76 yrs old I really need to lose 50lb, finding it very difficult

patsutton01abc · February 2023

I am 76 yrs old, I started keto just before Christmas 2020, I lost 35lb in 4 months then I caught covid, after I recovered I found it hard to stick to the diet, and eating the amount of meat and fats were causing health problems, and I yo-yo’d for the rest of the year until the weight gradually started rising again, now I am back to where I was 204lb, I am trying to reduce weight by calorie control now, 1400 day, I can’t walk as Much as I was doing as the extra weight has aggravated the plantar fasciitis in my left foot making walking a torture sometimes, I just find it hard to stick to my diet and often find I am up in 1600 calories, I try to stick to I F, 10/14, I have only lost 3lb in 6 weeks, but really have to find the motivation to stick to it, hubby is a naturally slim person who can eat anything and no weight goes on, pretty smug about it too sometimes, he says just eat less, I don’t find that helpful, bit scathing about me going on various diets and not getting results I want,
Any tips and advice would be helpful,
Thanks for reading, x

88olds · February 2023

I’m 72 and I’ll try to help. Some questions- do you keep a food diary? Do you use a food scale to crunch the numbers? Where did you get the 1400 calorie target? Your husband is actually right, sorta. We lose weight by eating fewer calories than we use. But there are a lot of issues about taking that simple fact and turning into a weight loss plan. And actually your husband wrong in this sense- it is possible to eat more while eating fewer calories.

But we don’t really know where we are in the process without a food scale and measuring cups to crunch the numbers. And we really won’t have a handle on what we are eating if we aren’t keeping a food diary.

Weight loss has 2 parts- eating in a calorie deficit and living with it. There’s a tendency to go all in on the deficit and try to beat ourselves into living with it. Generally doesn’t work.

A couple of other things- to the extent possible, try to keep what you’re doing to yourself. It takes a bit of a thick skin to lose weight and keep it off. You will soon see that your own brain will try to wreck you. Why? Because there’s part of our brain that will resist change of any kind. Likewise there is part of your husband’s brain that will resist change of any kind. He might be totally unaware that he’s doing it, but it will happen. Try to keep him out of your plan if you can.

Have you been to a podiatrist? The right shoes may help. Try some over the counter arch supports. There are also stretches and stretching gadgets that might help. I’ve fought plantar fasciitis off and on for years. A couple of times I’ve spent big bucks on arch supports but the OTC seem to work just as well. But do something to try to make it better. Don’t just give in to it. Walking is one of the great joys in life.

Weight loss involves a lot of trial and error that drives people crazy. Keep posting and keep trying. You can do this.

hcc7982 · March 2023

Hi, I am 75 and have been trying to lose weight most of my adult life. I know that, if I stick to my calories, 1550 and if I do some physical activity, I can lose the weight. It's my brain that is holding me back from sticking to the "Plan".
I am working on my mindset and I have also started to record anything I eat or drink BEFORE I put it into my mouth. I got my scale out again and the measuring cups and spoons are sitting on the counter.
I walk my little dog every day twice, that is my physical activity. When the weather improves ( I am in Ontario, Canada) I go swimming twice a week.
Maybe we can help each other.

Iamstrong2015 · March 2023

I found rolling a frozen water bottle & stretches helped. Best of luck

bobbieleej1 · March 2023

I am 72. I am obese and very much want to lose. I’m told by dietitians that I have eaten too few calories for so long (1100-1500) that my body is not going to give up the fat easily - metabolic syndrome. Also, my whole system was messed up from covid a year and a half ago.
I’m beginning to see a very slight decrease after 6 weeks of logging everything and eating less than 1500 calories. I’m not able to be very active because of a number of conditions but am slowly trying to build up some activity. I’m determined! Hope this perspective helps. We can do it together!
Also, I think it’s important (and may help toward the goal) if I learn to love my body as it is.

Dot2527 · March 2023

Hi! I know im in the younger crowd, so I dont have a ton of tips, BUT my journey has been to find my confidence and stabilize my mental health first, weight loss will come with time and consistency. I focus on just moving every day even if its just a few stretches, or a few steps, and eventually your body craves more and you can do more. Just starting the journey is a feat, admitting you want to change course is a feat, be proud of how far youve made it, and then watch how far you can go!
And go easy on yourself even if people around you arent. Every single body is different and guess what, EVERYONE has one. Everyone has a body that they want to change in one way or another, being able to look at yourself and say “this body is not perfect but my heart is beating, my muscles are moving, and theyve got me here, on this earth for 76 years and still going, and im proud of that!” Even if you can only walk two steps, eventually that will be 4, then itll be a walk around the block. Take every single day and be proud of what youve done towards your goal, big or small, gain or loss, youre working, and that is a lot more than most people! 💚

AllPositive1 · April 2023

2 suggestions from me. I'm 51 and started IF last week. For about 4 years now I've been suggesting to mostly mature women to consider adding magnesium supplements with your doctors input. Better yet, try increasing foods magnesium rich intake. Magnesium will help you get a better sleep. Sleep is so important. Epsom baths can work too!

I also eat 1 avocado per day. I do it to feed my brain. Its high in vitamin b too. It helps me have great REM sleep. I have lots of vibrant dreams when I eat avocados!!

Research it. It could be an easy solution to rest your muscles, induce REM sleep, satiate your appetite and improve good cholesterol with some good fats. Improve your sleep quality and your body just may follow.

annliz23 · April 2023

I am 60 and working on my fitness and diet but its hard, small steps snd adapting exercises as needed as sometimes my knees and back hurt so i adjust so i can keep motivated but i agree it is hard but you can do it.
Add me as a friend if you want i have found that has kept me motivated

DecryingShame · April 2023

Covid can be really hard to recover from. I'm still struggling with a lingering cough almost a year later and I only recently got my taste back. It's almost as bad as dealing with a smug husband . . .

Have you considered weight training? Building muscle can help increase your metabolism and you can do it despite challenges with walking.

I'm 45 but struggle a lot with poor health. I've seen success in building muscle and it is helping me feel better even though I still need to lose about 90 pounds.

SherileeMFP · April 2023

❤️ Don’t give up! Asking for help is a great start. Not only is MFP wonderful for motivation, I constantly read, listen to podcasts and watch videos. Try The Fasting Method podcasts and you tube videos, Ramos is fabulous answering questions and giving tips. She works with Dr. Fung. IF. Also Dr. Berg, YouTube. Gaining knowledge takes half the struggle away because you focus on something other than yourself and the scale. Keep a diary, notes, info learned. Blog it! Share it! Would love to hear your monthly results! 💕

dwilliamca · May 2023

Hello, I was just wondering how you are doing? I'm 69 and back here to lose weight again and hopefully this time keep it off. I'm assumming you used the tool to calculate your calories. It does get tough because every year the number drops as we get older and also slow down, and of course it is based individual body size. If not, be sure you do that. I personally cannot do keto although it worked for my daughter. I have played around with my macros and find for me a higher protein and lower carb work without uping the fats too much. I have them set at 25% carb...0 sugar and white starch....I use stevia and erythritol and occassional healthy, whole grain...I also buy keto bread for rare use, 35% protein which I use supplements to help out...protein powder drinks, protein chips, protein tortillas, and occassionally a protein candy bar...oh and my favorite homemade protein cheesecake. I try to keep my fats under 40%....so, very different from keto and works better for my older age. I do yoga for seniors and physical therapy videos for my bad back and painful hip. I add those on as extra calories, but never consume more than half. I am on my way to losing 40 lbs with another 20 to go. I was stalled as you were after 2 months and decided to try intermittant fasting. I eat a "sweet sugar free snack around 8 PM and then fast until 10 AM. It is working for now. Don't let it get you down, and if it isn't working try something different until it does work. Good luck.

elisa123gal · June 2023

look on YouTube for advice on what has helped with planter faceitis. I had it for two. years a long while back.. The typical Podiatrist advice never worked. But it did go away ... for me. it was after i read to buy new shoes all the time.. and i used arch inserts from Target. It finally healed. I can see why that keeps you from the exercise you need to lose weight. Maybe a rowing machine .. a type of cardio that keeps you off your feet.

MovinNow · June 2023

Hi all, sounds like a lot of us are suffering from pain that hinders our activity level. I have recently rediscovered the amazingness of water exercise. I go to the local YMCA, which offers gentle water exercise for “arthritis/injury” 3 times per week. In the shallow end, so you don’t need to swim or even get your hair wet…Participants are mostly older, and/or obese, so wearing a swimsuit is not awful. It’s actually freeing to just be however you are….Also, YMCA generally has financial scholarship assistance if money is an issue.
Give it some thought-it’s really helping with my low back pain.
Cheers,
Karen from Seattle
(Aargh-not that kind of Karen…)

KerryBSoCal · August 2023

Is there a MFP group for 70-year-olds?! Asking for a friend. 😁

76 yrs old I really need to lose 50lb, finding it very difficult

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