Older women

Jen777Hen · July 2017

I am almost 55. I have been on the weight loss yo-yo train for about 2 decades. I was a skinny kid and teenager. Joined the Air Force at age 21. However at age 25 I had my first baby. Since then I have gained weight - lost weight - gained more weight - lost weight and the cycle continued. Most the time I lost weight because of a competition and I am highly competitive. I claimed my prize and then just gained the weight back. After much research and of course trial and error I have decided to not compete - not actually use one program but gain insights from the programs I have used. I am counting calories and doing a fluctuating deficit of calories, meaning I have a deficit for 6 days and a maintenance day for 1 during the week. Some weeks will be 5 and 2. I feel that is better for a women's body. I am also weight training 3 times per week. I am two weeks in, lost 10 pounds. Anyone else relate?

lorrpb · July 2017

You are still young enough to change! I didn't figure it out until 59, and many here are like that or older. Lots of threads about this. Most of life I figured out a bit earlier, but weight management and fitness took awhile.
You can do whatever works for you, but be careful about jumping back and forth among programs, it could make you confused and less able to stick with your plan. It sounds like you have your own personal plan, but if you find yourself struggling, you can fine tune your focus a bit more. I also lost 10 lbs the first 2 weeks, which I realize now was mostly water weight. The loss rate will (and should) slow down, so just stick with your plan and don't get discouraged.
PS This is the "maintaining weight" forum, there are others for "weight loss" that probably get more visitors.

Nikion901 · July 2017

I'm 72 and didn't get serious aboout controlling my weight until I was in my late 50's. And then, I probably wouldn't have been 'driven' into it except that I lost the career job I'd had for 25 years during a cut back. That meant needing to go on job interviews during a time when jobs were scarce. So I joined WW and lost 26 pounds. Not enought to get my figure back to what it had been 20 years before, but enough so that m confidence was boosted enough to feel empowered to go on job hunts. I think I let myself get fat quite deliberately. It started in my late 30's after a divorce. I became so fed up with the 'dating scene' and the deceiving attentions and intentions of my dates that I decided to stop dating completely and turned to food to satisfy all my cravings.

Today, I am still about 70 pounds shy of the weight I was when all this started; and I realize that I will not be able to regain the figure and stamina I once had, but I also have found a new way of life. And that is ... not gaining weight again, continuing to trim up and and learning how to put food in it's proper place in my life.

griffinca2 · July 2017

Agree w/lorrpb! Also remember you will fall off the wagon (life gets in the sometimes); when you do, forget abt what you ate/or didn't do and get back on. I'm 66 and re-started MFP back in 15 to lose abt eight lbs--ended up losing 11. I still eat pizza, burger & fries, cake, etc., just not all the time. It's a lifestyle, not a project w/an end date. Good luck on your journey!

HeidiCooksSupper · July 2017

I'm 66 as well. I've been off and on the diet bandwagon since puberty. I am finally getting serious though, after a bit of a health scare. I do know, from past experience, that I do lose weight when I keep the diary and am serious about staying at a TDEE7-3500 calories/week limit. I'm a foodie and cooking is my hobby. I am not giving that up. One doesn't need to eat quantity to enjoy quality.

I am enjoying the slow diminishing of the grocery bill. I didn't get fat eating junk so it's not that we stopped buying anything. It's just that it takes longer to go through that tasty hunk of smoked cheese when you are eating it an ounce at a time instead of inhaling it.

I weigh twice as much as I ought so have a long way to go but this time I'm here for the duration. I'm too old to mess around any more.

Sandcastles61 · July 2017

56 here and a shortie .... One day I couldn't find anything in the closet that fit, so I stepped on the dang scales and realized I had slowly gained to within one pound of the obese category

Six months later I was down 30 pounds and have maintained it the past 2 years ... YAY!! I find if I get sloppy with my logging (or just don't) and skip weighing myself I sneak up a few pounds, so for me I'll probably have to log and weigh my food and be diligent forever now. I'm apparently not very good at eyeballing LOL. Good luck!!

barbiecat · July 2017

I am 71 years old. I found MFP at age 62 after a lifetime of failed attempts to lose weight and keep it off. I made this a life and death journey. I made decisions about how I wanted to live my life based on health, fitness, weight loss, and longevity as my priorities. For me, that meant seeking every opportunity to be active and finding ways to be entertained and enjoy my friends that did not include eating. I learned that the best food and exercise plans were the ones that I would stick to. I found a thread of like minded women on MFP and check in with them every day along with planning my food and exercise for the day. I stay open minded to new ideas.

Wildflowers70 · July 2017

I just read your post and I totally relate. I was also a fit kid, teen and young adult. Although I have never been a mother, somewhere in my late thirties I began to struggle. A long ACL/MCL knee adventure was the icing on my cake. It sounds like you have a great plan and I am on this journey along side ya. My strategy is that I am eating at maintenance for close to the weight I wish to be. However, this week I have been doing a more drastic calorie ceiling, but am going back to my initial strategy after this week. I might periodically cycle another cut but not for at least another 12 weeks or so. We'll see. Feel free to friend me.

jenilla1 · July 2017

Sounds like a plan! I like the addition of a maintenance day in your schedule. That way you get a little break without undoing your progress. Good luck!

eveadams721 · July 2017

So back on the roller coster with days good, days bad... CRAP.. I get mad at myself when I ruin a good thing.. Try to bring it down to 1300 calories - 1500 calories - than I just to 2000 calories... argh... I have BAD habits, NOT that I'm hungry JUST old habits DIE hARD.. I love it when I'm slim, trim and in shape... I feel SOO great and then I go and BLOW it EVERYTIME! I am a glutton for punishment I suppose...

willnevergiveup · July 2017

I am 67. I was slender (115-120 pounds) in my late teens/20s. I married at age 30 and had four children in less than five years. All boys weighing between 9 lbs, 3 oz and 10 lbs,15 oz. I did not have gestational diabetes; they are grown now and all of them are large men over 6 feet tall. I gained weight with each one, never having time to lose it between pregnancies,and then I just kept on gaining. By the time I was 60 I weighed over 300 (I would guess 335-350; I refused to be weighed) and was diagnosed with T2 diabetes. I had had high bp all my adult life and even taking the maximum dosage of 2 high bp meds, it was still 145/90.

First thing I had to do was get my blood sugar down. My A1C was 13.6. I was taking three oral meds but I wanted off the two which increased my insulin (and my appetite!). I began eating a LCHF diet and walking. In two years I got my A1C down to 5.9 and was taken off the two meds I didn't want to take. I kept the metformin as I knew it was helping me eat less and lowering my blood sugar numbers. In three years I was down to 240 lbs. I maintained that and then, two years ago, decided it was time to lose the rest. I am 5'4" tall. I set my ideal goal weight at 128 lbs.

A year ago I went to a ketogenic diet and a month ago began doing intermittent fasting. I am now 6 pounds from my goal weight. I was taken off one bp med last year and last fall the other one was cut in half. My bp is now in the 110-115/55-60 range and my doctor says I can stop taking it whenever I wish. My last A1C was 5.2 which is non-diabetic. I still take metformin but again, my doctor tells me I can stop taking it if I wish. Yes, I eat a high fat diet. No, my cholesterol didn't shoot sky high. It went from mediocre to fantastic!

Do not let age, height, PCOS (which also have), low thyroid (have that too) or anything else stop you. The hardest part for me was BELIEVING I could do it. I do yoga, HIIT on a stationary bike, walk 6-8 miles and stay active every single day. I do strength training three times a week. I do not go to a gym. I bought the bike and hand weights at a thrift store and work out at home. On bad weather days I walk in my house. When the weather's good I go hiking! I garden, play with my grandchildren, dance with my husband, and I'm having a grand time!

I am looking forward to maintenance. :-)

Judy2CA · July 2017

I can identify with everything you have all written. I am 67 and was thin until I was 47 and went back till teaching. I developed a lot of bad eating habits including late night eating while I was working on school stuff. I have been to WW twice and lost 50 lbs both times and got to my desired weight but once I reached goal I went back to my old ways. I have gained back 30 lbs and am determined to lose it and not regain. I walk an hour plus every day and do some core exercises at home. I went to the gym with my husband 3/week but had 2 surgeries that prevented that for awhile. I'm ready to go back.

bobshuckleberry · July 2017

I relate to the yo-yo thing but I have never been thin. I wasn't a heavy child, but always on the higher side of spectrum. The smallest I have ever been since 6th grade is a size 12, however, that is where I feel comfortable and pretty. I too go through cycles but I am more careful now and don't let things get ahead of me. You are all very inspirational!!

ggeise14 · July 2017

I read the Maintainers because my goal is to be one! I'm 53 and didn't seriously start my healthier lifestyle until I was 45. I then lost 30 pounds over the course of a year or so and have been yo-yoing with 10-15 pounds. In 2014 I had my thyroid removed and still did ok with weight (just 5-10 pound yo-yo). Since Dec 2016 my doc has been lowering my thyroid med due to blood tests. Then came the holidays/birthdays/excuses and I have spent the last six months wearing my BIG girl panties. I am determined to lose my middle 'fluff' that has appeared and get back on track and make it to my goal! Then I can officially join this group

nowine4me · July 2017

I'm 52 and have been overweight my entire life. Sometimes chubby, sometimes fat and sometimes obese. I've lost 75# over the past 18 months and am smack in the middle of my BMI range at 142. I'm trying to inch under 140 and hold. I've learned so much along the way and drastically changed my attitude towards food and nutrition. I have full confidence that I can continue to progress. If I can do it, anyone can.

raleighgirl09 · July 2017

ggeise14 wrote: »

I read the Maintainers because my goal is to be one! I'm 53 and didn't seriously start my healthier lifestyle until I was 45. I then lost 30 pounds over the course of a year or so and have been yo-yoing with 10-15 pounds. In 2014 I had my thyroid removed and still did ok with weight (just 5-10 pound yo-yo). Since Dec 2016 my doc has been lowering my thyroid med due to blood tests. Then came the holidays/birthdays/excuses and I have spent the last six months wearing my BIG girl panties. I am determined to lose my middle 'fluff' that has appeared and get back on track and make it to my goal! Then I can officially join this group

I read that maintenance forum daily, as if it were me. Because it will be and I need to be prepared this time, unlike several times before this.

swim777 · July 2017

eveadams721 wrote: »

So back on the roller coster with days good, days bad... CRAP.. I get mad at myself when I ruin a good thing.. Try to bring it down to 1300 calories - 1500 calories - than I just to 2000 calories... argh... I have BAD habits, NOT that I'm hungry JUST old habits DIE hARD.. I love it when I'm slim, trim and in shape... I feel SOO great and then I go and BLOW it EVERYTIME! I am a glutton for punishment I suppose...

It's not just you! Amazingly, summer has been harder for me than the school year. More unscheduled events that revolve around food. I'm back trying to lose some extra pounds that I have gained in the last three months. I do great.. then undo it. I think I've tried to restrict too much. This week, I'm going back to how I lost it originally, not constantly restricting or skipping meals. Wish me luck!

macchiatto · July 2017

Sounds like a good plan to me! I'm 41 but have also been yoyo'ing for 2 decades.

Really trying to figure out how to maintain long-term this time around. (And yes, things like DietBet would also work well to motivate me but I tended to bounce back after. The six-month Transformer DietBet worked better for me than the 4-week Kickstarters though, fwiw. More long-haul mindset.)

RoseBlossom2017 · July 2017

Jen777Hen wrote: »

I am almost 55. I have been on the weight loss yo-yo train for about 2 decades. I was a skinny kid and teenager. Joined the Air Force at age 21. However at age 25 I had my first baby. Since then I have gained weight - lost weight - gained more weight - lost weight and the cycle continued. Most the time I lost weight because of a competition and I am highly competitive. I claimed my prize and then just gained the weight back. After much research and of course trial and error I have decided to not compete - not actually use one program but gain insights from the programs I have used. I am counting calories and doing a fluctuating deficit of calories, meaning I have a deficit for 6 days and a maintenance day for 1 during the week. Some weeks will be 5 and 2. I feel that is better for a women's body. I am also weight training 3 times per week. I am two weeks in, lost 10 pounds. Anyone else relate?

RoseBlossom2017 · July 2017

Yes, I can totally relate! I am 66 years young with 3 grown children and 4 Granddaughters! New to the community and looking for friends and like minded believers that we are not too old to get healthy and loose weight! I was skinny most of my life until the 50 age time when I made friends with people who loved burritos, etc The Mexican food loved me too and stuck right on me!
I am trying hard and failing hard, but I do keep trying again! Be encouraged because wisdom comes with age and wanting to be healthy and strong is my desire!

gothchiq · July 2017

I'm 48, already postmenopausal. I find that the only way not to gain back is to count calories during maintenance just as strictly as you did during loss, and not cut back on the exercise at all when you hit your goal weight. If you have a cheat day and go over calories then you'll have to have days when you eat for loss to offset it and/or exercise more. Otherwise it slowly piles up.

gothchiq · July 2017

Unfortunately for me the difference between loss and maintenance is a bare 200 calories because I'm short, so it's basically a permanent diet.

lorrpb · July 2017

gothchiq wrote: »

Unfortunately for me the difference between loss and maintenance is a bare 200 calories because I'm short, so it's basically a permanent diet.

This is true for everyone, regardless of height. Remember, it's a lifestyle, not a "diet". As you said, you have to continue tracking calories closely and don't back off the exercise. We need the exercise for fitness & health as we get older. At 62, I'm now in the best shape of my life and hope to continue improving. 100 calories per day = 10 lbs per year.

swim777 · July 2017

Keeping my fingers crossed, but I made the change to eating breakfast ( even just a little) and it seems easier than it's been to stay on track. Im not starving at supper time or after when I've been struggling the last week or so. I know everyone is different, and we have to find our own way, but I feel much more in control again, and I'm losing, too. So glad to feel confident again about this!

stk_pkr · July 2017

I'd like to be an encouragement to you. Let me know how I can support you. Add me as a friend.

swim777 · July 2017

Thanks!

ridiculous59 · July 2017

I started this journey at 55. I was very active (played sports, swam, and ran) as a teenager and in my 20's but after baby number 3 I just lost my way. Some bumps in the road, and putting everyone else's needs before my own, and somehow I blossomed to 232 pounds!

Fast forward a couple of decades. The kids are gone. Financial stresses are gone. I finally figured out that hey, if I don't do something about my weight I'm going to be just another heart disease/type 2/high cholesterol statistic. I've lost 90 pounds in just over three years and feel great. Yes, it took awhile, but life gets in the way. And I'm perfectly ok with that. This is for life; it's not just a temporary thing.

Two books that really helped me were "What Makes Olga Run", about a woman who didn't start sports till she was in her 50's and went on to compete in the international seniors games till she was in her 90's! And "Thinner This Year". I actually read TTY twice and found it more applicable once I got closer to my goal weight. In that book the author recommends 60 minutes of exercise x 6 days per week. I started that in January and it got the last few pounds off.

I work fulltime and in order to get this done I basically turned my health into a part time job. I've read a ton of books. Log everything I eat. And move six days a week. I volunteered for everything my kids were involved in when they were growing up but I have put volunteering on hold till I retire. I will do little things, but no big commitments. Right now I need to focus on my health.

Even though this is a very personal and individual journey, I found that connecting with the community on mfp was very important for me. I still log everything I eat and I still read different forums on here every day. I can't tell you enough how vital MFP has been to my weight loss. Its been an amazing experience for me.

perkymommy · July 2017

I'll be 49 in September and been on the ups and downs of weight gain and loss over the last 7 years. I was at my ideal weight at 40 and got pregnant with my last child then and ever since I have been unable to maintain my ideal weight or anywhere near it actually. Add on pre-menopausal symptoms, life stress and kids to raise and keep up with and it's easy to get off track - or it has been for me.

swim777 · July 2017

ridiculous59 wrote: »

I started this journey at 55. I was very active (played sports, swam, and ran) as a teenager and in my 20's but after baby number 3 I just lost my way. Some bumps in the road, and putting everyone else's needs before my own, and somehow I blossomed to 232 pounds!

Fast forward a couple of decades. The kids are gone. Financial stresses are gone. I finally figured out that hey, if I don't do something about my weight I'm going to be just another heart disease/type 2/high cholesterol statistic. I've lost 90 pounds in just over three years and feel great. Yes, it took awhile, but life gets in the way. And I'm perfectly ok with that. This is for life; it's not just a temporary thing.

Two books that really helped me were "What Makes Olga Run", about a woman who didn't start sports till she was in her 50's and went on to compete in the international seniors games till she was in her 90's! And "Thinner This Year". I actually read TTY twice and found it more applicable once I got closer to my goal weight. In that book the author recommends 60 minutes of exercise x 6 days per week. I started that in January and it got the last few pounds off.

I work fulltime and in order to get this done I basically turned my health into a part time job. I've read a ton of books. Log everything I eat. And move six days a week. I volunteered for everything my kids were involved in when they were growing up but I have put volunteering on hold till I retire. I will do little things, but no big commitments. Right now I need to focus on my health.

Even though this is a very personal and individual journey, I found that connecting with the community on mfp was very important for me. I still log everything I eat and I still read different forums on here every day. I can't tell you enough how vital MFP has been to my weight loss. Its been an amazing experience for me.

It sounds as if you really have figured out what works. Congratulations!

jenmayodc · July 2017

I was underweight for most of my young adult life. Got married at 27, had a son at 28, got my law degree around the same time, and that's when depression and stress slowly led me to a steady weight gain. By my mid 30's I was weighing around 165-170lbs (I'm 5'4"). In my 40's, I went through a radical life transformation and went back to my original weight of 115. I'm now 50, post-menopausal, and in the last 3 years I put on around 20 lbs (up to 135lbs). So last April, I started counting calories religiously, using MFP to track what I eat, and I'm now 2 lbs away from my goal of 120! I might try to go all the way back to 115 again, but for now I'm ok with 120. I might add that I've been following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle for the past 15 years, but I don't really see that as a factor in the weight loss. For me, it's just a matter of counting calories ALL THE TIME. But it's worth it. I look and feel great, I'm happy, I'm healthy, and that's what matters most to me.

Polo265 · July 2017

Great job! Welcome.

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