Losing weight after 50 and a hystorectomy

Lorriehashope · February 2018

I am really struggling with weight loss and belly fat since my hysterectomy 5 years ago. 1200 calories for a 5'9 inch gal that weighs 193 is tough. I get so confused about which dietary guides are for me, carbs, keto, atkins,south beach, etc... just baffled and need some good sense direction.

MichelleSilverleaf · February 2018

A calorie deficit is what works, at the end of it. Things like keto are just a way to accomplish that. Eat what you like that meets the number MFP gives you, weighing everything accurately, and be consistent.

beaglady · February 2018

Where are you coming up with 1200 calories? That seems quite low. If you’ve set up MFP for 2 pounds a week, a less aggressive goal will let you eat more.

I’m 59, had a hysterectomy years ago, and have lost over 50 pounds slowly over the past year and a half I’m sure I could have lost more quickly with more suffering, but this is a lifetime change, not a ‘diet’. Therefore it’s not supposed to suck.

Lovee_Dove7 · February 2018

I'm 49 and have a 10 mo old baby. The weight loss is different at this age, but still just as attainable as when you are young! It's about your metabolism, how your body processes the calories you eat. The first emphasis is not on Calories, but on MACROS.
BTW you should be eating about 1800 calories, minimum! If your macros are right.
I'm embarking on weight loss now that baby is sleeping and I have a little more freedom. Join me, I could use the support right now.

MichelleSilverleaf · February 2018

Lovee_Dove7 wrote: »

I'm 49 and have a 10 mo old baby. The weight loss is different at this age, but still just as attainable as when you are young! It's about your metabolism, how your body processes the calories you eat. The first emphasis is not on Calories, but on MACROS.
BTW you should be eating about 1800 calories, minimum! If your macros are right.
I'm embarking on weight loss now that baby is sleeping and I have a little more freedom. Join me, I could use the support right now.

Her metabolism is likely fine, her body also likely processes calories just the same as others, and calories absolutely should be the first emphasis. Macros won't matter if she's eating too much to actually lose weight.

middlehaitch · February 2018

Your age and hysterectomy are minor players in weight loss.

A calorie deficit works for everyone.

Concentrate on a reasonable calorie deficit. I would say, by the stats you have given, that would be 1 lbs a week.
MFP gives s reasonable macro split, treat the protein as a minimum, and work on getting good nutrition eating the food you like with little tweets as needed.

Get a food scale and weigh, literally, everything (use liquid measuring cups for liquids)
.
Spend time learning which are the correct entries in MFP and how to use the usda database to double check (search for the thread on this).

From there you can go with the calories MFP gives you and monitor if you are losing the 1lbs. Give it a month, minimum, before adjusting cals.

If you are exercising, eat those calories back, you need the fuel. Some find the MFP or digital tracker are not accurate, so again track and adjust as you go. You may want to start with eating back 50 or 75%.

Because you have had a hysterectomy, your hormone levels may have changed causing fat to accumulate in the abdomen. This quite often happens at menopause. A calorie deficit (and some cardio) helps with this too.

Up your calorie intake to a sustainable level. Weight loss won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

Cheers, h.

ITUSGirl51 · February 2018

Put in your stats into MFP. Set your weight loss goals to 1 or 1.5 lbs a week. Set your activity level as sedatary and eat back 1/2 your exercise calories. Get a fitness tracker so you really know how many exercise calories you are burning. I bought an Apple Watch after I had lost 45 lbs and I was way over estimating my calorie burn with exercise. Others like the Fitbit or Garman. Start moving more, even if it’s just a 10 minute walk at a time 3 times a day. Buy a digital food scale and weigh and measure your food. Eat enough protein, fat and fiber to feel full, but eat what you like. Make sure you aren’t constipated by drinking additional fiber (I drink Citrucel) and take a probiotic (I’ve taken Align and Culturelle) and drinking a lot water. I suggest not weighing for a month so you can focus on eating better and moving and not the scale moving slowly.

You can do it. It’s not going to fall off of you like you when you were young, but it will come off. You just need to be patient and do the best you can. Another year will come and go, and you can be where you are now or you can weigh a lot less and feel a lot better.

I’m 51 (no hysterectomy), 5’8” and have lost 62 lbs in the past year. Last year I thought it was hopeless, but I kept going and now I’m near my goal. I eat between 1550 and 1750 calories a day and average 1 lb a week of loss. I decided a year ago even if I just lost 1 lb a week I would be down 52 lbs in a year. It worked and now I feel a lot better, can walk for miles, stopped snoring and can buy clothes that fit well. I’m not going to be skinny, but I will be healthy and active.

AnnPT77 · February 2018

Here's one possible approach you can use with MFP logging, without needing to learn a bunch of arbitrary new eating rules right off:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm

It's what I did at age 59-60 to lose 50+ pounds (180s to 130s at 5'5") in less than a year, and stay at a healthy weight for 2+ years since. I haven't had the hysterectomy, but am of course menopausal (since chemotherapy at age 45) and hypothyroid.

middlehaitch · February 2018

Oh golly gee @AnnPT77, I keep that link permanently available, but forgot all about it.
Put it down to the cider.

@Lorriehashope, read the thread. It is lovely and simple with all you need.

Cheers, h.

angml30 · March 2018

I am 45 and had a hysterectomy in 2006- also a cancer survivor. Everything changed for me, I have gained weight more so than ever. I am not following any of the diets that are out there. My doctor said just eat low calorie foods or a low calorie diet and exercise. I also had knee surgery which I gained more weight after. I am eating meats- chicken or turkey only, veggies, and fruits. Tofu as well - it has lots of protein in place of meat.Lots of water with lemon.Almonds,hummus, Quaker apple cinnamon rice cakes. Hardboiled eggs. I also still have my morning coffee! If you google low calorie foods you will find a list. Mayo Clinic used to have a list. I stick to low calorie foods and record my food in the app here. I started a week ago. I have lost 8pounds in my first week. It is calories in vs calories out. I do not weigh my food but as a rule my meat cannot big larger than the palm of my hand. I will add exercise next week.

kweenee · March 2018

That sounds like a great plan.I'm sure you'll reach your goals.

Wendyanneroberts · March 2018

Lorriehashope wrote: »

I am really struggling with weight loss and belly fat since my hysterectomy 5 years ago. 1200 calories for a 5'9 inch gal that weighs 193 is tough. I get so confused about which dietary guides are for me, carbs, keto, atkins,south beach, etc... just baffled and need some good sense direction.

Calorie deficit and consistency are important, followed by a way of eating that suits you, so that you are able to stay the course. Accuracy and logging, were key to knowing exactly how much I was eating. Not just on good days, but every bit every day.

I am also 50, had a hysterectomy about 10 years ago. I'm also disabled, have had several surgeries and have other health concerns. I'm unable to work out (in the general sense). But a healthy diet become much more important. I average 1,550 calories per day (over the course of 12 months). I am 5' 5" and have lost 44lb in total. Now at the upper end of healthy weight, just waiting to see if I'm able to lose a few more pounds.
Still tracking daily, add me as a friend, if you think mutual support and encouragement might help.

Losing weight after 50 and a hystorectomy

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