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

I am almost 52 years old. This past year has been life changing for me. A bit of my story first. In 2009 I was my heaviest ever at 263 lbs, I am 5'4", so very obese. We went to a friends wedding and when I saw a picture of myself after I was disgusted with myself. I don't know how I let myself get to that point, but that was my "ahah" moment. I got a fun workout program from my daughter called Turbo Jam, at first I could only get through 10 min a day but soon was doing 45 mins. A day. I lost 40 lbs in no time. Then my world crashed at the death of my Mom and I spiraled again. I put some of the weight back on. Fast forward now. So Sept 2015 I decided enough was enough. I met a husband and wife on mfp that literally have changed my life. They belonged to an amazing online fitness team that I joined. They have helped me a long with other coaches and a fitness group of over 2000 members now. This past year I have lost just over 65 lbs . I still have another 25 lbs to lose. With that being said half way thru the year I started going through menopause and my losses slowed down,but with the help of our great group I learned how to adjust my eating and I am again loosing. So, you see it is possible for anyone to lose weight if they have the right help and tools to succeed. I would love to help anyone that is looking for help and advice.please don't hesitate to send me a message if you would like to learn more.

I am 66. I weight 278 in Jan 2012. I lost 60 pounds in the summer of 2012 getting prepared for a sprint triathlon. nd going to WW. After the triathlon, I went back to the standard american diet (SAD). I slowly started putting it back on. By April 2015, I had gained 35 pounds back and my doc said enough is enough! She needs to treat me for metabolic syndrome. She put me on a macro diet of 60 grams of carbs or less, 60 grams or more of fat and 140 g of protein. to help keep my lean muscle mass. I currently weigh 197 pounds which is 81 lbs weight loss in total. I still have 50 pounds to go.

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.