New Member

I have attempted to get healthy several times by joining various fitness clubs [x5] over the years but never stayed in the club long enough for any long term benefits. Since I did not have a weight problem and just wanted to increase endurance I guess I was not motivated enough.

Now at 50, I have joined a very economical fitness club in my own town [ no excuses not to attend]. Why did I restart joining a fitness club after all these failures? I have always maintained my weight even after my two sons until the last two years. Now I have gained 25 lbs and I feel tired, short of breath climbing stairs or going for a moderate walk with my dogs [15 minutes around the two block area].

Another motivation: I am currently an unemployed teacher so I am looking for activities to motivate me and keep me in a positive mind set as I know it may be a long time before I get back into the classroom or find another employer who does not say I am not qualified for work outside of education.

Another motivation is seeing what my husband went through in 2006 with a triple bypass heart surgery... now he has lost 60+ lbs and I am gaining weight! He recently decided to join the fitness club so I joined too. Since we go together I am hoping to keep both of us in the fitness center for some benefits this time.

Here is my present issue I am trying to resolve:  By working out on the treadmill and weight lifting for 6 weeks; I thought I'd make more progress but it didn't happen yet. So I added more vigorous training-running which I began with a 5min jogging followed by a 1 minute run on the threadmill which I began this week. Maybe I'll start shedding 2 lbs per week now instead of gaining weight.

Well I hope this is enough of an introduction and I hope to get to know some other 50 Somethings who also are having the same difficulties losing the weight.      Lynn

Lynn, are you accurately tracking your calories?  Exercise is good for you, but unless you track your food, even on a piece of paper, you will have a hard time losing weight.  To lose 2 pounds per week, your calories eaten have to be 7000 per week less than your calories burned.  That is 1000 calories per day. 

Increasing your exercise sometimes also increases your appetite - that's why you have to log your calories!  Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I probably did not take an accurate calorie count for what I was eating. I'll have to better at keeping track of everything Ieat as well as an accurate record of my activity. Maybe I should reduce my goal to 1 lb per week instead of 2 lbs. Thanks for your help.  Lynn

Hello everyone,

I have been trying to lose weight for over 4 years now, I lose a bit then gain back, I am having difficulty staying on track.  I live alone and during the day I am good but then in the evening it starts, i know that i shouldn't eat but the loneliness is so strong that all i want to do is eat, especially now that i have quit smoking (8 weeks now).

I have spent so much money on programs to lose weight but end up always sabotaging my attempts. not sticking to it, giving up etc...

any help would be appreciated.

Gwen

I find if I focus too much on the weight, I end up giving up.  I have put my scales in the top of my closet and do not get on them.  I am focusing on calorie intake and walking every day.  The truth is that sometimes your weight will shift and you lose inches but not pounds.  Two years ago I had a hysterectomy and had gained 40 pounds.  I think I have lost 10 of those pounds but have certainly lost 1 dress size in the last couple of months.  Anyway, I am trying to focus on my way of living and, if all goes well, the weight loss will follow. 

Thanks, i too had a hysterectomy 4 years ago, left my husband after 27 years, kids are both gone and now i am alone,,too much happening in my life...you are right i am obsessive about my weight

When I went on my diet at age 55 and 283 pounds, I weighed in once a week at a set time which I figured would be my lowest weight. For me it was Saturday morning before breakfast or coffee.  It's impossible to see if you are gaining or losing without getting on the scale now and then and you miss the positive feedback of seeing the numbers decrease.  I still work at keeping the weight off. 

What I have found for myself is that it takes about 30 minutes of continues exercise to burn many calories.  For me it seems to require elevating my heart rate to about 75% and keeping it there for the whole 30 minutes.  I prefer a moderately vigorous bike rides of 15 to 30 miles two to three times a week. After the first five miles it becomes easier and easier to continue riding.