No fun getting older!

pen12pitstop
pen12pitstop Posts: 7 Member
edited November 22 in Introduce Yourself
Hi there everyone! I have been using this app on and off for about 2 years, usually after Christmas or a holiday, when I've put on a few pounds and need to keep track of calories going in! I'm not particularly overweight and only have about half a stone or 7 pounds to lose. However, as I'm now well into my 30's (37 next week!) I am finding it increasingly difficult to shift just a few pounds! I have ME, so often it's too difficult/painful to exercise, so I really have to watch what I eat instead. Does anyone know any good, gentle calorie burning exercises?!
Speak soon x

Replies

  • KeepGood
    KeepGood Posts: 386 Member
    I feel your pain, I hit 35 a while ago, it's certain not fun lol. You don't have much to lose but having ME is certainly going to make things more difficult for you, but not impossible :wink: I admit I know very little about ME but from what I remember reading about it in the past, exercise is a way to go but doing it in a slightly different manner.

    I would suggest finding a gym nearby that has sit down exercise bikes and get cycling but take it slow and do it in short intervals taking care not to push it too far, just a few minutes at a time, even if you feel like you can do more. As far as I know, it takes longer for people with ME to recover, a few days. Give yourself say 48 hours (or more) before your next cycle. Take a few weeks of doing short intervals so you can see the effect the exercise is having on you, not from a weight loss point of view, more on the fatigue side of things. It can take a good 5 or 6 days to see how much that level of exercise is taking its toll on you. Don't get yourself into a bad way, really take the time.

    Ask your doctor and any specialists you see for their opinion on how to approach some extra exercise. Also have a rake around the internet for how others with ME have approached exercise, research research research. :smile:

    I am the worlds worst for diet suggestions so I'll leave that up to someone else to answer lol. Good luck!
  • ElJefeChief
    ElJefeChief Posts: 650 Member
    I'm 41. I kind of knew going in it was going to be more difficult to lose the extra weight then when I was in my 20s. But - it is doable!
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Hi there everyone! I have been using this app on and off for about 2 years, usually after Christmas or a holiday, when I've put on a few pounds and need to keep track of calories going in! I'm not particularly overweight and only have about half a stone or 7 pounds to lose. However, as I'm now well into my 30's (37 next week!) I am finding it increasingly difficult to shift just a few pounds! I have ME, so often it's too difficult/painful to exercise, so I really have to watch what I eat instead. Does anyone know any good, gentle calorie burning exercises?!
    Speak soon x

    37...ahh sure you're only a young thing yet! I'm 46 and yeah, our metabolism slows down as we get older but if we can become more active then that doesn't happen...at least thats how I found it so far! When I hit menopause I could be in for a nasty surprise then but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

    For yourself exercising is going to be a challenge so it means you just have to be more accurate with logging...losing weight happens mostly in the kitchen.

    Have you tried swimming? or even just walking, if you could do 15 mins even? anything is better than nothing.

  • Pinnacle_IAO
    Pinnacle_IAO Posts: 608 Member
    Yep, old age hit me at 27.
    That's when my body changed. All of a sudden my clothes stopped fitting.
    :o
    For the first time I had to begin watching my diet in addition to exercise.
    GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS
    First, bad news...it gets worse...

    And now, the good news!
    Part of who we are is derived from the challenges we face. Health and wellness management builds great character for those who can overcome weight issues.

    Good Luck To You
    <3
  • pen12pitstop
    pen12pitstop Posts: 7 Member
    Thank
    KeepGood wrote: »
    I feel your pain, I hit 35 a while ago, it's certain not fun lol. You don't have much to lose but having ME is certainly going to make things more difficult for you, but not impossible :wink: I admit I know very little about ME but from what I remember reading about it in the past, exercise is a way to go but doing it in a slightly different manner.

    I would suggest finding a gym nearby that has sit down exercise bikes and get cycling but take it slow and do it in short intervals taking care not to push it too far, just a few minutes at a time, even if you feel like you can do more. As far as I know, it takes longer for people with ME to recover, a few days. Give yourself say 48 hours (or more) before your next cycle. Take a few weeks of doing short intervals so you can see the effect the exercise is having on you, not from a weight loss point of view, more on the fatigue side of things. It can take a good 5 or 6 days to see how much that level of exercise is taking its toll on you. Don't get yourself into a bad way, really take the time.

    Ask your doctor and any specialists you see for their opinion on how to approach some extra exercise. Also have a rake around the internet for how others with ME have approached exercise, research research research. :smile:

    I am the worlds worst for diet suggestions so I'll leave that up to someone else to answer lol. Good luck!

    thank you, that's really good advice and you're spot on about the taking the time to recover not. I am my own worst enemy and when I feel good it is so easy to overdo it! I have a feeling I've just done that, having cycled 7 miles with my kids this morning and will probably pay for it tomorrow, but we all had so much fun it was worth it, and it was nice to feel 'normal' for a change! xxx
  • pen12pitstop
    pen12pitstop Posts: 7 Member
    Thank
    KeepGood wrote: »
    I feel your pain, I hit 35 a while ago, it's certain not fun lol. You don't have much to lose but having ME is certainly going to make things more difficult for you, but not impossible :wink: I admit I know very little about ME but from what I remember reading about it in the past, exercise is a way to go but doing it in a slightly different manner.

    I would suggest finding a gym nearby that has sit down exercise bikes and get cycling but take it slow and do it in short intervals taking care not to push it too far, just a few minutes at a time, even if you feel like you can do more. As far as I know, it takes longer for people with ME to recover, a few days. Give yourself say 48 hours (or more) before your next cycle. Take a few weeks of doing short intervals so you can see the effect the exercise is having on you, not from a weight loss point of view, more on the fatigue side of things. It can take a good 5 or 6 days to see how much that level of exercise is taking its toll on you. Don't get yourself into a bad way, really take the time.

    Ask your doctor and any specialists you see for their opinion on how to approach some extra exercise. Also have a rake around the internet for how others with ME have approached exercise, research research research. :smile:

    I am the worlds worst for diet suggestions so I'll leave that up to someone else to answer lol. Good luck!

    thank you, that's really good advice and you're spot on about the taking the time to recover bit. I am my own worst enemy and when I feel good it is so easy to overdo it! I have a feeling I've just done that, having cycled 7 miles with my kids this morning and will probably pay for it tomorrow, but we all had so much fun it was worth it, and it was nice to feel 'normal' for a change! My ME is pretty much under control at the moment and I intend to make the most of it, whilst still trying to be sensible!
  • aamb
    aamb Posts: 377 Member
    you are all spring chickens!!! i'll be 59 on my birthday in approx. 3 week... now THATS OLD
  • pen12pitstop
    pen12pitstop Posts: 7 Member
    Hi there everyone! I have been using this app on and off for about 2 years, usually after Christmas or a holiday, when I've put on a few pounds and need to keep track of calories going in! I'm not particularly overweight and only have about half a stone or 7 pounds to lose. However, as I'm now well into my 30's (37 next week!) I am finding it increasingly difficult to shift just a few pounds! I have ME, so often it's too difficult/painful to exercise, so I really have to watch what I eat instead. Does anyone know any good, gentle calorie burning exercises?!
    Speak soon x

    37...ahh sure you're only a young thing yet! I'm 46 and yeah, our metabolism slows down as we get older but if we can become more active then that doesn't happen...at least thats how I found it so far! When I hit menopause I could be in for a nasty surprise then but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

    For yourself exercising is going to be a challenge so it means you just have to be more accurate with logging...losing weight happens mostly in the kitchen.

    Have you tried swimming? or even just walking, if you could do 15 mins even? anything is better than nothing.

    Swimming is my favourite exercise, as it's lovely letting the water take the weight of my often achy muscles. Good all over gentle exercise too. Some days I feel 90 instead of 37, but then people assure me they all feel like that occasionally! Lol!
  • pen12pitstop
    pen12pitstop Posts: 7 Member
    Yep, old age hit me at 27.
    That's when my body changed. All of a sudden my clothes stopped fitting.
    :o
    For the first time I had to begin watching my diet in addition to exercise.
    GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS
    First, bad news...it gets worse...

    And now, the good news!
    Part of who we are is derived from the challenges we face. Health and wellness management builds great character for those who can overcome weight issues.

    Good Luck To You
    Ha ha! I like the good news but the best! Thank you, I'm feeling very positive at the moment and just need to learn to pace myself. I'm hoping the exercise will release enough endorphins for the positivity to stay long term! ☺️
    <3

  • yourpaceormine
    yourpaceormine Posts: 1 Member
    Hi! I feel your pain. I will be turning 45 this year. It is so much more difficult to lose weight these days, yet much easier to pack the pounds on. I recently went back to kickboxing and boxing classes 5 days a week, for me this seems to be the only way I can drop some weight . It also does wonders for my body as far as getting me more tone. I'm trying to drop 10 lbs and I know it will take me at least a month and a half, but i know I will be doing it the right way. I've changed the way I eat, a heathier higher protein food plan and less sugar. What you put in your mouth really matters as you get older.. You mentioned gentle calorie burning... one way I do that is walking on my treadmill on a higher incline. There is less stress on my body then from running and/or boxing and it also helps with firming legs and your butt. Good luck to everyone , don't give up, we all just have to put that extra effort in to reaching our goals.
  • Pinnacle_IAO
    Pinnacle_IAO Posts: 608 Member
    Thank you, I'm feeling very positive at the moment and just need to learn to pace myself. I'm hoping the exercise will release enough endorphins for the positivity to stay long term! ☺️
    <3

    Exercise has been my best medication for stress...lol
    That's our little secret.

  • lessismoreohio
    lessismoreohio Posts: 910 Member
    No fun getting older, but it beats the alternative :)
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited August 2015
    Ummm...I don't know how to break this to you but the difference is lack of activity and loss of muscle

    Sure there's a minor reduction in calories ..about 100 calories per decade (so you're talking a large apple or a slice of bread a day)

    Commit to accurate calorie logging

    Move more...lift heavy things and put them down again to help offset the calorie reduction

    And don't make excuses :)
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    Yeah. It's always something. Either it's pregnancy, or you hurt yourself or your metabolism slows or it's hormones.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I didn't even try to lose weight until 52 and if it was easy to lose weight in middle age everybody would be doing it, with success I might add. I have to keep adjusting food portions and eliminate some calorie dense foods. All this with lots of exercise to make room for my beer and wine. I feel better now then when I was thirty!
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Gentle: Walking, yoga, swimming. What I do isn't exactly gentle but it is low impact. I use the elliptical, stationary bike, and weights. I'm 46, hypothyroid, arthritic, menopausal. So I look to preserve what cartilage I have left. Not ready to deal with the spectre of knee replacement yet lol. If you are able to lift weights I really recommend it. Losing muscle is a big culprit for women in middle age to burn fewer calories. If you grow it back you can burn more.
  • Marciajake88
    Marciajake88 Posts: 4 Member
    The good thing about getting older is that we are still alive and breathing despite all its challenges.Menopause and hypothyroidism sure adds a lot of fun to the mix.
  • MistyBlue9
    MistyBlue9 Posts: 109 Member
    I don't feel that old yet and i'm 44 next birthday BUT i am finding it hard to shift weight. I think that may be cos i'm not trying hard enough tho.
  • Vixyb_
    Vixyb_ Posts: 142 Member
    I'm 38 and have the same problem xx
  • Debmal77
    Debmal77 Posts: 4,770 Member
    edited August 2015
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Ummm...I don't know how to break this to you but the difference is lack of activity and loss of muscle

    Sure there's a minor reduction in calories ..about 100 calories per decade (so you're talking a large apple or a slice of bread a day)

    Commit to accurate calorie logging

    Move more...lift heavy things and put them down again to help offset the calorie reduction

    And don't make excuses :)

    The rabbit speaks the truth!! ;)
  • labohn91
    labohn91 Posts: 113 Member
    Walking is great exercise.
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Ummm...I don't know how to break this to you but the difference is lack of activity and loss of muscle

    Sure there's a minor reduction in calories ..about 100 calories per decade (so you're talking a large apple or a slice of bread a day)

    Commit to accurate calorie logging

    Move more...lift heavy things and put them down again to help offset the calorie reduction

    And don't make excuses :)

    ^^^^^Just keep doing this
  • khhregister
    khhregister Posts: 229 Member
    I'm 43 and have been nursing my aching joints and rebellious knees for years now (and packing on the pounds, about 10 pounds a year since turning 39). Running is right out, and I even managed to overdo walking last year and got Achilles Tendonitis that lasted a good 6-8 months even with PT. I will say I have never injured myself swimming, and I can do maybe ~ 2/3 of yoga poses without aggravating something. I can lift weights if I am very careful with my form. So I would recommend those 3 activites, just based on what my own stubborn body will tolerate. YMMV!

    Maybe you can get a recommendation for a trainer from your ME specialist who will be able to work with you in a sensible way that allows you enough time to recover so you don't aggravate your condition. Just to maintain your lean mass so you don't lose your precious muscle!
This discussion has been closed.