Anyone had major success later in life?

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Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Sorry, just have always heard that after 40, you are on the backside of your life... didn't mean to ruffle feathers... my apologies

    It actually made me smile.
    I was talking with same aged friends over the weekend and the penny dropped that if I call myself "middle aged" at 56 I will have to live to 112..... :neutral:

    In my 50's I lost my the extra weight (30lbs) I carried around for 20 years to get back to the weight I was in college, got very fit (still setting PB's for distance cycled in a day) and restored my strength/muscle.
    The balance of cardio and strength training really should come from your personal fitness/strength goals rather than weight loss goals - plus that vital thing called enjoyment. If you don't enjoy it then it's far less likely you will stick to your program. "Pounding out the cardio" sounds a very short term view and no fun at all.
    I do more exercise at goal weight than I did when losing weight simply because I enjoy it and enjoy feeling strong/fit.

    Personally I know I need to strength train x3 a week to make progress. I very rarely do strength and cardio in the same sessions as I like to really focus on that day's activity with no compromise, alternating days is my preference. My cardio varies from 3 - 4 hours a week in winter to 8 - 9 hours a week in the summer cycling season.
  • Brocksterdanza
    Brocksterdanza Posts: 208 Member
    It took me roughly about 14 months or so to lose the weight.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    I love protein shakes (and bars) to get in extra protein!! I struggle to get enough cuz I don't like to eat large portions of meat.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    I wouldn't count 40 as later in life....

    but yeah at 42 I decided enough with yogo dieting/gaining weight and found MFP... been in maintenance for almost 4 years now. Age is just a number.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    And I sure hope it's possible to have success later in life... I'm almost 36 and finally getting strong & fit for the first time in my life. I plan to keep it up as long as possible and be healthier & hotter in my late 30s & 40s than I was in my 20s & early 30s!
  • DM01234
    DM01234 Posts: 317 Member
    Totally. I didn't start until I was 47. 3 years later I'm in the best shape of my life.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited November 2016
    No dice OP, sorry but you are finished. I mean I'm nearly a decade older than you and I think I'll be dead in another year or two, three tops! Better prepare yourself and your loved ones because you never know when now.

    Seriously though, 6 months before I turned 45 I was tired and obese and I decided I was going to get in much better shape and dropped 45 pounds, while maintaining most of my muscle then added muscle back after the weight loss. Ended up around 8-10% BF and ripped nicely by the time I hit 45. I've been bulking and cutting in mini cycles since and put back on about 20 pounds but still have abs to show for it, a better than 1000lb powerlifting triple and can run 5K in 23 minutes and I just finished a Spartan Trifecta last month. So being nearly 40 isn't the issue as so many have pointed out you just need to find a plan that you like and execute it.
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited November 2016
    Almost 40 is nothing (I'm 38), there's people here that are in their 60s, 70s and beyond who have lost the extra weight and are maintaining their losses.

    Eat at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals (you can figure that out by entering your stats into MFP), and then stick with it. Simple as that.
  • Brocksterdanza
    Brocksterdanza Posts: 208 Member
    Shhhh. Don't tell anyone shammers... its part of a time experiment with dr emmit brown
  • aldavid18
    aldavid18 Posts: 29 Member
    As per my previous post I walk about 1.5 miles over my 30 minute work lunch break if weather permits. Go home each evening and go about 2.5 miles, about 40 minutes, with dogs regardless of weather through farm fields around my home. Frequently on weekends I head to the forests and walk upwards of 4 miles. I enjoy the outdoors and the dogs do too:)
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    edited November 2016
    OP I am 56 years old and this past summer and fall, while still on a weight loss plateau, I decided to recomp, have changed my body silhouette (even at this same weight) and am thrilled with the positive changes.

    It is never too late. As others have mentioned, you are still very "young". Don't buy into the over the hill mentality.

    Currently I am working on breaking this plateau and plan to succeed.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    edited November 2016
    Sorry, just have always heard that after 40, you are on the backside of your life... didn't mean to ruffle feathers... my apologies
    Almost 40 is 'later in life' now?? Good lord, that's depressing. I better start planning my retirement! :D

    I'm 66. Been retired for 10 years and have never been healthier or happier.

    I'm admittedly on the "backside" of my life now but I am not dead yet. Should live to at least 90, based on family history. So, I'm about 2/3rd's done but at 40 I wasn't even at the half-way point of my life expectancy.

    Hoping to enjoy the rest of life as long as it lasts by staying healthy and in shape in order to avoid the wheelchair and walker. Simple goals. LOL!!

  • stephenearllucas
    stephenearllucas Posts: 255 Member
    56 years old; have lost 71 pounds this calendar year by setting my daily calorie eating limit to "sedentary" (i.e., 20% above my daily BMR) and then aiming to exercise enough to lose about 1.5 pounds per week. I am about 10 days ahead of my plan to lose 76 pounds by January 1. I have not given up any foods--just eaten less and have been fastidious in weighing everything I eat to the gram. My exercise is typically one hour of weights, one hour of elliptical, and 30 minutes of stretching (Monday through Friday); one hour of elliptical plus gardening on Saturday; and a two-hour walk on Sundays.
  • Ming1951
    Ming1951 Posts: 514 Member
    I wish I were 40....I'm 65, struggled on and off with my weight. really go heavy these past few years. There was a time when I was young I could eat anything and not gain a pound...well those days have been long gone. I'm now healthier and feel better than I have in a long time. I'm down 34 lbs since September, walking more though I think I will need to get something done for my knees, the excess weight on my bones and past injuries have done their "job". So your never too old to get yourself fit and healthy. If I knew then what I know know I would have taken better care of myself.
  • maryjay52
    maryjay52 Posts: 557 Member
    ya 80 lbs ..took hard work and i try not to think about the fact that i gained alot of it back, im back on the road though so I know it is achievable
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