55-65 year old women's success?
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Ooo! Nice work on the ab challenge @griffinca2 & @mk2loser - kudos!0
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@ilikegardens
@Cheryl7777, I hope the hip replacement surgery recovery is going well.
Almost a year to date since I got my new hip at age 55. The pain relief was immediate (I had had pain referral to the knee and every step hurting), the swelling in the thigh lasted for months. I had taken off 40 lbs from 260 lbs in the 18 mos before surgery. Gained 16 lbs back during the 3 months hip restrictions, not being able to work my physically/mentally stressful job, and stopped logging while busy with online graduate studies. Started back logging in Jan. this year and am at 227, goal weight 150. I've been protective about my new hip, other than continuing the daily therapy exercises mornings before getting up and while I have my waffles in the toaster
Started strength training with 2 lbs weights last week to attend to hurting shoulder (arthritis?) and aiming at stronger core. I have avoided stairs since one at a time during physical tx. The other day I took the stairs, fine in the hip but made my knees hurt. Altogether increased mobility and flexibility. 0 -
A question for you ladies: If you can't go to a gym, what's your favorite piece of exercise equipment you would love to have in your home that you could use year round when it's too hot or too cold or nasty outside? Any particular brands or features you are fond of?0
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1Nana2many wrote: »A question for you ladies: If you can't go to a gym, what's your favorite piece of exercise equipment you would love to have in your home that you could use year round when it's too hot or too cold or nasty outside? Any particular brands or features you are fond of?
The things I've bothered to buy so far are my Concept 2 rowing machine (which I pretty much only use in cold weather, because rowing on the water is more fun), a bunch of dumbbells, a bar & some weight plates, a chin-up bar that hangs in a doorway (mainly used for stretching until I got light enough that chin-ups became imaginable), a couple of kettlebells, a large inflatable exercise ball and some resistance bands.
I might use the rowing machine all year if not for rivers & rowing shells. It's an excellent workout, but it's not inexpensive. I use the weights and exercise ball next most, after boats, I think.1 -
brenn24179 wrote: »anyone else on here have a hard time retiring? I work part time and may always have to. Seems like I am more energetic since I lost the weight also. Everyone always says I am busier now? guess I need hobbies, old age is going to be hard on me.
Retiring was a blessing for me (I'm 6 years into it now). I was so stressed out; no energy, exhausted, and 50 lbs overweight. Even after I retired it took me a few more than a couple of years to unwind and get a grip. Slowly but surely I began to relax and realized I needed to do something for me -- get healthy and lose the weight. It was the last piece of the puzzle that was missing from my life. Now that the weight is gone I have so much more energy, sleep so much better, and have so much more zest for life that I find that I look forward to each and every day both the good and the not so good. I'd like to do more and there never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything. The beauty of it all is that there's always tomorrow. Work was killing me! Hopefully I never have to work another day in my life. Retiring was not hard for me!
I retired from an extremely busy and stressful job, which I used to think about every spare moment. It was only the circumstances of the time that I did retire. I went back to work in a different organisation couple of months later and have been there a couple of years. The couple of months I had off beforehand have totally changed my focus. Work is just something I do to earn money and I hang out for the weekends and dread Mondays - much more normal than my previous existence where I lived and breathed work.
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1Nana2many wrote: »A question for you ladies: If you can't go to a gym, what's your favorite piece of exercise equipment you would love to have in your home that you could use year round when it's too hot or too cold or nasty outside? Any particular brands or features you are fond of?
I have dumbbells (from 3lbs. up to 20 lbs each), a step box, a TRX system, a great yoga mat, and yoga/cardio DVDs, along some Zumba, because it is fun. I use the dumbbells a lot, almost daily. I do yoga almost everyday, the cardio stuff 3x a week, use the step box to make it more of a challenge. I am just learning TRX and love it, great body weight/strength training tool. (You can take it down and put it out of the way when not in use easily.) I also have a Silver Sneakers card so I do go to the fitness center for body flex classes as well. When I have the time it is nice to go there and use the weight machines.
Youtube is great for getting instructional videos. I like Jessicasmithtv and HASfit channels. There are lots of indoor walking and TRX routines as well.
I would like a weight bench with bar and plates to go heavier when I get to the point I could lift something much heavier than my dumbbells, right now they are still working for me. To go heavy I have to use the weight room at the fitness center.0 -
@1Nana2many I have a combo stationary bike/elliptical which comes in handy when the weather is bad. I liked having the bike especially when I started because, you know, I could sit for a while. I, too, am a fan of jessicasmithtv on YouTube. She seems perfect for us older ladies- not obnoxious or too tough. You can go at your own pace.0
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My mother in law gifted me a very nice treadmill this week! Now I don't have to wait until daylight to walk and the weather won't stop me. I'm thrilled!0
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snowflake930 wrote: »I am 63, I joined MFP on 3/12/12. I was morbidly obese @ 290#. Wearing size 24W (which was tight). I am a size 10 (some brands size 8) now, and have been maintaining @ about 130# for 14 months. It wasn't easy, but it is not easy for anyone, no matter your age. I tried many times over the years, but very rarely made past a few days. Maybe once I made it to two weeks. I totally bought into the premise "it is hard to lose after 40", and simply gave up. When I started here, the success stories gave me hope, and the confidence, that I could do this too. Especially the success stories of those over 40, but really everyone's success gave me the incentive to keep going. I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without becoming out of breath. I did not begin to move more until I had been on MFP for about 7 months and had lost 90#. For the past year, I have been getting 18,000 to 20,000 steps daily on my fitbit. I truly think that the major difference for me was using MFP.
I think that losing weight is doable for anyone, at any age, without any health issues that will limit their ability to do so. You just have to want it, and persevere, and it will happen. The hardest part of this for me has been maintenance for the past 14 months. Losing was easy compared to maintaining. I will be one of the people that has to continue to monitor and log for the rest of my life.
One thing I want to mention, is I have been doing this with my doctors approval and help. I have done it strictly through counting calories, and moving more. No fad diets, pills, or surgical procedures. Some older people do not need as many calories as younger people, and this is something that I have found to be true for me as well. With my doctors approval, I am eating at maintenance about 1500-1800 calories per day. For me, if I go above this amount, I begin to gain. For exercise, I mostly walk/hike, use the treadmill or elliptical, and work out with light weights. I do not do heavy lifting.
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I just wanted to thank you for your inspiring story. I have been here off and on. More off than on. I've decided on June 22, 2016 this year that I really need to get a handle on myself and get healthy because I could not move last year when I injured myself and I gained yet more weight and became depressed over it all. Somehow, I have been blessed to have someone come to me who wants to walk, so we started a walking program along with dietary intake. I have lost 11 lbs. since then and 12 inches off my body. This I know is not that much, but for me, seeing the numbers go down gives me hope that I will eventually get to where I want to be. I was actually 276 lbs. when I couldn't move. I started this journey at 262 lbs. So, before this date of June 22nd, I did lose some weight. Now, I weigh 253.6 lbs. My goal is to get down to 170 lbs. where I was before I became Obese. I'm actually supposed to be a little lighter than that goal weight. I would be happy with getting there though. Should I see when I get there I can do more, I will. Thank you again for today keeping me on track. I'm going to be 63 in January, so to hear someone my age's story is amazing. Keep up your good work at maintenance. When I get to maintenance, I hope to keep my weight where it ends up too.5
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1Nana2many wrote: »A question for you ladies: If you can't go to a gym, what's your favorite piece of exercise equipment you would love to have in your home that you could use year round when it's too hot or too cold or nasty outside? Any particular brands or features you are fond of?
I have a Concept 2 rower, too, which I love but can't use until my doctor says it's okay (hip replacement). I also use an elliptical at home, which I can do right now. The rower works everything, but there's no doubt that it can also be very challenging. Lots of people love it, others hate it....
I have kettle bells, a TRX, balance boards, resistance bands. I get bored easily, and having a bunch of toys is helpful.
gesundundmunter: the hip replacement was a game changer. Like you, I experienced immediate relief. I'm able to move more and have lost 20 pounds (45 more to go). 1 -
1Nana2many wrote: »A question for you ladies: If you can't go to a gym, what's your favorite piece of exercise equipment you would love to have in your home that you could use year round when it's too hot or too cold or nasty outside? Any particular brands or features you are fond of?
I would like an elliptical trainer. It's easier on the joints than a treadmill.1 -
Goddesskat wrote: »I just wanted to thank you for your inspiring story. I have been here off and on. More off than on. I've decided on June 22, 2016 this year that I really need to get a handle on myself and get healthy because I could not move last year when I injured myself and I gained yet more weight and became depressed over it all. Somehow, I have been blessed to have someone come to me who wants to walk, so we started a walking program along with dietary intake. I have lost 11 lbs. since then and 12 inches off my body. This I know is not that much, but for me, seeing the numbers go down gives me hope that I will eventually get to where I want to be. I was actually 276 lbs. when I couldn't move. I started this journey at 262 lbs. So, before this date of June 22nd, I did lose some weight. Now, I weigh 253.6 lbs. My goal is to get down to 170 lbs. where I was before I became Obese. I'm actually supposed to be a little lighter than that goal weight. I would be happy with getting there though. Should I see when I get there I can do more, I will. Thank you again for today keeping me on track. I'm going to be 63 in January, so to hear someone my age's story is amazing. Keep up your good work at maintenance. When I get to maintenance, I hope to keep my weight where it ends up too.
Goddesskat, way to go. You sound really similar to me - I am 56 - started my health journey July 1, 2016 with 83 lbs to lose. So far I'm down 16 (4 down on MFP, I started that mid July)... a huge chunk came off in the first two weeks, which was likely water. My goal is to get to 175 and to not have to shop in Plus Size (I am 5' 8" and for years have been 3x on top and 2x on bottom). Good for you doing measurements; I need to do that - I am somewhat scale obsessed and I've got to stop it. Good luck and keep logging all your meals - it has made all the difference for me.1 -
Did me good to read the success stories. Looked at myself in the mirror last night -- what a shock. My stomach a sack of fat. How unhealthy. Today is a new day. If other people can do it so can I and I will. I am 63 years old.3
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You can do it marjtrewin!!! I'm 61 and have lost 51 lbs so far3
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You can certainly do it margtrewin. I'm 71 and have lost 30 lbs and started to workout every day4
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margtrewin, you can do it; we're here for you!! Just remember you will have bad days along the way where you mess up (we all do); just get back up and start over. You only fail when you quit!
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Griffinca2 is right! I admit I was just hopeful when I first started MFP on January 2nd this year. I just logged day 221 this morning. I started at 244.7 pounds and am now down to 187. I am 5'4" tall. I am way more then mearly hopeful now! I am committed! I try to log each meal as I eat it. At the beginning I even logged before I ate in case I wanted to revise how much I was eating. I try to be sure I get enough protein and I still eat too much sugar.
I have not exercised myself to death. My goal from the beginning was to just move a little more today than I did yesterday, day after day and stick as close to my calorie goal as I could. For me and for my daughter who has lost over forty pounds in the same time, a food scale was essential so we could really learn what a serving size is. A food scale was a serious game-changer for her in her weight-loss. They cost less than $15.00.
Showing up every day is also essential. Even if you don't hit your food goal, it keeps you conscious of your eating. It's tough at first, but it gets easier the more you do it. Treat every day as if it's a new beginning. Don't beat yourself up mentally when you fail. As the old saying goes, don't throw the baby out with the bath water! Just begin again! Don't worry what anybody else is eating, just focus on your own healthy eating. I've seen lots of people complain that they feel their spouse is trying to sabotage them by eating high calorie foods in front of them on the community boards. You can't fix anyone but yourself. Many of us women are really good at putting ourselves last in most equations. I sometimes think it's a DNA thing, but in weight loss I think you have to be a little selfish. You can't take good care of anyone else if you're not taking good care of yourself. You have to value yourself enough to believe you are worth the effort every day, day after day. If I was good at that, I would never have reached well over 200 pounds. I'm getting better. I know if I keep logging every day I will reach my goal and may even revise it to a lower number. I believe anyone can do this if I can.
I forgot to mention a few things I'm enjoying now that I didn't like before. My left knee has stopped hurting every time I walk. Climbing stairs is great. I am sleeping better. I am shocked at the woman who looks back at me when I glance in a mirror...I don't know if that will ever go away, but it's a nice shock. You are worth it! Begin today and tomorrow and the next day. You CAN do it!8 -
Love this. ..thanks for sharing1
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Thank you all for your kind words of support. The trick is to log ever mouthful1
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I am 64 and the last two years have lost a lot of weight diligently using MFP. I was a 22 and got down to an 8-10. I felt great. Sometimes, I feel like I will never learn from my life of eating mistakes. I became complacent and you know what happened. I am squeezing into 12s. So, before it gets completely out of control, after new commitment, and a hard look at myself I am at it again. When people say to make lifestyles changes or don't call it a diet, yeah, yeah, I have heard it all before a thousand times. I can't do much exercise wise, I have MS and that interferes with balance and walking. I also have had the knee problems, replacements, and assorted arthritis problems. There are alternatives I know, chair exercises, swimming, and what have you, but fundamentally MS or not, I know I am just lazy. No more excuses. The weight loss helped me feel much better physically and mentally. I am starting water therapy exercises with a physical therapist. I still have the rest of the normal aging issues that I need to be concerned with and take the best care of myself possible. At my thinnest, cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, etc., numbers were all perfect. I know exactly what works and can't give in to my lifelong bad habits. Thanks.5
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Chrissy, welcome to our group! We are here for you to encourage and help you reach your goals!!2
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Hello ladies. I am 66 years old and weigh in at 190, but I am only 5'2" (if I stand up really straight). So, my goal is to get down to 150. It's not as low as I need to be, but if I get there, then I can re-assess to see if I am willing to try for more. I have severe arthritis in my right knee and have not had knee replacement surgery, but it might be in my future. That right knee stops me from walking sometimes, but I am trying to walk in my flat neighborhood for 20 to 30 minutes sometimes. I do belong to the YMCA (thanks to my son's family plan), but all I have done there is the treadmill and recumbent bike. I have found if I get too enthusiastic with that, it sets me back for a few days.
I have started using MFP again today. I am trying to keep my carbs and fat down and also 1200 calories a day. I sure help I can reach my goal.2 -
You can do it susied! Does the Y have a pool you can use? The one around here has water exercise class for seniors...I would think that would be better for your knees?0
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Water exercise would feel a lot better on your knees so if the Y has a pool, take advantage. I did a lot of exercises in the lake while camping with my family and was surprised I had absolutely no sore muscles after. I'm not a great swimmer, but used a float tube and got in a lot more exercise than I would normally do on dry ground. You can do this! Log every bite every day and start every day as if it's your first and you will make progress!1
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Hello Ladies, I might be the youngest one here, but I can relate to all of you! I've just turned 42 this year. but Ive been over weight most of my life. My heighest weight was 122kg.
My life was a real mess, I was in a bad relationship, depressed, couldnt find a job, I was poor, and just wanted to smoke myself to death =(
But in 2011 I met the man of my dreams and moved to Sweden! And said goodbye to everything!!
Now I'm in a healthy relationship, my husband and I have our own web design business, I'm no longer depressed or poor!
But my weight was the only thing keeping me back and weighing me down.
My left hip started to really hurt 3 years ago, and I've been trying for the last 5 years to really lose weight.
But 9 weeks ago, something changed. I was just determined to lose this weight once and for all! I took up bellydancing! And I LOVE it and do it 6 days a week in my lounge room to a video I got from youtube.
I count all my calories and log all my food. And so far I have lost 3kg. Im really happy with my progress and my hip no longer hurts.
I Love reading everyones stories, it really encourages me to keep going no matter what!!
I hope you all accept me, and dont mind Im a little younger......I would LOVE that.
Plus.....I thought I had a group of encouraging friends,,, but in the end it was only me encouraging everyone, and I got nothing in return.
Even when I lost a huge 2kg in my week 7, (and it took me basically 6 weeks of struggling, crying, excersing, counting to finally get there, no one of my supportive friends even said anything...sigh. So I had to say goodbye to them. )
My husband supported me though! he's one of my biggest cheerleaders....but I meant friends on here.
9 weeks ago I started at 116.9kg, and now I am down to 112.9 I am 5ft7. I have alot to lose, I want to get to at least 85kg.
Kitty xoxo
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Go, go kitty!0
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Kitty I used to bellly dance and I loved it!
A friend boxes and I think that would be so great, too.
I just started doing goblet squats and kettle bell swings and do love them. Good for the thighs, glutes, and core.
Several years ago, it took a 30lb weight loss for people to start noticing and commenting, but I actually would prefer that people not comment. I have regained and am back on track with about 75lb to go this time. Determined to make it the last time I do this.
Good luck!0 -
thankyou guys
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Welcome and we're here for you!!0
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