I feel better. I no longer have diabetic foot pain or shooting pains up to my knees. I can bend down and over without feeling stiff, achy or feeling tired. After weeks of learning to put it all together, I understand macros and training much better and feel an energy balance that was a downward spiral before. I took note of things such as fitting into brand new bras I bought almost 2 years ago, thinking I was still the same size and didn't fit into them until now. I noticed that my tummy doesn't jut out as much and just looking smaller overall. My posture is better, I don't struggle to get up and down, especially the stairs. Where I used to struggle, I now find myself doing a little sprint. I haven't gone down a size in clothing but preparing for it because I love my jeans and t shirts or a sweater. Money is tight so the budget comes first. I've always been that way, so I'm not trying to hide anything. I insist on having my meals planned and budgeting for groceries, preferring to stick to stuff that isn't slop but a step up in my cooking skills, so I honor my need for variety, a bit of creativity and doesn't leave me frustrated. It's much easier to let it flow and keep going once I've just got it all figured.
If I have an extra nibble or two, I don't care. I don't beat myself up about it. That's what the journey is. Detours, mix ups, found the right path now there's a fork in the road. One day it's a sunny walk, the next a slippery run on a bad day. Stick to training I enjoy, understand my macros and it opens up your journey from a narrow alley to a 4 lane highway.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their insights. Hugs and fudge cake 🥳.
How hard it is to lose weight or feel motivated when you are older. It takes forever. And you have to work around chronic injuries.
Very respectfully disagree. When I had kids and a full time job, that was the time I was unmotivated. In retrospect, I wish it hadn’t been, but that’s the sad truth.
With kids grown and gone and (involuntary) retirement came the freedom and motivation to do things for me.
Because I was motivated, and invested in and enjoying the process of “me” as my latest project, the time seemed to go by really fast. (Or maybe that was age, lol!)
It was chronic pain that actually made me shake my butt in gear. I had the choice of taking arthritis meds now, and worrying that they would be less effective later, when I might need them more, and thyroid meds for chronic tiredness that made my re-evaluate.
I had dabbled in yoga for years and knew it helped with joint pain. So I Extended my slow morning stretch to thirty minutes a day, and stepped up the yoga, eventually working my way to a moderately advanced practice.
The joint pain isn’t gone, however, it is much more manageable. The GERD (acid reflux) From Hell vanished with the first ten pounds lost.
I would challenge you to think what making even small changes can do for you versus finding reasons to do nothing at all.
Said with much love from a former Master of Finding Reasons to Remain on My *kitten*.
How hard it is to lose weight or feel motivated when you are older. It takes forever. And you have to work around chronic injuries.
Very respectfully disagree. When I had kids and a full time job, that was the time I was unmotivated. In retrospect, I wish it hadn’t been, but that’s the sad truth.
With kids grown and gone and (involuntary) retirement came the freedom and motivation to do things for me.
Because I was motivated, and invested in and enjoying the process of “me” as my latest project, the time seemed to go by really fast. (Or maybe that was age, lol!)
It was chronic pain that actually made me shake my butt in gear. I had the choice of taking arthritis meds now, and worrying that they would be less effective later, when I might need them more, and thyroid meds for chronic tiredness that made my re-evaluate.
I had dabbled in yoga for years and knew it helped with joint pain. So I Extended my slow morning stretch to thirty minutes a day, and stepped up the yoga, eventually working my way to a moderately advanced practice.
The joint pain isn’t gone, however, it is much more manageable. The GERD (acid reflux) From Hell vanished with the first ten pounds lost.
I would challenge you to think what making even small changes can do for you versus finding reasons to do nothing at all.
Said with much love from a former Master of Finding Reasons to Remain on My *kitten*.
Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I have found it challenging to be unable to do the exercise I loved when I was younger, running. But I did find a work-around that's really working, using a stepper while sitting down. It is so easy to do an hour a day, that I look forward to it. And the great thing is that it so quickly strengthened my weak knees. Acknowledging that I can no longer lose as quickly is for me a strength, because I can deal with what's real.
I am not retired, but with the health emergency, I am on indefinite telework and this has increased my time for thinking, opportunity for focus, and ability to control what and when I eat. I am building new habits and am grateful.
That you end up with a disconnect between the size you think you are and the size you actually are. Due to covid I've been buying clothes online (although shops are open the changing rooms aren't so I wouldn't be able to try them on even if I went to the shops). I've been struggling to believe what the sizing charts tell me (I *can't* be a small, surely?) and have ended up with clothes which, although they're smaller than my old ones, are still decidedly loose. This morning I've finally ordered some smalls so finger crossed!
Not sure if this is from weight loss or my body just getting weird....
My leg seems to go to sleep quicker when I lay on my side on the couch in the evening
Nobody told me I'd become the type of person who likes to take pictures of my food. It just seemed outside my character. However it's hard not to when a salad, for example, contains so many colors and interesting textures that it's a true pleasure to behold! Not only that but I've started using THE GOOD dishes. It's more fun when I make a bit of an event out of my small, flavorful, nutrient packed meals. I still love to cook and I still love to eat, just not as much at any given time.
How rewarding it is to nail a move in a workout that I believe I’m still struggling with. Really?? That was it?? HA! That’s where I measure the strength gained.
I couldn’t do a push up at all a few months ago. I could lower myself fractionally, and then collapse to the ground. There was no in between. While I still have a long way to go, I can lower myself at a controlled speed and hold that bent-elbow plank long enough to move legs or middle for some wonky push-up variant.
Everyone here, and I mean EVERYONE, thinks they have the answers and secret to success. I learned the hard way that the only thing that will work for me is the diet and plan that were meant for me. It will take some experimentation with yourself to figure out what works for you. That's the only way anyone loses weight, they do what's best for them.
That in fact, others who have gone down this road before really do have a lot to teach you. And while not all advice is equally helpful, some of it actually is - which is why I read these forums. And that evidence based practices really do work.
That in fact, others who have gone down this road before really do have a lot to teach you. And while not all advice is equally helpful, some of it actually is - which is why I read these forums. And that evidence based practices really do work.
-How great you feel when your blood pressure and blood sugar actually goes down.
-How good it feels to actually buy clothing in the trendier, smaller-sized stores.
-The support from family/friends are hit or miss.
-How cold you now feel because of the loss of padding.
-How much you hate getting on the scale.
-How everything just sags until some of your skin 'tightens up'...sort of.
-How you still see your old self in the mirror and not the smaller version that is now there.
... the only thing that will work for me is the diet and plan that were meant for me. It will take some experimentation with yourself to figure out what works for you. That's the only way anyone loses weight, they do what's best for them.
I have been pondering your post and I am sorry you feel you had to learn this the hard way. My impression is that most people here at mfp realise - or have come to realise - exactly this. If you look round the forums there are lots of posts saying effectively "This works for me but it might not work for you." We share (or at least I share and I read the forums) because what has helped one person might help someone else, not because I think it is the only way.
Also, what I have found out (the hard way) is that what worked for me pre-menopause was different from what works post-menopause. I need a lot more exercise now to lose weight at the same level of calories intake, but it is happening. I just hope the spare tyre goes with it.
* getting out clothes from a couple of years ago that I would not have fit in 4 months ago and now they fit.. comfortably! (For now)
* hating the idea of missing a workout
* picking up my 17 month old boy and realising I used to carry around MORE than what he weights!
I'm terrible at returning clothes especially cheap stuff bought off ebay etc so I've a few things in my wardrobe that I bought optimistically that are starting to fit now.
That even early in the journey and with a relatively small loss you are healthier. I'm 15lb down with 40+ left to lose and for the first time in years I had my BP checked today and it was normal. Not high normal or high or WOW that's a bit scary high but totally normal.
That even early in the journey and with a relatively small loss you are healthier. I'm 15lb down with 40+ left to lose and for the first time in years I had my BP checked today and it was normal. Not high normal or high or WOW that's a bit scary high but totally normal.
Agreed, a lot of it is good habits that also happen to result in weight loss rather than just the weight loss itself.
Replies
diet1
/ˈdʌɪət/
the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
If I have an extra nibble or two, I don't care. I don't beat myself up about it. That's what the journey is. Detours, mix ups, found the right path now there's a fork in the road. One day it's a sunny walk, the next a slippery run on a bad day. Stick to training I enjoy, understand my macros and it opens up your journey from a narrow alley to a 4 lane highway.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their insights. Hugs and fudge cake 🥳.
Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I have found it challenging to be unable to do the exercise I loved when I was younger, running. But I did find a work-around that's really working, using a stepper while sitting down. It is so easy to do an hour a day, that I look forward to it. And the great thing is that it so quickly strengthened my weak knees. Acknowledging that I can no longer lose as quickly is for me a strength, because I can deal with what's real.
I am not retired, but with the health emergency, I am on indefinite telework and this has increased my time for thinking, opportunity for focus, and ability to control what and when I eat. I am building new habits and am grateful.
Going from walking through ikea trying not to look in the mirror to stopping at every mirror not recognising yourself.
Going into designer clothes shops and buying clothes that fit!
My leg seems to go to sleep quicker when I lay on my side on the couch in the evening
I’ll be SOL if I put any of the weight back on.
I couldn’t do a push up at all a few months ago. I could lower myself fractionally, and then collapse to the ground. There was no in between. While I still have a long way to go, I can lower myself at a controlled speed and hold that bent-elbow plank long enough to move legs or middle for some wonky push-up variant.
Everyone here, and I mean EVERYONE, thinks they have the answers and secret to success. I learned the hard way that the only thing that will work for me is the diet and plan that were meant for me. It will take some experimentation with yourself to figure out what works for you. That's the only way anyone loses weight, they do what's best for them.
This. To the Nth degree.
-How good it feels to actually buy clothing in the trendier, smaller-sized stores.
-The support from family/friends are hit or miss.
-How cold you now feel because of the loss of padding.
-How much you hate getting on the scale.
-How everything just sags until some of your skin 'tightens up'...sort of.
-How you still see your old self in the mirror and not the smaller version that is now there.
I have been pondering your post and I am sorry you feel you had to learn this the hard way. My impression is that most people here at mfp realise - or have come to realise - exactly this. If you look round the forums there are lots of posts saying effectively "This works for me but it might not work for you." We share (or at least I share and I read the forums) because what has helped one person might help someone else, not because I think it is the only way.
Also, what I have found out (the hard way) is that what worked for me pre-menopause was different from what works post-menopause. I need a lot more exercise now to lose weight at the same level of calories intake, but it is happening. I just hope the spare tyre goes with it.
* getting out clothes from a couple of years ago that I would not have fit in 4 months ago and now they fit.. comfortably! (For now)
* hating the idea of missing a workout
* picking up my 17 month old boy and realising I used to carry around MORE than what he weights!
Agreed, a lot of it is good habits that also happen to result in weight loss rather than just the weight loss itself.