Losing weight aged over 50 -motivation needed!

[Palomino29]

I need some moral support and advice!

I'm in my early 50s - size 14 top size 12 bottom - 5'9" tall and currently weighing 11st 3lbs, having just returned from summer holidays.

You're probably thinking, what's she worrying about? I just checked my BMI and it's about 23 so not too bad.

BUT, by my own standards I am about 10-12lbs over my ideal weight. For me it's a big issue.

I'm starting to look hefty! Being tall I can get away with it to some extent but I am lookingtoo busty and one or two dresses are tight across my chest and trousers/skirts tight around my waist.

AND I just can't get started losing weight. My DH thinks I'm lovely as I am - my social life with or without him, e.g. with my girlfriends seems to centre on meeting for drinks/meals.

I walk 2-3 times a week (30 mins to an hour) and do a 90 min yoga class.

I think it's sometimes worse trying to lose weight when you only have a relatively small amount to lose.

I've given the dreaded Jillian Michaels DVD a go and it nearly killed me. I have done Slimming World in the past but can't face those awful classes any more - not for me!

A few months ago I went out with a large group of friends and noticed that almost all the ones in their early-mid fifties had this sort of podge round the middle.

I don't want to be like that!!! I'm past the menopause now so can't blame weight gain on hormones.

I simply like my food and drink but know I have to cut down somehow.

Sorry that this is a bit rambling but it helps to get the problem out in the open by writing it down.

Do any of you ladies out there understand where I'm coming from? And have any of you any advice or support you can offer? Please don't suggest a low carb diet as I prefer a more or less vegetarian diet, with just a little fish/chicken included and definitely no red meat.

My goal would be 10st 7lbs, i.e. to lose 10lbs. Why is it so hard now I am older? I could do it when I was in my forties!

Thanks for listening. I am a bit isolated at present and would love someone to chew this over with (sorry, no pun intended).

Hi. I sympathise! I'm early 50s and in exactly the same position... My bmi is fine, but clothes tight and podge around the middle. I've always been slim and refuse to give in to middle aged spread.

To lose/control weight in your 50s I think you have to be extra vigilant, and imho a low carb diet is the way to do it.

I've just re-embarked on the Harcombe diet, which is very effective (on my phone so can't post link, but google harcombe diet and allaboutyou.com for a version you can follow.)

I have lost 3lb in 4 days following this...my challenge will be to maintain it when at goal weight, and I'm thinking about tracking carbs using myfitnesspal for maintenance (anyone know how many carbs I should go for?).

I think you have to accept not being as slim as you were in your 20s and 30s too.. It's that face/bum thing... But personally I am drawing the line at having no waist! I want mine back!

Oh Insympathise.
I'm 52', 6ffet tall and weigh about 11stone 7, but like being 11stone. I was nearly 12 stone last year but go the gym and I do weight training, and have found I have dropped a dress size. I've always had a tummy, and don't want that awful middle aged spread my mum had.

I think smaller portions are the way forward. I can be incredibly disciplined at times, But not at others.

Sorry, just saw you said you couldn't do low carb as veggie.

There are some threads here about low carb vegetarian.

If low carb isn't an option, then myfitnesspal is good.

Also, controlling your surroundings is vital... Like you, my social life revolves around eating and drinking with foodie friends and I have to work quite hard with that.. I find not drinking alcohol at all is best if trying to lose weight as if I have one drink, my willpower is shot and I would then attack the bread and have pudding.

Hi I am 52, I have recently lost over 4 stones, so it can be done. I believe as we get older we need fewer calories, and this may be something you need to look at.
From what you have said though, you don't actually need to lose weight. It just seems as if you are unhappy with your appearance. In which case you should think about increasing your exercise to a] tone up and b] give your metabolism a boost.
I have found swimming, walking and cycling very helpful, I also do things like pushups, squats, crunches, as well as working out with dumbbells. In September I am joining the gym to take this 'to the next level' as they say.
In fact I am now much fitter than I used to be .
So I can't really give you advice as such ' but would just say it can be done over the age of 50.
You also don't mention where you are concerning your menopause, but obviously that may have an impact on your body. I know being 'perimenopausal' can make weightloss much more difficult, but not impossible as I have proved.
Finally, re a low carb diet. I agree here as I am vegetarian. I have reduced both my carbs and fats and increased my vegetables and fruits. I don't like fatty foods or things like quorn so I base my diet on things I do like and make it as healthy as possible. For me though the most important thing is portion control. I simply don't need to eat as much food as I used to.

I am peri menopausal and on hrt and my hormones are all over the place.
Alcohol...try not to drink Mon to Fri .

I'm hopeless with portion control, and i don't have time to exercise as much as i would like, which is why Harcombe works for me...You can eat as much as you like of the allowed foods and I fill up on coleslaw and roast vegetables, which I love.

But it's probably not ideal for vegetarians although tofu is allowed.

And I get a terrible headache after a few days through giving up caffeine and sugar, although that does pass.

I was over 50 when I decided that it just went with age. It doesn't! A Rosemary Conley leaflet came through the door and I went along. I lost over 2 stone and that was 3 years ago and it is still off. You have to change your eating habits for life. Smaller portions and keep off snacks and processed food (as much a possible).Have plenty of exercise.

Good morning everyone and thank you so much for your prompt replies and suggestions, I really do appreciate them!

I'm thinking it has to be back-to-basics. One of my sure-fire ways of losing a bit of weight in the past was to cut out bread and booze. Bread's not really a problem for me and I can definitely not drink in the week (I have got a bit lax in that department).

Smaller portions is also doable. Also increasing fruit and veg - no problem at all as I do like both.

More exercise is definitely needed - I think I tell myself I get enough just with day to day activities running a family, a biggish house and garden. I'm ashamed to say I have a mat, fitball, dynabands, handweights and a "step" all lying idle -also a pile of diet and self-help books. I talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

I will certainly look at the Harcombe diet but I don't like red meat much - just prefer chicken and fish.

I agree, it's not really the stones and pounds in themselves, just needing to tone up a bit. Various friends just scoff if I mention losing weight!

I am past the menopause now but struggle a bit emotionally - I have a DH who works all the hours God sends and who just collapses on the sofa evenings - he never wants to walk with me. TBH I am worried about his weight as he has clapped it on of late. I sometimes think looking at him makes me feel worse as I see my weight issues reflected back!

I did buy a book recently called The Flat Tummy Club which seemed full of sensible advice and help so I'm going to get that out.

Things seem to have got worse for me over the summer with my two DS at home, they are stick thin yet seem to graze all day and I have fallen in with them.

What strikes me from your lovely replies is that it's really just common sense isn't it and I am ashamed and frustrated with myself at - up to now - not having been able to turn what I already know into proper action.

Knowing it is common sense is a lot easier than doing it! It worked for me once I realised it was for life and not a quick fix. Your body gets used to it. I took up running which helps.

Palomino...glad you began this.
I'm going to make a determined effort this week...all those processed sugars and crap are going. I do go to the gym every other day...am going there in an hour....

I'm not over 50 yet but I am nearly 50, it does seem much harder now to shed any weight at all . I am likely to have to have hip surgery soon though do really need to lose some weight and very worried about not being able to , my will power is appalling .

Palomino - you don't have to have red meat for the Harcombe diet - chicken and fish are fine. Her book gives all the info you need to create your own diet plan, whereas the online summary is a set meal plan.

The principles of phase 1 are: no caffeine, sugar, bread, potatoes, milk (but as much natural live yogurt as you like). No fruit either.

A small amount of either porridge, rice cereal or brown rice allowed each day.

No processed food (eg orange juice) but fill up on natural foods like chicken, fish, eggs (no cheese) and plenty of veg, cooked any way you like.
Tofu is fine too.
No alcohol, diet drinks or sugar.

Quite hardcore in phase 1, but very effective.

Mamhaf thanks for the pointer to Harcombe - I have had a look at it and it looks doable for me - I will read more on it today.
Just off out to do some bending and stretching in the garden aka gardening then plan a walk later - we live near some great countryside so no excuses!
I'm going to take some time out today just to do some serious thinking about how to get going with this latest "campaign" - i.e. what I can and can't do, what works for me etc.
Your comments are so helpful, everyone, and I am so glad it's not just me worrying about weight over fifty!
Will be back on later to talk some more - hope you all have a great Sunday!
XX

Hi again
Been giving this all a lot of thought and working out a plan for "the way forward"
Going to investigate the Harcombe plan and try and get a copy of the book - sounds reasonably sensible!
I work part-time freelance so am at home a lot - going to make sure I do some kind of exercise every day - walk, weights, fitball, yoga and alternate them so I don't get bored.
Going to up my fruit and veg intake and cut down carbs.
Going to cut portion sizes a little.
Going to cut out alcohol on weekdays.
Going to try and not have such a downer on myself, and make a list of my good (physical) attributes - I like my hair, my eyes and my long legs for a start.
Going to devise a rewards system which of course doesn't involve food or drink.
Any more advice or empathy, anyone?

How about taking up a new, active, interest? One that will be sociable as well as keeping you fit - maybe you and you dh join a walking group?

Thanks mamhaf again. That's a good idea, in fact a nearby town has a very good (I hear) women's walking group and I plan to follow that up in a few weeks time when both my DS are back at uni. DH is not a joiner in like me so it's unlikely he'd be up for a group activity, but he will come with me to our local country park from time to time to walk. A danger here is the end of walk refreshment stop - tea but no buns for me, and diet coke at the pub. With all the kind and thoughtful advice I've had, I'm feeling more upbeat today.

I understand! Phew! At last! A thread for us slightly older peeps, though it looks as though you've all moved on. Palomino - your observations about changing body shape are very interesting. I too have noticed that we get that slightly 'statuesque' look, thicker round the middle and sort of 'solid' everywhere else. There's no going back to being willowy I don't think - so probably best to embrace the ageing game. Still possible to be fit and healthy - and look nice too. It's so much harder to shift the pounds now, I find. My thing is going to be to do with good posture - slouching is really ageing (BTW I'm a bit older, taller and heavier than you and tend to pig out on chocs when I let myself). So my rambling advice is to carry on with the yoga (every day if poss?! Iyengar?) for great posture and IMO it seems to help stem the out-of-control eating thing, don't go for 'dieting' per se - just eat when you're hungry and go for lots of long walks. This way contentment lies... well, that's what I'm hoping...

I am the same age as you but am very overweight. I just thought I would post to tell you that I think this is an age thing. I have always been large but shapely if you know what I mean, even though I need plus size clothes I have always had a definite waist but I now have definitely acquired a new tyre.

I am trying low carb and exercise with good results so far. I haven't read the Harcombe book but am reading the John Briffa one which is very interesting.

I'm not quite in my 50s but not so far off either. I used to run and do no other exercise, however about 10 months ago I started dynamic pilates (the type on machines) and while I have not lost weight I now have a flat tummy with no upper tummy flabbiness which I used to have and a more defined waist. I also try to avoid carbs in the evening. I run occasionally and do spin sometimes too and all this combined has improved my core strength and general shape. Good luck!

Come and join in the land of 5:2 .....

several friends ranging in age up to 70 are doing it
great for gradual weight loss
even better for long term healthy maintenance

with the side effect of reducing all sorts of health risks ....