40 year old women and older who has lost 40 or more lbs - HOW THE HECK DID YOU DO IT???

I'm 41. I've lost just over 58 lbs in 8 months. I keep my calories between 1200 and 1300ish, wear a Fitbit and try to get in the 10000 steps, walk 3-4 times a week (usually 3-4 miles) and jog as much of that as I can on the days my body wants to allow that . I have found that getting my mind healthy about food and the place it holds in my life was the most important thing. Choosing health over immediate gratification and taste is most of the battle. I have 17 lbs left until I am at goal and now weigh less than I did in the 9th grade. I have never been able to stick to a health and fitness plan before now because I was trying to do the physical work without the mental work. Make a list of why you want to be healthy and read it often.

I am turning 60 in February. I started out typing that I am 59, which is true, but I figured I better get used to the look and feel of the new number.

I have had a weight issue since puberty and have had some really good success with different weight loss programs in the distant past but always put the weight back on plus more. I had gotten to a new "high" over the years. In fact, I was a pie shy of 300 lbs (and only 5'2") 7 months ago. I couldn't walk from one end of my house to the other without getting winded. I was getting pretty scared and rightfully so. I'm sure a heart attack was looming.

I told myself a lot of lies. That the reason I couldn't do many physical things was because of aging. That the reason my back and joints ached was because of aging. That I shouldn't even THINK about trying to lose weight because it would be too difficult...because of my age. If I'm being really truthful, I was just waiting to die. 59 years old and waiting to die. It makes me cry when I think about where I was at physically and mentally.

I credit my 30 year old son with getting me on the right road. I had watched him lose over 250 pounds by counting calories using MFP. He had no surgery until this past June and that was to remove his excess skin. He told me that he was worried about me and I had to confess that I was worried about me also. He got me signed up on MFP and showed me how to use it. I was reluctant but I promised him to give it a try.

Today I am down 77 lbs and it feels wonderful. I still have a long way to go but I'm almost half way there and each day brings a new surprise. Like finding out that bones lurk beneath the melting fat. I have lost my fear of climbing ladders and restaurant booths. I don't have to make a grunting noise when I bend over and I can get up off the floor without assistance. I can wear heels again!! There are countless wonders and joys and I am no longer waiting to die.

So far, I have only been counting calories and eating healthy foods. I'm sure that I will add exercise soon. I admit that I have been dragging my feet about adding exercise but I am certainly much more active now. I have been just as successful so far with only counting calories as I was when I was 35 and "on program" that included an hour workout 6 days a week. I'm not saying that exercise isn't important or healthy - just that you can still see great results without busting your butt at the gym.

I wholeheartedly agree with other posters when they say don't think about the age. There is no reason, unless you want to lie to yourself.