Trying to get acquainted

[Cherylvh]

Well, I've never even done a chat room thing before, so here goes....
I just turned 49, I have two sons - 24, who works in D.C. on Capitol Hill; the other 18 who is a senior in high school. My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. I have all the classic Firm videos, in fact, I probably have every video The Firm ever made, plus the Prime Fit ones that Susan Harris did. I like the look of the new ones, I'm sure I'll get them. My problem is, I can't seem to lose weight. I am 5'3" and weigh 150 lbs! I can't seem to get the scales to budge!! I am very active, and I've tried some diets, but what little I lose comes right back. And I don't want to read success stories from anyone under 45, because I used to be able to lose weight easily, too, before I got closer to 50. So, if anyone out there has a success story who is close to my age, I would love to hear it!!!! Thanks for letting me talk......

[Ginger]

Welcome Cheryl - glad you found us. :o

I'm not over 45, but I understand your frustration and would like to offer a couple ideas that have worked for me.

1. Eat only when you are truly hungry. Think about it before you take a bite. "Am I truly hungry?"

2. Keep healthful snacks near-by and ready to go. Prepare and have on-hand some fresh veggies, fruits or nuts. I also try to keep left over lean meat and hard boiled eggs around. I can add these to a salad for a quick lunch. (It doesn't hurt that I like all this stuff too.)

...maybe take a look at this thread with some other "survival kit" ideas:

http://www.whfn.com/board/showthread.php?t=19

[snora]

Cheryl,
Welcome! You need to post in our 50 and Almost 50 thread. We are all over 45, many over 50 (I turn 49 next week). We come in all shapes and sizes. We are active and fun and embrace new people.
Susan

[KristaCarter]

I like to keep high protein powder around for "quick food". I also always have my smoothie ingredients in my house that I drink everyday-Frozen strawberries(or other frozen fruit of your choice), orange juice, a little skim milk, yogurt, bananas and I mix my omega 3,6, and 9 oil in it, which also has flaxseed in it that helps with cravings. I know I'm not close to 45, but I've had four children and I weigh 30 pounds less than I did in high school, and feel much better. You also need to take good vitamins if your'e not already. And of course exercise atleast 3 times a week, and lots of water. It helps me the most rotating cardio and strength training. Another thing you can do is to not set yourself up for failure keeping junk food in your house or not being prepared when you are not at home.

[Ginger]

Another thing you can do is to not set yourself up for failure keeping junk food in your house or not being prepared when you are not at home.

thanks for adding that. I came back to mention that and that cutting back on white sugar and flour can be very helpful as well.

[Cherylvh]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. I am going to try and incorporate some of the ideas into my day. I have brought celery and peanut butter to work, I like to snack on that. My son eats peanut butter by the spoonful about every 2 hrs. and he has gone from a chubby teenager to a very sleek and toned 18 year old.

[magnoliamt]

Hi. I am 55 years old, and you sound exactly like me about 6 years ago! I have lost about 20 lbs. since then. I did this by cutting out the refined carbs as much as I possibly could. I keep a lot of different fresh vegetables and lean proteins like tuna (in water) or cooked chicken, lean meat, hard-cooked eggs and reduced fat cheese for salads. I use extra virgin olive oil and make my own salad dressings. I buy plain, nonfat yogurt (usually the store brand--it's cheaper, anyway) and add Splenda (you can use whatever you like as sugar substitute) and vanilla or some fresh berries. These are just a couple of suggestions, you will probably find strategies that fit your lifestyle, too. Just be patient and don't give up!!

[Rhea]

Hi there!

First of all, welcome, this entire board is a very fun and very knowledgable group.

Second, not quite 45, 43 and I was having the same type of problems a couple of years ago and actually a little bit recently. I realized that I was most likely having an insulin resistence problem and started learning about the low carb lifestyle and how to correct problem. ( I was also having low blood sugar attacks during my workouts which was not fun at all:( )

I started by reading Dr. Atkins book and learning the signs and symptoms which can be exacerbated by white flour and sugar (and not helped by my caffiene in the mornings!) So in early 2004? I did the induction period, with not much exercise because of the "detoxing" that your body goes through. That kicked my body weight into finally budging downward. I felt much better too because I was eating 5 or more servings of veggies a day. Anything with sugar tasted way to sweet. I had a lot more energy too. I lost between 15 and 20 pounds and kept it off, even though I had added a lot more carbs into my diet. My problem was I wasn't paying attention to what I was adding....so this summer, I got addicted to those darn coffee drinks and those add a lot of calories!.. I added back on 10 of those pounds because of very bad choices. Then the stress of my job didn't help. I just started back to paying better attention to my carbs and using the inches measurements instead of fully relying on that darn metal monster. In one week, I've actually lost 1/4" on my waist and 3/4" on the ole hips, but only about .5 lb. I have not slowed down on the weight workouts or the cardio. So I'm back on track and feeling much better. Maybe a few tweaks in the diet will help you push over that plateau. :)

Okay, I'll stop rambling now, but I sure hope that this helps give you encouragement. I think as we reach perimenopause and menopause that we, unfortunately, have to watch those items that do not have any nutritional value. If you are interested, come on over to the Diet and Nutritional Thread, a group of us low-carbers are always there, talking about something! Sometimes get some great ideas for new recipes.

[NeonJungle]

Keep on rambling, Rhea! Your post is very encouraging (as are past posts I've read from you). So ramble away! :) Magno, your post was enouraging as well, as have been the rest of them on this thread. You gotta love the encouragement of an on-line fitness community! :)

[Rhea]

Thanks! BTW Cheryl....I still haven't managed to give up my java in the morning!:D