Any other "used to be fit" peeps in the house?
lauranewman130
Posts: 36 Member
Hi! I'm new to MFP and would love to hear from other 40 something's who used to be fit before life got in the way and are trying to get back to it 
I used to be such a die hard, active and in shape and very happy. Then I got married , older, house , kid and work/stress. You know. Fast forward to today and I am 30 lbs over weight. It can be tough sometimes not being able to do what I used to. Due to me not being in shape but also I know my age. Not a spring chicken anymore ! Running on treadmill isn't that easy on my feet and knees and really can't do it anymore, for instance. I want to be that happy thriving energetic person I once was. But am redefining what that new lifestyle looks while, balancing all my other priorities. Used to be all about me. No more. Can anyone relate??
I used to be such a die hard, active and in shape and very happy. Then I got married , older, house , kid and work/stress. You know. Fast forward to today and I am 30 lbs over weight. It can be tough sometimes not being able to do what I used to. Due to me not being in shape but also I know my age. Not a spring chicken anymore ! Running on treadmill isn't that easy on my feet and knees and really can't do it anymore, for instance. I want to be that happy thriving energetic person I once was. But am redefining what that new lifestyle looks while, balancing all my other priorities. Used to be all about me. No more. Can anyone relate?? 0
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@lauranewman130
I totally agree!!! I was very fit in the military. Once I came home I jogged daily. I use to visit health club daily too. Then life got in the way. I got married0 -
Started having children and working jobs where I sit all day. Next started to have back injuries and problems with my feet. Now I'm learning to balance life again and learning how to had discipline & consistency back into my life.
I'm motivated to reinvent myself and the new lifestyle change.
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Oh, yes, I used to be fit. I've lost at least 50 lbs twice before, once in my 20's and again in my early 30's (this should have been my sign) I was lifting weights, doing crossfit and running almost every day. I was going to compete in a fit body contest but backed down. I ate well, looked great and then I just thought I was going to be impervious to getting big again. I stopped exercising so much but my eating habits, although good, did not change so I was still taking in the big calories but not burning them off. At 39, I found those 50 lbs and then some. When I tried to get back into shape last year, I kept injuring myself. My knees were in pain, my foot was messed up, and now I've hurt my hips. My old tricks to lose weight were just not working and I got depressed.
I joined MFP a while ago but just started up again (I'm on a 30-day streak). I also got the Runtastic app to track my walks and gym exercise and synced it to my Orbit fitness tracker. I also use Diet Point (android app) to help me with food, what to eat and when to eat. I'm taking it easy for the next week to heal my recent hip and groin injury so I'm reduced to the elliptical or bike. I'm cheating this time around and taking supplements that suppress my appetite and help me burn more at the gym.
Getting back in shape is harder in our 40's but it is still doable! Just remember, your body will adapt, it will just take us a little bit longer and we need take it a little bit slower. I've learned the importance of stretching this time around, lol.0 -
I used to be fit. Then I wasn't. Now, I'm fit again at 40.0
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Great hearing from you all. Stretching definitely cannot be skipped. My core is out of shape. Just walking for a half hour leaves my lower back stiff! Thinking I may incorporate yoga into my weekly workout to help. I've done hot yoga in the last and it's awesome...I experienced the best results when I came to flexibility and tone. It is going to take time and I am trying to balance high intensity with lower /easier days so my older muscles and joints can keep up with my younger mentality. Lol. Thanks for sharing !0
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Hi Laura, I totally relate! Used to be pretty active and fit even when my kids were little. Then their schedules took over mine and I was doing a lot of sitting around and driving them everywhere. Put myself last on the list, same old story. Lol! It is so easy to be in denial about yourself isn't it? When even my "fat" jeans weren't fitting, I finally woke up! Went to my first kickboxing class in years and felt so out of shape. I kept going and just modified the moves to low impact, I was sore for 3 days!0
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I can sooooo relate!!! It's crazy that it seems like I'm busier with my kids the older they get! I've hit my goal weight a couple of times and the bottom line is making my health a priority and carving out the necessary time to exercise (walk or cycle to alleviate the foot/knee pain), train with free weights and track my eating. I also agree that the definition of "healthy" changes. I'm realizing how important getting enough sleep is - I can't keep functioning on 4 or 5 hours per night. I just got a Jawbone UP24 and am trying to walk for 30 min at lunch time at work and take the looooong way around to everything at the office to hit 10K steps per day. I still think I need to get back into weights and at least a couple higher intensity workouts per week, but at least this is a "step" in the right direction. Sorry - couldn't resist the bad pun!!0
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ThatGirl_1968 wrote: »I can sooooo relate!!! It's crazy that it seems like I'm busier with my kids the older they get! I've hit my goal weight a couple of times and the bottom line is making my health a priority and carving out the necessary time to exercise (walk or cycle to alleviate the foot/knee pain), train with free weights and track my eating. I also agree that the definition of "healthy" changes. I'm realizing how important getting enough sleep is - I can't keep functioning on 4 or 5 hours per night. I just got a Jawbone UP24 and am trying to walk for 30 min at lunch time at work and take the looooong way around to everything at the office to hit 10K steps per day. I still think I need to get back into weights and at least a couple higher intensity workouts per week, but at least this is a "step" in the right direction. Sorry - couldn't resist the bad pun!!
I'm thinking about getting a fitbit, I've heard these activity trackers really help you MOVE because you want to reach your daily step goal.
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thadden674, I just got a jawbone up last week, and it really is helpful. Very easy to use and a great motivator. My SIL has a fit it and loves it.0
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I used to be fit and muscular. I was until I turned 41!! I'm not sure if it's hormones or what but five years later, I have to work three times as hard to lose the 30lbs that have creeped on my body! I began running three years ago which got rid of some weight. But during the winter, in Canada, you just don't run in -31 degrees celcius. Needless to say, my weight went back up over the winter. The most frustrating thing is I don't eat junk! I eat good healthy foods! I do have a low thyroid which doesn't help.
After the commute home from the office, dinner, dishes and walking the dog, it's about 8pm. I lack motivation to work out at home, yet get me outside and I can go run for an hour. Now that Spring is here, I'll be running regularly and training for a half-marathon in September. I really need to kick myself when November rolls around because I'll gain everything I lost throughout the summer.
Shouldn't losing weight get easier with age? LOL!0 -
tikaanidog wrote: »thadden674, I just got a jawbone up last week, and it really is helpful. Very easy to use and a great motivator. My SIL has a fit it and loves it.
I'll be asking for one for Mother's Day, I can't wait!0 -
It looks like lots of us used to be thin and fit. I used to be a ballet dancer. I rarely tell people that now because I doubt they would even believe me. I weighed about 115 lbs then (heavy for a 5'6" dancer). Now, at a little over 200, I can do a plié, but that's about it. I gained weight with my first daughter, lost most of it when she was about 2 through dieting, running and weight training, kept it off for a couple of years, gradually gained it back over about 5 years, got pregnant again, gained more weight, got pregnant with twins soon after, gained even more weight, and now the twins are 29 ms and I am back to dieting, running (well, sort of. As much as I can run, mixed with walking) and weight training.
It's hard with kids, because they don't want salad, so I have to make a seperate meal for me, and I can't take 3 kids running with me. If I try to exercise at home, they just crawl all over me, plus I'm constantly interruptedI just joined a gym with child care. Hope it works this time!0 -
Used to be...and will be again! Before I moved to the Midwest (from the Rockies), I was totally fit. I lived in a pretty remote area in the mountains where there were no fast-food restaurants and just the altitude alone could keep my heart rate up. Then...kids happened and we moved to Iowa be closer to family. Here in the prairie-lands it's a lot harder to avoid easy/convenient eating. I try to blame my kids but that's not entirely fair because they often eat more healthily than I do since they're diets are more controlled than mine. I heat what I want - they eat what I give them...most of the time!
At my last doctor's visit, I weighed 156 pounds which, for me, is shocking. I have a gym membership that has gotten dusty over the winter but I just got a fitbit and I'm more motivated than ever to get back into shape.0 -
I used to be very very active. Am a single guy and was playing softball, volleyball, swimming, cycling. Had a job that was outside with physical labor so it was easy to stay in shape. Then I got my current job. Stress, long hours and periodic full days in the office chair packed on 100 lbs. Got fed up and joined MFP 4 years ago. Dropped 80 lbs in a year and been active again. But frequent shift changes haven't helped lately. Put some back. Happily to say I'm getting back on track but have some work still to do.0
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Hi there. I still exercise quite a bit but my eating habits are all over the place, plus age isn't helping as everything seems to have slowed down and I'm having a harder time losing weight. I need to lose about 20 lbs. which I know I can do, but my patience is running out and sometimes feel like quitting. I'm not giving up though. Currently, I'm on week 9 of StrongLifts although I haven't seen much results (yet). Plus bike to work and run 3x a week.0
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Thanks for posting everyone. Sometimes I feel shame for not being that athlete of yesteryear. Now I don't feel alone. I'm 30lbs over weight and find it challenging to move because of the damage I did to my knees during my play. Running is out but I do love to walk and hike. This summer i plan on adding swimming which is a totally new exercise for me.0
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Swimming is great sky1967 - and because the water supports you there's less stress on the joints. If you're not into swimming up and down up and down constantly - aqua aerobics is great, and a great laugh too which is the best part for me. But then again, it only takes one to get everyone going lol
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Hi All-
I think this is my first MFP post even though I've been off and on it for a couple of years. I'm 42, mom of 2. Six years ago I was 5'9" and 124lbs (I'm most comfortable at 140lbs but I was in the midst of a divorce). I'm now still 5'9" (lol) and 161lbs. I weigh more now than my last day of pregnancy with both of my kids!
Last year I came in 2nd place in my works "Biggest Loser" contest but I quit working out and gained it all back plus 5. My goal is to get down to 145 and get stronger. I don't mind working out but struggle with food. Plus I've noticed that since I turned 40 it really is much more difficult to lose the weight. I started back on my treadmill 3 weeks ago, did my 2nd 5k (walking and walking/jogging) yesterday, and am doing my first 10k in a month. I feel like crap so figured it was time to get serious. Plus all of my clothes are tight and I refuse to move up a size. 0 -
I'm the same with the clothes. No way am I buying bigger sizes. I have some really glam pieces that are a size or two smaller than I am atm so they are my goal.0
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I can soooo relate! 4 years ago I was training for a 1/2 marathon. The day We found out I was expecting baby #3, I ran 7.5 miles. Due to some complications, lots of stress, not exercising, and never really understanding the sheer amount of food I was really eating, I found myself over 40 lbs from where I should be. For the last 3 years I made all kinds of excuses for myself such as my thyroid (it has been hypo since my late 20s), or my hormones or surly it has to be something! After rejoining MPF and logging everything, I realized I was really eating way to much. I started to exercise again (stretching is so essential!!) and after 85 days I have gone from 173 to 152. I still have a ways to go, but it i am slowly getting there. We got this ya'll!0
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Finally, I have found MY PEOPLE - I worked very hard 8+ years ago to get into shape, and I wasn't sure it was possible. I worked at it and went down from a size 20 to a size 10 (I'm 5'9). I started to teach spin, and I was at the gym six days a week. I loved my body! I didn't however have a happy personal or work life at the time. Went through some stuff and now here I am again. It took me a while - I didn't gain all this weight overnight, so I don't expect it to go away quickly.
I had to recognize WHY I was gaining weight and eating anything to feel better before I tried to tackle my weight again. I'm back now. I know I can do this! I joined the gym and have begun meeting with a personal trainer. This is real - my life is not easy, but it is good and getting better. This year is the big 50 - I know what they say about our bodies and getting older (screw that) I don't want to be the size I was at 21. I want to be healthy and go into the next phase of my life feeling good. I would be happy to share this journey with anyone on this page. Feel free to add me.0 -
I can soooo relate! 4 years ago I was training for a 1/2 marathon. The day We found out I was expecting baby #3, I ran 7.5 miles. Due to some complications, lots of stress, not exercising, and never really understanding the sheer amount of food I was really eating, I found myself over 40 lbs from where I should be. For the last 3 years I made all kinds of excuses for myself such as my thyroid (it has been hypo since my late 20s), or my hormones or surly it has to be something! After rejoining MPF and logging everything, I realized I was really eating way to much. I started to exercise again (stretching is so essential!!) and after 85 days I have gone from 173 to 152. I still have a ways to go, but it i am slowly getting there. We got this ya'll!
This except you've made strides... I need to. 0 -
Its too easy to get distracted by the hustle n buscle. Slo0
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Yup, I was always of good shape and form until hypothyroidism came into my life....now in my 40's and 30ish pounds overweight I am trying to get back to a healthier, less plump self. Note that I didn't say original weight because after 2 kids and an autoimmune disease that is just not practical thinking ☺
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If you can not run anymore try road cycling you will love it.0
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add me. I got fat while pregnant with 3rd kid at 31...by the time he was two years old, I was in the best shape of my life [16% body fat] and stayed mostly fit until about 39 hit a mini depression [lost 2 dear friends within a year]... Over the past year I really got out of control...30 lb overweight mark despite consistently working out. I am at 44...finally faced the diet and drinking too much alcohol and started logging on MFP. I now have 10-15 lbs. left to lose....0
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@tobeylenae
What you said about getting fit but still not being happy really resonates with me.
How many people have told me, "i wish I was as thin as I was when I thought I was fat."?
I did it to myself too - becoming very thin in my 20s (i exercised every day but only for weight loss, not for health so there was no joy in it) and then didn't understand why I was still MISERABLE. I felt betrayed and hopeless. And immediately gained my weight back, and then some, in spades.
Today, at 47, I am the fittest I have ever been but not the thinnest. I want MFP to help me be honest and wise about how much and what I eat - if I can lose a layer of pudge, that'd be AWESOME. But I also know I have to be happy with who I am, right here where I am, or the weightloss will be meaningless.0 -
Me too! I'll be 48 in July, and at 42 I was still rockin'-despite 3 kids (a set of twins and a daughter at 34). I had always been physically active (walked and strength trained plus core work) and a clean whole foods eater. I never had to even step on a scale or count calories or carbs or measure. I lived by a 90/10 philosophy and it worked. When I DID weigh my myself, I was consistently between 115-120. In the past 6 years I have been through a divorce, a layoff, 3 job changes, 2 moves, and caring for a mentally ill son. Needless to say, I am 15 pounds heavier and in hideous shape. I'm also in perimenopause and am struggling to get back on track. I've been tracking here on MFP and bought a Jawbone activity tracker. I love it because it keeps me conscious of my activity level. As I'm a teacher, I have to make myself get up and move. Almost done with the school year and going to get back on track!
Goals: Get in 8-10K steps/day.
Strength train 2x/week.
Core work every day.
Be diligent with my calorie intake and eating clean.
Ultimate goal: 120 but only if I can maintain without depriving myself (you still need to enjoy life)
125 at almost 50 BUT FIT, HEALTHY, and having some FUN!
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@tootiehas3
I am a teacher too! I have trouble getting in my steps at work too. My garmin wont count a step if i am holding something (not swinging my arms) and I am always holding something when i teach or i am chained to my desk grading. I am going to have to get a footpod to connect to my watch for the summer.
It sounds like you have been through a lot in the past few years. honestly, if 15 lbs was the worst that happened, you have a lot to be proud of.0 -
I'm 48 and it took a lot for me to realize it was time for me to put me first. 1 my daughter graduated college and is off to graduate school. 2. my Dr. said the time had to be now. I guess I finally saw the light and it's time to shed the baby weight I should have done a long time ago. So we are going for A max of 50 but starting off with 28 by the new year. Best of luck to everyone!!!0
