Over 40s Success Stories

FitnessTim · January 2015

My wife and I are both over 40. Obviously at our age, staying fit and staying motivated is more difficult than it was when we were in our 20's.

For all of us who are over 40 and trying to get back into fitness, it would be great to see or hear examples of others over 40 who have lost weight.

I believe the best advice and motivations comes from people who were in a similar situation and not from fitness gurus who have been fit all their lives. I love people like Jillian Michaels, Tim Ferris, Chris Powell, etc, but could these people really understand what it is like being over 40 and out of shape? Would they really understand the physical and psychological challenge that 40 somethings face?

Watch any fitness show on TV and you will hear the experts tell their clients, "You did it.", "Look at what you accomplished.". They know that they can only help their clients but it is up to the individual to meet the challenge.

If you were significantly overweight and have successfully lost weight after 40, please share your success story (before and after pictures would be great).

joez71 · January 2015

I am 43, I lost about 60lbs last year through diet and exercise.

It does get harder when you get older but it can be done. The main difference I found for me is that I need to manage my recovery better, rest is more important than the exercise in some ways. I find exercising every second days works best for me.

You also need work around the little aches and pains rather than just taking time off and sitting on the couch feeling sorry for yourself.

No matter what hurdles are thrown at me , I know I will find a solution, I will try anything to resolve it and I am not afraid to fail until I find it.

On the bright side, you will soon find yourself doing things and feeling better than you did when your were in your 20's

jeepskate · January 2015

I am 46 and I have lost 58 lbs since Sept. I got fed up with how I looked and there was no way I was going to hit 300 lbs. It was at that point, where I was fed up, that my lifestyle changed. I completely gave up soda and donuts, they are my kryptonite. We make smarter choices with the foods we eat, cook from scratch using whole food ingredients but we also do not completely deny ourselves the things we like. For instance I love pizza, when I reached 50 lbs lost, we celebrated pizza-palosa! Totally worth it in the end. If I can do it, anybody can. I know it sounds cliché but I love to eat so it is a truism.

Tabbitha1968 · January 2015

I'm am 46 and I have lost 110 lbs since March 2013. It didn't start out as a goal but it became what I made it. I'm still about 70 away from my goal but I know I have made permanent changes and I have what I need to accomplish my goal. This is the greatest accomplishment of my life and I look forward to doing so much more.

This picture was at 85 lost, when i get a chance ill do some updated
shots!!

BCsurvivor1962 · January 2015

Thanks for posting! This is very motivating and inspirational! I am 52 and need all the help I can get!

WWnot · January 2015

Yes, thanks so much for posting. I'm 54 and have fond memories of how much easier losing weight used to be!

jrline · January 2015

I am in better shape at almost 41 than I was at 21

mariamathsgeek · January 2015

Hi there

I'm a 42 year old mum of 2 (daughter is 7, son is 5)....and I've found that my weight has crept up over the last few years.

On Jan 1st I weighed 181 lbs (I'm 5'5" so this gave me a BMI of 30.2 - obese!)....so, I'm on day 29 and have lost 11 lbs so far. It's SO much harder than it was losing weight in my 20s or 30s....even after having my babies in my mid-30s, the weight just dropped off within a few months. Sigh....

Anyway, so it's harder this time but I'm still going for it. Am setting an initial goal of 140 lbs but may go lower depending on how I feel when I get there.

I'm sticking to 1200 cals per day and doing lots of exercise (running, swimming, walking, kickboxing). I've also kick-started the year by having a sober January. I'm pleased with the 11 lb loss but it's felt like a full time job getting it off!!!

Will post before & after photos when I get to goal. I am taking photos in my underwear each 1st of the month for my own records....but I'll post fully clothed ones on here. Nobody but me and my hubby needs to see me in my bra & knickers!

Good Luck!

jessiruthica · January 2015

I just turned 45 and joined MFP last August. I've lost 41 pounds (started at 230lbs) so far and have increased my exercise from 0 to 5-6 days a week. At the same time I started a couch to 5k running program and now run 3 days a week.

The first 6 months have actually seemed really easy. Now is when my determination has to kick in to lose the next 40 pounds. I'm not sure age has had much to do with it, except that I know I'll never have a flat stomach and my skin is likely to sag a bit. Still, once I hit my goal, I'll only weigh 5 pounds more than I did in junior high! I'll take a bit of saggy skin if that's what it takes.

Sherriediva1 · January 2015

oh, please keep this thread going! I took before pictures and want to post progress here! I'm 41 and need to drop 40-50 pounds. great inspirational stuff! good job y'all

CarlydogsMom · January 2015

Started at 48.5 years old, October 2010, 221 pounds:

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75-pound loss, about a year later:

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Now, I'm about 52.5, started lifting free weights, and don't have a current pic, but hoping to get more muscular and strong!

allenpriest · January 2015

53. I started 1/1/14 at 415. I'm now at 339. The important part is that I am changing the way I eat by learning the nutritional values and making conscious decisions as to what and how much I am going to eat. I'm eating some 700 calories per day less than I was when I started - sometimes 1000 less.

All I have to do is lose one more pound.

Then repeat that 125 more times.

Aviva92 · January 2015

I lost 35 pounds in my late 30's and now am 40 and have kept it off for around 2 years now. I really don't view it as all that much more difficult to be thin in my 40's, maybe slightly more. I was never significantly overweight though, just at the high end of normal for bmi and now down to my high school weight which I guess is technically underweight, but I don't really view it as so. Went from 140 to 105. Sort of viewing age as an excuse for people, but really not a good one. We'll see at 50, but that's my judgment for 40.

SergeantSausage · January 2015

Just a couple of months from 46 years young. 6' 0" 204 pounds to 155 pounds

Before: Skinny-fat to slightly pudgy. Definite classic beer-belly and moobs. 204 pounds

After: Abs, glorious abs. Skinny but fit and tight. 155 pounds

I lost one full quarter of me. 25%. Is that "significant"? I dunno but it feels great!

Easy Peasy

youdiejoe · January 2015

My goal last year at 49 was to lose 50 pounds by the time I turned 50, over the next 10 months I lost 55 pounds! Losing weight is not restricted by age.

MKEgal · January 2015

I started being serious about losing weight in JAN14 when I was 43.
I'll be turning 46 next month, and in the last year I've lost nearly 80 lb.

21APR14 258 lb

14DEC14 205 lb
I has cheekbones! And a chin, and muscles in my neck, and collarbones, and ribs, and hips, though you can't see those in this picture.

30APR14 253
I was already 20 lb down here. I figured this was actually working, so I'd better document it!

15DEC14 205 lb
This shows my progress shirt. I update it every 10 lb I lose, crossing off the last milestone.

2014%2012%2015%2070%20down_zps7tyjevjz_1.jpg

babycakes1970 · January 2015

I am 44. I started about 4 years ago at 237 pounds. I lost seventy pounds and kept it off for a few years then went back to school to study massage therapy while working full time during the day. A years worth of 12 hour days were not kind to me and I gained back about 35 pounds but now that I am back to a normal schedule I am on my way to losing it again. I actually want to lose about 50 pounds.

Blackthorne99 · January 2015

My before picture was age 39. Now, almost 10 years later, I am very close to being half my highest weight (within 5 lbs). One by one, I have undercovered various pieces of my health that I could fix, and I have done so. The first 17 occurred when I began treatment for PCOS. Next, the Duodenal Switch (a malabsorptive Weight loss surgery) repaired my metabolism, cured my insulin resistance, and helped me lose the next 106 lbs. Last, I have begun doing Intermittent Fasting with Low Carb/High Fat to reduce inflammation, help regulate hypoglycemia and thyroid. With this, I have lost about 12 lbs so far over the last three months, and according to my scale (which measures BF percentage), it's all fat loss. Still have another 25-30 to go. But I haven't had a single hypo episode since I started this, so I feel that it's fixing more than just my weight.

mariamathsgeek · January 2015

Sherriediva1 wrote: »

oh, please keep this thread going! I took before pictures and want to post progress here! I'm 41 and need to drop 40-50 pounds. great inspirational stuff! good job y'all

Same (ish) age and similar goal....am sending you a friend request!!!

BCsurvivor1962 · January 2015

Everyone looks GREAT! Thanks for sharing and for the motivation!

fougamou · January 2015

I am 47 and have lost about 80 lbs, and have been in maintenance for about a year and a half.

Wrapping my head around cals in/cals out was my key. Using MFP and Fitbit, I can monitor my daily (estimated) calorie expenditure and make sure that I eat accordingly.

I will be honest, at this point in my life a regular workout schedule is not happening. In fact, I ended my gym membership. Right now I can commit to fitting small things into my day - walking at lunch, during DS soccer practices, running up and down stairs. Being honest with myself and not setting unreasonable expectations was another key. I would be setting myself up for failure if I weren't being realistic.

MrCoolGrim · January 2015

I am over 40 and have currely lost 11lbs in the last 8 weeks. I go to the gym 5 to 6 days a week. Mostly strength training and stretching. I have been eating in a deficit of 20 percent of my TDEE. Why am I doing this?

I had lost sight of what was most important to me besides my family and my career and that was my health. What is there to gain by living an unhealthy lifestyle? and the answer for me is "Nothing". What is their to gain in being healthy or living a healthier lifestyle?"Everything".

I want to be able to run around with my grand children when it comes time, with out loosing my breath. I want to be able to climb a mountain with out falling I want to be able to go cliff jumping. I want, not that I can't is what I need. I need the Freedom!

I hope that made sense. Anyways Good Luck to you!

Kristyai3 · January 2015

I'm 44. I joined MFP in June at 210lbs. I've lost 56lbs so far and am working on the final 30. I make an effort to move more, walk a little and have recently started using some Jillian Michaels DVD, but I don't really work out much.

Mouse_Potato · January 2015

I am about to turn 41 and I am in the best shape of my life. I reached my goal weight this morning. I started out wearing size 12s and today I put on a pair of size 2 jeans (granted, they are still tight, but they did button!). I can run a full mile for the first time in my life, do pullups, and deadlift 25 pounds more than my own body weight. It's quite doable!

eemmerson929 · January 2015

I am 50 and lost 40 pounds since January 1, 2014. I only used MFP for the last couple of months so I can't really tell you what I did the first 10 months other than cut out sugar and carbs. I didn't track calories or really exercise during the first 10 months although I wished that I had. It just sort of happened. I know it would have happened a lot quicker and I would be further along in my running and fitness if I was using my Fitbit, MFP and MapMyExercise.
The only factor that I can think that is different over 40 or over 50 in my case, is soreness and stiffness. Everything else is mind over matter. I may be working harder but I did nothing for my first 50 years so I have no idea if I really am, or how much harder it is. The soreness just helps with the memory loss. I think, 'did I workout today?' Then I move a little bit. "Yup".

gnik1 · January 2015

eemmerson929 wrote: »

I am 50 and lost 40 pounds since January 1, 2014. I only used MFP for the last couple of months so I can't really tell you what I did the first 10 months other than cut out sugar and carbs. I didn't track calories or really exercise during the first 10 months although I wished that I had. It just sort of happened. I know it would have happened a lot quicker and I would be further along in my running and fitness if I was using my Fitbit, MFP and MapMyExercise.
The only factor that I can think that is different over 40 or over 50 in my case, is soreness and stiffness. Everything else is mind over matter. I may be working harder but I did nothing for my first 50 years so I have no idea if I really am, or how much harder it is. The soreness just helps with the memory loss. I think, 'did I workout today?' Then I move a little bit. "Yup".

I am similar to you but I started in Oct 2012 (age 49) I lost about 12 kg up until Oct 2013, for those 12 months l did not log my food properly and just did my 10 000 steps as per my fitbit ,thought I was doing good.Stopped logging altogether, started skipping my daily walks and not wearing my fitbit result I've put the 12 kg back. End of Dec 2014 (age 51)decided to get back on with it and I am amazed that I have lost 11 Kg in 38 days as oppose to 11 months just by watching what I am eat and doing proper exercise.
Walking 10K steps with some light strength building exercise and on alternative days I am doing the C25K programme. However my daily goal is walk at least 8 km.

hashTag_Wade · January 2015

Loved reading all of your stories! So inspiring on a day when I needed it!

I turned 40 in October 2014. I am 6' and weighed 210 lbs in Sept 2014. In November 2013, I suffered a severe ankle sprain (interior/exterior, high/low all at the same time) due to a 12 foot fall from a ladder while hanging Christmas lights.

I started running again in late Sept/early Oct 2014 and lost a few pounds. On Nov 3rd (at 202.5 lbs), I started P90X3 and have done every single workout, in order, on the schedule without missing a single day in addition to running 10-15 miles/week and/or cycling 15-20 miles/week. On November 6th, I discovered and started logging all of my meals on MFP. I typically have pretty high calorie burns every day but stay under my original calorie goal and do NOT "eat back" my calories. I am now at 183 lbs with only two P90X3 workout left - only 3 pounds away from my goal weight.

I am training for a 1/2 marathon in April and a triathlon in May.

eemmerson929 · January 2015

gnik1 wrote: »

Walking 10K steps with some light strength building exercise and on alternative days I am doing the C25K programme. However my daily goal is walk at least 8 km.

I just finished week 4 of C25K myself. Signed up for a race for the end of February. This morning's run left me no doubts about finishing in <30 minutes which was my goal when I first started.

tjcuts339 · January 2015

I am in my late 40s. Two years ago after my youngest daughter. graduated. HS. I decided. It was time .Spent the last 2 yrs in gym. Lost 70 pound s . l feel better than I have in my late twenty's .We all can do this .When we start is up to us. But trading all the posts above We are all all happier new that we did .Good yuck and congratulations.to all who are on this journey to brand new you!!!!
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novespecial · January 2015

I am 45 and have lost 46 pounds. It is definitely doable you just have to stay committed and consistent!

Healthy67Chick · February 2015

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Over 40s Success Stories

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