Old but new. Back on the weight loss journey.

68 years old with bad knees. Have been on synthroid for 20 years and have gone from 185 very fit to 272 as of June 29, 2016.(5'8") I decided to make one last attempt at change and made it to 246 before stalling out. My daughter suggested this site and I signed on.I walk a lot with my 2 buds, a poodle/terrior mix and a king Charles ( who also needs to loose a few pounds) both are always up for a brisk walk jog. I wear a fitbit but don' t believe calories burned so don' t eat them. My MD also recommended 1200 calories a day for 6 months- end of december- and I stay very close to that daily. Have lost a further 9 lb in about 6 weeks so I guess its working. I just found out today that healthy eating is changing my tastes. My granddaughters birthday party and I had a slice of pepperoni pizza, so looking forward to that, it didn't taste good! What's going on here? Anyway some days just discouraged and would like to hear from others when the scale goes up, not down and you have been doing everything right. Have dieted all my life but this feels better if I can just stick to it.

Replies

  • dejavuohlala
    dejavuohlala Posts: 1,821 Member
    We have all been there, stick with it even if the scale is not reacting like younthink it should, enter all food and drink. It's a lifetime thing and not something you can off and go back to
    Old eating habits. Good luck
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I just found out today that healthy eating is changing my tastes. My granddaughters birthday party and I had a slice of pepperoni pizza, so looking forward to that, it didn't taste good! What's going on here?
    Your taste buds will adapt to what you give them, but food you like is not supposed to stop tasting good, I think if the pizza was okay, that some of it it may be in your head? (What is usually referred to as "food guilt"?) You don't have to cut out any foods, but some things may have to be eaten less often and/or in smaller amounts, just because they are calorie dense and don't provide that much satiety for the calories.

    Anyway some days just discouraged and would like to hear from others when the scale goes up, not down and you have been doing everything right.
    Weight fluctuates independently from "real" (fat) loss (or gain). This is perfectly normal and nothing you can or should do anything about, except just accept it, and look at the trend over time (months).

    My MD also recommended 1200 calories a day for 6 months- end of december- and I stay very close to that daily. Have lost a further 9 lb in about 6 weeks so I guess its working.
    Have dieted all my life but this feels better if I can just stick to it.
    And the important thing is that you do stick to it. At your size (height and weight), 1200 calories may be hard to stick to, and unnecessary too. (Chances are it's recommended just because it's assumed that you can't stick to it, so that you'll be on the "safe" side, in case you "mess up", but alas, that's not how it works. You will be hungry and tired if you eat too little, and as food is always readily available, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what will happen.) You will on the other hand lose weight when you stick to a calorie deficit, which is less than the calories you need to keep your current weight stable (within the range that normal fluctuations set). Your current maintenance level would be around 2350, and 1200 calories is a 50% deficit - very very aggressive. You have a much better chance of success if you eat more, enough to keep up steam and morale, but below your maintenance level. A daily 500 calorie deficit will produce a weekly one pound loss, on average.
  • florabundi2016
    florabundi2016 Posts: 13 Member
    So far this is the best results I've ever had and I seem to have more energy than before. Will stick to it to the end as long as I feel OK and see what MD says. Never feel hungry, probably from so many years of diets so a set calorie goal works well for me. If all is well end of Dec. will experiment with up calories to 500 deficit and see what happens. How long before change shows? Also during winter my walking is reduced, closest gym is 10 miles away so have to consider reduced activity.
  • florabundi2016
    florabundi2016 Posts: 13 Member
    About the pizza, I didn't mean it wasn't OK, but I used to eat pizza a couple times a week . What went through my head was gee, it didn't taste as good as the tuna salad I had the night before, which was just weird!
  • shellymcadams
    shellymcadams Posts: 4 Member
    Hi there, I have never posted here before but we were close in weight. I started using Myfitness Pal and logging everything I ate. I started at 1450 calories, weighing 250 pounds. I just turned 49 on the 7th of Nov. I have lost 39 pounds as of yesterday. I have never in my life logged calories before so this has been a eye opener for me. I researched foods that would help lower blood pressure! foods that are rich in potassium like avocados. I am learning it is all about proportion and moderation. I also bought Jessica Smith 21 day fitness challenge walk to weight loss and I am getting amazing results. I too have bad knees and a bad hip but these exercise will get allow you to burn fat without the intensity on your knees and joints. Sounds silly to exercise to videos but they are working for me. I really hope you look into her videos as well, I think it is a great starting point and your body will thank you. I went to my Endo Doctor this month and my cholesterol and Triglycerides are all normal. 4 months ago my cholesterol was well over 220 and triglycerides were near 300. I feel good about clean eating and exercising. I am off to a great start and I hope you too all the best. I still eat what I want for dinner but I will eat a sweet potato instead of a bake potatoes. Making small changes make a difference. Research foods that are best to eat! Good luck and stay in touch. Can't wait to hear about your success.
  • shellymcadams
    shellymcadams Posts: 4 Member
    Started Myfitnesspal on Aug 22. So 39
  • florabundi2016
    florabundi2016 Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks for the encouragement. I have actually been looking at the 21 day stuff and wondered if it would work for me. Used to work out to vidios but many of the new ones just don't work for me.way too much floor work . I have found that set meals with set amounts of food works best for me. Thirty five pounds is so great! Keep up the good work.☺
  • florabundi2016
    florabundi2016 Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks for the encouragement. I have actually been looking at the 21 day stuff and wondered if it would work for me. Used to work out to vidios but many of the new ones just don't work for me.way too much floor work . I have found that set meals with set amounts of food works best for me. Thirty nine pounds is so great! Keep up the good work.☺