I am a 50 year old woman. I need to lose 20 pounds. Three years ago I lost 35 pounds and I was so happy! I actually liked myself! Then I found out I had uterine cancer. Everything after that is just a blur. I had a complete hysterectomy in August 2006. Since then I have been trying to lose the same 20 pounds over and over. After the surgery I was thrown into instant menapause. I am on the treadmill every morning for 30 minutes. I TRY to eat right. I just can't lose the weight. I am very depresses. Summer is here and I don't have anything to wear. Somebody please help me!

Have you thought about calorie counting? Thats the best way (in my opinion) to lose weight. For me, I am currently eating 1600 calories per day and like 30% fat. Also, are you actually getting your heart rate up while walking? Thats key, to get your heart rate up and not just take a leasurly stroll, if ya know what Imean.

It's almost summer--can you go outside for a walk where you live? Maybe if you went for a walk every morning, and then walked on the treadmill in the afternoon 5 days a week?

I agree about calorie counting. You say you try to eat right, but it's important to know much.

Jay

I am another that endorses calorie counting. You can do it !

I'm just going to toss some ideas out there and you can pick and choose what feels good to you. I may be all wrong on some things for you, but I've been working through some of this stuff over the last few years, so I think I know how you're feeling.

I think your focus is off. You talk about losing 20 lbs. and how great that felt last time you lost weight, but I think you need to look at the bigger picture. Do you just want to be thinner, or do you want to be healthier and experience a higher level of wellbeing, as well as joy? Because those are two very different motivations. And being thinner can produce some level of happiness, but there are millions of naturally thin people who don't experience much joy.

We women-of-the-certain-age category must accept that we have to work harder to lose the weight. But if our daily choices are fueled by wanting to genuinely feel healthy all the time, we make life choices that go beyond food and exercise. And then we make lifestyle changes to support the direction we want to go.

Is your pantry still full of processed foods? (Are you eating enough veggies?)

Is 30 minutes on the treadmill enough for your body to burn extra calories from fat? (You might have to do it twice a day, and you could add weight training and some core work or Yoga too.)

Are you having to re-evaluate your priorities but still clinging to the way you've always done things? (You might need the help of a life coach through mid-life issues.)

Do you have really good friends and do you avail yourself of their company?

How often do you get out? And are you involved in activities and pursuits that really fire you up?

Just some things for you to think about...

Georgia

Hi Tattoo Girl,

We are here for you. There are two daily threads on this board - the ones with the stars. Feel free to join either/both and get to know us. Also, there is a Labor/Labour Day Challenge - join us there also.

Good luck - looking forward to getting to know you,

Lynn

I don't count calories, I do portion control and drink lots of water will help. and I commend your courage on what you have already been thru, I'd have given up and ....well you know