hard to lose weight now that I am 43!

Help! I am over 40 with slow metabolism. Any suggestions?

What are you doing to try and lose weight?  There are things we can do to speed up our metabolisms.  Exercise burns calories and ignites the metabolism.  Certain foods too.  Keep a diary of what you eat and drink.  My doctor says to drink no more than 2 litres of water a day, unless you live in a really hot climate or its summer.  Reduce your calories but don't go into starvation mode by not eating enough.  You can read my bio.  I see you don't have one. 

Bonnie

Well, I am 68 and I have lost 52 lbs in about 6 months.  Did take 2 months off - holiday time and Christmas time. Have another 52 to lose.

I walk faithfully every morning, usually in the mall.  I also am very careful about weighing my food and eat a variety as much as possible.  I do not eat sugar or substitutes (give me headaches) and my diet has a max. of 1800 mg of sodium as I have high blood pressure. 

I eat 5 to six times a day and snack on almonds, my maximum calorie intake is 1250 per day.  Eating more often speeds up your metabolism as does the walking.  I cannot do much else as I have a very bad back and when I reach my goal they will do the surgery.

As previously mentioned I take time off for holidays, birthdays etc. but I get back on the wagon right after.

The biggest motivation I have is that I feel more energetic and feel much better.  Also, have thrown out all my old yucky clothes that is too big and am living in my sister's hand-me-downs.  Just wait till I get to my goal weight, will have a shopping spree.

Correction - minimum calorie intake 1250, max. 1300

It's never easy no matter the age. However, you can do it! I'm 47 and have lost over eighty pounds since July. Granted, some people think this is to much to fast, and I do admit that it was suprisingly fast for me, but I'm happy with my progress and I'm seldom hungry . . . but then I was never hungry at 250 pounds when I was constantly looking for something to eat!

Drink lots of water, watch calorie intake, and up your activity level. This does not mean you have to be a gym fend . . . but you can walk or play with your kids or do a mad dash around the house cleaning . . . it all adds up.

I wish you the best and will be checking in to see how you are doing! If I can do it ANYONE can do it!

I too am 47 and a few years ago lost 55 lbs in little time.  I quit smoking and gained alot of it back and finding it hard to lose it this 2nd time around, however even though my weight hasn't changed in a year I am "smaller" being back down to size 8s after ballooning up again to 14's. 

I think besides eating right exercise is key.  I started with just walking 15 minutes a day and that was hard - now when I do walks its at least 4 miles in an hour.  I also do weights now and elliptical.  Start slow and steady.

Although I don't do this I've heard eating small  5-6 meals a day helps to boost metabolism.  For me I just eat 3 meals a day and snack at night but am not hungry during the day.

I'm 52 and had fallen into the trap of telling myself "it's harder to lose now that I am this age." Guess what? It's not! Once I paid attention to portion size, mindless snacking and "I only had a salad" and so on, and so on and got myself moving, I have lost 49 lbs since July 24th. Being honest with myself about what I was eating and what a couch potato I was becoming was the biggest part of the battle. So - get moving (walking is all I do at this point, but a lot of it!) and log your food and be honest with your portion sizes - then come back and let us know if it's working. Good luck! (Feel free to add me to your friends list if you want!

(P.S. - Use the tools and support here as much as you can, but most importantly, find what works for you and what you can be happy living with for the rest of your life!) 

I am 46, and I used every excuse in the book of why I was not able to loose weight....metabolism is too slow, genetics, blah blah blah...then at the end of 2006 (only 20 days ago) I found cc, and then I was honest with myself of what and how much I was eating.

 I have always been pretty active (that was another one of my excuses, I exercise, so I should be eating...alot)  Well, 20 days of getting my calorie level to where it should be (1250 good healthy wonderfully fulfiling calories), drinking lots of water (think thats a huge key) and exercising moderatly everyday (Jazzercise, Walking and Stretching), guess what...I have lost 8 pounds (first movement on my scale in 2 years!!!!)

  I still have 44 pounds to go, and it seems like I will never get there, but slow and steady wins the race! My goal is 7 pounds a month...I am at 8 this month WOW.  My goal date is August 11, 2007...my 23rd wedding anniversary!

Is it easy?  Well, I would lie to you if I said it was...but it is getting easier..because of the apparent success.  I log faithfully everyday, and pay attention to the balance of nutrition, which I have achieved a consistent A.  I have never felt better.

If I can do it, I am positive you can...but be honest with yourself!

Take Care and Good Luck,

Monica

Congrats Monica, on your weight loss.  Your wedding anniversary is my Birthday.    I started measuring my food and I still eat what I want only I added more fruits and veggies to it.  I have a cheat day once a week.  I drink 2 litres of water a day or at least I try.  I started losing weight in November and lost 20 pounds in 5 weeks.  With the holidays I only gained three back and I have lost that now.  At 166, I am having a hard time losing now.  But know it is because I am not watching what I eat and am not exercising as much as before.  I quit smoking and gained 40 lbs but I had 20 on me before that.  You are right about using every excuse in the book.  I've done them all too.  Back on track on Monday. 

Bonnie 

I am 44 and I certainly relate to the issue.  The biggest thing that helped me initially was to write down everything I ate.  I know it sounds like a pain,  but... just try it for three days.  You may be surprized.  I work out everyday.  30 min to 60 min of aggressive Cardio and weight lifting, and I still have to cut back to less than 2,000 c/day to lose weight.   I started this three months ago. My body fat has dropped by 4% - 5%.  Weight has stayed the same.  I have added muscle and feel 1000% better.  I still need to lose 35lbs.  Hang in there.  Some of us have metabolism so slow we could live off of water and carrots.   If you have the will ....you can do it.  Best of luck! 

Bonnie,

August 11 is a great day...I got married on my mom and dad's 33rd wedding anniversary...mom and dad are still around, and best of all my husband is still around..I want to give back the girl he married 23 years ago... I was 123 then...if fact I wore my mom's wedding dress, and boy was that a wonder!  We can do it...these forums are so motivating...I am so dedicated to my goal that I can visualize what it will eventually be like when I am finally thin again!

I am currently at 167..our weights are almost identical!  Just 7 pounds a month is so doable!!!!

Good Luck,

Monica

Monica - I will be 23 years married as well come Sept 1st.  My average weight is 164 - 168  I have a heck of a time getting it to go down and stay down.  I am 5'6" and only really need to lose about 10 lbs to be a healthy BMI  its just losing it this second time around is very hard.  I just don't have the urgency and necessity to lose it like I did the first time.  I mean my dr told me I was looking at meds for diabetes high blood pressure and cholesterol if I didn't lose the weight.  Now my blood work and stuff is stellar - I have absolutely zero risk for any of these conditions so I just need to decide why I need to lose it this time besides "for me" cuz that just doesn't work.  I need someone to say do it or else.

Hi, Im going to be 45 in March, Ive been heavy all my life so dieting has been a career for me. I find it no harder to lose weight now than I did 25 years ago. No matter what age, you have to plug away at it, you have to eat right, exercise and drink plenty of water and be patient with your body in order to find what works for you.

Bonnie,

Unfortunately, I am only 5'1" so my weight is too high...I do not have any health problems, except my cholesterol is way too high.  I was tested for choleterol when I was only 12 years old (long before anyone was talking about it) because my mom and aunt had very high levels.  I think it is genetic with me, although my doctor wants me on meds now...I want to get my weight in line to see if I can lower it that way. BP and all other indicators are good for me..I know I will feel even better once  the weight is off.

  My lovely mother is only 4'11 and very heavy (a wonderful Italian mama), and I find myself taking after her in so many ways...so I am trying hard to avoid this trait.  You know, when you get married, the man is supposed to look at his mother in law to see what he has in store for him...bless his heart for not paying attention to the weight! There was so much more other than that!

You have to make the decision on that last 10 pounds...it seems that is the hardest; are you comfortable where you are?  Doing it "just for you" should be a good reason, but only you can make that call.

Later,

Monica

Hi Monica, Well tomorrow is Monday and I just came back from the grocery store.  Only bought some strawberries.  I am all stocked up on what I am going to eat for the next few days.  Have made a game plan for my food, water and exercise for the next few days too.  I am sure this will work.  I have just had the January bla's.  When I started in November to lose this weight I was tired all the time and my energy level was low.  After a few days, I started feeling great.  I still feel good.  It was great to buy new jeans a couple weeks ago.  My oldest son bought me a pair of high heel lace up boots (to my knees)  for Christmas.  I have always loved boots.  They look great with the jeans.  My biggest problem is my boobs.  They measure 10 inches larger than my rib cage.  I am rather large breasted and they cause lots of neck, shoulder and back pain.  I am on a list for surgery to have them reduced.  Doctor's orders.  I breast fed the kids and they just never went back to the 34C they were at one time in my life . (22 years old).  I measure 37" around my rib cage and about 48 inches around my breasts.  I have a hard time to find a bra that fits and feels good.  Enough about me.  I know this week I am on the right track.  Good luck to everyone.

Bonnie

Bonnie it sounds like you are off to a great start for the week. A positive outlook is the first step and you have that all wrapped up.

What a nice son you have, I too love boots and the higher the better. I have always had a problem getting them to fit my calves and am hoping that exercising is going to slim them down enough to wear high boots comfortably.

I have known a few people that had the breast surgery and it has gone well. My niece did end up with an infection but all was perfect in the end. Good luck with getting that done soon because constant pain can ware us down.

Good luck and have a terrific Monday.

I am also 43 and have 48 more pounds to loose.  I have been doing cc since January 1st but as of today, I have only lost 2 pounds.  At one point, I was down 4.5 but I managed to gain a couple back.  I work 4 ten hour days and am able to do good Monday - Thursday.  I run into problems on my weekends.  I'm am working on becoming more disiplined. 

When I first started, I was going to the gym but my membership ran out a couple week ago and I havent renewed. I keep telling myself I'm going to start exersising at home. 

I guess what I really need to work on is self-honesty.  I really want to do this.

The forums do help.  I'll have to start logging in on the weekends

:-)

Happy Monday to you all,  I just finished one hour of areobics and sculpting.  It is three sets of each.  Tomorrow I will do my 30 mins of Tae Bo.  It is really cold out and I am a wimp to cold weather.  Minus 20 -30 below zero.  I bought my dog a harness so he won't pull me everywhere's.  He is overweight too.  His is mostly from not being too active.  So I will be taking him on my power walks he weighs about 110 lbs and should weigh about 90 lbs.  Good luck to everyone this week in our losing the weight battle.  One day at a time.

Bonnie

Hey Tina,

How do you get all those tickers from ticker factory on your profile page?  How cute...and what ever helps motivate, I say go for it!

Hey Bonnie,

I make my menus out every weekend for the week, and grocery shop based on them...it really helps me stay on track with my eating.

Well, I hope to be down 10 pound this month, but if I only hit 8, that would be good..my goal is 7 pounds a month for the next 7 months..I need to just enjoy the journey?!!!! Don't we all!

Have a great week everyone!!!!

Monica