Hi there

RoydoC
RoydoC Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself

I'm Royd and new to this app. I'm 67 years old, retired and leading a relatively inactive lifestyle. I'm vegan and want to lose 10 kg and get down to 80 kg. I know I'll need to get up off my backside and move a lot more than I am now...and I'm up for it! Looking forward to contact with you all and I've been inspired by some of the success stories so far. Go well all.

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 38,465 Community Helper
    edited November 22

    Hello, Royd, and welcome!

    I'm an MFP long-timer, a little older than you at 70, who lost weight around 10 years ago using MFP. I'm long-term vegetarian (51+ years) but not vegan, and have been retired for quite a while, too.

    Activity is great for a body, and there are so many fun options! IMO, exercise's main benefit for weight loss is that we get to eat a few more calories - so get more nutrition, too - while losing weight at the same sensibly moderate pace.

    For me, getting a handle on the eating side of the equation was key to weight loss. I think quite a few others here would say the same. The average person's exercise calories are only around 5% of their daily calorie needs, and maybe 10-15% for very heavy exercisers. It's rare for anyone with a normal life routine - neither a serious competitive athlete or . . . um . . . obsessive? - to get above that 15%. That's true, much as some of the publications and internet sites might suggest exercise is THE key to weight loss. (Research suggests it has a bigger role in long-term weight maintenance, though the reasons are complicated, going beyond pure calories.)

    I'd definitely encourage gradually and manageably ramping up exercise, though - both cardiovascular and strength types. I didn't start getting routinely active until my late 40s, after (yikes!) cancer treatment. I'm so glad I did. It was a huge quality of life improvement to be stronger and fitter, even though I remained overweight/obese for another dozen years while very active. As I age, and compare myself to others in my demographic, I can see the benefits even more clearly. My health, energy, happiness and independence all benefit from being active. Statistics suggest I've even improved my odds of longevity, and healthy later years at that.

    For me, getting my eating habits on a better footing and reaching a healthy weight at age 59-60 was another big quality of life boost. Both improved fitness and healthy weight are worth pursuing, IMO.

    Wishing you success!

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