Middle aged curse

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Hi - I'm new, in my 40's, gained weight gradually over the years, and now at my age it is really tough to lose weight. And life is hectic with a full time job and two kids (12 and 14 years old.) so that makes it even tougher. If you are also going through a middle aged slump too, let me know if you have any tips that have helped YOU! Would love to hear any advice.

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  • mearadw
    mearadw Posts: 11
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    bonk! that's the sound of me hitting my forehead on the mirror. ;-)

    seriously, i just submitted my own introduction post (though for some reason it's not showing up yet) and basically said the same things, except took way more words to do so. all i can say is: I RELATE. i'm 44 and finding that i can now gain weight at the drop of a hat. bleagh.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
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    WELL to both of you don't tell people in their 40's can not loose weight they can i am 39(spring chicken):blushing: but i have seen tons of people loosing and yes i have 3 p.i.t.a.(pain in the *kitten*) teenage boys also just SLOWLY bring them into eating healthy too and they will also follow your steps!
    good luck both of you xxx
  • aa1440
    aa1440 Posts: 956 Member
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    You have to want to lose weight. I'm 43 and I've lost 28 lbs since starting. I think the main thing is to get active again. And yes, I do have kids. Well, I guess I have adults. One is 24 and the other is 18. (yes I started early.)
  • TheGoktor
    TheGoktor Posts: 1,138 Member
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    Ladies, ladies....what is this thing you call middle-aged? I am 48, and as far as I am concerned, am still young....which means you must be too! :bigsmile: Honestly, middle-aged is a state of mind, not a number - don't be a number!

    Having said that, I know what you mean about putting on weight at the drop of a hat BUT it's not so difficult to get rid of it either, just takes a bit of time and determination! Joining MFP is certainly a step in the right direction! Am going to send you both Friend Requests - of course, you're under no obligation to accept! :laugh:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,709 Member
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    Hi - I'm new, in my 40's, gained weight gradually over the years, and now at my age it is really tough to lose weight. And life is hectic with a full time job and two kids (12 and 14 years old.) so that makes it even tougher. If you are also going through a middle aged slump too, let me know if you have any tips that have helped YOU! Would love to hear any advice.
    I take at least an hour for me a day and that's usually gym time. If I do stuff with my daughter, I try to make it physically active stuff. If your day is planned you can get a lot done.
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
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    I am 50 and trust me, you'll be glad you jumped on it a decade sooner than I did! That being said, what I have lost to age in terms of physical abilities, I am making up for in self-discipline and precision in sticking to the plan. It is paying off in a big way. It is never too late to start taking better care of yourself!
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
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    Exercise, exercise and more exercise is the key. I'm 39 with an underactive thyroid so weight loss is a bit tough but I have found that lots of exercise and eating most of my exercise calories is helping me to finally lose weight at a sensible rate. I also have a friend in her 60's who exercises most days (body pump, line dancing etc) and she looks fantastic. She's slim, well toned and has more energy than me! If she can do that in her 60's we can all do it too! :bigsmile:
  • Kipper66
    Kipper66 Posts: 17 Member
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    Ladies I know just how you feel, 2 years ago I decided enough is enough and decided the only way the weight is going to come off is to cut down on the portion size but most importantly to get active. I made time for me and ensured I spent a least 1 hour per day being physically active where at least 30 minutes of this time I was working extremely hard at getting my heart rate up.

    It has taken me two years of nice steady weight loss, I have gone from a UK top end of a size 14 (no way was I gonna be a 16) to a small size 10, I am more toned and fitter than I have been for years, I am back to the size I was when I met my husband 25 years ago.

    It is true what they say you get out of it what ever you put in, so if you put in the effort you will reap the rewards, starting here on MFP is your first steps to taking control of you again, well done and keep up the good work :happy:
  • aliceguy
    aliceguy Posts: 128 Member
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    Don't give up ladies, it is possible. I turn 41 in December and have lost about 12kgs in the last 3 months, not lightning fast but its happening.
    You need to dedicate some time to exercise, even if its only 15 or 20 mins. After a while of doing it if you skip a day or two you will feel guilty and want to get back into the swing of exercising.
    As for eating, I have found for myself anyway that if I plan what I am going to eat for the next day or so and have it prepared I can stick to it easier.
    Yes I have my bad days but overall the benefit of sticking to the plan shows up on the scales when you weigh.

    Feel free to add me if you like...cheers
  • skinnyb450
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    Well hello and welcome to MFP - I am 49 and have lost 28lbs since joining (January of this year I started) I totally understand what you are saying it does come off but very s l o w l y - I remember back in the day (in my 20's ) when you could drop pounds in a week and keep it off - Nowadays I have to work so much harder, longer and smarter to lose any weight but at least it is coming off - I plan to be at my goal weight by July next year - I will be 50!!!!!!

    Add me if you like and we can support each other during this amazing journey :):smile: :smile: :smile:
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
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    What curse? 60 is the new middle-aged.

    Take back yourself and your life and enjoy it to the fullest! Congrats for taking the first step!

    blessings.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    It's definitely possible... I'm just a few days away from being 45 and I've gone from being a 92kg couch-potato in January to a (very nearly) 70kg wanna-be-half-marathon-runner.
    If you had told me last birthday that I would be buying a size 10 (US 6) dress to wear out to my birthday dinner instead of a size 18 I would have said you were dreaming and that it was completely impossible!

    Honestly, I think we're in a much better position now to lose weight. We aren't 21 anymore,and we know that good things take time, that a fad diet is only going to last 2 weeks and that no amount of cabbage soup is going to drop 10kg in 10 days. And that eating a ridicuously low amount just isn't going to give us enough energy to get through the day. And that exercising for 3 hours a day is a.) not going to happen and b.) not necessary!

    So, don't look at those years of exerience as a curse, call them a blessing!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    Ladies, ladies....what is this thing you call middle-aged? I am 48, and as far as I am concerned, am still young....which means you must be too! :bigsmile: Honestly, middle-aged is a state of mind, not a number - don't be a number!

    Having said that, I know what you mean about putting on weight at the drop of a hat BUT it's not so difficult to get rid of it either, just takes a bit of time and determination! Joining MFP is certainly a step in the right direction! Am going to send you both Friend Requests - of course, you're under no obligation to accept! :laugh:

    Precisely... I spit on this concept of middle age!
    I don't know if I'm going to live to be 46 or 116... so middle age might be 23 or 58 :smile:
  • patacake01
    patacake01 Posts: 13 Member
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    I am 64, on my 60th birthday i received a card that said 60 is the new 40, at the time i laughed and said i wish, but ladies, i have found that to be true (for me at least),
    as i have retired i have had time to do some of the things i would have liked to do earlier in my life but had no time for, i have more energy than i had at 40 (worn out with kids and work and running the home most of the time) i go to zumba a couple of times a week, do the walking at home dvd for aerobic excercise (only the 2 miles most days but have done the 3 and 5 when i have time) taken up new hobbies, go out more socialising,and feel so much younger than i did then, now all i have to do is get rid of this weight , and keep it off. which is proving to be harder for me as the decades roll on.
  • kj_4
    kj_4 Posts: 50 Member
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    I hear you - I can really relate - I'm 47 - new here too.
  • mearadw
    mearadw Posts: 11
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    I agree! Didn't mean to say it can't be done--just noting that it's harder now than when we were younger. And it certainly has been the case for me. But yes, wouldn't be here if I didn't think it could be done. And I absolutely agree that being more active is the key. That's what gooses the metabolism.
  • 1960lisa
    1960lisa Posts: 193
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    Ladies, ladies....what is this thing you call middle-aged? I am 48, and as far as I am concerned, am still young....which means you must be too! :bigsmile: Honestly, middle-aged is a state of mind, not a number - don't be a number!

    Having said that, I know what you mean about putting on weight at the drop of a hat BUT it's not so difficult to get rid of it either, just takes a bit of time and determination! Joining MFP is certainly a step in the right direction! Am going to send you both Friend Requests - of course, you're under no obligation to accept! :laugh:

    Precisely... I spit on this concept of middle age!
    I don't know if I'm going to live to be 46 or 116... so middle age might be 23 or 58 :smile:

    Middle aged mid 40s!!.... I am 51 and I thought I was just APPROACHING middle age.... but you will be glad you are addressing your weight now rather than waiting 10 years.... I only wish I had have.... good luck!
  • sara42066
    sara42066 Posts: 28 Member
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    I CAN ALSO RELATE.... ITS VERY FRUSTRATING.. I HAVE ONLY LOST 3 LBS.... NEED HELP!!!