on my butt! Yes I'm serious about getting off this extra baggage so you can friend me if you like. I work out to Leslie Sansone daily and also try to get a Jillian Michaels work out in a couple times a week.
Deb

I am 55, I will be 56 in September. I've always been "bottom heavy" since puberty. As a toothpick skinny little kid, puberty just whacked everything out, LOL. So I've always played the lose weight, gain weight game. I'm 5'3" and at my heaviest was 150 lbs. Then I would lose weight, get lazy, gain weight, up and down, up and down. I am one of those people that HATE exercise.

When I was 52, I had once again lost weight after discovering the joys of Zumba workout videos. Finally an exercise program I enjoyed doing! I was happy with my progress then........

WHAM!!! I had a mild stroke. Thankfully, it was extremely mild and I was left with no residual side effects. However, during my hospital stay, I was also diagnosed with thyroid nodules. Those lumps that appeared on my neck (2 of them) were something I sort of ignored and put in the category of "don't want to know, it's just old age setting in". But they were causing out-of-control hyperthyroidism.

Luckily they were not cancerous but needed to be taken care of. I had a choice of having my thyroid removed with surgery or shrunk and rendered non-functional with Radioactive Iodine treatment. I opted for the Radioactive Iodine treatment because that could be administered at my local hospital, whereas surgery would have had to take place about 50 miles away.

Two and a half months after treatment (which was in October 2011) I became severely hypothyroid (which I knew was coming eventually, but really hit hard and fast). I also gained 25 lbs (\ I knew I would gain weight, which was a really depressing thought). It took 5 months to get my Synthroid to the proper level, but I still wasn't feeling good at all. I had muscle cramps and pain, joint pain, extreme fatigue (so bad I would have to literally crawl up the stairs to get to the second floor of my house), intolerance to heat AND cold, hair thinning and loss, night vision problems; I was a mess. I didn't have the energy to exercise, I tried it once and just couldn't do it. Five months later I had my one year post-treatment check with my endocrinologist. I asked her why I wasn't feeling good and described my symptoms. She said "Maybe you have Celiac Disease". I had never even heard of Celiac Disease, so I thought she was crazy and told her no.

That same weekend after my endo visit, my husband and I went out of state for the weekend to my Aunt and Uncle's for a surprise birthday party for my Aunt. The party was at an Italian restaurant. Everything from the appetizers to the cake was made out of something with gluten in it. Plus the other gluten laden food I ate over the weekend and brought bagels home because where I live, Bagels suck, LOL. The day after we got home I felt like I got hit by a Mack truck about a dozen times. So I thought, let me check into this Celiac Disease nonsense online. Well, I was surprised to find out what it was all about, that I was suffering from about 99% of the symptoms and what caused it. Thinking about all the things I ate over the weekend, it made sense. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying out a gluten free diet.

Well, the results were amazing. Within days I started to feel better, in two weeks I felt like a whole new person. Using MFP and going back to my Zumba vids, I lost all the weight I gained and a few pounds on top of it. I purchased the newest Zumba (Incredible Results) and have been working on toning and muscle building. My thighs are the smallest they've ever been and that's saying a lot for me. I've also built up my biceps and the first time I saw my deltoid muscles in the mirror, I was like "Hey, where did they come from? I've never seen those before!". I tried a couple Jillian Michaels videos, but I always end up pulling a muscle or injuring a rib. I've discovered I'm not the push-up, plank kind of gal. The newest Zumba has a step routine, and since I have always liked step aerobics, this combines two routines I like; step and Zumba. I have to say, I look better now than I do when I was in my 20's. And I feel great on top of.

Yes, it's hard to eat gluten free. Yes, there are a lot of foods I miss, like good pizza (but I did find a pizzeria nearby that does a gluten free pizza, YAY!) and I have to watch where I eat out, the choices are limited where I live. But it's been manageable for 1 1/2 years so far. I haven't been diagnosed officially with Celiac Disease, the thought of having to eat gluten only to be told NOT to eat gluten doesn't appeal to me at all. In December I ate something that apparently had hidden gluten in it, and I thought I was going to die from the reaction I had. Doing that on purpose seems horrible to me. So I will just maintain a gluten free diet, which can be challenging sometimes. We are going back to my aunt and uncle's in August because my brother and sister-in-law will be visiting for a couple days and I will have to bring a lot of my own food so I can eat, but I will deal with it.

I actually like shopping for clothes now, and when I get dressed and look in the mirror I LIKE the way I look, instead of just feeling OK with the way I look. It's quite a head trip, LOL. I stick with MFP because I find now that I can gain weight far too easy, just a couple days of not keeping track will have the scale creeping up. I exercise to keep healthy. My Mom had severe osteoporosis and as she became more and more sedentary, she lost muscle tone. By the time she passed away her legs looked like skin on top of bones. I do not want that to happen to me, so I exercise 5-6 days a week and actually feel guilty on my rest day. That is something I never thought would happen, me feeling guilty about NOT exercising!

Ok, I just went bathing suit shopping and I'm really starting to see the middle age spread. I am going to commit to MFP and stick to it gdmt!! I've never had a weight loss buddy so maybe that would help. Instead of making it a pound loss goal, I want to stick to my 1500 calls per day with at least 30minutes per day of a workout. I would like to do that for 30 days and see how much I lose. I will not weigh myself until that 30 days is up. Then I'll assess, and hopefully, keep going. Anyone want to get serious with me?? Oh, and I'm old!! Just kidding, I'm in great shape and workout a lot, but I guess I just eat too much. But, I am turning 51 and I want to accomplish this weight loss so I can move on with my life!! Anyone in the same boat??

I was in a wheelchair or on crutches from last March until November, then very limited walking or standing. I recently hit my highest weight ever. Combination of being severely sedentary for so long and stress eating.
I'm 49 years old and very excited about using MFP because it's really working. My goal is 105 and I'm currently 148.8. I may not go that low but I'm 5'2 and that was my healthy weight through my 20's. I need to get this 50 lb grain sack off my joints!
I need more friends so please friend me!

Just turned 50 last week - and just weighed in at the highest I've ever weighed! I've been toying around with MyFitnessPal for a month or two - but now I'm seriously buckling down! I have the summer off before I start teaching Community College classes - so this a perfect time to get back into the swing of things health-wise.

MY PLAN
Consume 1200 calories a day M-F to allow for some cheating on the weekends. I'm primarily pescatarian with an emphasis on vegan dairy replacements, so I eat pretty well - just been overindulging due to past job stress and some old lady health issues. I'm just starting to go through menopause - so I'm really tracking my intake of vitamins and minerals at the moment as well.

Living in Las Vegas during an unemployed summer will have its challenges as far as exercising goes - but I'm planning on doing yoga and resistance band training here at home, and walking in the cooler evenings to start (can't afford a gym membership right now). Would love to get back to bike riding eventually when the temps cool down again.

Hi - add me to the challenge. I just started a new diet and exercise plan today. I turned 52 a few months ago. I had a very difficult year (death in the family, and on sick leave from work); and I'm now just getting myself out of it. I've been successful on diet and exercise before when I get serious about it. This time, I am making my own plan - I'm sort of making my own "Jo-annie Craig" lol. I'm going to start with the Lean Cuisine and WW meals for breakfast and supper, and fill in loose ends with salads and fresh fruits - for a total of about 1300 per day. I did the calculation and it estimâtes I can lose this 60 lbs in a year if I stick to 1300 calories and moderate exercise. So, we'll see how the weight loss rate goes. I love the idea of having a few buddies to check in with. My exercise goal at first is just to get out and walk - a fast walk - for one hour per day. I will also attend my yoga classes. Then I will add some other exercises as I get stronger. I plan also to drink a good 2 litres of water per day (instead of soda, which is a bad habit for me). So I'm in - if you all will welcome me! What's check in day - Monday? Have a great week!

Turning 50 this year. Also have an all school reunion to look forward to next summer. I have never gone in years past because I was just too embarrassed. My weight has been up and down, mostly up, my entire adult life. My highest weight was 297 in 1994. I am now down to 213. Better than I was but far from where I want to be. I am diabetic and had a quintuple bypass at age 45.

Please friend me. I need all the support I can get.

NEWBIE: Joined in 2012 but never started

Turned 50 in April. Want to make the change and be fit and ready for the next 50. Just let myself go and now get discouraged as I know it is not going to be easy and it will not happen overnight. I am sick of spending money looking for a quick fix. So for me this is it. Been good for the first 3 days since I started and am determined. Good Luck to us all and I hope I can talk, help and encourage you if ever needed.
My mantra is Plan- Commit - Achieve - Reward
I cannot wait to Reward my success
My first mini goal is July 16th and I hope to be 5kg lighter.
Look forward to seeing everyones progress and sharing with you all.

I'm 59 and hopeful! I have MS which makes most everything a challenge,but my first grandbaby is almost 1 and I want her to know her grandma as a fun and active person! good luck to everybody here and please friend me if you like!
flowerforyou:

Life starts at 50... Loosing weight is more difficult after 50...you can look better at 52 than when you were 42.

See that is my problem. There is no way I am only eating 1200 calories a day, there is just no way! I run around all day, very active plus I work out. I feel like at this age I keep seeing people only eat 1200 or 1500 calories. I just don't want to be that limited or that hungry ALL the time!

I understand exactly what you are saying. I am 51, just retired and now have time to spend on me (eating better and exercising). I have a long way to go, but hope this site will help me take it one step at a time.

yea the working out for me is not the hard part. I work out 6 days a week. I am trying to ad more weights, I love the old firm. I have some old Kathy Smith too. Her work outs are longer and she also adds weights. I did that one today. I have my 2 big dogs and walk them anywhere from 1-3 minkes. My problem is calories and portions. So, I am hoping at 1800 I can lose cause I am not willing to do less than that

Same on the portions for me too!

I am 54 and lost 25 pounds since January! I have 20 more to go and will decide if I want to go lower once I get there for awhile.

You can add me as a friend. I love encouraging people! :flowerforyou: I take in about 1500 calories and walk 60 minutes or Elliptical for 45. I can lose 2 - 3 pounds that way. My new way of eating is the best that I have ever experienced.

Have a great "losing" day! Vickie

Im 30 and i have a four year old and just had my last baby four months ago and I gained 20 pounds and im feeling horrible about myself. I feel like my husband doesn't look at me the same way when he met me I was 125lb. Maybe im just venting but im trying to lpse weight so I feel better about myself. Maybe I can find some motivation and support on this site so I can stick to this and reach my goal.