Success after 50? Please share!

After decades of ups and downs and then giving up entirely, I'm trying to lose weight and gain muscle again. I would love to hear and see your success stories, particularly if you started out with your journey later in life. TIA

Replies

Snapshotgirl

Long story short: it CAN be done but don't kid yourself. It's gonna be the fight of your life. It's totally worth it though.

GinLee61

I am 60 years old and started using MFP again in January 2022 to help me track my food and nutrient intake. At 5'4" and 230 lbs I was sick of feeling crappy and tired all the time. My knees and hips had begun to ache constantly. My fasting blood sugar and A1C had crept up into the prediabetes range and my cholesterol had reached the borderline stage. I really did not want to have to end up taking medication. I just wanted to feel better overall and improve my quality of life.

When I retired in 2019 I vowed that I would start working on my health and fitness but instead I felt like I was squandering my time sitting around doing nothing about it and my weight continued to creep up.

When I started trying to exercise in January I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without being out of breath. I attempted a low impact exercise video and lasted all of 5 minutes before I had to sit down and rest. Realizing that I had to start out more slowly I found a bunch of seated exercise videos on YouTube. Gradually as I dropped a bit of weight and my fitness level/stamina improved I was able to start increasing the intensity and length of my workouts. Now I walk, bike, or do low impact aerobics every single day. I vary the length and intensity based on how I feel but 30-60 minutes is my norm. I also lift light weights or use resistance bands 3-4x per week. On average I probably eat about half of my exercise calories, sometimes none, sometimes all.

My daily calorie goal is set to 1200 with 40% of my calories from carbs. I use MFP to monitor not only calories and carbs but to also watch my saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium as well as my sugar and fiber intake. I exercise daily and as of last week's weigh in I had lost 40 lbs.

I haven't felt this good in about 15 years. My knees and hips no longer ache. I am able to garden, mow, rake, clean, whatever without hurting or becoming too tired to move. When I went for my annual checkup in June my cholesterol and fasting blood sugar had dropped back into the normal range. I still have quite a ways to go, at least another 50 lbs or so, and I'm hoping to get my cholesterol and A1C down even lower.

Regardless of how much I end up losing overall or how long it takes me to reach my goal, I know that I will need to continue tracking indefinitely if I'm going to continue maintaining my health and my weight. It's a small price to pay for feeling so much better!

lacylucy1935

58, always struggled w/ weight. Recently lost 18 pounds. Feel so much better and have learned a few things a long the way! Moderation, don't eat if you are not hungry and I have low blood sugar so I eat small frequent meals. I do get tired of people saying you don't eat anything, eat more. I know how my body reacts and what makes me feel the best. The better I eat the less issues I have w/ low sugar. Never give up, if you trip and over eat / bad choice get right back on that wagon! Love FP as it has helped me make sure that I am eating enough and how much is in the food I choose. I track mostly Mon- Fri but still stay on track for the most part on the weekends.

Scott58nos

Hi guys, I'm 59 and started my journey to where I am now back on December 30, 2021. At that time I weighed 234 lbs., I'm down to 196 lbs. as of 7.14.2022. I am on meds that cause significant weight gain so it made it especially hard for me to lose weight. My first goal was to get down to 190 lbs. by mid-June. I didn't make it, but 38 lbs. in a little over 6 months has been a huge accomplishment for me. My new goal is 175-180 lbs., I haven't put a date I want to be at this weight, but I am determined to get there and stay there. My success thus far is from following a diet with a target of 1,500 calories a day and riding the recumbent bike for an hour every day. I have now added strength training to my exercise program alternating between one day on the bike, and the next day strength training. I have a tendency to overdo it and crashed about a week ago feeling like I had the flu. Since then I have been trying to listen to when my body needs a break. I'm excited about reaching my goals and also inspired by you guys posts. Hope we all reach our goals!

DoubleG2

I started at 54 when I saw a skinny fat man staring back at me in the mirror and a crazy number on the scale. So, I began at the beginning - using MFP to determine a plan, weighing/tracking everything that I ate; focusing on adding enough protein, beginning a progressive and structured lifting program, making sure to get at least 7 hours sleep nightly. And being obsessively consistent. 4+ years later I feel amazing and while I don't bound out of bed every morning excited to hit the gym, I never regret it after my workout is complete. Now it's just part of my day, same as going to work or doing chores around the house. COVID lockdown was a challenge, but I maintained my daily schedule albeit it with modifications. I continue to learn every day and the journey is more important to me than the destination. I don't have a before pic, but here is a recent progress photo.

Decoy152

Hello, I already posted my story under Success Stories with the heading "50lbs lost (Before and After)" But here is a before n after with a slightly updated after pic to add to this thread. I started at age 54. For the first two years I tracked my nutrition manually. I did not have and app. At one point I overshot my weight loss goal and dropped to 158. That was too skinny. For reference, I am 5'11" tall. I now use tracking to carefully improve body composition.

mtins71

Male current age 71 NS.

My journey started June 1, 2018 when I was 67 years old. Tipped the scale at 314 pounds, 53+ inch waist, size 54 portly suit size, 49BMI. Had the good fortune of connecting with a nutrition coach that got me headed in what was a good direction for me - 4 focuses during my weight loss period:

1. Calorie deficit / portion control : limited to 1,200 calories per day
2. Manage to a desired macro/micro nutrient % goal : original mix = 35% protein, 40% carbs, 25% fat, 15g saturated fat limit per day, 15g added sugars limit per day [try to eliminate as much "processed" sugar adds as possible]. Over time, macro %'s were purposefully mixed up a bit to keep my metabolism from stalling.
3. Learned how to meal prep and eat healthy foods - good carbs, good fats, majority of protein from foods but with 1 protein supplement per day; 3 meals a day with 1 small healthy snack in afternoon
4. Senior focused strength (weight) training focusing on weight loss but muscle maintenance during my weight loss goal period (muscle growth came later during weight maintenance)

Start weight 6/1/2018 = 314 pounds Weight loss goal acheived 10/2019 = 170 pounds (-144 pounds lost). New body profile : 33 inch waist; size 42 trim suit size; 24.5BMI; still carrying a lot of loose skin

My nutrition coach turned me onto Myfitnesspal app in 2018. Currently at 1507 consecutive days of MFP tracking - and learning.

I have been on maintenance since 10/2019 and currently weigh 172 pounds (I am finding myself fluctuating between 170-174 with daily weigh ins). Know now how to accommodate "splurges" and then get right back onto a manageable "recovery" regimen. Cardio exercise regimen includes rapid speed walking, cycling, hiking (desert and mountain). Strength training focuses on at home total body exercises (including TRX) + dumbell exercises.

Live now by 3 mantras:

1. "Calories" tell me how MUCH I can eat daily (maintenance vs. muscle development)
2. "Macros" tell me WHAT I can eat each meal [meal planning]
3. Muscle development is 80% nutrition and diet + 20% strength training

#3 has been my larger focus since losing the weight and I am seeing results!

So, I guess you are never too old to start - good luck!

Maintenance will be a lifetime commitment . . . that I gladly accept.

FeastRepeat

This is a great thread. Inspiring. I started at 42 and nearly 230 lbs. Currently 52 and 194 lbs. I’ve been in the low 170s. Pretty much stay in the low 180s. But have gained weight since starting testosterone injections back in Feb. Lot of learning, self experimentation, adjusting, but primarily being consistent with a style of eating t and training that I enjoy.

driheataz

I guess I’m the old gal if the group. At 71 YO, 5’3” currently weighing in at 150. I sure would like to get back to my “best” weight, 120, where I felt great, had tons of energy and wanted to move around a lot. A painful bout with GOUT got me going on the straight and narrow. I didn’t even know what it was until I ended up in the ER. I recently went back to the gym, a freebie membership for old farts (silver sneakers) after having been away for over 5 years. Amazingly, the walls didn’t fall in from shock when I walked in. It’s discouraging how much muscle tone and strength I’ve lost but going “one step at a time” I am up to 10k easy steps a day and working light weights to build strength. It’s amazing in just the past couple months how much better I feel, sleeping better, more positive attitude, more productive in my day and happier. I know at my age, it will take much longer to achieve my goal, but what the heck…. If I put it off now, I’ll be asking myself WHEN is a good time to get started, and who knows how many
More “when’s” I have. I hope to be here in good health for quite a while yet.

springlering62

I just love when lurkers come out of the woodworks to share these amazing success stories. There’s so many unseen, unheard, unheralded tales.

It’s very extra meaningful when they’re told by “older” (in a pig’s eye!) users.

You guys are rock stars!!!!

msmonicaneo

I'm 70 years old. When I was 60yo, I took a class at Drexel University, it was called "The Psychology of Eating Disorders and Obesity." It changed my life. After seeing the PBS report on Obesity that basically said you must have surgery to lose lots of weight, I was downhearted. Then I took the class. I learned about a study in Sweden (I think). Here's the nutshell: they did a controlled study of people with Obesity, had them go on a diet, see a Obesity specialist doctor, a psychologist—using group therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a Registered Dietitian—they all lost weight. THEN, continued in therapy for 2 years. 79% kept a large portion of the weight off. I found a doctor who follows the research and started going to her in 2012. I lost nearly 100 pounds. It is ten years later, and I have kept 80% of the weight off.

I'm a big fan of CBT. I'm just now starting to use CBT on my own to start exercising. I have not done much exercise in the 10 years of maintenance. That, too, follows weight loss science. Exercise is extremely good for you. Doesn't do all that much for weight loss. Which is good for me. I had started walking and have lately been limited due to very painful feet. I hope to get back to it...for my health!

wrldtrvlgrl

Wow! I needed to read this forum post today. I've been up and down for 40 years and the last 10 were just up, up, up. I was about to throw in the towel as it seemed so much harder after 50. 55 now and found a good trainer who understands training and nutrition for women after 50. She's been amazing. It's all coming together to give me some hope.

allaboutthecake

wrldtrvlgrl wrote: »

Wow! I needed to read this forum post today. I've been up and down for 40 years and the last 10 were just up, up, up. I was about to throw in the towel as it seemed so much harder after 50. 55 now and found a good trainer who understands training and nutrition for women after 50. She's been amazing. It's all coming together to give me some hope.

Strong first post. Welcome to mfp

allaboutthecake

3greyhorses wrote: »

After decades of ups and downs and then giving up entirely, I'm trying to lose weight and gain muscle again. I would love to hear and see your success stories, particularly if you started out with your journey later in life. TIA

original poster: I hope you decide to come back. Even if you don't post anymore, reading the threads and gleaning support/information to your benefit.

CoastalWanderer

I've posted on here a couple of times as I progressed with my transformation, but here are the 2-year results: 107lbs down. I walk everywhere I can and am significantly more active. BP, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar are all in normal ranges. Better shape than I've been in 25 years.
Currently at 208# and yes it slows down but I'd expect that.

AthleteLori

This is a great thread. I'm looking forward to adding to it as a success story someday. I was on SparkPeople for a long time. I lost approximately 35 pounds and then got stuck losing and gaining the same 5-10 pounds. Two months ago, I found out my A1C jumped up to 7.8 and I freaked out. Last month, I decided to get serious. I'm working on eating healthy foods in a way that will work for me for the rest of my life. No more diets. No more trying to choke down foods I don't like. I just started adding some walking to my daily routine. Soon I will add weight lifting. I'm hoping to get out of the morbidly obese BMI range by the end of the year. I want to start running 5Ks again next spring.

durhammfp

At my heaviest I was at 202 lbs. In the fall of 2018, when in my early 50s, I decided to do something about it and over the next 18 months I lost 49 lbs. I stabilized and maintained through the first part of the pandemic but then I stopped running due to an injury and things cascaded and I gained back about 17 lbs.

I'm still 32 lbs down, though, from my heaviest and just recently started running and weighing my food again. It's a process and a person must be ever vigilant. But I'm not beating myself up for falling off the wagon. My BMI is right at 25 and the important blood values (notably my A1c) are still great.

Decoy152