need a partner to lose weight

Hi

looking for a few to lose weight with   I am 55yrs 5'1 161lbs

Ok. I'm 53yrs 5'8" and 191 now but goal is 160#.

I would love to join you.

I'm 51, 5'8, down to 145 over the last year, and goal 132 by the end of August- the weight I was before I gave up being healthy 15 years ago. Even though I have been counting calories and exercising 4 days a week, I am not being successful at losing this summer. I need to increase the exercise and reduce the intake.

I am having a difficult time with lack of support in my family and could use some give-and-take.

What has prompted each of you to lose weight right now?

Hi, I'm Donna

55, 5'2" and 169#.  This year the prompt is a son getting married and everyone on the bride's side is disgustingly petite. Really need encouragement!

Welcome Donna- consider yourself encouraged! What are you doing/planning to do to for working on the weight?

I am watching my diet- I write down everything that goes in my mouth on a 3x5 card and keep it around 12-1400 calories per day. My goal is walking at least 30 minutes a day. I was doing aerobics, but my knee is giving me trouble so I had to discontinue that... it was fun, though. I just got a video workout today and tried 15 minutes of it to see if my knee can take it- I just can't seem to lose weight if I don't get some real active exercise in at least a few days a week.

So, I would love to hear what you are doing, what your goal is... hopefully we can egg each other on to successfully meet our goals!

margo

Hi I am Sima,

I am 52 and 64kg. I started with calorie counting a few years ago and gave up when my weight just stopped reducing.

I have started again, but have given up meat and it looks more promising. I am intending to reduce another 10kg to reach my ideal weight. Don't seem to be able to eat any less than 1200Kcalories a day.

What do you guys do to kerb the number of calories?

Sima

Hi Sima-

I think 1200 is supposed to be the least we should eat a day to remain healthy- at least that is what I have read and heard.

The only way I seem to be able to control the calories is by writing everything down that I eat on a little 3x5 card- and tallying the calories at lunch and before dinner. I find that when I just keep a tally in my head, I tend to go way over without realizing it!

I have eliminated most pasta and white-flour products (just too many calories to fit into 1200!) and eat a lot of vegetables and a moderate amount of fruit (it is  summer- I have to eat watermelon, strawberries and blueberries!). I eat meat, fish and chicken, but I know how many calories are in each serving before I serve myself- I can go way over on the meat very easily!

I weigh my meat and use measuring cups religiously- I don't guess at weights or measures because I always under-or over-estimate. I have certain dishes and bowls that I use because I know how much 1 cup of cereal/blueberries/etc. looks like in it- i use small plates and a small bowl, along with a special big bowl for salads!

Well, curbing calories is a huge step for those of us who like to eat. I don't think there is any ONE way, but we have to find what works for each of us. It feels really nit-picky to be writing down everything ("one saltine-12, cheese-36"...) but I am really motivated to get to my goal, and this is what works for me- of course, I am on vacation right now (I am a teacher) and I know it will be harder once I am back at work!

Hey Margo,

Thanks.  I'm doing pretty much the same as you calorie-wise, 1,200. Plan to get back to walking 2-3 times a week with a couple of home workouts.   My biggest hurdle right now is getting motivated to exercise when I come dragging in from work.  What works for y'all?  Guess taking the plastic off my workout tape and figuring out the DVD might be a good start.  :-) My goal is to get in the 150's by the wedding in November, so 15# would be nice.

Donna

Definitely do-able!! I have the same problem in the evening- My goal is to do my physical therapy exercises every evening, but by the time evening has come, I am so tired exercise just seems like climbing a mountain on my knees...

Last night I finally decided that I will so something every night- it doesn't matter how much I think I can do, just start with 10 sit-ups to get myself back in the habit. I can do 10 sit-ups in less than a minute, so it doesn't seem overwhelming. if i really am too tired, I can stop there and at least I have worked on developing a good habit- which is the key to getting on an exercise program. Chances are, however, that if I am already down on the floor, I can probably do a few more exercises for a few more minutes... but I don't have to if I really don't want to so it takes away the stress and is a positive thing no matter how much or how little I do.

I think the point is to just start wherever you are, not try to do a whole exercise tape at once- and get so tired and discouraged that you can't face it the next night! Baby steps... it's all in the habits!

I really like this thread, sharing ideas, thanks to all of you who contribute. I am trying to do more to use up the calories too. At work, I take the opportunity to wash other poeples cups, instead of sitting down to eat lunch, I go out for a fast walk, instead of using the car, I walk and take the train.

It gives me nearly 2  hours a day walking. I had a bad back and painfull elbo. I had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was getting old gradually and that was what was going to happen when you get old. Until I saw a stall of a chiroprator in the shopping centre. I stood on a scale which measured the weight under each foot. In front of me was a chart to show how straight was my posture. Then he took a photograph of me standing there from each side. The result was that I was putting 2 kg more weight on one side, compensating for my back which was being pulled by big tommy.

I had 12 sessions with the chiroprater and then got some stretch exercises. Which are gentle but very effective.

I will tell you more about them if you are interested.

Sima

Sima,

It would be great to hear about your exercises! I have been doing strength exercises for my back and stomach muscles, but stretching exercises would be a good addition.

I also did not realize that I habitually stood off-center until we got a Wii -fit for Christmas last year. I enjoyed doing the balance exercises, and it helped me become aware of my posture problems. I should get on it again and see how I am doing... oops- better sit up straight...=-)

I think that once we start looking for ways to become more active at work and at home, opportunities just start opening up. I started a walking program in our school for the children, and join them when it is my recess duty. I had noticed that  teachers tend to just stand in one place during recess and it got me thinking of the wasted opportunity! The kids call my laps 'teacher-laps' since I have to remain in the main play area ))

I had never really thought about using some of my lunch hour for a little exercise.  One of those 10 minute mini workouts might be helpful. 

if you can do a sit up, you are already ahead of me.  I can't do a sit up, but I can move my legs.  I can do some leg lifts.

With my artificial knees I am somewhat limited.  I can't get up and down off the floor easily (I can't kneel on those knees without great pain).  But I can do them lying on the bed.

There are times when my back is hurting that I do sit-ups on the bed too- I just have to do them slow so I don't end up using the 'bounce' instead of my stomach muscles to lift myself! I do more 'crunches' than sit-ups now, adding different variations of the sit-up/crunch each time-

I think it just goes to show that we each have different needs and bodys! That is why it is so important to listen to our own body and figure out what works best for us! I think the ability to consider other people's opinions and experiences is one of the best tools we have...

Sounds a little crazy but I do crunches in the bathtub.  The water gives you a natural push going up and the resistance comes more with going down, so it makes them a little easier. There is the noise factor but once my family realized I wasn't being attacked by a great white they were ok with it.  

Original Post by dkfox:

.".. There is the noise factor but once my family realized I wasn't being attacked by a great white they were ok with it.  "

Too funny!!  Humor- a wonderful diet tactic!

I don't use the tub well, now... too hard to get up without help.  However,  I am remembering the time I lay down in the tub and the suction adhered my back to the bottom of the tub.  It really made a slurpy sound when I got the suction to release.   LOL

And cleaning up the floor after your sit ups may be a plus.  LOL. 

Well, y'all were certainly right about calorie control.  I thought I was eating fairly light without keeping a diet log.  Since using it for a few days now, I realize I wasn't even close.  From now on it goes where I go.

Well, y'all were certainly right about calorie control.  I thought I was eating fairly light without keeping a diet log.  Since using it for a few days now, I realize I wasn't even close.  From now on it goes where I go.

I was doing the same thing but I have logged everything that goes in my mouth and it is an eye opener.  Now if I go over 1200 calories even if it is just a few calories over, I go for a brisk 30 to 45 minute walk.  I don't make it a habit of going over but sometimes it just happens. 

It is a shocker, isn't it?! I had the same experience... I use 3x5 cards so I can take them with me... it's amazing how those little 80 calories here, 36 calories there add up!

Don't forget a pen