Over 50, it's hard

It is hard getting fit over 50, especially when you put the extra weight after turning 50. I am trying to get back to a health weight for the third time in 10 years. 22 down, 41 more to go.

good luck to you too!

I agree with you. I actually enjoy good healthy food. My issue is the prep and time that it takes to eat healthy. I have to be better at planning meals.

I just kept reminding myself that "hard" did not mean "impossible". I lost the weight when I was in my fifties, in menopause, hypothyroid. And have been maintaining now for years. One of the things that helped, was to focus on it being a lifestyle change and not just a diet. Many times in the past, I'd go on a diet-- but once I'd lost some weight, I'd slide back into my old ways of eating and gain all the weight back. This time, even if the weight came off more slowly-- I was working on developing healthy habits that would keep it off.

17 years ago I lost 85 pounds. Unfortunately I had no maintenance plan and when we moved out of state I felt so lonely and lost I fell back to my old "friend" food. I am finding this time quite a bit harder to loose the weight, but hopefully, I am learning a new lifestyle and will have maintenance in place so that I don't start gaining again.

Edited by: HOPEM61 at: 1/28/2019 (13:40)

So true! If there were a "magic pill," none of us would be overweight! It's more of a mindset, something you decide you will do. Nothing magic about that!

I have found this time around, I have become much more conscious of what I eat, and I have begun enjoying the healthier food more, not so much junk. So, for me, this time around is more about slow and steady progress, and becoming more healthy!

It is hard at any age. It might be more challenging as we age, but it is totally doable. I got into the best shape of my life in my mid 50's. I had abs of steel! Now, I am in my mid 60's and my abs have turned to jello. It is my own fault. If I want steel abs back, they are waiting for me to do the work. I just have to do it. :-)

I have been going to WW for years, I love the meetings too. It keeps me somewhat on point. Without it I'm sure it would be worse. I am always looking for good support groups. Good luck with your journey!

I don't necessarily find it harder to be fit at 50-plus, mainly because my lifestyle has evolved to the point that I have more time to take care of myself. The kids are grown, and I'm not working right now, so I have time to go to the gym, go running, and plan carefully balanced meals. During the busy years, I cooked hearty meals for a family of four boys and I ate what they ate. I wasn't exactly fat, but I wasn't as healthy as I am now that I'm eating better.

I agree, though, that if you're in a life stage where there are a lot of demands on your time, it can be hard (no matter what your age) to stay fit. This is something our society needs to acknowledge - rather than blame us for being fat slobs - that there are huge time demands on most Americans to commute, work, run errands, take care of a family and a home and STILL find time to exercise the minimum recommended amount of time per week and prepare healthy meals from scratch.

Hey now! I just want to say that, not all of those who "stray" are exactly deadbeats or losers. I've been here and then away a couple of times. I am not here mostly to lose weight. I just enjoy working out and being active and healthy. Sometimes I am more interested in discussions and reading in this area, than others. I'm not much of a chatter online.

I am over 50, and yes, it's harder than I remember it used to be, but I stay active and healthy for the most part, maybe a cold now and then or some ache or pain.

There are a LOT of avenues now for working out - streaming services, YouTube, live gym classes, personal trainers, trackers, yada yada yada.

I'm back because I finally got a fitbit tracker. And I adore the nutrition tracking capabilities on SP. But even when away, I've been running, walking, doing pilates, yoga, swimming, the list goes on.

We only see parts of each other in an online forum!

I belong to Weight Watchers and enjoy the meetings.

I know.
It seems that some come here wanting to be told there's a "magic pill" that will make their weight issues disappear.
And when they don't get what they are hoping for - and when they are told they have to put the work in - poof! They are gone.

Sorry, didn't see that. Maybe there's hope? I guess I should clarify that it's not really aimed at just this one person, but ever so many posts like this that I see with one or two posts and six or nine Spark Points after even longer periods than two or three weeks, or even months. As I said, at least they know we're here and willing to help if the urge strikes again.

The OP posted here 2.5 weeks ago.

Edited by: LUANN_IN_PA at: 12/5/2018 (16:46)

Sadly the original poster found it too hard to do anything at all since the Spark Points and posts haven't changed in nearly three months. That's one thing that really saddens me is seeing all the people who find this fantastic opportunity to change their lives for the better and then just don't do it for whatever reason. They don't try and fail, they just don't try. I'm not a big user of the word sad, but that's exactly what I feel when I see this happen so many times. Sad. My hope is that once they know we're here they will know that they can return more determined and motivated at a later time.

I am 81 and have hypothyroidism but am in volved in Weight Watchers which is helpful.

I was away for a while and came back today to find these wonderful and encouraging messages. Thank you for taking the time! Today I started off with a hardboiled egg and a cup of black tea and a little exercise. We'll see what happens!

I'm 68 and healthier than I've ever been.. it takes work, but it's worth it.

I am working hard as I approach 60. Yes it is hard but it is well worth it.

I am so thankful for SP helping me get my life back together! My body as a 57 yr. old is so much healthier than mine was as a 49 yr. old! And Now I can look forward to 60! Yep, you’re never to go to work on your health! As far as your figure goes, my curves are coming back! I forgot I had them!

Edited by: MISSLORI5 at: 10/25/2018 (23:09)

It's definitely possible to be healthier and in better shape over 50! I'm working on it myself and am happy with where I am today compared to 2 years ago, and I'm continuing the journey. Basically, I don't want to be a broken down 70 year old, so that is a lot of incentive. Good luck!

This is reassuring to hear!

I'm in my seventies and built like Adonis. Okay, I lied about that last part, but I am in my seventies and I'm in much better shape than I was over twelve years ago when I started here at fifty-nine. That even includes one pretty bad backslide which means I've lost a bunch of these pounds twice. I've been either losing or maintaining for the last four and a half years.

I'm no longer obese, I'm off Diabetes meds altogether, my Arthritis is much more manageable, my blood pressure and resting pulse are normal even under the new guidelines, I've had the hernias repaired that were caused by lard, I've had the retina repaired that was impaired by the Diabetes... I'm sure I'm missing several other benefits of losing the weight and paying attention to my health, but you get the point. Yes, you *can* do it. I'm one of the laziest human beings on earth and if I can drag myself into it, anybody can do it. Try and fail and try again, but never, ever quit. Just keep trying till you win. Welcome to SparkPeople!

It's possible! I'm 59 and I've lost 103 pounds in the last 18 months. I'm pretty much at goal weight and have been for the last few months. I no longer worry about weight, but rather firming up what I have with regular weight lifting and cardio.

Edited by: RSCHWARTZ2 at: 9/15/2018 (23:58)

It’s hard, but if you keep organized, and a positive attitude, you can do anything.

It just seems like it's so much harder to lose weight after 50 and I don't want to spend the second half of my life as an obese woman. Wondering what is really possible to achieve in the way of a nice looking figure.