Anybody wanna have a "Women over 40" forum or group????

I think we all have different concerns and certainly different challenges when it comes to getting in shape, losing weight and living happier and healthier. I know it is certainly different for me now then it was 20 years ago. When I look back to 20 and 30 years ago when I was in my 20's and 30's (yes I'm 51 yrs old), if I wanted/needed to lose weight, it was usually just a few pounds and now I see how it was pretty cut and dry - watch what I eat, more exercise, weight comes off, nice flat tummy again. And I do realize there are plenty of younger women who don't find it that easy, and believe me, I hear ya!! None of us like the shape we are in or we wouldn't be trying to fix ourselves!!

Anyway, I think there are issues like slower metabolism due to age, and then there are the good ole issues like hormone replacement therapy, maybe post-hysterectomy, and hey.....what about the belly problems due to having that bikini cut for c-sections or female surgery so many times your muscles are now like hamburger meat? Then things like medications we may take that make losing weight a little more difficult.......blood pressure meds, anti-depressants, things like that?

There are quite a few other things that I can think of that, luckily for them, just probably don't apply yet to the younger women.

Anybody wanna form a little 'ole over 40 forum or club????

Hi Brenda, and welcome!! I agree.....I too am amazed at how much we all have in common. I'm sure we'll all learn some tips and tricks from each other......and it certainly feels good to have some gal pals with the same goals and to know we are not alone out here. I've added you to my friends......and please post all you want, and email me too!

Bonna

Hi Brenda, you are on your way to losing the weight, and that is what is important! Great job on the 3+ pound weight loss! Try not to concentrate on the total weight you want to lose, because I promise no matter the amount, it has all been overwhelming to each of us in this group at one time or the other! Right now just work on getting below 300 pounds, then below 295, etc. and before you know it you will be one healthy, HOT woman!

Best of luck!

O.K.  I am going to weigh in every Monday morning, first thing.  Today I was 158.8.  I am doing between 1200 and 1400 calories daily, and am actually excited about this challenge.  My problem is, I see eating as a form of entertainment, so I usually over do it.  But I'm really going to try and make this work.  My husband is doing this with me, he is diabetic and it's really important that he lose, as well.

Wow, this is great!! All these highly motivated folks in here, and I think it's contagious.................

How was everybody's Monday? I did well today, and ended my day with a walk with the dog......she needs it too! so we went pretty brisk and up hill just a little. I was proud of myself for doing it, specially when I had told myself I was too tired......

Everybody else? How'd today go?

Great job Brenda! Keep up the good work!

Elaine

Currently I am just watching portions and calories and not excercising. I have this beautiful treadmill sitting right next to the sofa where I am sitting and all I'm doing is looking at it. I am so self conscious using it when anybody is at home and I never seem to be home alone. I'm sure that's just an excuse.

I hate using the treadmill when my partner is home.  He used to come up and try to kiss me, how annoying!  Up there with getting a hug (or worse) from behind while washing dishes at the sink!  I'm completely wiped out from our weekend away and haven't gotten back on my routine.  My recovery time is so much longer now!  I know that's age.  I'm just pooped.

I hear ya on the longer recovery times. I really believe while we really need to take care of ourselves and get ourselves healthy....we may have to do it a bit more gently then when we were in our 20's and 30's. And if we make it too stringent from the very beginning, it's hard to stick to it. Or at least it is for me. I'm hoping my gradual change leads to good habits.

So how is it that I manage to keep my calories at 1200, get more exercise than usual, albeit a small amount, more for me than usual, and today the scale went UP!!! And with watching what I eat for 3 weeks now, doing pretty darn well on calories, I seem to be getting no where fast!! I mean I don't know what else to do calorie wise......I'm building up on the exercise thing. If I do too much at once I'll be to the point where I can't do anything for several days, so I'm gradually building up, which makes sense in my mind.............

We need emoticons on here.......I'm frustrated!!!!!!

Hi - I would like to join this group.  I am 46 and need to lose 75 pounds.  I have struggled with my weight all of my life and could use the support of folks in my age group with the similar problems like very slow metabolism.  I have high blood pressure and take medications for this that I am sure does not help me with my with loss.  Tonight I am going to pick out an outfit that I would like to fit into.  I think that's a great idea!  Look forward to posting with you all as we all work for a healthier lifestyle.

Thanks!

Nicole

Hi Everyone, I'm nearly done with my 40s, but not ready for the Over 50s group for a while. I am nearly 5'3" and weigh around 130 right now. I would love to weigh 115 and it's only 15 pounds but it seems like a mountain to me. When I first joined back in May I lost about 8 lbs, but gained some back once I stopped counting and keeping a record of what I ate. At that time I wasn't using the Food Log/Activity Log, but now I am and it is awesome. I just started to ride my bike again too--luckily there are quite a few flat roads around here with bike routes.

For years I have been gaining and losing, so by now I expect that to continue into the next 25 years, but maybe in a lower range!?

Laura

Bonna;

I know how you feel about being extra good and nothing happens. I am having that happen a second time right now. The first time I was ready to give up, and then suddenly it passed. Right now I am trying to remind myself that it happened before so this will pass too. Stick with it!

Welcome to Laura and Nicole!

Elaine

Thanks Elaine!! I'm working on this huge new project for work, so I've kept myself occupied and haven't cheated so far today. But my job requires me to sit at my desk all day......at least for this week. I'm sure that makes my love handles and hips spread even more!!! LOL But thanks for the encouragement.

Welcome Laura and Nicole.....we're just getting started with our little group here this week, but seems to be very informative and it sure lifts me up and helps me to keep going. Post all you want and feel free to email me!

<Back to the chains of my desk.......sigh!>

Bonna

Hi, I am 43 and I take blood pressure medicine and thyroid medicine.   I have had a hysterectomy and have one ovary left.  I would love to join the group if possible but are you doing it by email or just keep posting.  I need to lose at least 70 pounds.  I think this would be great. 

Hi,  I just turned 40 back in January.  I've been a cc member since april of 06 and have lost 67lbs. - so for those of you who are just starting out, stick with it because it works.  I decided to make changes when I turned 39 and weighed 275lbs.  I hated the idea of turning 40 and being in such bad shape.  I've got young kids too and couldn't keep up with them.  Things are better but I've hit a wall for the last couple of months - not gaining just not losing because I'm eating too much - and I'm trying to get my motivation going.  I'm 207 lbs. now - 7 measly lbs. from breaking that 200 barrier, so close I can taste it!! but I just can't seem to get my umph back again.  Maybe this thread will help.  I did start exercising for the first time in a while.  I'm taking a couple of classes at the Y.  Oh my aching body!  I'm really glad you started this thread bd - thanks.  We have so many different issues and motivations than a lot of the younger women, like I don't need to lose weight to get a man or plan a wedding.  Been there/ done that and have the trophy on the couch and he needs to drop a few himself, lol.  Anyway, thanks again and I look forward to talking to everyone.

Welcome lhoch and jacque!

lhoch......Would love both your posts and your emails. I'm sure that from time to time we all may want to email each other but I'm hoping that with us all posting here we can help each other and anyone new that joins or even takes a peak! And I have some of the same health issues as you. I had had a hysterectomy in my 30's and they left one ovary........which had to be taken 5 years ago. I'm also on blood pressure med.....norvasc. I think both of these things have a lot to do with my weight, at the very least they make the battle harder. I also get migraines and so watching what and when I eat and eating often enough are issues. And I can forget exercising when I have one of those.

Jacque.......wow, kudos to you for losing all that weight, sounds like you are well on your way. I seem stuck the past couple weeks myself, matter of fact with only having lost about 5 pounds since April, I don't feel like I'm doing well. But I know I'm working on doing the right things and making positive changes.......so I'll keep on keepin on for a while. And hey........not only do we have different issues and motivations.....yeah I'm not worried about wearing a bathing suit on a cruise, or at least not even close to the top of my list...........but anyway, we just have to go about losing weight differently then they do. Unfortunately while they may have "all the answers" right now, some day they'll be doing what we are.........figuring out how to lose it safely and effectively with all the issues a little age brings. I had a bad experience when I first started CC with a younger member, so it made it very important to me to find some gal pals my own age to encourage and even commiserate with when we need it.

Thanks for joining!!

Bonna

I am 46 and I would like to join this group.  I am currently starting my third week of serious diet and exercise--1,100 calories per day and five or six workouts per week--with zero results.  No weight loss, no better-fitting clothes, zip.  I need to lose at least 29 lbs.  I haven't had any Caesareans or a hysterectomy, but I had a bilateral masectomy six years ago, and it certainly changed my body forever.  I remember being able to practically think weight off, and now I'm killing myself and getting nowhere. 

I hear ya, Gorda. I'm getting zero results right now too. But I refuse to give up, and I hope you'll team up with me and refuse to give up too. Let's put our heads together.......maybe we can figure out what we need to do to get to our goals. Others have told me they hit plateaus or it took a while for it to start happening. A couple weeks ago I dropped 2 pounds.......my fist week here. Now I have gained a little over 1 pound back and haven't done a thing to deserve that mean little pound. I'm back to trying to journal more, to put down everything I do and everything I eat......thinking I'm forgettng something. And yes, I used to be able to think weight off too.

Stick with us ok? Maybe we can figure this out together!!

Bonna

Hi!  I just found this website yesterday -- it's wonderful.  I am still not versed in all this but I am in the same boat as all of you so with a little help, I would love to join all of you on this journey to goal.  I weighed in today at 149 and am trying to get down to 127 -- and I am over 40 (46 to be exact).  I don't know about the 'friend' thing -- can we just post off of here or do we have to list people as 'friends"?  I am really ignorant to this forum stuff.  Good luck!  tootles

Good Morning Everyone!! I hope you all are doing well! I hope this journey we are all on together has been a little easier since we joined this forum. I know when I feel like I MUST have something to eat, and usually NOT a healthy choice, I grab my laptop and read the new entries in the thread. It works. I read and am re-motivated and then I, once again, feel in control.

I know this will always be a struggle, but I'd rather be struggling at 150 than at 250! I hope each of you have a wonderful day. Welcome to all the members who joined this forum yesterday.

Terri