Over 50 and struggling

Hi Lisa
1300 cal seem a little low to me what is your height and activity level ie work ect
Stewy

Hi Lisa. Join us here!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/523-near-or-post-menopausal-group

Lots of women discussing what you're experiencing. And more. cheers

I would suggest weight training, eating back your excercise calories and tracking faithfully. 1300 may be too low for you. MFP always puts people too low in my opinion. look at other calculators like tdee.

I am 51 and notice the weight is creeping on. I have always been active, enjoy exercising and even though I have a desk job have never had a problem with gaining weight - until recently. I can't control the fact that I sit behind a desk all day. As long as the weather is nice I walk at lunch and workout 3 days a week. However, I am noticing now that I need to be way more diligent about being sure to watch what I eat and keep exercising. I have been lifting weights for years and took the summer off - but wow - the weight seemed to come on faster. So back to serious weight training again.
So my advice is this - get serious about weight training and be sure to hit upper and lower body. You will see a difference in how things fit quicker then just cardio alone and your body will burn calories more efficiently. Also, challenge yourself on the weights - some women tend to go too light but you really need to select a weight that gives you a challenge. You should be sore a day or two after your workout - that's good!!!

i will be 50 on October 5th. I also have a desk job and exercise regularly including boot camps. I have gained 10 lbs since January even though I track my calories and eat very healthy. I am very depressed today. I just completed menopause.

I found reducing carbs to about 75-100g and limiting sugars to about 40g helped me break thru a years long plateau.

Good luck!

HI Lisa,
I can empathize with you as I feel and am experiencing the same thing. I am 50. My GYN told me that it is extremely hard to lose even a pound when at our age. She highly recommends lots of exercise and basically clean eating. I know for me that is really hard. I think I finally got my head on straight this time so I can follow thru with my changed way of eating and adding walks into my evening.

I hope you start to see results. The other thing is salt. Are you watching your salt intake? My best to you.
Sue

I turned 56 today. At age 50 I lost 50 pounds in 6 months. At age 53 I started running. I ran a half marathon yesterday. I so wish GYNs and other physicians would stop perpetuating the myth that it's almost impossible to lose weight at a certain age. Simply not true!

I gained 60+ pounds during my 50s. At 59 years old I got serious about losing it. 63 pounds in 53 weeks gone and now (for the last 4 months) am learning how to maintain. So far, so good.

I agree with so much of what has already been stated. 1) It is possible to lose weight no matter what age, 2) It may be a little more difficult for some during menopause because of body/hormonal changes. 3) Exercise is essential for improved health and it certainly helps with changing the body composition. If you can find an exercise/activity you like, GREAT. If not, do something you don't enjoy.

Takes time and commitment. There are no short cuts.

Great thread!

I'll be 50 soon and I'm exercising hard for 10 years now. It takes time to see results. And you really have to push yourself.

Good luck!

53 here, and going through menopause with horrible hot flashes!

What really started making a difference for me was strength training on a Bowflex. (Not endorsing, just saying it's worked for me.) I found it online for $200, and so far, it's been a great investment. When I got serious about using it, after a few weeks is when people started noticing my weight loss (even though I'd already lost about 20 lbs.).

Also, track, track, track everything you eat. Those little handfuls of almonds or raisins, that extra tablespoon of creamer in your coffee, that extra bit of mayonnaise or cheese... it all adds up quickly. If you don't track, you'll fool yourself into thinking you're staying on target when you're really not. And I agree with others that 1,300 calories is pretty low.

Keep up the cardio and strength training. And when you plateau (and you will), do something different or kick it up a notch on what you're already doing. As they say, change the frequency, the intensity, or the time of your exercises.

Good luck!!