Over 50 and Frustrated

jillalvarez524 · September 2016

I've begun my journey to lose 30lbs. Before 50, weight loss wasn't easy but achievable with some extra effort. Now it seems IMPOSSIBLE!!! I'm committed to ketogenesis as I have all of the signs of insulin resistance (which if unaddressed leads to pre diabetes and then diabetes). I test each morning to be sure fasting glucose levels are declining & ketones remain high. Things are improving most days (I do have days on this diet where I experience queasiness, low energy - not sure what that's about?). I see improvements in blood work but weight loss is discouragingly s-l-o-w. I am adding additional weight training this week - in addition to walking - to see if I can't improve muscular definition and tweak weight loss.

Cricket in DFW Texas

liznotyet · September 2016

Welcome - There are a lot of over 50s here at MFP! Weight and body resistance training (yoga, pilates) and posture exercises have vastly improved my stamina and weight control. Giving up meat and diminishing dairy has kept my blood glucose closer to prediabetic range. Weight loss however only happens when the vegetable portions triple and everything else is just a few bites. The more you lose, the less you need to eat to maintain. Add vegetables, add pickled vegetables, to keep the digestion active.

CharlieBeansmomTracey · September 2016

weight loss happens in a deficit,what works for one may not work for others so tripling portions of veggies and a few bites of other things may not work for that person. its all about CICO(calories in vs calories out) if you want to be in a deficit by being vegetarian,vegan or going keto or any other way then great, but there is NO one way of losing weight(except for CICO for most people),as for the more you lose the less you need to eat to maintain. not always true,it depends on your activity level and your TDEE.your digestion also stays active no matter what you eat it, doesnt stop if you dont eat veggies.

mwopm3 · September 2016

When I started MFP six weeks ago I was convinced I couldn't lose weight anymore like I could when younger. Lo & behold by tracking I am realizing I am a chronic overeater (even heathy food adds up!) and I have already lost 8 pounds which I'm over the moon about. So my advice is to religiously track and review your quantities and the kind of food that keeps you satiated. You can learn as you go and make adjustments to minimize the risk of diabetes.
Go get'em tiger!

keodell1966 · September 2016

Don't get discouraged. I just turned 50 this year, and I've also lost 40 pounds(5 pounds from goal now).
I seriously didn't think I could do it. My husband has lost 50 pounds and just turned 50 yrs. old as well.
You can do it.

MikilouB · September 2016

I am 60, diagnosed diabetic and have lost over 50 pounds in 6 months just by carefully weighing and measuring my food. I am very concious of CICO at all times. I really have not changed my diet that much. I have monitored carbs and am eating more veggies, but not eliminating anything outright. I would worry about narrowing my food choices so much that I couldn't stick with it for the rest of my life.

fiddletime · September 2016

I'm 61 and am back after derailing again, and gaining back 14 pounds. Slow weight loss is better than no weight loss, or weight gain. I am a simple calories in, calories out person. The only time I fail to lose weight is when I ignore that. I exercise when I can, and know everyone, whatever age, can lose weight if they eat less calories than they use.

lorrpb · September 2016

I'm 61 and have lost 147 pounds the past 2+ years on mfp. You have only 30 to lose, so it will be slow 0.5 to 1 lb per week max. It's taking me more than a year to lose the last 50 but I'm almost there. At this point in life, we have the experience to stick with a goal & see it through to the end.

TonyB0588 · September 2016

I only had 10 lbs to lose but it's gone in 4 months. Doctor's orders due to pre-diabetes.

I'm 50 and it wasn't so difficult. You can do it!!

Bbiwbkacq · September 2016

I'm 60 and have over 100 lbs to lose. It's so difficult when the mind is resisting. But I'm recommitted to doing this. Life was more fun when I weighed less. After a certain age losing is harder. But I'm determined to do it. I will incorporate weights because they help lose fat.

I know that we all can do it by taking a day at a time. This week I set a goal to log in everyday and complete my diary. Small steps

Evamutt · September 2016

I tried for years to lose weight, I ate pretty well. No soda, fast foods & only had sugar, pasta etc once in a while. I gave up & accepted it's because of my age I can't lose weight. I'm 62 & have lost 18lbs in the last 63 days!! you can do it

middlehaitch · September 2016

I lost my 30lbs when I was a menopausal 54/55yo.
It took a year. The first few pounds came off at 1lbs a week but for the majority of my weight loss it was .5 lbs a week or less. Completely appropriate for my size and the amount I had to lose.
I did eat back 75%+ of my exercise calories and,because I was older, made sure I was getting .8-1g protien per lbs ideal weight.

I am 63 now and have maintained my goal weight (5lbs range) since my initial loss.

Count your calories, weigh your food, and keep in a deficit most of the time. Do some cardio and lift some weights (really important for bone and muscle retention as we age) for health.
It can be challenging to lose weight at any age. Luckily CICO works for everyone.
Do have a check up to make sure you have no other medical issues that may make losing more difficult.

If you are still feeling queezy maybe bring it up with your doctor. Also make sure your calorie goal isn't too low and that you are eating back a percentage of your exercise calories. A goal of 1lbs a week dropping to .5lbs as you get within 15-20 lbs of your goal would be good.

Make sure your food levels and weighing/logging food are on point before upping your exercise further.

Cheers, h.

CharlieBeansmomTracey · September 2016

just want to say for those who said they were in their 60s, man I hope I look as young as all of you when Im in my 60s. no one looks their age.

pondee629 · September 2016

Started last year at 60+ (60.5 ;-)) at 220. Now (61.75) down to 185 and have completed my first Half marathon in 2:17:10.

If you want it,
There it is,
Come an get it...

The formula for losing weight is pretty simple- Keep calories in under calories burned. Measure, weigh and log.
Exercise helps but is not necessary. (It helps quite a bit)

Age isn't a factor. Whether, and how much, you want to do what is necessary is a factor.

You can do this.
We all can do this.
You just have to go an do it.

Raptor2763 · September 2016

What you're talking about is a lifestyle change, and it begins with diet. Keep your program simple and once you find something that works -- stick with it. I just turned 61, and found that's a formula for success.

JeromeBarry1 · September 2016

I look my age! I look awful. But that's not news. Anyway, @jillalvarez524 I've learned how to use mfp to log my food and exercise accurately and honestly and that's all it takes. I've lost 79 lb since January, even in DFW with all the fine Tex-Mex cocinas. You can, too. You'll need a digital food scale.

sijomial · September 2016

How slow is slow?

But you are right that to change that rate of loss you need to make changes - adding more exercise is my preferred option too rather than cutting calorie intake.
I like food and I like exercise too so it's a win/win.

An often neglected area is regular day to day activity, always making "self-propelled" the first option where you can (walking, stairs, cycling etc.). It all adds up and becomes habitual. Spend more time on your feet and less time on your bum basically.

Funny enough I found weight loss in my 50's far easier. The tools and information are so much better plus I have more "me time" now the children are self-sufficient.

jxls4 · September 2016

I'm 59 and glad to read all your positive posts! I always say, YES I CAN ! and just go for it! I'm on a mission to stay healthy and keep up with, and enjoy my grand kids! They make my life a rainbow!

greena · September 2016

I love all these posts! Very inspiring!! I'm 45 (catching up to the 50 and fabulous crowd :-) and I have to track every calorie, work out VERY consistently, eat "clean" (I follow the Primal Blueprint principles loosely), AND...worst of all, almost no alcohol!!! I cannot lose weight anymore drinking my glass of wine or beer at 5 anymore, lol! I don't think I digest it the same as I used to. No fun but it's worth it to me to feel energetic and healthy. Following all this, I am losing my 25 lbs. v-e-r-y slowly. I have actually put away the scale and am trying to focus on one day at a time and enjoying feeling in control and content with my eating and fitness level.

meritage4 · September 2016

I'm 57 and diabetic type 2 45 lbs gone from logging, and daily walking. I also eat much lower carb than I did before. It IS HARD work but it does pay off.

Rinde99 · September 2016

I'm 60 and have lost 26.4lbs since the end of June with15.6 to go till my goal weight. I haven't had any trouble losing weight so far. I eat the calories allotted by MFP and exercise an hour per day 6 days a week for fitness. It never occurred to me that age would be a factor in my new healthy lifestyle regieme. For me, it's a simple energy equation. Expend more energy then I take in equals weight loss.

Over 50 and Frustrated

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