There is hope after 50
 

Hi,

I found this forum several weeks ago. Frankly it scared me to death because many people were talking about metabolism slowing down and how much harder it was to lose weight at this age. I'm 52.

I got so discouraged, but am grateful now because I decided not to believe it.

I lost 34lbs in the last 2.5 months doing my own diet, which is basically eating everything I LOVE and not exercising. I could have lost more but was tweaking my own diet and at first was doing the right thing by eating the recommended calories and exercising.

That was horrible and I'll never do it again. After 14 years of dieting "The right way" I topped the scales at 205lbs. Been there done that. I knew there was a better way for me.

My liver enzymes were 4 times higher than normal when I started and they insisted I get a sonogram. I refused. Glad I did. Now my blood work is perfect.

I'm back in my size 12s from 18s and on my way to the golden 8s. The 12s are getting looser by the day!

Thanks for this forum and best of wishes to everyone. I know how hard this is, but it isn't any harder at this age than it was in my late 20s and 30s.

I think we get the idea in our head from experts that we're all the same and there's only one way to lose weight and that's slowly.

For some of us that's a death sentence.

I just wanted to let anyone know who's out there that's discouraged before you even begin not to worry about your metabolism being an obstacle.

Unless you have a thyroid disorder or some other unknown health issue, it's not your metabolism. It's also not WHAT your are putting into your mouth, but how much.

Most diets are designed by the diet industry and their own scientists for profit. Maybe we should be questioning these experts' opinions.

Best wishes,

Jude

Hi Jude!

You are welcome to hang out with us on the Golden Girls. Lots of people on different plans there.

Rie

Hi, Jude. I am 60 and had the same concerns you mentioned in your post. After some research, I learned that metabolism does slow down a bit as we age, but if you figure your basal metabolic rate, you'll realize it's only about 5 calories a year! OK - my DD is 32 years younger than I am. That means if we do the exact same things on any give day, she can eat about 150 calories more than I do. Even put like this, it doesn't seem like much! I agree that we older women can lose effectively. I'm also living proof. This has been much easier at 60 than it was when I tried to lose weight at 35. Old chicks are WAY more determined, if you ask me! LOL

Hi Jude! You are so right. I am 64 and lost 34 lb in 5 mos calorie counting and doing mild exercise every day. There is no food that's off limits--I just watch the quantities.

I am long past menopause and was really out of shape. Now I am slim and energetic--ditched the frumpy old clothes and now dress with pizzazz.

People talk so much about metabolism slowing down....well, mild exercise will speed it up.

Not boasting--just saying that we golden girls CAN certainly lose the weight and get into shape. We don't need to be discouraged because of our age.

Congrats to you and best wishes to all of us in our prime who are working to look our best.

:)

Thanks very much. It's been quite a journey. I'm glad to be here.

I hit another goal today and am thrilled.

This is so mental! My mind is so focused on the positive and future goals I forget I am still overweight and am stunned at times I'm still this heavy. "Like, what? I'm not there yet?" My head is already there!

I saw my hair dresser yesterday and his mouth fell open. Now he's going to start doing what I'm doing. I LOVE this diet. Another friend started Sunday. I am so happy. How cool is it to get to help someone!!

A light bulb went off in my head one day as I was thinking about different diets. It seemed no matter which diet, even if you add exercise, they all had one thing in common. Calorie reduction.

It didn't matter if you were cutting out carbs, fat, cardboard, chicken feet, sex, etc., everything was centered around eating less or the diet didn't work. Period.

I wondered what kind of game is the diet industry playing with us. They focus so much on one little culprit and bury the truth about what is really necessary to lose weight. Since diets in general have about a 90% failure rate, the only one who seems to be profiting are the people who create them.

Hum....

That was the last day of my fat life. I was set free from the hopeless prison of the Bulge.

It's good to be here and yes I do think we as older women may have more conviction and determination. After all, I want to look good again before I'm so old and wrinkled no one would even know I was in the room--like when I'm fat. I want to look "Hot" at 52, 62, 72, maybe even 82.

I told my DH and teenagers I am so going to dress like a slut when I hit my goal weight...husband smiled and appeared to be in deep contemplation of future forays, and kids giggled.

That's really interesting about metabolism! I knew it wasn't true and am glad to hear it from someone else.


I couldn't imagine getting to 165lbs when I was 200lbs.

Today is a great day!

7 more pounds and I'll be lighter than I have been in 14.5 years and weigh less then my husband!!! If all goes well according to my records, I should be there in about two weeks!

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I haven't had very many people to talk to since I've been doing this.

Best,
Jude

Hi, Jude:

Yes, it can be done, and at any age.

I actually began my weight-loss journey at the age of 75, and I have lost 65 lbs. I'm now 'maintaining' that loss, and couldn't be happier. :)

I also ditched my fat clothes and invested in a whole new wardrobe. :)

I think it is a mind-set problem - we think we can't lose weight because we are too old, our metabolism has slowed, and we are on medications that hinder weight loss. But all these things can be overcome.

Well, old habits die hard, and it's difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. Pooh on those thoughts.

What we "oldies" have acquired through the years is some wisdom and perseverance that can really be a help in the losing of the weight.

So we "oldies" can do it, so let's do it - let's lose those unwanted lbs. :wave:

Jude - Oh, my gosh - I know it's true, but isn't it a shame that the failure rate in the diet industry is 90%? People ask me what I can eat on my diet. I tell them anything I want. I just control the amounts. And there are some things I don't eat as often as I used to, but there isn't much I don't eat. I was at a party recently and the sisters of the person who hosted it all need to lose a lot of weight. They were sitting with me asking all kinds of questions about what I was doing. I told them basically just cutting back and exercising. They thought a structured diet would be more effective. Apparently they didn't notice that I was the only one at the table NOT eating entire bags of chips and 3 bowls of dip as we talked. One asked if I used fat free salad dressing since I was eating so much salad. I said "No - I hate the taste." She told me she used it and I really should consider trying to get to like it since regular dressing was so high in fat and calories. I wanted to ask her if she had noticed which one of us had recently lost over 60 pounds and which one of us had just eaten 3000 calories of chips and dip in an hour. People just don't get the idea that any reduced calorie eating plan will cause you to lose weight. I don't have to know how many points are in a bowl of dip to know I should only eat a little bit of it - and only once in a while!

I hate the word "diet" because it makes it sound like what we are doing has an end. I have news for us all - it never ends. "Diet" is what you do when you bought a killer dress and need to lose 5 pounds to make it fit perfectly so everyone will drop dead with envy when you wear it. "Diet" is not a life change. And we really have to agree that someone who has to lose more than 20 pounds or so really has to change their lifestyle to accomplish it. I just hope I can keep this in check after I've reached my goal.

I have no doubt that I will reach my goal - hopefully by the end of the year at the latest. Then the real challenge comes in. I absolutely hate it when people say, "WW (or Atkins, or SB, or whatever) worked for me but then I stopped doing it and I gained all the weight back. It's a hard diet to stay on." I have news for them - you can't stop! And I agree with you 500% that the diet industry burying the truth. The simple truth is we have to eat less and be more active. Some days that comes more easily than others., but we have to keep on keeping on (as we used to say in the 60's!) End of story.

Hope everyone had a great day and stayed OP. And here's to a great tomorrow.

Lin

Thanks to all for the encouraging posts!

So I am 51, and read your thread here...there's one thing I found that might add a little insight to the calorie issue. I've always said that there is no magic to losing weight, just MOVE MORE, and EAT LESS. But recently I proved that isn't all there is to it.
With excellent blood work and no health issues, I was 30 pounds overweight. I began (again) a serious plan of counting calories, and working out. I wasn't losing, so I varied the calories and exercised more....and more...and more. I was up to 3x a week kickboxing and running 5 miles a day, weighttraining 3x a week for 30 min a time. It was ALOT of time and energy and I kept a food diary, ate organic, calories always in check. THE SCALE WOULD NOT change! I went back to the doctor; nothing showed up.
Finally, I tried watching the carbs. For me, it was not calories any longer but insulin. Now I'm exercising like a normal human being, and eating well, not hungary, and I've lost almost 15 pounds.
I do think there is something valid in the glycemic load and it is helpful to educate yourself on it with any plan.

Love any feedback....:smug:

This is me. Calorie counting and counting points was definitely not the answer to my failure to lose after 50. I was extremely strict about measuring, weighing, etc. Started South Beach diet and now watch the carbs (only whole grain and less of them). I actually eat way more veggies than I've eaten in my life, more good fats than any other program (MUFA's) I've been on before and don't constantly think about food anymore. I am extremely satisfied on this plan. I do think as we age, we process food differently and many of us grow insulin resistant. Lots of medical research supports this. It's the only plan I've been able to maintain my weight on and have done so for 3 1/2 years now. :)

I appreciate what you said about carbs. I did mention on another thread some health issues may hinder the process.

I'm glad you found something that works for you and no doubt it is working. But when I saw how much you were exercising it got me to thinking about my own experience.

At first I was exercising like crazy and the scale wasn't moving. I realized the problem was not what I was eating but I was gaining muscle! The instant I stopped exercising and dropped my calories, I started losing 4lbs a week. Now I lose between 4 and 3 pounds a week.

I have some issues with carbs as well. Certain carbs I can feel instantly drain my energy. I understand what this is and why, but I stay away from doctors because most don't know anything about nutritional healing.

Had I listened to my doctor with my liver issue, no doubt by now I wouldn't have one, a liver that is. But it is completely healed and she doesn't understand how I did it and how quickly. Even though I told her what I did. With the right nutrition and herbs I believe we can heal anything. (I'm working on the nodes in my breasts right now.)

Still I don't avoid any carbs but have noticed if I eat something else with them it doesn't do anything to my energy level. At the end of the day when the weight is finally off, I will be addressing that issue as well.

I'm just wondering if you measured yourself when you were exercising when the scale wasn't moving. It's not likely that you didn't lose any inches.

Best wishes and best of luck!

Lin,

You have lost so much weight!! Congrats!!!

I really enjoyed your post. You are really funny!

It's great to find a kindred spirit!

Great post Jude,
I so agree with what you had to say.

I am glad I checked in, I find too, that I have success when I cut out processed foods, the white flour, sugar and eat 'normal' food, I use the reg. salad dressings too, just not as much. You have really inspired me to get back on track. thanks! Pam

I also will be checking. Seems like once I started the "Change" "Hot Flashes" "Medications," it seemed like the weight would never come off.

I am going to really try this time! No excuses anymore!

ME TOO ME TOO ME TOO.

I am 53 - I have lost 17 kilos ( 37 lb) in two and a half months, I too was really worried that after 50 I was doomed... but it does not seem to be any different from when I was younger>

I am a firm believer in the GI programme, and follow that style of living/eating/thinking.

Hi all
I just turned 50 in February. I noticed a bit of a change when I got into my 40s in terms of weight gain and that I couldn't get away with just eating or drinking whatever I wanted. I've come to the conclusion that I just have to make more of an effort now be healthy and feel good- whereas when I was younger it seemed to come naturally. Or it was certainly easier to bounce back anyway. I had some lifestyle changes right around the 40 mark too that I think were not good for me in some ways. I moved from a really great city living right beside a river and huge park, with miles and miles of beautiful pathways that connected all over the city....to a smaller town that doesn't offer much for recreation or nice walking/biking trails. Also got a fairly sedentary job and still have the majority of my work day at a desk. (I'm in the process of trying to change that) There are several other factors -- or are they excuses? why I am now 50 and at least 45lbs heavier than I want to be but that's another post...
Anyway, it's really good to hear that there is hope!! It's great to hear of all your successes. I do think the media and the weight loss "industry" really promote that notion that losing weight and getting fit after this golden milestone is impossible and we're all victims of menopause and our slow aging metabolisms, etc etc. Or at least we're lead to believe that it's impossible without the latest product, pill, book, gadget or whatever. We may have a little more disposable income at this time of our lives and they want to cash in on that! I totally agree with what's been said here about making the changes and choices that will be long term and sustainable for health and not just "dieting". For some people that's a radical shift in eating and lifestyle, for others it might be a slow and steady process of replacing bad habits. I don't know what is going to work for me but I think finding this site was a good start!!

Seems people in the upper years, like those in other age groups, have varying approaches to weight loss. What works for a person is their best solution to weight management.

Bottom line though is that however we do it, we older chicks CAN lose weight and look great.

My thought was that I have only X years left to look wonderful, and by golly I was going to do that. For once in my life I can buy what I want to wear, not hunt around for what would simply cover me and hide the fat. I have so much more energy and that adds to the youthful, healthy look.

And I see this new way of eating as lifelong, not a "diet". I eat only the best, no "diet" dressings etc. Wine, chocolate--they are all on the menu. Just have to watch the quantities. Again, that's what works for me--others have their own winning strategies.

Here's to many wonderful years ahead for all of us as golden girls living well!

Congratulations on your success. I think it's true that our metabolism slows down, but that doesn't mean it's time to throw in the towel. My Dr. told me that at 60, I'd have to exercise 1 hour a day to have the metabolism of someone in their 30's. Ok, I can deal with that. I think that the hardest thing is facing our own individual reality and then figuring out what we want to do about it.

Bravo on your success!

Hum, if I had your doctor and believed him, I'd be 300lbs and counting as there's no way I'm going to exercise that much even when I get to my normal weight. I don't exercise and still manage to lose as much weight as I did in my 20s. I'm not special, I just know how to take it off fast.

Did he read some kind of study or did he decide on his own? And who conducted the study. I wouldn't believe my doctor about much of anything other than if they found a brain tumor or I just fractured my leg and I still might want a second opinion.

I use them for diagnosis only, then I take responsibility for my own health and do my research, then consult a few health practitioners--not doctors.

For the most part, the only thing doctors know how to do is prescribe medicine and cover symptoms. They don't know how to heal symptoms. They are not taught these things in medical school. It is sort of not their fault but their predujice against alternative medicine IMHO, is a crying shame.

I feel sorry for people who blindly believe their doctor as if he's God.

My doctor is still scratching her head as to how I healed my liver, and how fast I did it. As supposedly livers are not supposed to heal once they are scared. The jury is still out as to whether I had cancer or not. I didn't need to know, I just proceeded with my health care as if I did.

Every study out there is funded by some big corporation with big interests to the outcome, even the diet industry. The only person in this country who cares about the consumer interests is Elizabeth Warren and she just got passed over to head the agency. It was a dark day for Americans, and the saddest thing of all is Americans don't even know who she is.

Don't get me wrong, I love my doctor and she REALLY cares about her patients and worries about them. She's a good soul and most are. I just feel sorry for her because she's so locked into her own beliefs even after I told her how I cured my liver.

Maybe one day we'll live in a utopia where the best of Orthodox medicine and alternative medicine will marry and we'll all be the beneficiaries. I hope I get to see this in my lifetime.

In the meantime, what you believe is more important than your health. Careful what beliefs you chose as that will be your reality and you could get stuck there forever. Your thoughts have the power to heal you. Ultimately, they are the greatest healers of all.



Best wishes to all.

I am sooooo with you on this!!! I love my diet!! Wish I had met you when I figured this out. It was hard doing this on my own at first. The hardest part was changing my beliefs that I could eat anything I wanted, just not so much. I hope you keep spreading the word wherever you go. I know many people out there will be grateful.

Grace
I love it, here in usa the doctors are so obsessed by procedures that they do nOt use their brains... And heart is far for being used.
Recently i had eczema. I was very panic and went to a doctor. She asked me to undergo 10 different blood tests and prescribed a medicine. The medicine never worked, asked me to go to skin specialist. The specialist said he will give appointment after 3 months!!!
It so happened my husband had to go to India for some office work.
I took pictures and sent to him. Hubby showed to the doctor and the doctor immediate ly asked him whether i sweated a lot and whe ther the sweat gets dry on my body? As i do daily workout, this does happen.
So, the cure was take a bath after exercise. And he charged $7, no insurance.
Can you imagine?
I feel very sorry for average American because insurance and docs are ...
U know w hat i mean

hi all, i am 51 and started matol(low carb basically) on june 8th, s/c/g 254/218/140 . i have done so many diets just to end up heavier than i started. so far i am so happy with this diet i am not hungry, not suffering cravings. it is so nice to hear that at my age it can be done.
lisa

Hi grace,
Can u pl explain how do u manage to reduce without exercise?

Hi folks... this is very encouraging. Lately, I've been thinking that here I am 59 and I am still fighting this weight issue. I was beginning to think that it could never happen for me. It's always been lose -gain, lose- gain, etc. But, this thread addresses many of my thoughts and fears.

Thanks.

Well done to you folks that are taking a hold of a healthier life style and weight loss too!

oh boy, good number on scale. mini goal be under 200#s by aug. 31' cannot beleve how well this is going for me. hang in there all. this can be done.
:)
lisa

Hi everyone. Just turned 50 and it wasnt fun. My son died five years ago and I went straight into menopause and put 50 lbs on. I have been looking for support to help me change and lose the weight (plus the stuff that was there before). I have a breast reduction surgery scheduled for sept 9th but it might not go ahead due to my weight. Oh thats another thing peri & post menopause my bust grew from a D cup to GG!!! Not something I'd wish on anyone. Anyway my liver readings are up and my doctor says I have diabetes now (welcome to 50) so any encouragement/ideas I would welcome. I tried Optifast but couldnt tolerate it due to sulphites and lactose.
I have enjoyed reading all your posts and hope to hear from some of you

Hello Avimen!

Come on over and join the golden girls on the August Chat. It is a great group with lots of different approaches.

Rie

well another week, down 3.0 pounds. i am lovin it. :)

Hi Grace,
Will you pl tell me about your diet? Thanks.

I am so glad I saw this thread. Great info. I have been up and down the scale so often and get so mad at myself. I eat pretty healthy but I eat a lot. Funny thing is I didn't think I did. Reading about portion control really hit's home for me. I get lost in calorie counting. I tend to get lost in all the finest details and I know I do that but still get over whelmed that it doesn't last long. This is so encouraging for me. Thanks!

I'm just joining and hoping I post all right and that my signature ticker come through OK. I'm doing WW with my daughter and so far it is going OK. I'm really happy to have found this forum and this thread in particular.

Metabolsim might be slower but I think motivation is higher to actually live a healthier lifestyle. Can't count on youth making the argument "yes I'm fat but perfectly healthy". The blood pressuere and cholesterol numbers start creeping into borderline....

Also, personally I was able to put together a plan that worked for me by reflecting on a lifetime of trying to lose weight. I knew what worked for me and what didn't. I had the confidence to shrug off "musts" that didn't work for me.

down 3.2 this week. funny i have lost 53.2 lbs. since june 8th and i am just now starting to think maybe this is the diet and the time in my life where it all comes together, because of my age and my being single (divorced_) so this is all about me. no crap being thrown at me about why i am doing this or no one bringing bad stuff in to derail me :) go to doc wed. hope she officially takes me off the bp med's.

good luck all ...............

so post your 'secret" diet Jude! I am 53 and have an extremely hard time losing.

:goodscaleyeah baby. okay doc took me off bp med's and as of today's WI iam in onederland, wooohooot.:cloud9::cloud9::cloud9::cloud9:

congratulations!

My only secret is extreme low calories. I eat EVERYTHING just not very much. I never sat down and counted every single meal. But I'm guess it was between 500 to 800 caloires a day. Some days I'd do about 300 some days I'd fast.

Now I'm just cruising eating about 1200? calories a day and still losing about .5lb a week.

In the next week or so I'll get back on the horse and get the rest of this weight off. I

WI this week down another 2.6 yeah baby!! been a hard week work wise back after 11days off. tired long hours, long week. sigh