Moms over 40.....

I'm almost 46 (OMG) with 3 girls; 18, 16.5, 11. I never watched what I ate until finding MFP. When I did diet, I cut out almost all fat and that was a huge mistake. So with MFP I realized I was consuming mostly unhealthy carbs and not much else of value. I have cut back the carbs to very low levels, which takes some getting used to. I LOVE sweets so I allow myself a treat now and then, especially if I plan for it in the calories.
I just had to rearrange my eating habits and am trying to train my girls to do the same.
I never exercised and I go in and out with that.
The BEST thing for me is to have a really important goal. My first goal was a big event on July 4th where I was meeting many people for the first time. I just kept imagining myself meeting them all fat or meeting them sorta fat. I managed to lose 25 pounds before the party.
After the party I got swamped with work and kids and kind of quit doing MFP regularly but those little reminders come up on my page and my friends here sent me notes. That actually does help when you're MIA and somebody writes you. So I wasn't gone long and even logged in now and then.

Then last week or so I worked out a new goal that means a lot to me, which is losing another 10-15 pounds before my 46th BDay when I go to a Ron White (comedian) show in New Orleans with some other ladies. It's a realistic goal tho a tough one that I can't slack on and it motivates me.

Another thing, I am not that worried about what other people think about what I eat. I was when I started but quite frankly, unless I'm starving myself (which I'm not) then what I choose to eat is my business, as is how much water I drink. I follow MD advice of drinking water when I'm thirsty. I also disagree with having to eat certain foods every day and so if I eat a lot of protein one day and very little the next...so what. It averages out. I might choose to eat mixed nuts for "lunch" or dinner, for instance.

Another thing that motivates me is reading the Success Stories board. Any person on there could have quit...but didn't. It energizes me to see the weight losses from all sorts of people in all sorts of circumstances for all sorts of reasons.

Good luck! You totally can do it! :happy:

I have just turned 41 and have two girls of 4.5 & 2.5. I have always had problems with weight and back issues due to excessive cleavage
(I was in a uk 36FF @ 16!) My mum always had poor eating habits and I didn't really learn to do much better until I left home.
I slowly gained weight until I reached 15.5 stone (217) and I stayed there for years and years.... After 10 years ofg trying I was able to have my first child and I gained 7lb.....yep just 7lb, by the time she was 6 months old I had lost that and a little more, breastfeeding and running around after her. Her sister decided to join us less than two years later and with her I gained 9lb.. Again that went before she was six months old. and I went back to the weight my body seemed to like 217. I might loose or gain a little but always within 2-3lb either side of it. Roll on December of last year and I jumped on the scales after christmas and I was no long 15.7 I was 16.7! (232lb)
I was shocked, my mum had been battling cancer for the previous two years and hubby was away working on contract Mon-fri just home at the weekends, so we had been eating out a load more than we used to and it had obviously taken it's toll on my body.
Well I decided I needed to do something - so I dragged out the Wii and started using it at least every other night. by the begining of Feb I had lost nearly 10lb. I then got my smartphone and found MFP.
I have had so many NSV's since and a few great SV too - reaching onderland just after easter was a huge milestone for me.
I am almost into the 180's now - but my Mum has just lost her fight with cancer so a lot of my normal routines have gone out the window. I am on holiday this week, so hoping to get some good walks in whilst we are on the coast.
My wedding ring doesn't fit me - it is hanging on a chain round my neck - its too big!
We have a family party next w/end and I am really looking forward to it - I bought a dress with a little arm twisting from a great friend and I have to say I feel quite good when I put it on, and my girls have never seen me in a proper dress only a skirt (that was ankle length)
I even have shoes with heels! (eek - very nervous about them I have broken my ankles 3 times!!!)
I have lost over 8 inches from my waist and hips - I am in a size 16/14 trouser & 18/20 top (the dress is an 18!)
At christmas I was wearing size 24 trousers and needed a 26/28 in a button up shirt.
I have completed a timed 5k - 43 mins (walking not running)

almost half way to my first proper target and 15lb from my next mini goal.
In October a close friend and I are doing Shine London - walking, night time half marathon in central london to raise money for cancer research.

I started at 37 and it took me 3 years but I had a lot to lose. I started out small and built on my successes. I did make sure to make time for myself and to put myself first some of the time. I have 3 boys, 24, 23 and 12 and I know they are proud of me, though none of them cares for Mom getting gawked when she is out with them, lol.

How often do you ladies weigh in? I'm seeing a difference, my husband sees a difference and now friends are beginning to notice. I just so badly want to see that scale move down again. :blushing:

I weight every day. Not for everyone I know but it is what I have always done.

I just turned 47, 2 in college, and just joined MFP. It has been a real opener to see what is actually going in my mouth! Love to see all this motivation from everyone.

Hello there,

I'm a mom to 4. Ages 23, 20, 10 and 9 years old. I joined MFP on January 11, 2011 and have lost a whopping 94 lbs. so far. Here is a before and current picture. I am looking to lose between 30 to 40 more pounds to reach goal.

I've been reading all of these posts and we're all quite similar. I turn 40 in January 2012 so I am looking to hit the big 40 in style. I have 3 girls (18, 14 & 11) and my hubby turns 40 this December. Needless to say he doesn't have this desire to shed the pounds like I do. I started going to my local YMCA this past March with a friend who has been a lifesaver for me. Much easier when you are committed to someone else. I want to lose a total of 82 lbs and I have 56 left to go. So good luck to all of you skinny minnies

I am 42, mother of 2. Oldest is 12 and youngest is 8. I have been blaming my kids for my big tummy, but my daughter, the 12 year old started saying that I can't be blaming them anymore.....so I stopped and decided to do something about it!!

Dawny....make sure you eating enough calories. Shape Magazine recommends women eat between 1500 and 1800 calories a day and eat back your exercise calories, that is if you aren't already doing so! Feel free to add me as a friend!

Even women past menopause? I never see them differentiate. And in my own experience things that used to work don't. But now I'm plateauing and so frustrated...but scared.

Can you tell me what type of food you eat?

Thanks.

Hi I just noticed this thread. Great to hear from other mothers.

I'm 46 about to turn 47 and the mother of a 13 year old daughter.

I started weight watchers at the age of 16 and from there it has been a lifelong challenge at trying to lose and maintain weight.

I have hypothyroidism and I'm getting close to peri-menopause and notice that it is more challenging to try and lose weight.

In the past few years my weight has been going up up up and I'm not willing to accept it. My weight peeked at an all time high of 154 lbs, I'm 5'2" and I knew I needed to step up and do something about it. I run, spin, do yoga and have tried many different types of workouts. It's become a way of life.

I am fortunate to have a partner that is very health conscious. He is very supportive of my effort to attain a healthy body image and provide a good healthy home environment for my daughter.

Feel free to add me.

Karen

I am 42 and mom to a 14 year old boy and 12 year old twins. My highest weight was at 160 two years ago, this days the scale flirts with 142, I just fit into my high school prom dress, I went from a size 14 to a size 8-10. I want to get bikini ready. My problem areas are my bust, arms and stomach.

I just started 30 Day shred and am looking forward to looking good in a bikini!

Hi! I'm new to MFP and searched "over 40 mom" and found all of you! I'd love to have friends and support along my journey.
I lost 15 pounds on my own over the first six months of the year, but then over the summer I had to welcome some back. Now I want to lose another 15 (or so, the feeling/look is important more than the number). And I know that it gets harder the less you have to lose.

One wrinkle I haven't seen mentioned in the thread is nursing. Is anyone else nursing a toddler at our "advanced maternal age?" I know it's not many calories at this point (maybe once/twice a day) but it does seem like little things make a difference.

One revelation to me has been running. I never dreamed I could pick up something like running in my 40s (with what I thought were bad knees but was probably just extra weight). I aim for HIT (although steady state is easier!), and will run a 5K in mid-October. I also do circuit training and I actually feel more energetic than throughout my 30s.

What I need to concentrate on now is eating less and tweaking my ratios. All while feeding a busy family with food around me all the time!

Thanks for your inspirational stories and tips. I look forward to following this thread and your successes!
Ciao a tutti,
--Holly
kids aged 8, 7, 4, 3

I am 40. I have 3 kids; ages 16, 14 & 10. I topped off this year at 144. It was just too much for me and I became really depressed about it. I was discouraged because of my age that it would be very difficult for me to lose the weight. I have exercised on & off as long as I can remember but my eating habits fluctuate. Some time in March, I began counting my calories. I have never ever done this before. I didn't realize how the smallest foods or toppings of this & that add up so quickly. I am now around 127. I exercise less, the balance between work, kids and yes, i must have a social life just doesn't allow me fit it all in some weeks. Sometimes it gets annoying to watch others eat whatever but I am afraid to go back to 144. I felt horribly uncomfortable & now I feel good. I have learned to shave off uneseccary calories, like cream in my coffee which was roughly about 40 calories doesn't seem like a lot but when you add it up at the end of the day it makes a difference. Here lately, I have been slacking off on my eating habits not being very healthy but I jump on & off. Eating healthy is a committment & some days I just don't have the time to invest in it but I keep moving forward. All I know, as I said, I don't want to return to the days of spilling over my pants, tugging at my tops, pulling low rise jeans up to cover the pudge.... No thanks, not for me.

Good luck!!

I am 52. My youngest is 16. I have lost 59 pounds so far and am embarking on an exercise program as much as I can. I had two major surgeries this year, so walking has been a challenge. :-) But, I am determined to go the rest of the way and make this a life-long change. I am already a normal weight in my heart. I just have to get my body to catch up. I started out morbidly obese. My first goal now is to be out of the obese category completely. :happy: