Im 50 and need some tips...

carriebonner
carriebonner Posts: 13
edited September 29 in Introduce Yourself
I know it gets harder to lose the weight as you get older... I have gained a lot in the past 3 yrs.. and now I am at a point where I am so uncomfortable I cant stand myself !! :) Good news, Im finally ready to get motivated and do this...not a diet, not a temporarly weight loss, but a true lifestyle change.. I want the skinny, or at (least 80 lbs lighter me) inside me to come out and shine and play!!! I need tips from anyone around my age range on how to keep your metabolism up and running....Thanks for listening !

Replies

  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    One day at a time, one pound a week, slow and steady. When you fall off the wagon, cuss a bit and get right back on-never give up.
  • Jeneba
    Jeneba Posts: 699 Member
    I'm 54, Little Sister! The best advice I can give you is MOVE MOVE MOVE! If you think you can only do 10 minutes, do 15. If you think you can only do 5 lbs. do 8.... Challenge yourself constantly! An make sure you track your progress from day to day - it is totally INSPIRING what a body "our age" can do! You will AMAZE yourself!
  • BeeElMarvin
    BeeElMarvin Posts: 2,086 Member
    Yep, what they said...
  • mspix
    mspix Posts: 153
    Keep moving! Or, if you are not moving, get moving!

    I am 45 and battling the same 25 lbs I have battled my whole life (give or take 30). I used to be able to drop weight fairly quickly by diet alone. Not so any longer. If I don't burn at least 2000 calories a week, the scales don't budge :grumble:

    That being said, if I don't enjoy the work out, I won't do it. So, find something you love and move, move, move!

    One other important thing I have learned, I no longer deprive myself. I work it into my daily intake. I have dark chocolate every day. By allowing myself to have it in a calorie controlled serving (not sugar free/fat free, either), I actually have less cravings for 'junk'. Maybe all in my mind, lol, but it works for me!
  • taylorgirl
    taylorgirl Posts: 81
    At the age of "52" after going up and down in my weight for the previous 20 yrs., I too needed something that would change my life and lifestyle. Since working out on my own didn't seem to do the job I got a "very reasonable" trainer who helped me go from at size 18 Women (230) to a size 10-12 at (165). I turn "56" this year, and have manage to keep my weight down with the following method of weight lost.

    To increase my metabolism which is the one thing we experience a lack of - I did interval cardio; began lifting weights and most important adopted a change in nutrition to: complex carbs, healthy fats & lean protein. Eliminated process foods, limit sweets. I also suggest reading Tosca Reno's book(s), especially "Rechargeable." She offers excellent advice.

    Good Luck!
  • mspix
    mspix Posts: 153
    I'm 54, Little Sister! The best advice I can give you is MOVE MOVE MOVE! If you think you can only do 10 minutes, do 15. If you think you can only do 5 lbs. do 8.... Challenge yourself constantly! An make sure you track your progress from day to day - it is totally INSPIRING what a body "our age" can do! You will AMAZE yourself!

    YES!!! I forgot the tracking part. Makes SUCH a difference!
  • momtozmc
    momtozmc Posts: 418 Member
    47 here... and if you would have told me 7 months ago that I would fit into a size 10 and be running everyday... I'd tell you, you were nuts!!! But here I am!!!! 50 lbs lighter... 15-20 more to go... and I feel absolutely great!!!!

    Go go go!!!!

    Friend me if you like!

    L.
  • OMG !!!! YOU GUYS ARE ALL AWESOME !!!!!!!! :) I read akl your posts and you make me realize, I can do this !! and tracking my fiood and logging into fitness pal everyday is going to help me sooo much. I used to be very very active... got into a depressed state a while back... and whooooaa... no more exercise.. started hiding out at home... easting and sleeping... end result.. gained lots of weight and became more depressed... and the deadly circle started....so noe that I am seeing someone to help with the depression etc... I have reached the point where Im ready and serious about doing this... Thanks so much for your suppirt... Your progress is amazing, each of you !!
  • Jeneba
    Jeneba Posts: 699 Member
    50 is the new 20!!!!! We are all AMAZING!!!! Welcome back to the Real YOU! :heart:
  • magglett
    magglett Posts: 2,000
    I'll be 50 this coming March ... and "move move move" is the best advice I've got. My exercise of choice is hiking. It not only helps with the pounds but it helps so much with the Psyche ... I'm so much happier now and life is so worth living every day. I too hit a depressive state and I never want that back in my life again. Welcome to MFP ... it’s great support.

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  • Goal4Good
    Goal4Good Posts: 115
    I'm 50 and yes it DOES get harder to lose as we get older, but it is not impossible. I joined MFP 2 weeks ago and I've lost 8 lbs already. But, I also exercise a lot.

    Now, I've done WW and all the other programs since I was 19 years old but I have found that even when I eat right---- if I dont' exercise, I basically just stay the same or I gain! But if I DO exercise, I lose! Last two weeks are positive proof of that.

    I'm ialso in menopause and lucky me, I also inherited that classic middle aged tendancy of the apple shape from both sides of my family. I plan on being the exception to that!!! So friend me if you want. We can lose together. But have no doubt........you got to want it enough to work for it. Good luck!!!!
  • Im so lovin this 40+ group ! you guys are so positive and uplifting...just what I need :)
  • phoofsmom57
    phoofsmom57 Posts: 13 Member
    I am 54 and have lost 10lbs so far. My sister encouraged me to join, she is 59 and has lost 38lbs so far. She has been successful because she has not missed a day logging in for 150 days. My sister has mostly cut back on the sugar and sodium. She has only been walking 2-3 miles a week in the basement were she works. It is very hot where I live and I kept making excuses for not walking so I bought a video for walking inside, it is called leslie sansone walk at home, you can walk between 1-5 miles. I got it at walmart. The other problem that I was having was trying to figure out what to eat. My sister set her food diary in the open position so that I can view what she eats. We also started using the mail feature to talk to each other about food etc. Try to find some friends or relatives to join, support is everything. Good luck
  • skinnyme47
    skinnyme47 Posts: 792 Member
    I walk when I can, watch my calories and sodium and the pounds just came off. :smile:
  • How do I get my tracker to show n my postings??
  • HELLO I AM 50*** ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE//I DID THAT AND I AM DOING THE POSSIBLE NOW!! :)) ...I USE~ PORTION CONTROL~ AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING FOR ME!!...SO LETS DO POSSIBLE NOW!!!!:drinker: DRINK LOTS OF H20********
  • HELLO I AM 50*** ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE//I DID THAT AND I AM DOING THE POSSIBLE NOW!! :)) ...I USE~ PORTION CONTROL~ AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING FOR ME!!...SO LETS DO POSSIBLE NOW!!!!:drinker: DRINK LOTS OF H20********
  • is it true that nutrasweet can make you gain weight? what about diet coke or diet pepsi?
  • magglett
    magglett Posts: 2,000
    I don't know about everyone else but I've read so many negative things about diet cola that I personally gave it up ... it was tough ... I drank soooooo much diet coke it was my drink of choice. But I don't drink it much at all now ... every few months if I go out for dinner I'll have a glass.
  • SusM321
    SusM321 Posts: 141 Member
    Hi & welcome! I'm 54, still new to MFP, I'm loving it! Everyone I've had the honor of "meeting" is wonderful! Nice to know there are genuine smiles behind the support here!
    Feel free to request me :-)
  • mspix
    mspix Posts: 153
    is it true that nutrasweet can make you gain weight? what about diet coke or diet pepsi?
    My understanding is that artificial sweeteners can actually increase your cravings for sweets, or unhealthy carbs. That is what can cause the weight gain, not the sweeteners themselves. Personally, I have not found that to be so, but I do try to limit the amount of foods/beverages that contain artificial sweeteners, I don't think they are necessarily bad, just not all that good.

    Splenda is a better sugar alternative, as is Stevia.
  • ditzee
    ditzee Posts: 49
    Welcome, I started MFP not long ago and have lost 10 lbs. I eat weird but that's okay it works for me. I have tried probably every diet and product out there and nothing ever worked. A friend recommended this site and I am glad I joined. This is the best place to be! You are not the only one in this predicament everyone is in the same boat. MFP gives you encouragement motivation and help! I track my food and exercise so it makes me accountable. If I slip up tomorrow is another day! Best thing this is not a race is a change in life style..... As far as the diet sodas they all have aspartamine (sp) in them which makes you hungry. I stopped drinking soda's over 9 years ago and lost some weight but as we age and menopause sets in everything goes south and we turn into apple bottoms! Me for one has decided I am going to be the exception (I am 59)! We can do this together. You are welcome to friend me........Keep your head up and join us you will be so amazed!
  • Maura5
    Maura5 Posts: 30
    GREAT advice from everyone :-) The comraderie you get on here is so helpful, Even tho we don't 'know' each other, we seem to be sharing the same experience.It helps to know you're not ALONE. Let's be MFP pals?
  • Lindsayrob
    Lindsayrob Posts: 247 Member
    I'm 47 - it's never to late to start exercising.I run, swim and cycle, and dont forget that housework and shopping burn cals too! My house is so much cleaner since I started on MFP!
    I'll send a friend request - lots of support makes it easier too!
    Lindsay
  • Mathisfun
    Mathisfun Posts: 104 Member
    I am over 50 and until a ,onto ago was a couch potato. Thought I was doing good if I walked 10 minutes per day. Have received a lot of encouragement and motivation from MFP. By tracking what I eat, I was amazed at how much I actually ate. This has been great for making me aware of my food choices. Welcome,
  • Everyone is truly awesome !!! The support on here is amazing and is helping me to get snd stay on track !! If we are not friends yet. please friend me !!!
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