weightloss after 40 experiences?
lioness2307
Posts: 16 Member
Hey guys,
hope everyone's doing great. I'm back with myfitnesspal and logging after a 3-year hiatus - and lo and behold, I've celebrated the big 4-0 in the meantime. ;-)
I'd like to get from 73 kg down to 65 kg (I'm 1,65 / 5'5''), and you know how they all say that it's harder to lose after 40.
Anyone on here with advice or travelling on the same path? Things to avoid or try out?
I have a desk-job, but love exercising and combine yoga, weights, Muay Thai during the week, in addition to cycling during the warmer months. I exercise at least three times per week.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
hope everyone's doing great. I'm back with myfitnesspal and logging after a 3-year hiatus - and lo and behold, I've celebrated the big 4-0 in the meantime. ;-)
I'd like to get from 73 kg down to 65 kg (I'm 1,65 / 5'5''), and you know how they all say that it's harder to lose after 40.
Anyone on here with advice or travelling on the same path? Things to avoid or try out?
I have a desk-job, but love exercising and combine yoga, weights, Muay Thai during the week, in addition to cycling during the warmer months. I exercise at least three times per week.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
5
Replies
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Nope, it’s not harder. I am doing it at 41. I eat in a deficit and I move. I lose weight. It works the same for us oldies as it does for the youngsters.14
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I'm 50 and don't find it harder. I think a lot of us tend to burn less calories in our daily lives as we get older which lessens our caloric needs.8
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Welcome to over 40! I'm over 50 and did not find it harder to lose weight in my 50s.
My tools:
1) using a food scale for everything
2) daily weighing
3) my fitbit - helped me understand my total daily energy burn and how moving more throughout the day is way more impactful than a short burst of intentional exercise in my overall picture.
4) experimenting with different food combinations to boost satiety and adherence. I didn't change the way I eat per se. I just closely monitor what I eat.
5) eating at a modest calorie deficit. I averaged a little over 1/2 lb per week.3 -
Another <way> over 40 chick and I'm doing just fine. I've lost about 22lbs in 9 weeks.3
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Lost over half my body weight @ 60.
I bought into the myth that it is harder to lose after 40 for a couple of decades, until I found MFP, and discovered others that did it. I told myself maybe I could too, and did. Log everything you eat and drink accurately. Stay at your calorie deficit and if there are no medical issues that may affect weight loss, you can too.
My problem, like for so many, was keeping the weight off. So here I am at age 67 back at losing the 50 lbs I gained back. Thankfully, I came to my senses before I gained it all back.7 -
I'm almost 62, 5'10", 176lbs, 14% body fat. Regular gym sessions I curl 110lbs/set, deadlift 350lb/sets. On the weekends, a 10 mile hike is the norm.lioness2307 wrote: »Hey guys,
... you know how they all say that it's harder to lose after 40.
Anyone on here with advice or travelling on the same path? Things to avoid or try out?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The most I've weighed was 210 after quitting cigarettes almost 20 (!) years ago. That weight didn't last long. Hated every minute, so I watch my weight like a madman now.
It's not that it's harder to stay in shape as you grow older, it's the bad lifestyle that prevents it. Just like when you were 10 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 60 or 70 or 80 or 90. After 90, I think I'll eat a pastry every day.
8 -
I've lost weight in my 30s, my 40s and in my 50s and am maintaining that loss in my 60s. Getting older doesn't make it harder to lose weight unless you have medical or medicinal issues that interfere. Generally people just get less active as they get older and more efficient in their movements. Their kids are grown so they aren't running around all the time with the kids or picking up after them. They may have more money, so they eat out more often. They have deeply entrenched habits that encourage weight gain. CICO works the same no matter what your age.7
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I'm 66...I lose weight just fine as long as I stick to a deficit. How hard or easy losing weight is all depends on our attitude...if we think it is harder...it becomes harder. It is not easy at any age to change our patterns of eating and exercising. It takes determination to get up each day and keep moving forward no matter what age you happen to be.
In some ways I find it easier...I am not faced with peer pressure from peers or co-workers to go out and eat and drink. I am not defined by how large or small I am by what society thinks. In other words...there is no pressure on me to look a certain way...I'm old...I don't have to be perfect. I only have to be a size that I am happy with and one that will lead to better health.
You know what I would find hard...being a young single woman(or man) that loses a lot of weight and having to come to terms with excess skin. I can only imagine how hard that has to be to have a personal relationship with someone and having to expose one's self. I feel for them and I admire those that come to terms with that and open themselves up to new relationships. Again...I am old...what I look like underneath my clothes is sometimes tough to deal with but I am relieved that I am past that stage of new relationships.
We all have our obstacles to face...regardless of age.5 -
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Welcome to over 40! I'm over 50 and did not find it harder to lose weight in my 50s.
My tools:
1) using a food scale for everything
2) daily weighing
3) my fitbit - helped me understand my total daily energy burn and how moving more throughout the day is way more impactful than a short burst of intentional exercise in my overall picture.
4) experimenting with different food combinations to boost satiety and adherence. I didn't change the way I eat per se. I just closely monitor what I eat.
5) eating at a modest calorie deficit. I averaged a little over 1/2 lb per week.
Thank you for this - and thanks to everyone for their thoughts!
1.Yes, having started logging again I notice that I tend to consume slightly more than I thought I did (thus not maintaining a caloric deficit), so I am looking forward to just being more mindful about my eating habits and portions and to closely monitor my daily calories.
2. Mindset. So important. thank you for your thoughts on this. I also believe that a lot of this is in your head. You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it and adopt the right mind-set.
3. Fitbit - thanks, I have heard of it but have never used one. Will look into it.0 -
Age 64 here, age isn’t a factor so long as all the other elements for success are in place and consistently practiced.
@pjwrt, our starting and ending weights are near identical. Like your “watch my weight like a mad man.” That’s me. Great middle-aged men fitness dudes think alike.2 -
lioness2307 wrote: »
I'm 68 and my definition of "old" is at least 10 years older than I am when I happen to think about it!
I lost 50 pounds between ages 66-67, and really it wasn't any harder than losing weight when I was younger. I've been in maintenance for over a year so I'm confident that making sure I'm eating appropriately for my activity works at any age
4 -
lioness2307 wrote: »Hey guys,
hope everyone's doing great. I'm back with myfitnesspal and logging after a 3-year hiatus - and lo and behold, I've celebrated the big 4-0 in the meantime. ;-)
I'd like to get from 73 kg down to 65 kg (I'm 1,65 / 5'5''), and you know how they all say that it's harder to lose after 40.
Anyone on here with advice or travelling on the same path? Things to avoid or try out?
I have a desk-job, but love exercising and combine yoga, weights, Muay Thai during the week, in addition to cycling during the warmer months. I exercise at least three times per week.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
If anything, I've been finding it easier, now that I've stopped demonizing certain foods, recognized that treats in moderation can be worked in on a regular basis without derailing anything, and found fitness routines I can stick to (instead of fitness activities everyone says I 'must' do to lose weight).12 -
I am again back here after a break. I was here in my 40s and it worked, I am now here in my 50s and it still works! I am actually finding it a bit easier, I am not out running around with my friends and making fun but poor food and drink decisions. I am more disciplined now and don't seem to mind the exercise portion as much. It's not easy but it is easier. Plus I am doing it for myself now instead of trying to impress others, that takes a lot of pressure off for sure!3
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69 year old female here and very pleased with MFP. Have lost 6.6 pounds in one month of tracking. I also bought into the myth that it is harder to lose weight as we get older. I think portion control and healthy food choices makes a big difference.2
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Like most people I guess, I find weight a lot easier to put on, but not harder to lose no. My method was to cut the easiest things first. When I say cut them, I mean by about 80%, not completely, but they're now an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. I used to drink a coke a day, I lost 30 pounds just by ditching those. The next thing to go was other sugary drinks, so coffee, tea (now use sweeteners) and fruit juice, that was a few more pounds. Next was sugary & savory snacks, so chocolate, cakes etc, just don't have them in the house, so less temptation.
So I've gone in less than a year from about 190 pounds to 138 pounds now, which was my target weight, and I'm still losing at about the recommended 1 pound a week. So I don’t feel I’ve really had to diet at all, in terms of restrictions or going hungry, I’ve just ditched the peripherals that add loads of calories without filling you up or adding anything in terms of nutrition. The only big calorie hits I have now are cheese, peanut butter and butter (usually light butter), but at least I can justify two of those in terms of protein and hunger dampening (supposedly).
You’re a similar height, slimmer than I was and do more exercise than me, but if you don’t have a sweet tooth maybe it’s harder to find stuff to “easily” cut (although I still pine for sugar). On the loose skin thing, I’ve lost about 50 pounds so I’m not sure if that’s enough to cause those problems? But I haven’t noticed it and my skin isn’t elastic, although I did lose weight because it was starting to affect my health rather than because of my appearance.2 -
lioness2307 wrote: »
Oldies?!?
Old is not a curse, it's a blessing.
Consider the actual alternative: It isn't youth. Aging is neither a synonym for disability, nor an excuse to coast.
OP, another vote for "not that hard". I lost 50ish pounds at age 59-60 (menopausal, hypothyroid), and have maintained a healthy weight since (5'5", 130s). Now 63.4 -
Lost my 115-ish pounds all after 40. Kept it off for almost five years. Calorie deficit and patience.4
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I'm 53 and have lost 25. I'm now 3 pounds away from goal weight. Anyone can do it if you decrease your calories.
An extra 100 calories a day can add up to 10 pounds in one year. And 100 calories is easy to consume.
My only hindrance I would say is that i definitely have less energy these days.1 -
The big difference for me was that it was harder to use vigorous exercise to burn calories. It was in my 40s that I first started getting injured when I pushed too hard. It’s worse in my 50’s but by now I know enough not to push it.3
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44 here and nope it hasn't been harder.
In fact I think I'm doing it easier this time around compared to the last time I successfully dropped significant digits in my early 30's. I think I'm a bit wiser now.
Well, let me qualify that slightly. Losing weight hasn't been harder that I've noticed but I struggled a little to start exercising and getting active again. Getting the joints moving and muscles going took a little bit longer this time
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Failed to lose in my 30's and 40's, successful in my 50's.
Some of it was better tools and information making it easier but by far the biggest factor was that was simply ready in my 50's to finally take responsibility for how much food I put in my mouth - that's not an age related factor.3 -
It's harder as you get older only because your body slows its metabolism (your bmr gets lower) as you age. So you have to eat less than you did to keep the same weight.5
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I lost my weight in 2013, the year I turned 50.
was not hard - simply followed MFP amounts like everyone else and lo and behold 10 months later reached my goal weight.
PS I know title means experiences of losing weight after 40 years old - but I read it as losing weight after 40 experiences - and I thought gee, 40 experiences, that is a lot of different experiences before you find the right way
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It's harder as you get older only because your body slows its metabolism (your bmr gets lower) as you age. So you have to eat less than you did to keep the same weight.
One’s metabolism does slow as we age. Between 50-100 cals a decade.
I’m small and at 65 my BMR is 150cal less than it was when I was 35.
A lot of the estimated drop in BMR is based on the assumption that as we age we move less. Moving less means we lose muscle.
If you keep moving and using your muscles even the drop in BMR due to aging can be offset to a certain degree.
Through just subtly increasing my NEAT over time I can eat 200-300 cals more now at 65 than I could when I first started maintaining at 55.
I only lost weight once at the age of 54-55 so I have no idea if it would have been a different experience when I was younger.
I didn’t find it hard or difficult, just slow. (Been maintaining ~10yr)
Cheers, h.10 -
74. Lost 50+ pounds in 6 months. In maintenance for 23 months. I do not think that age, per se, is really an issue. Keys for me ... Eating well, exercising daily, logging, and paying attention to sleep.1
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Failed to lose in my 30's and 40's, successful in my 50's.
Some of it was better tools and information making it easier but by far the biggest factor was that was simply ready in my 50's to finally take responsibility for how much food I put in my mouth - that's not an age related factor.
Yep.
When I decided to switch directions I was almost 54. At 56, I'm about 45 pounds down. I can lift more than I ever could when I was young. I can stop at a playground and knock out 10 chin ups any time. Most of my life I could usually do about zero, even when I was a normal weight. Just learned how much I should be eating and how to (generally) eat the macro ratios I wanted and got addicted to physical improvement. The physical improvement is something I'm very happy with. And because I did not choose an unrealistic timeline for that, I'm gratified whenever there is noticeable improvement in any of those areas.
I did not find losing weight particularly hard because of age. I think the effort is whatever it is. I can't relate it to whatever the effort might have been when I was younger.4 -
Technically it's no harder now than it was "then." Biggest issues for me to learn to overcome/work with/understand is that my TDEE has dropped significantly from my 20's to my 40's, simply due to things like having a desk job now (instead of active jobs). hobbies that are more of a weekend rather than several nights a week+weekends activity, more eating out (mom ain't cooking for me anymore LOL), and having to make time for activity and working out rather than it being a natural part of my day.
Overall what this means is I have to learn to eat less - which I do not find "easy" to do. It's easy in theory, not in reality. I don't cope well with being hungry, and an appreciable loss means I'm going to be hungry - a lot. So, I try to find a happy middle, with a slower loss, but something that doesn't leave me miserable.
Part of me really wishes I could be happier being at a steeper deficit, but I've tried that before, and it has never stuck. The slow-loss method has stuck, it's just slow....3 -
I've had greater success in losing weight and maintaining weight loss over the age of 50 than I ever had earlier in my life. An online database and a way to store for future use database entries, meals, and recipes has made calorie counting so much easier than the days when I had to rely on a little book of calorie information.3
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Why would weight loss be different after 40?3
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