Women over 50 (menopausal) success stories?

Lost 95 lbs in a year and a half. Started at age 59. Weighing and measuring EVERYTHING that goes in your mouth is extremely important. I didn't do that over the holidays so now I'm working on getting the "winter accumulation" off! I will be logging the rest of my life. And, it really is all about calories in /calories out. I didnt eliminate any food from my diet.

I rejoined Weight Watchers in November 2002 (at the age of 54 and totally menopausal) weighing in at 202 pounds (and 5'3" tall). People thought I was a little nuts to "start a diet" a week before Thanksgiving. My specific reason for doing this was to try to keep from gaining any weight between Thanksgiving and January. I didn't look at the scale and told the receptionist that I didn't want to know whether I had gained or lost until after the first weigh-in of the New Year. I didn't even keep my weigh-in book because I *knew* I would be tempted to look. And I gave my bathroom scale to a friend to keep for me until after the first of the year.

Imagine my surprise to see, at that first weigh-in, that I had lost 10 pounds! I set my initial weight loss goal at 5 pounds. Why? Because I had lost 5 pounds HUNDREDS of times. The only problem was that I had also always gained it back. But I *knew* that I could lose 5 pounds. Each time I lost that 5 pounds, I set my goal for another 5 pounds. I didn't care how long it took me to lose it. I just didn't ever want to gain it back.

It was a long, slow journey (I hate that term, but...), but in September 2004 (age 56) I reached goal and lifetime weighing 138 pounds. I kept it all off (even getting as low as 128 at one point) until 2015 when I was about 3 pounds above my official goal weight of 140. I attribute part of the gain to some new meds I was put on for high blood pressure (a healthy weight does NOT mean you won't develop hypertension).

On December 31st of 2017, I was EIGHT pounds above my official goal weight in addition to being 3" shorter (yes, I'm now only 5' tall). After checking into the new WW program (Freestyle) and finding that it wouldn't suit my lifestyle, I started religiously tracking on MFP. So far I've had a loss every week since January 1st and, as of this morning, I've lost 6+ pounds. Right now I'm not sure what my ultimate goal weight is. I'll decide that at a later time. Since I'm so short, I already know that it's going to be LESS than my official WW goal weight of 140. Probably more in the range of 130, but I won't know for sure until I get there. Right now, again, I'm focusing on 5 pounds at a time.

I can't stress enough how important I think it is to weigh and measure EVERYTHING rather than "guesstimate" what a serving size looks like. That *did* come from years of following the WW program! I know that it's not always possible to do that when eating at restaurants, but if you do it at home you will eventually learn to recognize what a REAL serving size is. I will tell you right now that the amount of pasta you get in an Italian restaurant is probably 4-6 servings. Be honest about it.

And do NOT give up anything to lose weight that you aren't willing to give up to keep the weight off. If you can live without carbs for the rest of your life, good for you. I know that's not something that I could do. If you can go without ever having a cookie, a slice of cake or pie, or a piece of chocolate candy good for you. I can't and I don't want to do that.

Do the best you can do every day. You're going to have good days and you're going to have bad days. Don't throw in the towel because you have a bad day. A lot of people say that they take things one day at a time. I had to take them one MEAL at a time. But if you string enough good meals/days/whatever together, you WILL lose weight and you will learn enough in the process to keep it off. Keeping it off is much more important than losing it quickly and regaining it.

OConnell5483 wrote: »

I have been following this thread because I'm struggling a lot with this. I am in menopause due to my age, but actually was initially thrown into it suddenly from breast cancer treatment 6 years ago. I'm now on maintenance medications that cause joint pain and weight gain. It's so frustrating. I'm at my heaviest ever right now. I am almost 58 yo, 5'4 1/2" and 177 lbs, with a huge spare tire around my middle. I actually look like I'm pregnant and have had people pat my belly and ask me if I have some "news" to share. (At 58? Ummmm...nope.)

I have been afraid to ask this question because I was afraid I'd be told I'm just making excuses...which I guess I kind of am but at the same time, they are valid issues. It has been very encouraging to read your replies and I wanted to thank you for (1) asking the question and (2) sharing your tips and knowledge about it.

Have a great day!

@OConnell5483 I do not see you as making excuses ... there certainly are obstacles and you are asking people who have experience surmounting them.

On the bright side, at 58 y.o. if people are intimating that you look as though you may be pregnant, then you must have a very youthful countenance.

I am looking to these posts for inspiration from those who are successful, like you, insomuch as I have not found it as easy at this stage in life to lose weight as earlier, but I am trying, and this time, this year, I've begun to show a little success on the scale, which is encouraging. But it has not been a result of eating chocolates, baked goodies and drinking wine. Logging meals that are mostly sound from a nutritional standpoint, and working towards more regular exercise/activity, less sitting, etc. .... might be a better strategy for me.

I've been encouraged by reading your posts & feel like some of you have peaked into my heart and exposed my thoughts...
I'm 57 & have been surgically menopausal for 13+ years, struggling with yo-yo weight issues since my 30s. Thank you for your posts. My journey would be greatly complimented by a group like this!

Bumping this, as I think it's a great idea for a thread.

I lost 80 lbs in 12 months and have kept it off for 2 and a half years. Now aged 51.

Lots of good advice above.

Don't believe the myths about it being hard to lose weight as a mature woman. It's hard at any time, so just do it!

Read the helpful posts announcement topics at the top of the Getting Started and the General community sections, and learn from the successful people.

I’ve lost 44lb and 9% body fat since June.
I’m 54, and 4 yrs post a total hysterectomy. I lost weight prior to my surgery maintained for two years and then regained the weight (and more) during a stressful couple of years. I’ve been on a mission to reclaim my body since June this year. Like many of us post-meno ladies, I’ve heaps of experience losing weight (and gaining).

This time I have focused on gentleness towards myself. Anything I do to change my situation must be something I feel I call do for the long haul.
I log and eat 1,500-1,700 cals per day
I aim for a 500-700 deficit
I eat 100g protein daily and aim to keep my carbs below 125g
I compete with friends to hit 10k steps daily
I train in the gym 2 x week - 50% aerobic, 50% weights (often body weight)
I cycle 3 times per week.