Over 50 and overweight

That was how I saw myself in Oct of 2001.  It wasn't until I turned 55 that I decided to actually do something about it. In the summer of 06 I was weighing 285 and moving from size 44 to a size 46 jeans.  Something changed inside me and through the grace of God I was able to change my eating habits and appetite to lose approximately 115 pounds over a 15 month period.  I have rebounded a litttle but have been struggling to maintain myself at about 185.  I am not totally satisfied with that weight, but still it is gratifying to be able to squeeze into the same size jeans I wore in high school, 34's. (For work and general activity I wear 36's)

I am now 58, and learning to live as a single and trying to maintain my weight or if possible, to lose that last 20 pounds.  Starting to work on other aspects of my health that were ignored while I was heavy. Started cycling for cardio-vascular health and to burn calories and doing well in at least the cardio strengthening.  

My main complaint is trying to lose the remaining belly flab.  If you have seen the movie "Click" you might remember the scene where Adam Sandler has awoke in a hospital after losing a bunch of weight and plays with the remaining flab. Well, that is precisely how I feel.  Trying hard to lose that flab but it seems impossible.  I am guessing that having had the skin and fat cells streched so far for so long makes it especially difficult to make the flab go away. Not sure it will ever happen.

Now as fall is aproaching I am dreading the wet northwest weather and being stuck indoors and the holiday feasting.  Don't like riding a bike in the rain but I think I am going to have to anyway.

This site is quite an asset in tracking calories consumed and burned. Hoping to lose that last 20 pounds before I get too old.

Instead of risking a fall due to slick pavement by riding your bike in the rain; how about joining a local gym where you can use a treadmill or other cardio equipment in a comfortable environment when the weather gets rainy and colder.

I'm 50 yrs and my husband is 52 yrs [he had a triple bypass in '06] and we got the wakeup call loud and clear!  We joined a local fitness center and we jog and run on the treadmill Mon thru Fri and lift moderate weights on the machines on Mon-Wed-Fri and then on the weekends we take fast paced walks in a local arboretum for 5 miles over an hour and a half to 2 hours.

Just some ideas to get you started. Before you start a serious workout you may want to get a check-up with your MD to make sure you can handle the exercise without health issues arising suddenly.

Keep us informed and how you are progessing and remember it will take time and you may experience some set backs along the way. Lynn

I have thought about that, but there are two problems with that idea.  First, I live in a very rural mountain area and the nearest gym is 35 miles away and secondly, during the winter my funds are somewhat limited due to extra bills and less hours in a seasonal vocation.  

The roads here are mostly chip sealed and not likely to become slick.  I will stop riding when it gets frosty or when the snow comes.  I like the workout riding gives me.  I ride at a brisk pace working my heart at about 75% for about a half an hour and up to 2 hours at a time. (I wear a heart monitor while cycling)  I love the fresh air and the scenery too,  I will probably find an indoor bike trainer for the worst of the weather though.   My job requires regular checkups and I am due for one in the next month.

Excercise in wintermonths:  I am also in my 50's and eventhough I live in a large urban area I hate indoor workouts.  I love the fresh open air and the scenery that goes with it.  So the problems are the same> slippery surfaces in wintertime.  Last year I bought a pair of lightweight SNOW SHOES.  Even with a little snow and some hardened snow ([poor conditions for snowshoeing) i can walk in the park on non path surfaces.  But when there is enough snow 3"-4" or more, it is delightful.  In only 1/2 hour the heart rate is way up and on bitter cold days I still only wear 1-2 layers of snow shoe gear/clothing. I'll have to check the Activity Log to see how many cals i burn in 1/2 hour.  It's my favorite excersice in wintermonths.

Good Morning Y'all,

I have $75 treadmill for rainy days.  Bought at a garage sale.  Of course I am probably not as athletic as y'all sound. Kogeler, snow shoeing is my fave of all time sport.   Spent past 2 winters in Vermont, East Burke area. I miss it. 

Now in East Texas so chances of snow shoeing are very slim, this winter anyway. 

I am a fast walker, but have to compete with log trucks,  soooooooo all that to say we all have things to deal with. 

Kendall in nursing circles the Flab is known as an apron.  When ya figure out a solution please post!!! or patent!  All in all we are in better shape than we were a year ago.  For me new to the calorie count journey better than i was last month. 

Have a wonderful day!

love & light

marjg      &nbs p;       & nbsp;     PS:  Anyone in Cass County, Texas??  Bivins area??