I am 54 years old and would like to lose 40 pounds at 5 lbs a week; what used to work doesnt work anymore;?

Question

I eat sensibly and have some moderate exercise but the scales just wont budge; I dont want to starve myself because I know that is not healthy. Any other 50ish females got anything to share that has worked for them?

Answer 1

Oh, dear. At 45 I've spent two years getting rid of 30 pounds. Your goal may be a shade unrealistic.

Unlike most men, women can't lose weight just by changing their diet; they must also exercise. Sometimes a lot. At our age, we may be simply unable to perform that much physical work. Sorry.

Answer 2

I'm in my mid fifties and I know what you mean by what used to work, doesn't anymore. I've lost about 20lbs. in the last 5 months. I'm satisfied at where I am right now. It wasn't easy either. 5 lbs. a week, is just not safe nor is it very realistic for weight loss. Strive for 1 to 2 lbs per week instead.

It's all about metabolism. Our metabolism has slowed down pretty much, in our fifties. It doesn't burn the calories like it did, when we were younger! You need to give it jump and kick, by working out a little bit harder than you are right now. Strive for a half hour brisk walk most days of the week, on the treadmill or outdoors. Then gradually add an 15 extra minutes every other day, until you can do 45 to 55 minutes, an hour is better, 5-6 days a week. Alternate your walks with light jogging intervals, to keep your heart rate up. Do some resistance training or muscle strength training and toning workouts. The more muscle cells you have, the higher your metabolism will be, even as you rest.

It sounds like you're eating very healthy and your diet is not the problem. You must enjoy life and eating well, is part of it. Starving yourself is not the answer. It'll only slow down your metabolism.

Watch your alcohol intake. Alcohol has plenty of sugar and empty calories. Scratch off the beer and booze. Try drinking a glass or two of wine at night instead. One fitness expert recommends 1 glass of wine at night, for good health.
Exercise, exercise, and keep active with things you enjoy...that help burn calories. Stay motivated and determined and your excess weight will eventually fall right off.
I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 3

Stay with me on this: there was a craze a few years back for the Atkins diet - it was a low carb, high protien thing that apparently was the eventual cause of death for Atkins his very own self.

I'm of the opinion that he just overdid it.

Try it on for 4 - 6 weeks. Cut out bread and pasta. Cut out potatoes and beer. Basically, stay away from starchy foods.

Instead, eat salads - go ahead and dump a double cheeseburger on top of it, just toss the bun. Have soups. Eat chicken. Enjoy fish.

Instead of the breadsticks on the side, have cole slaw. Or applesauce. Or both.

Walk. Start walking around the block. Add an extra block every few days until you get to a comfortable mile or so. Do it every day.

At the end of the month or two, you'll have lost the 40 pounds, and you'll have a feel for how you can eat sensibly and keep your weight under control.

By the way, even though beer has carbs, I'm pleased to report that bourbon doesn't.

Good luck.

Answer 4

my mom is 50ish and she used weight watchers and it worked for her real good. she used the number one where u count points i can not remember what it is called. But all you got to do is go to the meeting one time get the calculator find out how much you can eat and how many points you get and then you never have to go back again if you do not want too. That is what we did she went and signed up and she just told me what my points were and all that and we did it together she and i lost a good bit on weight wacthers and she lost the weight she wanted and so did i. YOU should try it.
she did also do the treadmil everyday so you will still have to excersise but the weight watchers did help alot.

Answer 5

Your going to need to do cardio. Men can lose weight faster by chaing their diet because they have more muscle which takes more calories just to be alive. This is the reason men need 500 more calories a day.

Answer 6

try Dr Phil's ultimate weight solution book...good luck