Early 60s here. I am 5'5" and about 115lbs. I'd mostly like to change my body composition: less "fat" tissue (with waning skin elasticity it just hangs...ugh) and more muscle tissue (geesh the good stuff just disintegrates after 50!). I've given up the idea of getting to the gym regularly because of family commitments so I keep trying to come up with a home exercise program using dumb bells. I've done a lot of research (thanks Google) so I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what to include in the routine but I think I've been designing too long a routine so I never find to do it! I've done my current incarnation twice (striving for every other day) and while I may tweak it a bit, it seems to be the best I've come up with.

I've been trying to find other women of the 50+ age group who don't have to lose a lot of weight but are looking for ways to get a better body. Feel free to send a friend request if you want to trade ideas and support. I will warn you though that I'm not a "daily" participant.

@Resolve2B, I had a trainer that had us do things like "24 Hours of Swing" where we'd carry around a Kettlebell and every time we thought of it, we'd swing it 5-25 times. (Just short of getting sweaty.) By the end of the day, most of us had swung that thing 200-300 times which is the equivalent of a 1 hour workout. You could the same with free weights. Or anything actually.

Gosh, I'm so sorry to know of your loss, rojechdu. I can't even imagine the pain you carry. Hugs for you and good luck with your goal. Sounds like you have a really good start. Keep us posted with your progress. Feel free to friend me too!

Thanks to Mac for the kettleball idea. I did have to giggle at the thought of carrying the kettleball around all day! I already carry a toddler around (my 3 year old grand-darling for whom we care)....maybe I ought to swing her a little more often. She'd love it! LOL

Yup, Speed, I think those who've responded to this discussion are all feeling that "more flabby than fit" feeling even though we are not necessarily feeling "overweight".

One MFP friend talked about what she called "vanity fat". She said she has to stay really lean in order to keep as much fat tissue off her body as she can...not as a health thing but for vanity. I SO get that! My skin has gotten so thin that it no longer really "girdles" the fat tissue so any fat tissue that's on my body just "hangs". I really notice this on my inner thighs and knees. The more I can reduce the layer of fat, the less there is to hang. Of course "skin and bone" isn't attractive either so my goal at this tender time of life is to try to build up some muscle. I can't believe how the muscle tissue disintegrates in that decade from 50 to 60!!

I've tried and tried to get to the gym. Last summer I even paid for a year of membership to a 24 hour club IN ADVANCE. My key card is still "virgin" and I think my membership has expired. So about 6 months ago I just decided that doing home exercises is better than the "nothing" I have been doing so I've been on the search for a routine that works for me. Here's what doesn't: exercise videos. I tried Jillian Michaels DVDs. I tried various YouTube videos like Fitness Blender. Nope. I guess I just don't like being bossed around! LOL Sooooo I've done a bunch of research and came up with a routine that I THINK I like using dumb bells. The current routine is one of several I've put together. The earlier ones looked good on paper but usually turned out to be too ambitious given the time I realistically have available. Hopefully this one will work better. I'm shooting for an every other day of this whole body workout with an extra shot of arm-exercises.

I've read that at this point in life there are 2 biggies: lift weights and eat enough protein. Ok. Seems simple enough even for a lazy bummette like me! Actually the thought that "running" is no longer a supremely beneficial exercise at this age is something of a relief! I know from personal experience that for me to really get rid of those "last pounds" it takes WEIGHT LIFTING and LOW GLYCEMIC food choices. I can eat 1200 calories of really nutritious food (including a lot of protein) if I cut way down on the "white stuff": grains (and grain products like bread, pasta, rice), starchy veggies and fruits (potatoes and bananas), and sugar. When I've been off that wagon for awhile it takes a couple of frustrating weeks of disciplined eating for the craving for those carbs to diminish..but they always do.

I'm typing this over coffee....it's a "day off" from toddler care. It is my exercise day though so I better get off these glutes and get 'em working!

Cyndy

rojechdu716 wrote: »

I will be 51 in a few months, I've always been fairly fit until 5 years ago when one of my children passed, I tried to keep working out until the depression got the best of me. I've put on about 20 lbs. I hired a fitness trainer almost 5 weeks ago and I personally have struggled, she helped with a healthy eating plan and her workouts are crossfit based, I've only lost a few pounds so far but doing good on loosing inches and my pants are looser. I can not believe how hard it is to move those extra pounds..... lol . My goal weight is to be at a healthy 130 lbs. I'm 5'5" started out at 153 lbs now at 148.

I am so sorry. No child should pass before a parent. I am so proud for you to keep on keeping and I know it sound cliché but, time will help. It will never pass but our brains help us go through. Blesses hon.

On an other note, it does seems there a few more of us in the 50-60's but there are a LOT more young. Guess it's good because I wish I had started earlier....MUCH.

My pants from 8 years ago are some what tight and I am 5 lb under the weight I use to be. About a month ago I started realizing that in deed even I had been losing muscle mass. I lost an inch in height. I have worked out enough now that gain that inch in height back but my pants are not lose. They are a little less tight. I also realized about visceral fat. The fat on the organs. This has made me want to thin down some more. I wonder also how long I can keep this up. I wonder if I want lose a couple more as well.

I was 55 last month; I'm 4'11"-ish and I'd like to work my way down to 120. My high point is usually 132 (haven't seen that in a couple of years luckily); last year I was down to 123 but it's been creeping back on and I'm currently at 127 but it feels like my hips and thighs keep spreading!
But I haven't been sticking to eating right, getting my veggies etc. and my workouts are on and off week to week.
A friend and I plan to help motivate each other and we're hoping that will get us both results.

rojechdu716 wrote: »

I will be 51 in a few months, I've always been fairly fit until 5 years ago when one of my children passed, I tried to keep working out until the depression got the best of me. I've put on about 20 lbs. I hired a fitness trainer almost 5 weeks ago and I personally have struggled, she helped with a healthy eating plan and her workouts are crossfit based, I've only lost a few pounds so far but doing good on loosing inches and my pants are looser. I can not believe how hard it is to move those extra pounds..... lol . My goal weight is to be at a healthy 130 lbs. I'm 5'5" started out at 153 lbs now at 148.

Good going! I wish I had time for a trainer. Sounds like your making your goal. Hang in there I lost both my parents, my 14 yeo Golden Ginger, and then just went through a divorce. Stress and depression is our number one contributor to unhealthy body weight.

Hi. I am 55 and battling the "spare tire" that comes with middle age. I have thyroid and other autoimmune issues which makes it challenging. I am grateful that I don't have a lot of weight to lose.

Yup..sounds like we r in the same boat..but we r motivated!!!!!

I'm 55, 5'4", and CW 129ish. I might try and lose a few more pounds but am really looking to tone up a bit more. I started my weight loss journey 2 years ago with WW mobile (where I lost my first 20) and joined MFP in January and am now at my lowest since the 1980s! I am loving the new me! I am pretty active in chatting with my friends on the news feed. Love the comraderie on MFP. Feel free to add me as a friend (and don't be surprised if I ask you first!).