Difficulties we face to lose weight in 30s & 40s
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"Difficulties we face to lose weight in 30s & 40s"
The title had me thinking of balancing career demands, bringing up children, lack of time for exercise, sports and hobbies..... Certainly not age!!
My 30's and 40's were tough, hugely stressful jobs, young children that took precedence over me, massive mortgage to service, very little waking time to pursue my interests.
I think you really need to through away this doom and gloom about aging.
That many people age badly is true, that people are doomed to age badly is not!
As a long distance cyclist I see lean, fit, happy, people in their 80's still riding distances that would hurt younger and less fit people.
Sure you can become less active, do less exercise, get fatter as you age but there are choices at play here so make some good ones. That includes, crucially for weight loss, how much you eat.
BTW - my perspective is that of a retired 61 YO who just had a personal best cycling month with 787 miles, extremely fit, still bench pressing the same weight I did in my teens and 20's, same weight as when I got married 38 years ago. I lost 30lbs in my 50's and kept it off and the main reason was simply throwing away the excuses why it was harder for me.
I still remember finishing a triathlon and listening to them announce the various age group winners and hear them say "and in the 80-85 division" and I didn't need to hear what the times were, just the FACT that there were 80 year olds doing this. The idea of someone 40 years older than me even completing one was mind boggling.10 -
I like blaming my age, upper 40s for my slower weight loss but in reality since I have actually put effort in I can no longer use that as an excuse. Sure I'm not as fit as I was in my teens was an athlete training 4-6 hours a day, but I would say I'm pretty darn fit now since deciding to take healthy a fitness seriously.
I draw lots of inspiration from the people I surround myself with for my sports. I skate with one lady who is pushing 80 with lots of joint replacements who in the summer when not skating swims the lake at her cottage every morning. Then there's the octogenarian league curlers who I curl with and assume that because I'm "young" I'm awesome but I use them as inspo and to learn from because they are super fit! If we just keep active and don't use our age as an excuse we will certainly have an easy go losing weight. Just have make these things your priority7 -
penguinmama87 wrote: »I'm with @penguinmama87 and skeptical about the purported magnitude of this rampant decline as we age. I don't dispute the existence of these changes but I don't think the year-over-year decline as nearly as prominent as perception would lead one to believe and are dwarfed by the extenuating circumstances baked into lifestyle shifts. For many people it seems like the math changes and they fail to recognize and/or adapt accordingly to those changes.
Further, I think it's all a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially in the current 50-60+ population. I've seen this first hand with my parents and in-laws, all in the early 60s, all overweight to some degree, and all are quick to point out how hard it is to lose weight at their age. However, only one of the four of them have ever taken what I would consider to be a sensible and sustainable approach to losing weight (i.e. tracking/portion control via MFP); otherwise, it's a lot of Dr. Oz-level fad diet attempts and complaining that they're too old and/or don't like to exercise. In my view they're making it hard because they've been told, and believe that it is/has to be hard for them.
Yes, this is my family too, and it is very hard to watch. It's interesting on a generational level, too - I am blessed to have all of my grandparents still living, and they have had various health concerns but actually are very active and have full lives. Their children are much more doom and gloom about health stuff. Same genes, but generally not doing as well in their 50s and 60s as their parents in their 80s (!). And in their children, that doom and gloom has hit for many in 20s and 30s. I think there's some historical trends and things much bigger than just our particular family dynamic that play a role here, but it's weird and alarming. When I was growing up, I did not think at all I would end up being the cheerful, optimistic one. Yet here we are.
I generally think "positive thinking!" as a cure-all is a load of hogwash and an excuse to kick some people while they're down. Sometimes really bad stuff does happen, and thinking it won't happen to you won't prevent it. But persistent negative thinking and assuming the worst isn't going to help either.
There's been massive generational shifts in eating. Over the last 40 years the proportions of fresh food as opposed to highly processed food has flipped. Something like 80%/20% previously, now 20%/80%. I would say eating these foods also has mood repricussions.3 -
Fitforevermore wrote: »penguinmama87 wrote: »I'm with @penguinmama87 and skeptical about the purported magnitude of this rampant decline as we age. I don't dispute the existence of these changes but I don't think the year-over-year decline as nearly as prominent as perception would lead one to believe and are dwarfed by the extenuating circumstances baked into lifestyle shifts. For many people it seems like the math changes and they fail to recognize and/or adapt accordingly to those changes.
Further, I think it's all a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially in the current 50-60+ population. I've seen this first hand with my parents and in-laws, all in the early 60s, all overweight to some degree, and all are quick to point out how hard it is to lose weight at their age. However, only one of the four of them have ever taken what I would consider to be a sensible and sustainable approach to losing weight (i.e. tracking/portion control via MFP); otherwise, it's a lot of Dr. Oz-level fad diet attempts and complaining that they're too old and/or don't like to exercise. In my view they're making it hard because they've been told, and believe that it is/has to be hard for them.
Yes, this is my family too, and it is very hard to watch. It's interesting on a generational level, too - I am blessed to have all of my grandparents still living, and they have had various health concerns but actually are very active and have full lives. Their children are much more doom and gloom about health stuff. Same genes, but generally not doing as well in their 50s and 60s as their parents in their 80s (!). And in their children, that doom and gloom has hit for many in 20s and 30s. I think there's some historical trends and things much bigger than just our particular family dynamic that play a role here, but it's weird and alarming. When I was growing up, I did not think at all I would end up being the cheerful, optimistic one. Yet here we are.
I generally think "positive thinking!" as a cure-all is a load of hogwash and an excuse to kick some people while they're down. Sometimes really bad stuff does happen, and thinking it won't happen to you won't prevent it. But persistent negative thinking and assuming the worst isn't going to help either.
There's been massive generational shifts in eating. Over the last 40 years the proportions of fresh food as opposed to highly processed food has flipped. Something like 80%/20% previously, now 20%/80%. I would say eating these foods also has mood repricussions.
I do think about that very thing sometimes, though to be fair, food is hardly the only major change in everyday living over the past few generations. (I'm pretty old fashioned in a lot of ways so you don't have to twist my arm to suggest that not all the changes have been good!)2 -
I think every age group has obstacles that they can name that make losing weight difficult. Here are some of my examples:
20's: Early 20's had peer pressure to socialize that usually involved food and alcohol. Then pressures from life; bought first home, worked full time, started a family. Joined WW after each of my two pregnancies and lost baby weight. Life was busy. Still found time to run and my weight was managed.
30's: My life revolved around being a stay-at-home mum of now three kids and a husband who worked out of town alot. Did not lose weight after third pregnancy. Went back to school part time. Life was busy. Weight was not good.
40's: Same three kids and now I worked full time, kids involved in lots of activities and I had volunteer positions at several of them. Meals were quick, easy, and not always the healthiest. Weight was terrible.
50's: Kids left home. Finally could deal with the 90 pounds I needed to lose. Joined MFP. Time for exercise. Time to prep meals. Time to reflect.
60's: Retired. I'm in the best shape since I was in my 20's and I weigh what I did in my 20's. I ski, snowshoe, hike with the dogs, run, paddle a canoe, kayak, and dragon boat, do yoga, lift a few weights, walk with friends, and volunteer with a few different organizations. Still log food
on MFP every day.
In other words, I was able to find excuses to not do the work at every age. But when I did the work, the results were the same. But that's just my story.16 -
penguinmama87 wrote: »Fitforevermore wrote: »penguinmama87 wrote: »I'm with @penguinmama87 and skeptical about the purported magnitude of this rampant decline as we age. I don't dispute the existence of these changes but I don't think the year-over-year decline as nearly as prominent as perception would lead one to believe and are dwarfed by the extenuating circumstances baked into lifestyle shifts. For many people it seems like the math changes and they fail to recognize and/or adapt accordingly to those changes.
Further, I think it's all a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially in the current 50-60+ population. I've seen this first hand with my parents and in-laws, all in the early 60s, all overweight to some degree, and all are quick to point out how hard it is to lose weight at their age. However, only one of the four of them have ever taken what I would consider to be a sensible and sustainable approach to losing weight (i.e. tracking/portion control via MFP); otherwise, it's a lot of Dr. Oz-level fad diet attempts and complaining that they're too old and/or don't like to exercise. In my view they're making it hard because they've been told, and believe that it is/has to be hard for them.
Yes, this is my family too, and it is very hard to watch. It's interesting on a generational level, too - I am blessed to have all of my grandparents still living, and they have had various health concerns but actually are very active and have full lives. Their children are much more doom and gloom about health stuff. Same genes, but generally not doing as well in their 50s and 60s as their parents in their 80s (!). And in their children, that doom and gloom has hit for many in 20s and 30s. I think there's some historical trends and things much bigger than just our particular family dynamic that play a role here, but it's weird and alarming. When I was growing up, I did not think at all I would end up being the cheerful, optimistic one. Yet here we are.
I generally think "positive thinking!" as a cure-all is a load of hogwash and an excuse to kick some people while they're down. Sometimes really bad stuff does happen, and thinking it won't happen to you won't prevent it. But persistent negative thinking and assuming the worst isn't going to help either.
There's been massive generational shifts in eating. Over the last 40 years the proportions of fresh food as opposed to highly processed food has flipped. Something like 80%/20% previously, now 20%/80%. I would say eating these foods also has mood repricussions.
I do think about that very thing sometimes, though to be fair, food is hardly the only major change in everyday living over the past few generations. (I'm pretty old fashioned in a lot of ways so you don't have to twist my arm to suggest that not all the changes have been good!)
One of the reasons my 83 year old mother hovers just above underweight is that she still does everything the hard way / old fashioned way / more calorie burning way - for example, she grows a lot of vegetables, heats with wood, and does not have a clothes dryer or dish washer.
We're moving in with her and my brother this fall and bringing a clothes dryer. They both say they will not use it. I believe her, but not him.3 -
I started at 56 and lost almost 100. I can honestly say I’m in better shape now than I was, underweight, in my 20’s, before I had kids.
It wasn’t hard at all to lose weight. It just took awareness, application, and educating myself in so many different ways: nutrition, exercise, diet myths and so on.
You can make excuses, or you can get off your *kitten* and do something about it. I finally got off my *kitten*.
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.4 -
I think by our 30’s and 40’s we build all kinds of efficiencies into our day that don’t necessarily do any favours in terms of calorie burn. I went for a walk with my 6 year old granddaughter last week. She sat on the floor to tie her shoes, leapt up into the air when she was done, ran up and down the steps three times while she waited for me, ran in two circles while she told me a story, jumped up to touch tree branches and hopped back and forth over a stream. Meanwhile I subconsciously picked the shortest and easiest routes all the way along. I don’t know much about how BMR changes as we age, but I can tell you that I am fundamentally less active than I was 50 years ago.4
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The only real weight loss I've ever known was in my late 30s and my 40s. I lost about 40 Lbs when I was 38 and did so in a matter of about 7-8 months. I'm 46 now and currently working on the 20 Lbs I put on during COVID and that is proving to be seemingly more difficult than my first go around...but that's really only perception. I was very disciplined with food and exercise my first go around and I've been a lot more loosey goosey with things this go around.
In regards to being harder when you're older...I really think that in large part comes down to a decrease in overall activity more than it does a decline in BMR (which is pretty small). In my youth and in my 20s I was very active in both life and work and didn't have the numerous other commitments that I have now. Even with regular, planned exercise, I'm nowhere near as active overall as I was in my 20s. I've worked a desk job since I was 30...previous to that I worked retail, food service, warehouse, and landscape construction. Most of the work I've ever done prior to becoming a desk jockey had me on my feet most of my working hours.4 -
I'm in my 30s, but I've only lost weight seriously in my 30s. Compared to weight training in my 20s, it's hard. I don't recover as well. I honestly think the biggest factor is sleep.
In my 20s - no kids/1 kid while I was lifting. I was able to sleep when I needed extra sleep. I had work, gym, and sleep. Eating was a planned activity with time to think about it.
In my 30s, 3 kids - old enough to have places to be and things to do - there just isn't @#$@#$ time to eat, sleep, work, raise kids, gym....something has to give, and for parent's it's always themselves. I eat frozen dinners for lunch often, because I don't have time for much else. I gym after the kids have gone to bed, which means I can't wash my hair as often after I go to the gym my shower is so late, either my physical appearance suffers or I lose sleep. It becomes a battle between doing what I "want" to do during the only time I have and getting the sleep my body needs. I have a sleep disorder so I have trouble sleeping when I need to.
I think it's sleep though. Good quality sleep. I don't get as much as I need, and that is what affects your recovery from workouts, your energy during workouts, etc.9 -
DrSelfish1131 wrote: »Thank you very much for your response. I am really feeling hopeful now. And congratulation for reducing 15 kg in 15 week effortlessly.
I had to laugh at the "effortlessly" part of your answer. The poster did mention reducing calories to 1500 and exercising (albeit gently) up to 2hrs a day.
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springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨3 -
Lol, I wish I was in my 30's and 40's. Late 50's and have to work much much harder than I did at those ages. And I'm in pretty good shape.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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DrSelfish1131 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨
When my husband discovered he was diabetic twenty years ago, he changed his way of eating and lost a lot of weight. With, I’m ashamed to say now, very little support from me, other than I did go to the diabetic “training” class, and try to learn. But I ate candy, cookies, everything he wanted in front of him. I realize now how selfish it was.
But now it’s the exact opposite. He’s put on weight, on several prescriptions, etc. although he does have the grace to hide his treats and snacks.
So we’ve both been able to do it individually.
I wish we’d coordinated at some time, However, he does exercise regularly, and puts up with the minutiae of my weighing and logging. I don’t stay on him about losing weight because frankly, I don’t feel like I have the right to, and he’s several years older than me and it doesn’t seem fair to try to change him at this stage.
I guess it comes down to how bad you want to do it. And your level of comfort with your spouse, too I suppose. I don’t think either of us ever thought the other was “shoppin’ round”.
Maybe explain to her how much you love her, and want to share those golden years healthier and for a longer time with her.2 -
DrSelfish1131 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨
The basic equation of calories in < calories out for weight loss applies to women as well as men, but the calories out portion can be a little trickier for women especially at childbearing age (30s being a prime time for that.) For my weight loss, I have had to contend with: postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and return of cycles, all within the past year. I am adamant about not hating the body I've been given, but the reality is that while our bodies, both male and female, are always cycling in some fashion (cells growing and dying, digestive system functioning, and so on and so forth), female bodies are less static on the calories out portion and it can require some extra tinkering to figure out a good formula. We also (generally speaking) have lower calorie needs than men of a similar size, have more body fat than men of a similar size, and don't build muscle as rapidly.
It's not better or worse, but it is different.4 -
"Difficulties we face to lose weight in 30s & 40s"
Oh, please, please, people. Please. Enough with the excuses. You can lose weight at age 10, age 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, whatever.
Be honest about logging. A scale helps many people. Eat less and move more. Weight loss is about calories. If you think you have a medical problem that affects your weight, see a doctor. Otherwise, eat less, move more, and be honest about what you put in your mouth. And stop griping about your age.
If it matters, I am age 67. I lost almost 40 pounds 2 years ago in about six months and have successfully maintained since then. My age has nothing to do with anything.
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springlering62 wrote: »DrSelfish1131 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨
When my husband discovered he was diabetic twenty years ago, he changed his way of eating and lost a lot of weight. With, I’m ashamed to say now, very little support from me, other than I did go to the diabetic “training” class, and try to learn. But I ate candy, cookies, everything he wanted in front of him. I realize now how selfish it was.
But now it’s the exact opposite. He’s put on weight, on several prescriptions, etc. although he does have the grace to hide his treats and snacks.
So we’ve both been able to do it individually.
I wish we’d coordinated at some time, However, he does exercise regularly, and puts up with the minutiae of my weighing and logging. I don’t stay on him about losing weight because frankly, I don’t feel like I have the right to, and he’s several years older than me and it doesn’t seem fair to try to change him at this stage.
I guess it comes down to how bad you want to do it. And your level of comfort with your spouse, too I suppose. I don’t think either of us ever thought the other was “shoppin’ round”.
Maybe explain to her how much you love her, and want to share those golden years healthier and for a longer time with her.
It's very nice of you to be self-critical as it's a rare trait at present.
To be honest, sometime if either of us does some extra cardio exercise, the other becomes upset unintentionally. 😅maybe it is in our genes to be competitive🏆 (in a healthy way😌 I guess in this case)0 -
penguinmama87 wrote: »DrSelfish1131 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨
The basic equation of calories in < calories out for weight loss applies to women as well as men, but the calories out portion can be a little trickier for women especially at childbearing age (30s being a prime time for that.) For my weight loss, I have had to contend with: postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and return of cycles, all within the past year. I am adamant about not hating the body I've been given, but the reality is that while our bodies, both male and female, are always cycling in some fashion (cells growing and dying, digestive system functioning, and so on and so forth), female bodies are less static on the calories out portion and it can require some extra tinkering to figure out a good formula. We also (generally speaking) have lower calorie needs than men of a similar size, have more body fat than men of a similar size, and don't build muscle as rapidly.
It's not better or worse, but it is different.
I do agree.
Women burn less calories and also require less calories than men.
But some studies show -
"women burn fat more preferentially during exercise compared with men".
(Wu, Betty N, and Anthony J O'Sullivan. “Sex differences in energy metabolism need to be considered with lifestyle modifications in humans.” Journal of nutrition and metabolism vol. 2011 (2011): 391809. doi:10.1155/2011/391809)
So should they get in shape quicker than men?0 -
DrSelfish1131 wrote: »penguinmama87 wrote: »DrSelfish1131 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I
You indicate you only started two weeks ago. That’s not enough time at all to analyze if what you are doing is effective. You need at least 4-6 weeks to get past “beginner” water and weight fluctuations, learning how to log, etc. These forums will be your best friend to further your “self” education. And I do mean SELF education.
I wish you both success, but you also need to discuss ahead of time what happens if one gives up, and r one is super successful. Are you going to continue to support one another? Or will you give up as a couple! Hopefully, you’ll be successful together and we will get one hell of a “Success Story” over on the other board in a few months.
Many thanks for your response☺️. Me and my wife have started to lose weight steadily💪.
I am losing weight a bit faster than her though😏 (don't know why as she is working harder and eating lesser than me 🤔).
I am encouraging her not to lose focus. I know, if we give up as a couple, there will be no "success story"👫. How can I alone be successful without her?👩❤️👨
The basic equation of calories in < calories out for weight loss applies to women as well as men, but the calories out portion can be a little trickier for women especially at childbearing age (30s being a prime time for that.) For my weight loss, I have had to contend with: postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and return of cycles, all within the past year. I am adamant about not hating the body I've been given, but the reality is that while our bodies, both male and female, are always cycling in some fashion (cells growing and dying, digestive system functioning, and so on and so forth), female bodies are less static on the calories out portion and it can require some extra tinkering to figure out a good formula. We also (generally speaking) have lower calorie needs than men of a similar size, have more body fat than men of a similar size, and don't build muscle as rapidly.
It's not better or worse, but it is different.
I do agree.
Women burn less calories and also require less calories than men.
But some studies show -
"women burn fat more preferentially during exercise compared with men".
(Wu, Betty N, and Anthony J O'Sullivan. “Sex differences in energy metabolism need to be considered with lifestyle modifications in humans.” Journal of nutrition and metabolism vol. 2011 (2011): 391809. doi:10.1155/2011/391809)
So should they get in shape quicker than men?
Weight loss doesn't happen in a vacuum, and for many of us it can be a very emotionally intense thing. My guess is that the difference observed in the study between men and women burning fat in exercise is not going to advantage women so intensely for calorie burning that you can expect a faster rate of weight loss. And again, there's the situational factors at play for many women that make fast weight loss especially not ideal.
The point isn't who can do it the fastest, but each person figuring out what works for them and doing what will *last.* I hope you haven't set this up as a competition with your wife, unless she's a really, really, really good sport, and even then I think it would put unnecessary pressure and stress on her that could spectacularly backfire. My husband has been very supportive of me, but if he were to suggest I were going too slow "for what the studies say" I'd probably be sorely tempted to kick him in the teeth.
If you're trending the right direction, then that's enough.
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Honestly, I’ve been more fit in late 30s/40 then I was in late 20s. The only thing that changed was my discipline to stick with it and my daily choices. That’s just my experience.
I think it’s a stereotype the “we” face uphill difficulties at 30. In fact, the majority of my friends in 40s, 50s and beyond are fit and energetic.
Perhaps you just have to be consistent to see more change and stick with it?
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I'm encroaching on my mid-40's, and can confidently say that my age has very little to do with my weight issues.
What does contribute, but tends to come with age is:- Professional job that has me sitting on my butt all day (despite being a "fidgeter" it does not compensate vs a very physical job)
- Mentally draining "life crap" so when I have down time, I'm literally down - like on the couch, watching TV
- Driving to work (longer commute to professional job, needing to wear business clothing, etc) vs bicycle/walking/etc
- Packed schedule (for example, at the moment, on weekdays, I literally have 30-45 min of "extra" time that could be put to either relaxing, running an errand, grabbing groceries, etc) which means less time for random exercise
- Due to ^^^ weekends are spent playing catch up - rather than more intense activity, it is spent cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, seeing friends, etc - rather than long hikes that take hours, or all day motorcycle rides out in the twisties.
- Lower activity levels = less muscle = lower metabolic rate (I personally enjoy weight lifting, which makes a noticeable difference when I am doing it regularly)
- "Activities" with friends frequently start centering around food, dining out, drinking, watching a sport rather than PLAYING said sport, active hobbies, etc
Honestly the desk job was the real killer for me - my appetite has never fully adjusted to the lowered activity levels (I had pretty active jobs into my early 30's), and it's difficult to stay in a calorie range that allows me to lose weight. No excuses, but that's just the simple reality - if I'm going to lose weight, I'm going to be hungry much of the day, and I'll be honest, that gets pretty miserable. Hence why I have NOT successfully kept that extra 20 pounds off. I've tried super slow loss, faster loss, in between - as soon as I let up on my rigorous control over my intake, it creeps back on, and doesn't even take that long * cry *5 -
40s here (and closer to 50 than 40
). I've dropped over 10 BMI points (and counting). Down to 164 lbs and still losing a lb or more a week while averaging 2,300 calories a day. Age is not a hindrance. I also keep reading that height is supposedly a hindrance too, but I'm 5'2" and being a shortie hasn't hurt my progress or forced me to do a low calorie diet. Best advice I have is to lift weights and build up that muscle mass. It's been a total game changer for me. 2 -
Does it make sense that as we age, our bodies become more efficient at moving the same mass around causing us to need less fuel for the same activities? I don't think so. If anything we would need more energy to do the same activities since they are harder over time. Is it the muscle loss(sarcopenia) and moving less because we have more aches/pains, and less energy? That seems much more likely to me. I think age is an excuse. I'll be 40 soon and my avatar is a recent pic. Seems to be just as easy to be in shape as ever and I've been bodybuilding for 20 years.3
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