50 and over Ladies

I am 58.

Ditto! I am 50 and this is my accountability page. Losing weight is different now and requires a whole new lifestyle - MFP really helps. I love the challenges as I realize I need to move a hell of a lot more now to keep things in check. I also quit smoking 3 years ago and had a big weight gain from it - feel Waaaay better regardless of the gain so now it's about gettng rid o that and finding a healthy (physical and mental) weight for me. Think I am about 10-15 pounds away from that and little by little - "getting there".

Just started yesterday ... did Bernstein 2 years ago, lost 60 lbs, gained back 18, my daugter in law told me about this site and so far I'm really impressed ... hopefully it works. Can't really see why it won't, makes sense ... all about the amound of food you put in and exercise done ...

why not try the first ever group formed on here.... http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/30-50-fabulous-and-fit

Not all of us are over 50 but we (mods) had to have a little test of how the groups worked and the above group was one that was made with a few of the MFP team joined to have a play I mean test:bigsmile:

I'm 59 and having a blast with this! I'm trying to eat healthy, and I'm walking, using a DVD program that includes strength training with dumbbells (or bands), doing some Tae Bo and Zumba--whatever I manage to fit in. I've lost 20 lbs in less than 3 months, and I have 20 lbs more to lose. I wore size 14's when I started. Today, I wore a comfortable pair of size 10 slacks. I was taking Lipitor and Nexium when I started this, but the acid reflux is gone and my cholesterol is down to a total of 137, so no more medications! I hope to be in better shape when I hit 60 in January than I was when I hit 50.

Would love to hear from some of you on how you stay motivated. What foods work best for you and what kind of exercise?

I am 60. But I was in my 50's when I started this...
How I stay motivated is a really good question. It varies from day to day. In the big picture, I keep remembering what it felt like when I started this. I was hurting most of the time, unable to do much in the way of activity, difficulty breathing, ashamed of my size... just to name a few.
On a daily basis, I weigh every day. Even the smallest loss spurs me on. I set goals that are small and achievable and work towards them. (My next goal is ONEderland by Christmas). I have a Pandora type bracelet that I add a bead to every time I lose 10 lbs. It is a great visual daily reminder of what I have accomplished. I also put $5 in a drawer for every lb. I lose. At the end of this, when I reach my goal, I will have saved up $675. But in the interim, I love seeing all those $5 bills!
What kind of foods work best for me? I try to eat as clean as possible. I'm not especially strict about it, but for the most part, I avoid processed food. I stay away from fast food all together. I eat lots of veggies. I know many people advocate eating whatever you want in moderation, but the truth is I can't do that. If you can, more power to you! I find that I have foods that trigger binges and it is best to just avoid them all together. I don't have cheat days either. This is a life-time, life-style change for me.
Exercise is walking my dogs and to be honest, I don't do as much exercise as I should.
Good luck in your journey!

Hi, I'm 58 and I don't know how unique our stuggle is but vanity keeps me motivated. I want to look as good as I can as long as I can. I've always lifted weights but since finding this site I've incorporated cardio into my work out. It's like a game to me, the more I do the more I can eat. I recently bought a HRM and that has made all the difference in the world. I know exactly how many calories I'm burning and what to log. I've been here 100 days today and have lost 16 lbs. I love it.....hope we all have success.

I am 56 and totally agree with life changing after 50. I noticed weight gain around the middle and that had never been a problem for me. I joined a morning boot camp exercise program 2 years ago and have consistently shown up 3 days a week at 5 30 am for exercise. I believe this has really helped keep the weight off as well as increase muscle mass. I am much stronger than I was in my 40's and I can do many push ups on my toes, etc.

I stay motivated by wanting to live a long life and realizing that I need to be a part of the equation. I stay away from a lot of carbs and eat a ton of vegetables instead. I do not eat fast food and when I journal my food on MFP, I stay more accountable. I used to think that I had to have either rice or potatoes on my dinner plate and that has become a thing of the past.

Lastly, I was a smoker and quit four years ago. I was always afraid to quit smoking because I thought I would gain weight and I did. I would not trade smoking for the extra pounds I have put on. It is wonderful not to be addicted to those cigarettes and the fact that I smoked for so long keeps me very motivated. I need to really make up for some bad choices earlier in my life.

I'm 51 and finding it more and more difficult to keep the wieght off!!

I'm 51...I seriously could not do this diet without this site...I love it! It keeps me on track by logging everything. Watching my calorie intake seems to work for me, that and getting in some sort of exercise, Really enjoy the friends I've made too. :flowerforyou: