55-65 year old women's success?

Checking in to say Hi! Injuries are a set back for sure but they are not the end. I've had too many to count at 67 with leading a very active lifestyle. About a year and a half ago I had frozen shoulder and couldn't lift weights, so I ran. Screwed up my knee a few months later and couldn't run but I'd worked hard in 8 weeks of PT to fix the shoulder and suddenly I could lift again.

I might be mistaken but there should always be some form of exercise we can do no matter what. I'm not talking about just losing weight, diet can cure that if you're willing to put the effort in, but exercise, no matter how minor is a huge boost to our health and self esteem. Try telling someone who sits on the couch all day that you walked a mile and see how great you feel afterwards!

My mom is an inspiration. Her golf game was off this year which she found depressing but she decided finally that her game was off because she hurt her left side chopping ice over the winter and that the 10lbs she lost must be mostly muscle. She wasn't sure if aquafit or regular weight lifting (which she has done for years) was the best course so she is doing both. She will continue w her 3 mile walks, yoga and Zumba to get ready for a better golf season next year. She also added deep tissue massage for the first time and lined up lessons w the local golf pro to help her work on a swing that works for her despite the weakness in her left side. Did I mention she is 84 and as healthy as they come. Her hearing is not that great and she has macular disease in both eyes which she is being treated for so her eyesight is actually improving. She keeps in touch via emails, FB and texting and loves to work on her photos on her computer. She also plays bridge twice a week and is part of the Red Hat Ladies. Other than vitamins she is on no medication. So, I guess I just try to keep up w her although my horseback riding makes her nervous.

You are awesome people! AnnPT77: the analogy from the airline instructions is perfect! I have often reminded moms and other caregivers that you can't take care of anyone else if you first don't take care of yourself. My husband has been ignoring his high blood pressure for some time and we just spent half of Labor Day Monday in an out of state ER while on vacation because the increased altitude was causing problems with his blood pressure...I THINK this was the incentive he needed to start putting his health in the forefront of his mind. My words weren't doing the trick, but having a doctor tell him the same thing added some value. Not what we were hoping for on our vacation, but if he gets back on track with his health and wellbeing, it will be worth it. Living in denial is not the way to go...I will say again: You are not too old and it's not too late! If not now, when? YOU ARE WORTH IT! One day at a time, one step at a time. Every day is a new day to begin again!

I am 57 and my 93 year old mother is my inspiration as well. I do have to help with some things for her becuase her eye sight is not good, mascular degeneration, cararacts and glacoma. But she STILL lives by herself- does all her own cooking, shopping, and is very independent. She is small and makes sure she stays in her correct size- SHE taught me about portion control. She is still measuring her food and does not mind it- I want to live to be in my 90s too and be as active and "with it" as she.

@SharonAnderegg I love to keep moving. A couple of years ago, I walked and "rode" my elliptical. I sort of graduated to running, which I must say I absolutely love. If you had known me when I was young, you would be laughing yourself silly about now. I was the girl who tripped over her own two feet and had to hit a home run just to get on base playing softball. I still trip over those feet and have only fallen down once in the last couple of years, thank God. I still walk every day, run when I can, "ride" the elliptical mostly in winter and have lots of backup exercises to keep me from getting bored.

I have to agree with @mk2fit I can't even sit still anymore. Now that I've lost my 48-50lbs (fluctuations) I'm constantly moving which seems to keep my energy level up for some strange reason. I like to walk, hit the gym, and work around the house. By the end of the day I am ready to collapse but sleep so much better after a busy day. My lifestyle has changed enormously now that I've lost the weight. I wish I could run; it would be such fun but the old knees protest too much.

@dlm4mom - I too love to cook amazing meals. I do however hate preparing meals just cause it's dinner time. So I research a good healthy meal based on ingredients I have on hand. I usually do this early afternoon so I know what time I have to start. I don't care if I spend an hour or two on preparing it even if it takes 10 minutes to eat it. I find the prep time therapeutic now and it fills some artistic side of me. Research is paramount for me though so I continue to follow a healthy eating plan. I am getting quite good at tweaking recipes now as well. Losing weight has never been this
much fun before

Hey ladies! I haven't posted on this thread for awhile so decided to just check in and say hello. So much inspiration and success to be found here. I love it!

I'm 57 and retired from a pretty stressful job. Now that that is behind me, I'm working on me! I've been on MFP for about 2.5 years and have lost about 25 pounds through diet and exercise. It took me over a year to lose the first 20, but I was in no great hurry. I have always been a pretty healthy eater, but struggled with portion control, snacking and empty alcohol calories. Just concentrating on smaller portions, less chips, cheese, and wine, has made a big difference. I've noticed a lot of posters are talking about exercise with painful joints or knee problems. While I am definitely not an expert, I can share my experiences in that regard. I do a lot of different things for exercise because I like to mix it up. I also have a lot of joint pain due to arthritis, but compounded by a medication that I take. The same meds cause weight gain, thus resulting in a 40 pound gain in about a 6 month period. It's a constant battle to keep the weight off, but I deal with it because the alternative is sitting on the couch and complaining and getting fatter.

I go to aquasize class 3-4 times a week. Most of the ladies are my age or older. We have one gal who is 90! It has certainly improved my fitness level, mobility and balance and I've never had an injury while doing it. I also do yoga and Qigong a couple times a week on my own or with YouTube videos. I walk a couple days a week from 2-4 miles depending on location and walking partner ability. I also do aerobic dance (YouTube), light weights from time to time and play disc golf with my husband. If you've never tried disc golf, you should! It's great fun and great exercise, but not that difficult. Basically just walking, hiking, and throwing frisbees. I've taught several of my girlfriends how to play and they love it, too!

I still have another 5-10 pounds I'd like to lose to get to my ideal weight, but whether that happens or not I'm having a good time getting there. I don't eat any specific type of diet. Just mostly healthy whole foods and a lot of fresh produce. My diary is open to friends.

If anyone here needs a new friend or looking for support, please send me a friend request! Have a blessed day everyone!