Anyone over 50 on here?

that is when weight loss is a whole different ballgame

I eat far less than ever before and the weight is very difficult to take off but since I started visiting this site I really feel now I have total control over everything and it has been slow but I am starting to lose

when I first began I was 160 lbs and now this morning I was 156 and I have been keeping track of everything I eat and even the bad things ... I am 55 I quit my gym this year after 10 years because even tho I was working out at least 3-5 times a week I was gaining weight and especially after christmas I suddenly put on 10 lbs and decided I would quit my gym and totally concentrate on what I am eating and ok to some people that probably doesn't make sense but I think my problem was I was eating too little and working out too much and it screwed up my motabolism ... right now I do a power walk/run to work for about 30 min weather permitting

Hi kas_to! I'm 53 and have been here since June 10. I've lost 8 pounds since then, and indeed weight loss at this age is a much different experience.

Actually, I hope that "quitting the gym" doesn't mean you've stopped exercising, because exercise is very necessary - especially at "our age." If I didn't exercise, I doubt I would lose weight at all.

Attaining a healthy weight for us means a steady course of accounting for what we eat and exercising to counteract our lower metabolism

Welcome to the group - no matter what the ages, these folk are genuinely supportive of everyone here.

I'm 64.  As we get older our metabolism slows down and it becomes ever harder to lose weight.  I'm allowing plenty of time to reach my goal.  I've changed bad habits for good ones, I've begun exercising, and I've lost over 20 pounds since January.  The first 10 pounds were lost with no exercise at all.  I'm talking about nearly bedridden.  I'm much better now and so glad to be able to exercise.

Hey, there!  I'm 52 and have been on this site since the first week of January.  I have lost almost 75 pounds so far (started right after Thankgiving, lost 16 pounds before I got here) and have a little more than 15 pounds to go.  It's been slow and steady for me.  I decided not to "diet", but to eat at the calorie level that it will take to maintain my ideal weight, right around 1800 calories a day.  I figured that I would need to eat that way for the rest of my life, so why not start right from the beginning?  Anything less than what I was eating would cause me to lose weight, I knew.  I also know that to keep my metabolism humming right along, I would have to feed it regularly, so I go no longer than 3 hours without eating, except when I am sleeping, of course!  I also drink a lot of water.  I make sure that I eat within a half hour of waking in the morning and I eat a good, healthy breakfast, something to get me off to a good start.  Then I regularly throughout the day. 

Anyway, my profile tells more of my story and shows my weight log.

I don't know when I will reach my goal weight, but I really don't care.  I know that I will get there eventually as long as I keep eating like I have learned how on this site.  What a wealth of information there is here!  I have really become educated about all things food and what my body needs to be healthy.  I don't know if my metabolism is slower these days or not (Who could know when I was over-feeding myself all these years, anyway!) but I feel very confident that I am doing the right thing.  When I am done, I plan to begin eating about 2000 calories a day until I gain a couple of pounds, then drop back down to 1800 and take it off.  I have heard that this is a way to get your metabolism fired up so you can eventually eat at 2000 calories a day without giving it any thought.  I love to eat, so the more I can eat and keep my weight down, the better!  It's been quite the adventure!  I find myself really looking forward to the rest of my life now.  Peggy <*)))>< ~

I am 53, too.

Glad to see some more folks my age here!!! Good luck to you all on your eating plans. Claire - you are definately my hero!!!  I read your profile, you are overcomng a lot of obstacles to get to your weight goal.

Take good care everyone.

thanks all

I have not given up exercising altogether just trying to decide how to go about it a different way for I was overdoing it before and gained weight anyway right now I walk run in the morning before and after work about 30 to 40 minutes each way and I use a pedometer and try to go over 10,000 steps each day

on my weight chart on this site it says my caloric limit is 1259 calories and I find that very low and hard to stick to and even wonder if that is healthy even so I have been very careful and the weight is not dropping fast at all so I guess it is healthy I am losing about a pound every other week

Hi glad to see someone over 50 on here.  I am 67 and had a colon rerouted so now have an ostomy pouch to contend with.  One of my problems is that I can't eat the healthy foods due to blockage and gas.  I have gone from 153 lbs. in January to 180 lbs now in Aug. and can't seem to figure what exactly to eat for less weight gain.  Does anyone else have that type of problem?  I can't do the gym thing due to a back problem also.  I have been trying to only eat TV dinners for lunch and dinners to lower my portion size but do eat a good breakfast each morning.   Perhaps that might work for you . kas...........Bev

kas_to, you can adjust the suggestion the tool here gives you by putting in a goal date that is several months more than that the tool gives you. Many people want to lose weight as quickly as possible, so the tools here give people a deficit of 750 calories to lose 1.5 pounds/week, which is a safe rate of loss. 1259 calories is pretty low, and too low if you are also working out.

Hi kas_to!  I'm 55.  Good to hear from others in my age group.  I have been overweight my whole life and also have noticed the older I got the harder it was to loose any pounds. I started on this sight in March, lost 5 lbs., then left in June for 2 months working on our tender in the fishing industry.  Gained back 2-3 lbs.  But I am back on the sight now and hopeful I can get back on track. The sight  is very informative & encouraging.  I am really proud of the women who have lost many lbs., and wish I had their dedication. 

 I am at the point I don't care how fast I loose just as long as I don't gain and the scale numbers go down at whatever pace.  I have noticed the effect of excess weight on the joints as I age. We can only try to encourage each other & keep pluging along.

Hey - I am 51 and agree whole-heartedly with you folks.  Before losing 10 pounds was a breeze, now I have to work like heck for every pound! _ But on a good note, I am feeling better, my pants fit a little less snugly, and that motivates me.  Every pound is difficult, I haven't had the fortunate experience of losing the first 10 quickly, etc.  So, one pound at at time and good luck to you all!

I was almost wondering the same thing.  Over 50?!?! Don't I wish!  How about over 60!  You're right, the older we get, the harder the weight loss.  However, I have lost a total of 12 lbs and only have 47 to go.  Its even more important since the doctor put me on high blood pressure meds and I want to get off of that.  I'm very lazy and am just waiting for cooler weather (its over 100 every day) to start walking again.

this calorie counting sure keeps me occupied and lessens my appetite and I really feel thinner

Hi there "over 50's" -  I'm 59.....will be 60 next June and decided to give myself a big 60th birthday present of some significant lifestyle changes that include a healthier eating and smaller pants.  My biggest "health"  hurdle is a sweet tooth and distaste for anything thing that smells of excercise for excercise sake.  I like being active with something specific in mind, like gardening, walking the dog, or swimming at the beach....but running or weight training just isn't my thing.  Also, I work full time and just can't make myself go to the gym before or after work.

Nice to meet you all.....and good luck in your journey.  Check in with the Monday morning weigh-in group.......it helps keep me honest over the weekend.

Greetings to all!  I too am in the 50 and up club being 52.  I just started here this morning because the needle on my scale would not move one inch to the left and my friends were getting tired of me complaining about my weight.  Mother Nature was really nice to me when I breezed right through the change but played a very nasty trick with the weight gain of 60 lbs. Being 5'5" I'm considered obese by the doctors and need to loose those pounds.  I never add a weight problem before and definitely wasn't one of thosefood starved people you see today. 

Reading people's post they are saying exactly what I feel plus I'm learning as I go.

Thank you all of you.

Hello,

It's so nice and reassuring to know people who are over 50 and facing the same weight loss battle I am. I will be 65 this month and have not retired (I'm an entertainer) and love what I do, but it's those nagging 25 lbs that just want to hover around my belly. Love to read all the positive feedback and want to let you all know that this is the kind of motivation I need. Read more about me in my profile. Thanks for the encouragement.

jevans 

Hello All--I am 60 & recovering from surgery ( had 15 lb pelvic tumor removed & 26 staples to close me up) so couldnt workout for 8 wks & yes I ate..now I need to get back in shape--I started back to Curves 5 times a week & pilates twice a week..my biggest problem is what goes in my mouth I go from not eating to overeating---Help........how do you get on track & stay there..seems as we age we gain with no problem & certainly cant loose it like we once did

Looking forward to hearing from you

Thanks--Bev

Yes...this looks like an over 50 Club just meant for me!  I am 54 years old and I whole-heartedly agree, the weight gets harder and harder to take off when we age. 

I decided to quit dieting, focus on portion control, eating the right things and exercise.  I've been here since the end of July and have lost 10 lbs.  (Doing the happy dance, my pants need a belt now!)  I record everything - good and bad!  It helps you focus on what not to put into your mouth.

dpearlgirl --I agree this is a club for us--I like the idea eating right , exercising & recording it--got the pad of paper & ready to go...

I am new to this site & enjoying all that I read--you can learn

again thanks

Bev (beanlady)

Bev (beanlady)

I have learned a lot from this site also - I read the Community Posts all the time.  I weigh and measure my food - funny how the eyes and the food scale aren't always the same!

It's a great site!  I have found it easier to be accountable to myself by updating my food log and activity log daily, keeps me motivated; even on a bad day.  It's hard to ignore the poor behavior if you record it!

Lynne (dpearlgirl)

I turned 52 a weeks ago and I'm facing two weight problems.  First, I've put on about 15 lbs in the past year.  I started back to a staff job last year (I'm my family's only support) and the insomnia and night sweats of menopause mean I'm exhausted at work--and so I eat.

We are bankrupt from 9/11 and there's no way to join a health club...and where I live offers no real avenues for walking.  I can't drive, so it's not like I can take myself to the mall for walking.  I am trying to exercise at home but it's not easy.

And not only have I gained the weight, it's WHERE I've gained it that hurts.  It's all settled into this big belly; I have the most G-d awful profile; I look like I'm carrying a volleyball in my pants.  As a healthwriter, I know it's probably due to stress releasing a hormone called cortisone into my system.  And as you know, at this age it's harder to lose the fat to begin with.

I was so proud of all these GORGEOUS pants I bought at Goodwill last year (I do know how to find a bargain if I say so myself) so I really looked good in my new corporate job.  Now most of them don't fit; and everything has to be worn w/an over blouse.

And the stress keeps increasing; there are hints I might lose my job in a few weeks.  (Yes, I've started looking elsewhere, but who knows how long it could take?)

I just started online today.  I'm really not sure how to use the system; I don't see any instructions.   Appreciate any advice.

Hello, I'm 54 and have lost 90 lbs. since starting this site in January of this year. It's hard work, but it can be done. Good luck to all.