I am 54, and need some serious advise about weight, some deperession, in a rut.

[Anonymous]

Similar age and weight issue. Weight Watchers worked well for me until pandemic shut down in-person meetings. I found the support and accountability helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give up processed foods and sugar and cut down on salt, which naturally happens when you eliminate processed junk. Don’t worry how much healthy food you are eating. You will lose a pound or two a week.

+1. Also, reduce carbs and drink more water. Walk briskly for a few miles or 45 mins - an hour or do whatever exercise you might enjoy.

[Anonymous]

I would start with two things: Walking and giving up alcohol. I'm a pretty moderate drinker, but in my early 50s, I've realized that it kind of messes with my sleep and my mood. Better sleep = better mood = more energy for exercise. Walking is also a very natural mood booster.

If you don't see improvement, I would get checked by a doctor and/or maybe see a therapist. You're in a vicious cycle where you think you're depressed because of your appearance, but depression is also preventing you from taking positive actions.

Hang in there ...

[Anonymous]

Op, how about seeing a dietician/nutritionist and a therapist? Both can be helpful...this is going to be a journey for you....a process that will take time. You need to probably also get a good checkup. Here's what helps me, 53, in throes of a difficult perimenopause.

1. I met virtually with a nutritionist over about 8 months to help identify what I was doing that was helpful and not helpful.
2. I intermittently learned to fast.
3. I see a therapist and talk about all my sh#t. I put it all out there and she helps me see my self defeating streak. It helps.
4. I exercise by biking and walking 3 to 4 times per week. Sometimes I don't meet the goal....but I restart now in a week or two, not two or three months. That helps too.
5. I also have started reading the beck book recommended prior. It's good. She points out, it's a mental game and there are thoughts you are having that you need to challenge
6. I got a complete hormonal workup and went on thyroid meds for a sluggish metabolism and other hrt, bio identical. You simply must sleep....I take progesterone for that, a testosterone cream and supplements. Hormones are an important element in your 50's. A workup might be very helpful.

You can get there but just take it one step at a time. I would start with a therapist and or nutritionist. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, how about seeing a dietician/nutritionist and a therapist? Both can be helpful...this is going to be a journey for you....a process that will take time. You need to probably also get a good checkup. Here's what helps me, 53, in throes of a difficult perimenopause.

1. I met virtually with a nutritionist over about 8 months to help identify what I was doing that was helpful and not helpful.
2. I intermittently learned to fast.
3. I see a therapist and talk about all my sh#t. I put it all out there and she helps me see my self defeating streak. It helps.
4. I exercise by biking and walking 3 to 4 times per week. Sometimes I don't meet the goal....but I restart now in a week or two, not two or three months. That helps too.
5. I also have started reading the beck book recommended prior. It's good. She points out, it's a mental game and there are thoughts you are having that you need to challenge
6. I got a complete hormonal workup and went on thyroid meds for a sluggish metabolism and other hrt, bio identical. You simply must sleep....I take progesterone for that, a testosterone cream and supplements. Hormones are an important element in your 50's. A workup might be very helpful.

You can get there but just take it one step at a time. I would start with a therapist and or nutritionist. Best wishes.

Great advice! I haven’t done the fasting thing but I was 30 lbs overweight 52 and depressed. Getting someone to hold you accountable helps. Diet is everything coming from someone who has always exercised, but both are key. I made huge changes to my diet, stopped drinking for 45 days and we got a dog. I have to walk her 2-3 times per day on top of my exercise routine. Love and hugs..you can do this! You can do it you are enough.

[Anonymous]

Agree with poster above, you absolutely can do it but it can and probably shoukd happen slowly as you learn and integrate different thoughts, habits, etc. One poster said it took a year to lose 20 lbs. That's perfectly fine because in that time my guess is she was learning and integrating change that will and can last. You also learn the rhythm of what you can do or want to do vs what you think you shoukd do, the latter of which will not stick. This is a personal process, Change takes time...just start somewhere and you can build on it slowly. You can do it, but give yourself the time to learn and do it slowly. You're not competing with anyone. You are trying to just get healthier.

[Anonymous]

An obstacle for me has been the frustration of doing the right things but my body still not resembling what I looked like 15 years ago or even 7 to 10 years ago. You have to come to understand you are aging as we all are and your body will change. And that's just part of life. And it's ok. There will be a segment of people who are naturally and easily thin but most people do have to do things to not gain in midlife and even then, the odds are you will not look the same but you can still be much healthier and look better. But not 35. I say this because in midlife it can be demoralizing to be working hard to lose and it just does not easily come off and the things that worked in the past take much more time. That's why I recommended therapy. To find a way to cope with the frustrations and to start to learn to love yourself so you want to take care of yourself for your own sake. Not to be a slave to the numbers or to try to look like you did two decades ago. Just aim for progress which shoukd include increased self esteem and self acceptance, and better health in addition to weight loss. And ironically the former then ultimately assists in the latter anyway. Self loathing never helps long term. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An obstacle for me has been the frustration of doing the right things but my body still not resembling what I looked like 15 years ago or even 7 to 10 years ago. You have to come to understand you are aging as we all are and your body will change. And that's just part of life. And it's ok. There will be a segment of people who are naturally and easily thin but most people do have to do things to not gain in midlife and even then, the odds are you will not look the same but you can still be much healthier and look better. But not 35. I say this because in midlife it can be demoralizing to be working hard to lose and it just does not easily come off and the things that worked in the past take much more time. That's why I recommended therapy. To find a way to cope with the frustrations and to start to learn to love yourself so you want to take care of yourself for your own sake. Not to be a slave to the numbers or to try to look like you did two decades ago. Just aim for progress which shoukd include increased self esteem and self acceptance, and better health in addition to weight loss. And ironically the former then ultimately assists in the latter anyway. Self loathing never helps long term. Good luck.

Tell me about it. I'm in good physical condition and haven't gained weight in decades -- and things just aren't the same as when I was younger

[Anonymous]

Get your iron levels ad vitamin d levels checked. I’m 51, perimenopause with heavy periods. I found out I’m anemic with very low vit D. Both issues make it hard to lose weight. Since taking iron and prescription level D pills, my body is metabolizing better and I’ve lost 15 pounds in three months. Still have 40 more to lose but at least it’s moving. I haven’t done anything extreme in diet, just cut back portions and move a bit more. Ladies, get your blood work done.

[Anonymous]

Low Vit D is also linked to depression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just change one thing OP. Stick with it every day for three weeks. Then you’ll automatically add another. You can do this!!!!

Sugar first? What else and in what order? Thank you.

I realize this is almost two weeks ago, but absolutely drop the sugar first. Or if you need a little sweetness at the end of the day, make it fruit or 5-10 g of carbohydrates in a piece of candy or a tablespoon of ice cream (Haagen Dazs Belgian Chocolate has these itty bitty chocolate flakes that make a bite more satisfying). Dropping or reducing added sugars is the best thing you can do for yourself.