Great being 55!

Who else likes being a 50+ person?  I know I do.  Oh yes I do still worry about appearance or I wouldn't be trying to lose weight.  And even though I say I want to lose because I know it is the healthy thing to do the underlying reason is appearance.  Don't we all want to look and feel our best?  I know who I am though and most (90%) of the time I really like who I am.  I know that I like a challenge and work well under pressure.  I love my children and grandchildren but I would rather spend my time with adult friends.  I like my job but I also know that I could be very happy as a retired person.  (Maybe when I am 62 I will retire.)  I also know that as enjoyable as traveling can be I would much prefer staying in my own home.  Those are just a very few of the things that I know about myself.  I may have known these things when I was younger but thought I should be different.  Now I accept who I am.  That is nice!

Hi jofly!  My concern about appearance is that at our age, weight loss will almost guarantee wrinkles and saggy areas like the dreaded batwings and loose thighs -- ugh ugh ugh!  Our skin has lost most of its elasticity so it won't shrink back.  But losing the weight will be healthier for us and we'll just have to forget the short shorts and bikinis.   I'm looking forward to the day I'll be able to say I can retire -- not that I will -- but at least I'll be able to say it with some attitude!  Ha ha! Good luck on the weight loss journey. I've got at least 60 lbs that I should lose but I'm really shooting for 40 ....then we'll see what that looks and feels like. 

hey guys, 52 here, and i was at 386 now around 355, headed to 215 - 225 will take a year or so, i have found this great plan, and seems to work for me, its very simple and this site is wonderful for the down day

check out this site

http://www.johnsonupdaydowndaydiet.com

any way stay the course and keep reaching to the goal!

have a great day!

I actually bought the book The Alternate-Day Diet but really struggled with it.  According to the book on my down day I was only supposed to have around 350 calories.  Have you ever tried to only eat 350 calories on a day you aren't sick?  It was hard.  So then I upped it to 500 and still found it difficult.  On my up days I stayed under 1500 and most of time didn't go over 1200.  I am 5'3" and weigh 145 and would like to lose  between 15 and 20 pounds.  I wouldn't mind trying the Alternate-Day Diet again.  Do you have any advice halspick?

350 calories???  I would have to be dead to eat that little!  I will just stick to trying to stay below 1500 on all days.  I may not lose fast, but I can stick with it.  I would worry about lowering your metabolism with something that radical.

I know it seems extreme doesn't it.  According to the book it doesn't lower your metabolism because your body never knows what to expect.  So I don't think that is a concern but I am still back to...350 calories a day feels like you are starving.  I am not into starving.   I am still hoping to hear from halspick to find out any advice on the Alternate Day diet.  In some ways it was easy to do because you knew the next day you could eat but still on the down day  it was hard!!!

Original Post by momonagirl:

My concern about appearance is that at our age, weight loss will almost guarantee wrinkles and saggy areas like the dreaded batwings and loose thighs -- ugh ugh ugh!  Our skin has lost most of its elasticity so it won't shrink back.  But losing the weight will be healthier for us and we'll just have to forget the short shorts and bikinis.  

Nope, sorry, sags and batwings are not predetermined.  Sure, we don't have the smooth elastic skin we once had, but we don't have to look like empty sacks either.  Go with weight training in a serious way and that skin just gets sucked onto your muscles as the fat goes away.   

I have started weight training so I will see if some of those saggy, baggy areas will firm up.  The problem I have is that I have never been toned.  Even when I was a skinny mini (I was 30) I was flabby and had batwings.  Who has batwings at 30??  Oh wait that was me.  So I truly do believe genetics play a very big part in how easy it is to lose weight and tone up.  I want to look my best but I really just want to be healthy.  I have high blood pressure (on 2 meds) and osteopenia.  Losing weight and exercising with weights should help with both.  At least that is the plan.

Another insane diet book is the Beverly hills diet. How does 8 ounces of prunes sound for breakfast? So far, i'm having pretty good luck with calorie counting, and i like being able to do it online. I've only been doing it for a week, though. I will keep it up! Beth

The updown diet sounds intriguing, but I'd have to hear more to be convinced.  

Getting the weight off quick sure makes one feel better, but I like the steady, middle of the road CC+ weight loss ideas.   For some people the weight loss is faster, but I'm just barely 5 feet tall, so my weight loss is slow.  Still - slow and steady wins the race.

Halspick, I wish you luck with your weight loss.   Just be careful. 

That's a beautiful do on your brisket picture.  It's harder for us gourmets to lose weight with our love of food I think, but on the other hand, we can be pretty creative when it comes to making changes in diet with all our knowledge of cooking.

When I first joined CC I would eat 500 - 800 calories per day, and it worked for a short while. Then I would get really hungry and over eat, so now I try not to eat less than 1500 calories a day...I still managed too loose, I find that exercise is the key. I want to keep the weight off, not loose it then gain it if I eat...I found that if you eat and exercise for 90 minutes 4 days a week you will drop the weight. Oh yes I love being 50 I have been happy with my age since 40. Getting older is a treat, especially if you are healthy and older.

Yay for a positive thread for over 50's!  I thought I was weird because I love the confidence and security of my age (54)...but, I also want to look the best I can and I do worry more about health rather than appearance...but, I think the two are not mutally exclusive!  I, mean, seriously, I still want to be able to be strong and kick but while looking great in a tight pair of jeans! ha ha

There are challenges: can't lose a few pounds over a weekend anymore, have to cut even more calories, menopause, joint problems, stamina, etc.

I am a bit frustrated, which is why I joined this group as I just can't seem to lose weight!  I work out with a trainer 3 days a week lifting very heavy, I walk 5 days a week for 1 hour at 4 mph, and I do two boot camps...I don't eat red meat, or any fun stuff, rarely drink (a glass or wine maybe once a month!)...I do not seem to have any thryoid symptoms, but maybe I should check it?

I weight a bit over 200 pounds (female) but I wear a size 10...this site says I should weigh 143...omg--60 more pounds to lose? Appreciate any "older" member suggestions that worked for you guys!

I love my life at 53.  I am going to be a grandmother, my first, in March.  I feel so blessed and fortunate.  My daughter is 29 happily married.  My husband and I will be married 30 years this year.  Right after she went to college, I suffered from empty nest syndrome, but with time, life was and is good.  In your 50's challenges for me are Type 2 Diabetes, controlled by oral meds and diet, and arthritis, but blessings are loving my husband, daughter, family and just being able to be myself.  I am at a point in my life, where, I love new adventures, learning new things and not having to make excuses for mistakes I make.  I just say, well that was fun!  Since losing my mother, I have realized that life is too short to hold grudges and you need to appreciate the people in your life that you love.  Tell them what they mean to you and try to find something good in everyone.  Be nice to those that may not be your favorite people cause it really confuses them!  I have so much to look forward to and I am doing something for me by dieting and exercising.  I want to be able to watch my grandchild grow into a wonderful person like her Mom and Dad and spend my years with my husband that supports and loves me no matter what.  Life in the 50's is good.  My motto is 50 and FREE!

I started weight training and diet JUly 1 and have lost 18-19 lbs, but approx 15 inches.  I do 45 min of cardio at least 5 days a week, and do weights on alternate days.  Have gone down 2 sizes in clothes.  Its frustrating that I haven't lost more weight and some weeks, stay the same or may gain a pound, but now, even my last size clothes are getting a little saggy.  I eat every 3 hours to keep blood sugars stable and feel so much better.  Keep up with the weight training and you will defintely see a difference.  Good luck!

Original Post by jofly:

Who else likes being a 50+ person?  I know I do. 

I wouldn't say I like it exactly. But I am getting better at tolerating it!

Well I have not checked in for awhile and I am glad I did.  "epinurse52" is inspiring me.  You sound so positive and I love it.  My whole self-esteem is wrapped up in how much I weigh.  I have two sisters (skinny and taller than me) and I feel like the short fat one when I am with them.  I have to figure out a way to love life no matter my size.  I am 5' 3" and usually weigh around 145.  Sometimes a few pounds more and sometimes a few pounds less.  (I like the less!)  I am basically a healthy person.  I do have HBP and am on meds.  So epinurse52 I am glad life is good for you in the 50s.  Please keep on inspiring me.

jofly wrote: "My whole self-esteem is wrapped up in how much I weigh. "

You've identified the problem so you're on your way to solving it. Lots of us let our self-worth get wrapped up in things that we shouldn't. Besides physical appearance, the thing for some of us (especially men?) is our jobs. Get laid off and some of us see ourselves as worthless, even if we have enough money to pay the bills. Been there done that.

Anyway, as long as you're fighting the battle, you're a winner. Stick with it.

I'm 53 and love being 50+.  I'm interested in losing weight not so much to look better (although that will nice too) but to be healthier.  I have arthritis in my hip and knee and I know it will feel better if I lose a few pounds.  I have to lose about 50 to 60 pounds. Hmm actually maybe that should be lose a lot of pounds.  I've only started about 2 weeks seriously going at it.  I don't know how you guys do it on 350 cals a day.  I know that would kill me literally.  I'm aiming for 1250 to 1500 a day and combining that with the South beach diet.  So far I'm down about 5 pounds but feeling great.  I know it will take me a looooooong time to lose but hopefully I will be consistently in a downward spiral even if it is at the pace of a snail.  By summer I'm hoping to be at my goal weight 120-125.

I'm reading a great book right now "Younger Next Year for Women".  It was originally written for men but then the two authors--a 71 year old retired lawyer and a 45 year old internist had such success with the male version of the book they decided to write a version for women.  it is a great self-help book and very inspiring.  The message is basically exercise and eat more healthily.  No one is too old or in such terrible shape that they can't start exercising even a little.

Anyways great thread--done raising kids (4) looking forward to free time with hubby of 30 years! Loooove being 50+!

maryellenelizabeth wrote:  "No one is too old or in such terrible shape that they can't start exercising even a little."  That is such a great message.  I know a therapist who works with "morbidly obese" people, and she requires every client to walk a minimum of 3 minutes a day.   Wherever you need to start, that's where you start.  When I started I did the only exercise I was willing to keep up with:  30 minutes of walking around my neighborhood five days a week.  As I lost weight it became easier to move around and my interest in strengthening my body grew so I increased my exercise.

I have spent too much of my life relying on genes to keep me healthy.  This grasshopper fiddled with junk food and sloth.  I want to be "younger next year"!

At 55 I find a general peace of mind. I'm healthy....kids are out and doing fine...I have my first gradchild. Just joined CC a year ago to take off 25-30 lbs which is working. I feel better than ever. Career is good and if this stock market ever settles down I should have a healthy 401k. By the way...if you're around 55 like me and still healthy...and your early years around 1970-75 were like mine(party central with every bad substance known to man passing through us) then we are lucky to still be healthy at this point!!!

The funny thing is I have no interest in retiring. People think I'm weird but I like working and staying busy and I really don't have any hobbies or desires that will take up full days. So I plan on working in some way as long as physically able as long as I can get more golf in and travel a few weeks each year. Anyone else feel this way? It should also keep the mind active and the body fit. I don't want to become the jolly old fat grandpa that sits in the corner and watches TV all day. I want to be a fun grandpa that can go outside and throw a ball around or go swimming with the grand kids.

Congratulations on being content at this point in your life.  I find that it only gets better also.  With the kids out of the house, I am able to go to the gym everyday after work and don't have to worry about rushing home to make dinner.  It's a great time to dedicate to myself!