It's Never Too Late to Start
The title is one tip that our this week's featured member, Jenpnc would like to share with you. She’s 53 and she was resigned to the fact that her weight was slowly creeping up on her. Then she started counting calories and lost 21 lbs. Losing that weight gave her self confidence back and she's living a much healthier and happier lifestyle.
She contacted us through our Share Your Story feature, and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time? Did you have an "Aha!" moment?
First, let me start by saying, I'm 53 years old (still can't believe it). I was getting resigned to the fact that my body was just becoming more "soft" because my age was determining my metabolism. Still, I didn't like it. Over ten years I had put on about 20 pounds. Though I wasn't way overweight, I felt sluggish and out of kilter. My first Aha moment was when my husband and I were channel surfing in Jan 2010 and caught a quick news clip of a Martin Luther King Jr march back in the 60's. We watched for a few minutes, then looked at one another and said the exact same thing at the same time: "Look how skinny those people are!" Old, young, white, black... all thin. Why were they so thin? What has changed so much about our diets in the last 50 years? Honestly, most of those people would almost have been considered anorexic by today's standards, but they weren't. They were just... thin. It made a huge impression on me.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
Like most women, I have always been conscious of my weight. And for the most part, I've maintained a normal weight for my height. I never really officially "dieted" except for a few months of Atkins several years ago. I lost 15lbs and gained it back with interest the minute I started eating carbs again. My only other try was a book called "The Three Hour Diet" which is actually very good - and I still use some of the techniques I read about. But most of my dieting efforts involved cutting back on sugar, fried foods, etc. It was very hit-or-miss. I never took the time to really think it through. I just kind of watched the scale and assessed how my clothes fit - doesn't everyone have that pair of jeans that we use as the measuring tool?. But as I've grown older, it's become much, much harder to lose weight in that cockeyed way and by January 2010, when I saw that news clip, I had gotten very frustrated about how I was feeling and looking.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
My second Aha moment came on Feb. 8, 2010. It was a Monday. I woke up feeling completely gross. I knew I had eaten way too much the day before as we had gone out for breakfast and then ate two other meals as well. I remember one of the meals was homemade tacos. We didn't eat any desserts (I was probably on one of my "no sugar" kicks). We went for our morning walk and when I got home, I bit the bullet. I forced myself to sit down and write a list of every single thing we had eaten the day before. Every spread of butter, every spoonful of guacamole, every almond, everything! Then I went online and did a search for a calorie count website and found Calorie Count. My total calories for that Sunday were nearly 3,500. It was a huge eye opener. I was shocked beyond belief. If anyone would have asked me to estimate what I thought I had eaten, I would have said around 2,000 calories.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
Oh, I could write a book about this! Ever since I was tiny, I have been aware of "calories". My parents were very health conscious and for that inheritance, I'm so grateful. But my knowledge was quite vague. I knew that about 3500 calories equals a pound, but I didn't really pay that much attention to the portions I was eating. When I signed up for Calorie Count, I began an education that continues to this day. I began actually measuring so that when, for example, I put "Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette" into my food log, I knew it was just one tablespoon. I knew those 40 calories were accurate. And I got obsessive about tagging foods because I really like to get things done in a hurry. So one day I sat down and just tagged everything I could possibly think of, that my husband and I normally eat. It made logging my food much easier. I also tagged a lot of them into groups (our breakfast smoothies for example). It took me several hours but wow - just like any filing system, the work was all at the front. All this was immensely helpful in keeping me focused. And I started watching the weight fall off. The first week I lost two pounds and felt great, mostly because I was eating "A" grade foods - the kind that packs the most nutritional punch.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Making it a lifestyle, not a diet. This is just one of those crazy little things - but when I'm in the kitchen cooking or preparing food, I sample. So my Calorie Count self made a deal with my snacking self, that my snacking self would not eat anything if I was standing in the kitchen. I had to take my slice of bacon or cookie, or spoonful of pasta and put it on a dish and go sit down to eat it. Naturally, being greedy and impatient, my snacking self hated this. I can't count how many times I would have something halfway to my mouth, thoughtlessly tasting or "testing" -- and I would literally say out loud, "NO!" I was amazed. It still happens now and then but my snacking self is much better disciplined.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I started feeling better right away, just because I truly worked hard at eating right. I cut way back on sugar (but didn't give it up altogether) and ramped up on fruits and vegetables. I lost about seven pounds that first month. We adopted a wild child of a puppy right around Valentine's Day, and he needed so much exercise that I got out and moved much more often than I would have. Between that and staying very committed to logging my calories, I started fitting into my old clothes within two months.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
Interesting question. I never thought about weight loss or gain as success or failure. The person inside is me, no matter what the body is on the outside, but I want my body to be a reflection of who I know I am. When I started seeing food as this wonderful gift, it was an enormous revelation. I want to give my body the foods it needs to keep me focused and sharp and happy and energetic. When I realized that was my new "diet"- and it wasn't a diet at all, I wanted to jump for joy. How exciting is that!
8. How do you prevent relapse?
The hardest times for me are when we travel, and we travel quite a bit. I put an app on my phone for calorie counting, including restaurants. That's been a big help. I also give myself some leeway at all times. If I want a couple cookies or some frozen yogurt (LOVE that stuff), I will have them - but I keep them in perspective now. It's so much more fun to eat something that you've "earned."
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
My husband, all on his own, joined CC after I'd been on it for about a month, when he saw how happy it was making me. He has lost 20 lbs. To me, that was such a wonderful thing - to have him along, 100% enthusiastic and supportive, with me on this lifetime trip of good eating and great health. Yes, being thinner is wonderful. But it's wonderful because it enables us to get out there and be the energetic people we want to be. My life has much more clarity, and food is in its rightful place.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- It's never too late to start.
- Cut out all thoughtless snacking, especially when preparing food or
watching TV. - Do all the "heavy lifting" of tagging foods up front, so that logging them isn't so time consuming. Then log, log, log, at least for the first few months. You'll be amazed at how much information you absorb.
- Spend at least 15 minutes outdoors if at all possible - even if it's just sitting in the sun or strolling around the block. Adopt a pet if that's something that will work in your lifestyle- and then exercise it! Or offer to walk your neighbor's dog. We find that our dogs are a definite force for the good - they get us outside every day.
- Read the CC emails - they are always so interesting, and the Monday Success Stories are so inspirational - I love them! Congratulations to everyone who's lost the weight!
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
Congrats Jenpnc and thankyou for sharing your success story. You are absolutely right - "it is NEVER too late to start". I was 52 when I began my "weight loss to better health journey" just about 2 1/2 years ago after being significantly overweight my entire life. Through the help of CC Plus and the encouragement and support of it's members I have been able to lose 215 lbs and have kept them off for 11 months now. You are right again, "it is not a diet, but a lifestyle" change that makes it possible for me to think of myself as thin and "maintain" for the long haul. Congratulations on your hard work and your success ~ I wish you good health... 
Mel
I'm going to be 52 on Thursday and as of today, I've lost 103 lbs. I changed my lifestyle Oct. 2009, and I feel better than I did in my thirties!!!! I still want to lose about 10 lbs. more, but I'm not sweatin' it because even though it's taken over a year to lose the weight, I know it can be done!!!
I enjoyed reading this success story SO much! My husband and I, too, have noticed how skinny everyone was in the 60s, especially in family photos. My mother-in-law was SO thin well into her 40s, even after having 4 children, but today is really overweight. His family eats a lot of processed foods and way too much refined sugar. White bread, sugar, mac & cheese, potatoes, and very few whole grains. My husband remembers eating fresh vegetables from the garden when he was a kid, but now the only veggies his mom serves are canned green beans and cole slaw (with LOTS of mayo). I only recently started tracking calories and only have 6 or 7 pounds to lose, but at 35 years old I can already see how the weight creeps up over time. After two pregnancies, I've also gotten used to a "softer" body, but still have the mentality that I can eat whatever I want and as much as I'd like and not gain weight, but that just isn't true anymore. Counting calories has taught me that it's the little things that matter. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, but I also snack quite a bit and eat too much dessert. I also need to get off my behind and exercise more often. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for sharing your story. It was like reading about myself! We are the same age and were struggling with the same weight-gain situation. I, too, had resigned myself to chalking it up to my age and stage of life. I thought I was "watching what I ate" and did go to the gym on a very consistent basis but the weight wouldn't come off. Then I started logging -- and boy does that show you the calories can add up! Once I had the calories per day under control and logged what I ate fairly religiously, I saw pound by pound disappear. My husband also jumped on the count-calories bandwagon which helped not only him to shed 25 pounds to date but made it so much easier for me to stay on track, too. It's easier to plan meals together and have the proverbial weight loss buddy. I still have a few more pounds I'd like to lose but I'm being realistic; I want to be a healthy weight and not necessarily the weight I was when we got married 35 years ago. But being within 5-7 pounds of that youthful weight is fine with me. And I also know that exercise is important not only for weight loss and/or weight maintenance but for overall health.
I have one question. WHY were people in the 60's so much skinnier than we are now? What were we eating then? Smaller portions? Something to think about.
You've reinspired me to keep going. Thank you again for your success story and congratulations!
Thank You for your story. I am turning 50 this year and can't believe it. I am working on losing 20lbs by my birthday. I made a promise to myself to not be fat on my B-day.
Congratulations
I am 58 and 20lb over weight as well. I am going to commit to do the counter every day. Thanks for sharing your story!
Congratulations on the weight loss! And I love to hear when someone has a supportive or participating spouse and/or family! Yay!
And on the issue of seeing all those people in the 60's so thin, it made me think of something that my last au pair said. The first week she came here from China we had dinner with a friend that is from South America. They were talking about the culture shock of arriving in the U.S. He said one of the things that struck him even when he got off the airplane and was in the airport is that everyone was overweight. She agreed that she had never seen so many people overweight and obese in her life and that it was jarring. It amazing at how accustomed we are to it that we don't even notice.
Thanks, everyone for the kind words. I was a little reluctant to share my story because to me, people like philfan and capewanderer above are truly AMAZING in what they have accomplished. Congratulations - so happy for you! But then I thought about the core issues- that A) I truly didn't think I could lose weight in my 50's and B) how I feel so much happier and more energetic just by eating better --so I decided that it was worth sharing. =)
I can't stress enough how staying committed to logging calories helped me. It wasn't easy to constantly sit down and log everything - sometimes it was a big hassle, but I really needed the discipline. And not only did I lose weight, but the wonderful information on this site enabled me to focus on the A and B foods. The natural result of better nutrition was more energy, an increased metabolism, and an actual mind shift into wanting to continue that good feeling. I can instantly tell now if I'm eating too many junky or fatty foods. If it's a C or D food (for instance, blue cheese crumbles, which I love), I just don't eat a lot of it, or have it very often.
As to the thinness of the 60's and even the 70's - I just think about my mom. We have this standing joke in our family because as kids, we would whine that we were hungry and she'd say calmly, "You can have half an apple" - which she would then give us - then send us outside to play. We had plenty to eat, but we were outside all the time, running around. We almost never ate in restaurants - so our food was homemade (and delicious) - but we didn't have huge portions. To get around, we had to ride our bikes. Or walk. I've tried to incorporate more of the "half an apple" mentality into my life.
All the best to everyone who's working on a more energetic you.
I went to a doctor for the first physical of my life when I turned 60. In the followup consultation, she had three prescriptions and a lecture for me. She told me my health was the end result of my lifestyle choices and I would be refilling those prescriptions the rest of my life if I didn't make adjustments. I took it to heart, changed to a healthy diet in terms of content and portions and started exercising rigorously. As a result I have lost 45 pounds reduced my blood pressure from 140/100 to 110/65, cholesterol from 247 to 182 and my blood sugar is down to 80 now. I feel awesome and don't get sick anymore. In the two years I've been doing this I have made time to exercise at least an hour every single day. It is never too late, you just have to make the choice and then stick to it.
Jen, thank you for sharing your story. You spoke with such articulation about the difficulties and triumphs of this learning experience for us all. Recommended reading!
Thank you for posting your story! I am just your age and basically did the same thing you have done about two years ago. Unfortunately, I have gained 10 lbs. back and feel 'soft' and 'flubby' again 
.
You have inspired me to get back at it! This website was the thing that worked before for me so I'm going to start today - counting calories! Thanks so much again!
Wow, congrats :) And it was so well written! I didn't think I'd read it at first, since the age and weight loss goal aren't along the same lines as mine are, but what you wrote was so clear and understandable.
I really liked when you wrote: "When I started seeing food as this wonderful gift, it was an enormous revelation. I want to give my body the foods it needs to keep me focused and sharp and happy and energetic."
This is how I feel now, but people's attitude towards food (including the old me) has changed over the years. How we get our food has really changed and I can't tell you how great of a difference it has been for me to now cut out everything processed, refined or with preservatives. I don't "feed" my body now, I "fuel" it as you would any well-made machine. Nowadays, people take better care of their cars than their own bodies! Funny, I never looked much at people's weights when I was heavier, but now that I'm losing, all I notice anymore is how heavy everyone is and it makes me sad. I want to just go up to people and say, "Stop doing that to yourself!"
And congrats to all the successful people who posted on here. Wow, such amazing results! I think we all share the wonderful goal of not just being "skinny," but of being healthy.
Loved reading your about your journey. It is never too late to do anything. You look awesome! http://fullbodytransformation.wordpress.com/
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Making it a lifestyle, not a diet. This is just one of those crazy little things - but when I'm in the kitchen cooking or preparing food, I sample. So my Calorie Count self made a deal with my snacking self, that my snacking self would not eat anything if I was standing in the kitchen. I had to take my slice of bacon or cookie, or spoonful of pasta and put it on a dish and go sit down to eat it. Naturally, being greedy and impatient, my snacking self hated this. I can't count how many times I would have something halfway to my mouth, thoughtlessly tasting or "testing" -- and I would literally say out loud, "NO!" I was amazed. It still happens now and then but my snacking self is much better disciplined
Congratulations on your success! What a great motivator, I related to # 5 so well I had to quote it, I love your suggestion and I will not eat any more food standing up in my kitchen!!
You look fantastic! I'm in my 30s and although I've been a pescetarian and yoga pratcitioner since my college days,my lifestyle and habits were not at all what you would call healthy. It's amazing to think of being healthier now than what I was in my 20s. You inspire me to know that in ten years I can be even healthier than I am now! You really are only as old as you feel!
Congratulations to Jenpnc. Thanks for sharing your story! I was 68 when I started with CalorieCount with a goal of losing 68 pounds. It took me two years to reach my goal. I intentionally wanted to do it slowly so as to build a life style. So I quite agree -- it's never too late.
Congratulations. I have counted calories for years and found that writing everything down was the very best thing I ever did for myself. When I am asked how I lost so much weight, I see all kinds of faces when I mention writing foods down and counting calories. It seems very hard for people. They say they have no time or that it is boring. At first, it was a hard job, but as time passed it became so easy to do. I really wish everyone would give it a try.
Also, find a plan that is for life. Something that works for you. Be open to anything and everything and soon you will find the answer and be healthy for the rest of your life. Doesn't hurt to look good at the same time.
I was 59 when I started eating healthy. I searched for foods that would satisfy me. Years back I ate plain chicken, baked potato and a vegetable and tuna salad until I was just plain sick of it. Now I eat a variety of good tasty , healthy food.There are so many out there these days that you don't have to feel deprived at all. All my life I gained back what I lost. This time I have kept it off for close to 6 years, over 100lbs.I like the books that show you how to prepare a high calorie meal the low fat way.
Good job and congratulations! Even at 38 its I felt like it was late, you are proof starting NOW whenever that is makes sense!
I am down 120 pounds since last January! See my profile for blog link!
Chris
Jenn, thanks for telling your story. You made some terrific points that I will take to heart. Good luck maintaining, I think you'll do really well with that fantastic attitude!
PS- Soooo cool that your hubby joined you!
thanks first time on this site lost 75 pounds. still loosening. today i shoveled and its great not out of breath i can bend etc. energy is fantastic. i eat three weight measure meals a day. .one day at a time I ask to attend and over eaters program base on the aa. concepts. to keep it simple. it works for me. it could work for you. here is a suggestion that may help you when your hungry drink a glass of water before each meal. don't you think people show there love through food. normal and its univeral language if theres certain foods and its not my meal time to be polite and its not good for me.the way i handle it is i say know thank you i have and allergy to it. people pretty much accept it and its good. heres another commericials ever count the commercials of food advertisements cripe.just change the channel or mute it . this was great i'll be back to read more inspirations or reminders it helps when i am unable to attend oa meeting. woodsmpth,
Soon after I read your great story, I saw a Laurel and Hardy film. I remembered Hardy as huge. But he doesn't look so fat now. Perceptions change! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
When you mentioned that you were gaining weight and thought it was something that you had to accept because you were getting old, I was there myself.
I have been exercising for some 36 years now and have always been at the top of my game, but once I hit 50 (menopause) that's when I noticed a little poochy around my mid section starting. I thought to myself, 'what is this?' I can remember going for my yearly physical and mentioning it to my female doctor, and her comment was, 'Welcome to menopause'. After leaving the doctor's office, I was fit to be tied if ever I was going to accept this change that was happening to my body. So, I started doing more core exercises and doing more weight training overall, and all the effort not only got rid of that poochie, I am the fittest and strongest that I have ever been.
In my 20s, 30s, I could go to the gym 2-3x a week and maintain a weight of 118 lbs, once I hit 40 I found that I needed to go 3-4x a week mostly doing aerobics, and now that I am 50, (weight started creaping up to 126) I go every day at lunchtime, doing either 30 minutes of aerobics or weight training, and at home during the week I may do a additional 20 minute toning session to target my thighs or another area and do a 45 minute to an hour all over workout on Saturday. Sunday is my day of rest. I have noticed that as you get older, your body does not hold onto muscle mass as it used to, so you have to keep it up, and it seems that I have to work out harder in order to maintain it as well.
I am 5'2", 115 lbs, 34, 25, 35. If you want a great ab workout to get rid of that poochie, here it is: At home, I lay on the floor in front of the wall partition that separates the living and dining room. I reach over my head and grab the wall as if it were a handle. Bend you legs 90 degrees at the waist so that your feet are pointing to the ceiling. Inhale, and as you exhale and tuck pull your belly button into your back, lift your legs straight up. When you get strong enough, try to keep your hips off the floor and pulse the motion. Its all in the upper abs, the ones that give you that six pack look.
Remember that exercise is a 'way of life'.
thank you for posting your story. I'm 53 and have just started CC - really pleased with early results and you story is inspirational.
I would like to share a short story about a friend. She joined an organization called TOPS Take Off Pounds Sensibly when she was 57. She lost her weight and has maintained since. She is now 92, active, healthy and still going to TOPS. So, don't ever think that it is too late to take care of your health and well being. I know it is very hard, but the fact that you keep going, keep trying ,is a wonderful thing.
Once again thank you all for the nice comments and the encouragement. I have heard from so many wonderful people, almost all of whom related most of all to the age factor. I truly believed my body's best days were over. As "exercise_ veteran" above said, the prevailing sentiment about our bodies going south seemed to be "get used to it" (in so many words). I felt a vague despair when I thought about just feeling so "blah" and mushy for the rest of my life. Exercise alone didn't cut it. It HAD to be diet (as in what I was putting into my mouth) and exercise together - as a lifestyle.
Thanks too to exercise veteran for the tip on getting rid of muffin top. =) I use a weighted hula hoop (4#) for 20 minutes a day --love it!!! and I'm going to incorporate that exercise in with it. All the best to all of you.-- jenpnc
Great Job!! You are amazing!!! ;) I too have to lose 20 lbs but, I am a teenager sooo...I guess it's a little different but, I hope that I can get it done! I started on this website today and I was glad to see your story to help indpire me!! :) from 159 to 139...here I go!!
Hello,
I just started on this site and I am very excited to see all the nutrution totals and the pie chart etc. I have done some form of "weight watching" all my adult life, and feel very safe coming back home to calorie counting. I am 54 so your story hits home. Thanks for the inspiration.
I really feel in good company with every older person here. I just turned 52 last month. I changed my lifestyle in 2009. Although it's taken me almost 2yrs., I've lost 107 lbs., quit smoking over a month ago, and put down the wine glass. I don't ever remember having this much energy and self-esteem. I just wish I could have gotten my sh%t together sooner!!
You look gorgeous and have a great figure! You could easily pass for 40 or less. I am so glad to have read your success story because I am 57 and have been looking for weight loss programs for women over 50. Your story is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
You look gorgeous and have a great figure! You could easily pass for 40 or less. I am so glad to have read your success story because I am 57 and have been looking for weight loss programs for women over 50. Your story is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
It's so encouraging to read the success stories. I was always thin growing up, but as I got older the weight just started coming on. I have lost weight 3 times, only to gain it back. Now I'm determined to lose again. I'm 56 years old, active...but run out of steam and overweight by 40 pounds. I discovered "Calorie Count" a few days ago...I'm hoping this will help me. It's so difficult to break old habits. Thanks to all of you "never too late". This will be the beginning of my success story too :-) I'm starting small...5 pounds.
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Wow Jenpnc - You are an inspiration. So much good sense here! I particularly agree with the idea of doing the hard work of tagging your most common foods (incidentally something which I have been beginning to do myself in the last couple of weeks too!). It makes me much more likely to do my count because it makes it faster and I dont have to think about it - just point and click!