Hello any one else over 40 here?
 

I know its harder as we age...any one else struggling with the metabolism fighting again gains/losses ?

I am 44 and struggling with metabolims issues and losing weight. I am trying to lose a total of 68 pounds and it has taken me one month just to lose 8 lbs., this is working our 3 times a week for 2 hours and a low calorie diet. It is hard, but I keep going on.

Hey ladies, I'm 50 and yes, it is a real struggle to keep the metabolism going. I'm doing Atkins, taking Alli, Race walking 3.5 miles every day. Keep my calories under 1200. I know it sounds extreme but I find that after adjusting for a week I have more energy.
Also, and probably most important is to get at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep a night.
If we don't start putting ourselves first now, it will never happen.

I've never been overly fat but I put on 30 lbs when I quit smoking 8 years ago. I just let them sit there till about 2 months ago. I was exausted, unhappy, and generally crabby with everyone. I realized the only way I was going to be happy was if I started taking care of me from the inside out. Not sure what was so different this time but I'm half way to my goal.

Started at 145
Now at 130
Goal is 115 where I spent most of my adult life and that was even after having 4 kids. Kids grew up, quit smoking and got lazy!!

I find that posting regularly on FD helps me stay focused. It's good to know you're not alone!!!!:)

If I confess to my real age, um yep I'm over 40, but only by a minute or two... I don't know that I'm struggling more with diet and exercise than I did before hitting 40. Seems to me it was never easy.

hiyas ladies, nice to see some replies, it seems most boards I go to there arent to many our age that really care. :P I am 49 (for a couple more months anyway and my goal is to be a fabulous 50 :) I am currently at 140-144 goal is 120 but would love to be closer to 105-110 that was my weight up till about 10 yrs ago, babies at 40 and stopped smoking both good things but not when it comes to weight LOL.
Right now I list 3 days a week and do cardio 3 with one day of plyo....carb cycling for the diet..alternating hi and low days depending on the workouts.

would love to start a thread (or keep this one) for some chat and accountability. Any one else?

I would love to have someone to chat with and inspire me. I am 44 yrs old and have a hard time keeping focused and with three boys eating all the time it seems, it is hard to stay on track.

Hi Z....i hear ya i have 2 grown boys and 2 still at home....the 2 still at home are 12 and 10, and let me tell ya the 12 yr old is packing it away this yr LOL. I have started cooking for myself on Sundays ( this week I grilled 7 chicken breasts) and while warming up mine I fix their meat (and DH's) we all eat the same veggies and for the sides If I make baked potatoes for example I make mine a sweet pot...same with Fries, theres are reg mine are sweet pot. I follow the "eat clean" principle by Tosca Reno. Its the desserts that get me, this week while they are eating "real" Ice cream I have been having a frozen protein shake smoothie...for now its working.

Celisa, I have 3 children and 2 extra that I watch full time. A while back I decided what was good for me was just as good for them, so we all get the same dinner most of the time. My kids are all girls, ages 8, 7 and 4, and two of them are a little prone to chubbiness. Anyway since I made that decision, our oldest has dropped 6 pounds, and lost 4" around her waist. She is not dieting, it's just from the little changes I've made to the general diet around here, and the increased activity that I promote everyday. She's also gotten 1 1/2" taller than she was when I started this in December, so I suppose that explains the waistline shrinkage. I just wanted to throw that out there for you, because making 2 separate dinners for me is just too much extra work and sooner or later I would just throw in the towel to save myself some work in the kitchen. Besides I want the kids to have healthy eating habits when they get older, because chances are they will end up like mom and dad and have to be conscience of calories and diet.

50 and struggling
 

hi

i turned 50 in february. i am trying to lose 17 lbs by my nephews wedding in september. so far i have lost 8 since july 1st. now i am just STUCKKKK and cant seem to lose any more. i jog 30 minutes daily on the treadmill, and lift weights daily. i truly beleive my metabolism is messed up because i am perimenopausal. i am trying to eat 1400 calories a day but perhaps this is too much?( i am following fitday guidelines for caloric count) any suggestions on how to get over this hump!!!?

I hear ya we all eat healthy I just chose to eat healthier..:) and its not really cooking 2 meals, my meats are already cooked. I am not depriving my kids of the occasional ice cream and cookie or whatever just because I have a weight problem. They are healthy active growing boys. :P My 12 yr old even started workingout with me this month...LOL he want bi's and abs...must be gonna try for the girls...*chuckle*

LOLlok so I dont know how to multi quote in one post
if your lifting daily then 1400 prob isnt enough. What kind of treadmill do you do...steady state, or HIIT
The program I am on right now for my body weight (140)
non weight lifting days 1200 cals
lifting days 1600 cals.

post an average day of meals and workouts and we can see what to tweek to shake it up for ya. that is if ya want.

Yeah I'm stuck too. 3.5 mile a day outside, up and down hills in under an hour. Just can't seem to get below 130. And I'm so careful about my calories! Frustrating!! I'm going tostart adding some weights and walking again in the evening. I'm also bloating cuz I'm getting my period. Sounds like this rollercoaster could be going on for quite some time!! Beginning of menopause and still dealing with the other crap. I'm just glad my kids are grown, moved out and self sufficiant!

I'll be 45 in a few months, and have really been struggling. It used to take no time at all to lose a few pounds, but now it's hard work! I lost 7 pounds since 6/19, went out to dinner last night, and weighed 3 pounds more this morning (due to sodium, I'm sure); The way that scale can jump up is frustrating! And waking up too early every day, my fingers swollen like sausages...ugh.

Good ole water retention. I take an OTC water pill every day and always before I eat out.
Just got my period last nite( you'd think at 50 it could JUST BE OVER!!) The older I get the worse it gets. 3lbs more just because of bloat. So frustrating!:mad:
Couple of days and I might be able to be around people again without committing murder and mayhem.

lol yea we need an off switch for periods....not having more kids dont need em...and the are so irregular now too...17 days between the last one. *sigh* gotta love them women issues....:p

I swear the last 10 yrs has been a roller coaster weigh wise. I wanna back like my 20's and even 30's where no matter what i did unless i was preggo i struggled to stay over 105 lbs *sigh* now is the payback i guess.

I have been on a low calorie diet for the past month. I have only lost 8 lbs!!. This is a little frustrating because I went from being a couch potato to working out 3 times a week for 2 hours (1 hr. of weights, 1 hr. cardio). What am I doing wrong. I keep my calories 1000-1300 and really watch what I eat. I lost 50lbs a few years ago doing the low carb diet, but my husband is really against this. He thinks it is too unhealthy, so I have done the low calorie diet this time. I am thinking about going to the low carb diet again. Any thoughts on which way would be better or has anyone had luck on a certain diet. I really need to lose 15 lbs in the next month so I can get into my work clothes before I go back to work. Thanks for any help with this.

Well, I personally am doing the low carb. And I mean really low carb. I speed walk 3.5 miles every day and keep my total calories under 1200. Is is not so pleasant? YES. But it is working.

Actually 8 lbs in a month is not bad for "our" age . The fight against our metabolism is a real struggle!


Celisa, I'm with you. Except for when I was pregnant, I had no trouble stayin between 100 and 110 tops! Periods may be irregular but for me they are getting heavier with more cloating and cramps. I'm really debating spending the money on Essure procedure or not.

Zinal, the only thing I can suggest is that you work out more than 3 times a week. Maybe that will help.

Happy day everyone!

Well guess I am the old timer here at 61. Sigh. I have had low thyroid and was on meds for well over 20 years. I stopped taking that in 2005 just because I got tired of being dependent on it. My metabolism did seem to slow down about 40 and again when I stopped smoking at 50. Not really dieting as I do not want to ever have to go off of such. So just trying to be more aware of what I am eating. Trying to keep honest by posting it all on Fitday and sometimes just thinking if I eat this or that I have to go post it stops me from munching.I am not over exercising either. Just walking and I lead an active lifestyle in the yard and house.

Maggie

45 Here! Trying to eat under 1000 calories/day ughhh
 

I would like to join the over 40 ladies! pre-meanapausal or whatever

You may say only 1000 calories! - but I figure my metabolism is dead. I gain when I try to maintain 1000 -1200 range because my weekends get up to about 1500-1800 sometimes on a cheat day.

Last summer I worked out vigorously 6-8 hours a week cardio and lifting and finally noticed my butt, stomach and leggs getting smaller when I reduced cal's to 600-800 / day during week plus cheat a little on weekends. Had to quit working out due to hurt neck/shoulder.

Currently I am doing a strenuous weightlifting routine every 3 - 4 days or minimum twice a week. I can't get away anymore than that till kids go back to school.

I just starting tracking my cals again, looking forward to loosing this belly cheese!

I'm going to be 50 in a few months also. I tried for months and months last year to lose on 1400-1500 a day, working out 6 days a week, and the scale barely budged. I dropped it down to 1200 this year, and added in a lot more weightlifting, and have lost about a half pound per week. Sounds excruciatingly slow but it has added up to two clothing sizes and to feeling a lot better inside this body.

It is harder when we are older, but you can push past metabolism. It just takes longer, which means it takes more patience and determination. I also had to swallow my pride and get real about my calories. I sit at a desk most of the day so I really don't need more than what my body can obviously handle. My trainer told me "1250" a year ago and I immediately said NO WAY!! Well, she was right. I have always tended to be on the heavy side, so I don't have a fast metabolism. I had to face that fact.

I'm down from 161.5 to 140, taking a break in July and just on maintenance, ramping back up again in August to hopefully get rid of another 10-15 lbs. I've never been tiny, so I'm actually pretty happy to be where I am - I weighed 135 at high school graduation - but I see the health problems my family is dealing with now because of poor health choices and I'm doing my best to make sure I don't end up in the same boat.

Hang in there!!! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!

Well, it's pretty obvious to me that I just don't need much over 1000 cal a day. I've now lost 16 lbs over the last 2 months and it's amazing how much less my joints hurt. I started at 145 and now at 129. Breaking that 130 mark was not easy.

Tonia, I agree with you as far as your calorie limit. The biggest thing tho is really listening to our bodies and doing what they tell us. We need to push ourselves but we must also be vigilant to what our bodies are saying.

I think we are entering the best years of our lives. As women, we have always had challenges and obstacles. Being caretakers for everyone else in our lives. It never seems to end. The children grow and move on and then our parents and/or spouses need us more.

We must make the time to put ourselves first for a little while every day.

I wish I had had the wisdom and patience to know all this 30 years ago.:)

hetemte, your perspectives are awesome. Thank you for the post!

Thanks Sunrosa, Don't mean to preach, I just think that if we all continue to share and communicate about our lives we'll all benefit. I know that in the 2 months I've been posting I have learned great things from some very smart Ladies.

Thank you all!!!

whats ur usual meal plan each day to keep 800 range
 

I am so glad I came back to this site for tracking my food intake, this is an awesome thread....

What are ur go to meals during the week? I like to keep mine simple and boring because if I get something delicious I'm scared I'll be tempted.

Here's mine:

Breakfast:
Boiled egg (1-2) or Protein Drink w/Skim Milk
Work out

Snack: Protein Drink

Lunch: 1/2 envelope Tuna, 1/2 whole wheat bran pita or 1-1/2 cup cooked beans

Snack: sfree popcicle, apple, carrot sticks, pnut butter Tbsp, almonds,
can beenie weenies

Dinner: Salad or Veg and lean meat

Open to any new ideas? Has anyone seen an endrocrinologist before about your metabolism?

over 40
 

Hi celisa I am over 40 and I need support.I have a lot of weight to lose. If you can I hope we can help each other.Let me know labellarose

Since I'm really watching my carbs, my breakfast is 2 scrambled eggs(just the eggs no milk or anything and about a tbls of shredded cheese.

Lunch is my biggest meal- BIG bowl, like a mixing bowl, 3 cups of the dark leafy spring green salad mix(the darker green, spinach etc..the better), Put a 1/2 to a full cup of cottage cheese on top and then about 3 or 4 tbls of salsa.
Mix it all together. That huge bowl only contains about 130 calories. If I want to make it more substantial add 1/2 cup of cooked chicken or tuna. you'll still come in under 275 calories and you will be full!!!

Dinner is usually very small, about 3 to 4 oz of protien, any kind, and about a cup of steamed veggies.

I love the new steamer bags but you have to make sure that you choose the plain ones. Not the yummy cheese or sauce ones, (sorry)
This will keep me under 1000 calories usually about 850 to 900 a day.

It's not very exciting, but it's working for me. Oh and LOT"S of water!!:)

Hi Ladies. I joined last week. 4 years ago I lost 52 pounds in 52 weeks(fluke) I've gained back 40. It is so much harder this time. the harder I try the more i gain. Now the cholesterol and blood pressure are up. I have 2 kids a girl 21 on her own and a son 12.

Hey Ladytrekker,
What are doing for exercise and Calorie control?

I am, gasp, 69 and trying to lose the 12 pounds I've put on over the last few years so that I can fit into old slacks -- and maybe buy a few nice, new things in my old size. I've heard that white flour in bread, etc., is just poison, and collects fat especially around the belly. If you're looking for a little nudge downward in weight, you might try switching to whole grains when you need or want to eat bready things at all.

I'm cracking up over "like a mixing bowl", I thought I was the only one doing this. You should have seen my Tupperware lady's face when I told her what I was doing with that new orange bowl she sold me. She was like "oh, so you make lunch in it for the whole family". And I was like "um, nope, that whole bowl full is my lunch, the rest of them are on their own". LOL.

LALALAAAAAAAAAA.......those are Angels singing!!

I put on a pair of jeans I haven't worn in two years on this morning and they are actually a little loose!!!!

Oh Happy Day! Just had to share!!:)

Congrats hetemte! Must have felt really great!

Over 50 is even worse!
 

All I can say is lift weights (heavier/fewer reps is better than lighter more reps no matter what you've heard) Muscle metabolizes energy--fat just sits there. Lift until you feel like you couldn't possibly do another rep--but no more than 3 times per week! Lifting weights is so important after 40.

Also, try to get your heart rate up as often as possible during your aerobic work out or during your day.

I've been at it for a month and have lost 10 pounds, most of it in the last two weeks. Even when I hadn't lost any weight, though, I started looking great, which I guess is the point.

I just joined fitday so that I could track my progress a little better and stay motivated. I still have 15 more pounds to go. I know that this is where the fun starts.

Good luck

Wow...I am 73......started WW about 14 years ago and did great.....kept it off for 8 1/2 years! Then, it started to creep up and up......went back to WW and lose a little, gain it back and I have totally lost my motivation!

Wonder if it is impossible at this age, due to slowing down, etc.

Started on this site today and will try logging my food and weight here for better control. Look forward to tips and support from all of you. Hate going to WW as I have to pay every time I go as I never get to my goal weight anymore.

woo hooo happy dancing with ya> busy busy week for me, trying to get the house cleaned and the school stuf taken care of we go back before ya know it and its sayanara summmer vacay. *sigh* still maintaining weight even though I am trying to lose. BLAH I wihs i had insurance I woud go have my thyroid checked. I am doing everything right but showing now progress.

wow lots of new faces here, its nice to know your not alone isnt it. I follow a "Eat Clean Diet" lifestyle, This is lifestyle of eating not a diet its been made popular by Tosca Reno, great lady (google her) she started living her life at 40 getting in shape and even winning many fitness competitions. I love her principles.

relatively young
 

I'm a relatively young 65--three kids, seven grandchildren, full time job, and struggling to get my weight back into a healthier range. My doc says if I lose a few more pounds, I'll probably be able to stop some of blood pressure medication, and my blood sugar will normalize--now that's a wieght loss incentive.

that is definate incentive. good luck

First of all, welcome new gals. So, I just read a study that says if you get at least 7 hours of sleep a night you are far more likely to lose weight. The way I feel today it shouldn't be a problem. I'll call it my Rip Van Winkle test. Hubby is gone for a week so shouldn't be a prob.
G'nite all. I'll let you know on Monday.:)

68 can I join in sounds like a fun group of gals.
 

Just started so reading and learning everyday.