71 and trying to loose weight

lessonlearned

I am 68. Struggled for years. I tried 16 :8 but didnt lose an ounce. Eventually joined WW and have lost almost 3 stones. It has been slow, steady and consistent.

Like Suki says.....just eat normal proper food, stick to your allocated point allowance and you will lose weight. No need for special diet foods or anything faddy.

I have a dodgy knee so long or speed walks aren't an option for me. But just generally being more active.

I feel fitter and healthier than I have done for years.

Age is no barrier to weight loss.

lessonlearned

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Why does a lb of fat weigh more than a lb of muscle?

:rotfl: My understanding is it doesn't....it's like that old trick maths question which weighs heaviest, 1lb of feathers or a 1lb of lead.

The answer of course is they both WEIGH the same. 1lb weight is a lb weight whatever it is made of.

I think the confusion arises because muscle itself is denser and therefore more heavy than fat. You need less muscle to make up 1lb than you do fat. Just as a small amount of lead weighs lb and you would need a bag of feathers to make up 1lb.

You can get athletes, especially Rugby players, who would read as being obese if you only went by the height/weight charts but of course they are not fat at all, just very muscular. It's the composition of body fat that counts, especially visceral fat (the fat that clings to our internal organs) and which can't always be seen.

It's the visceral fat that is the most dangerous and which can lead to health complications such as diabetes, heart disease and fatty liver. Even skinny Minnie's can have high levels of visceral fat.

The good news is, if you build muscle then your body becomes more efficient at burning off fat.

pollypenny

16:8 is more suitable for weight maintenance, OP. We started IF in April 2016, me on 500 cals and OH on 600 twice a week. We found that lunch and dinner worked best for us.

By September I'd lost 2st and himself 3st. We just continued with the eating pattern, not giving it a name, and we've maintained since then. If we have the occasional over-indulgence a fast day or two soon sorts us out.

Why pay one of these companies?

Murphybear

Fat can’t turn into muscle. Fat will always be fat and muscle will always be muscle.

You can lose the fat and improve the tone of your muscle though.

Unfortunately as you get older your body requires less calories and it is often more difficult to lose weight. I find cutting out carbs helps me a lot and that also controls my blood glucose, important as I am diabetic

Fire_Fox

kah22 wrote: »

As the title says I’m male 71 and trying to loose weight.

On the 14 July I weighed 14 st 11 lbs, this morning I weighed 14 st 10 lbs The weight has hovered between 14. 11 and 14.7 over that period of time

Perhaps I’m trying to fool myself but I do think the weight has shifted eg my trousers have dropped a size and a few friends have suggested I’m thinner in the face. Is it fat turning into mussel ? Perhaps

I’m doing a 16:8 diet and sticking pretty well to it and I’m now in the situation that I really only want one good meal in the day. I don’t drink, I’ve cut out the majority of bread that I eat and as a non driver I’m inclined to do a hell of a lot of walking. However, I must confess to a sweet tooth and every so often I break down !

Why is the weight not shifting? Could it be age related. Perhaps it’s possible I’m just trying to fool myself !

Anyway: comments, tips, suggestions are all welcome. For my build my target weight is 12 st 7lb

I studied/ worked in lifestyle healthcare for many years but am no longer practicing. I try to keep up-to-date with current UK guidelines.

Measuring your waist circumference is a great way for any man to monitor the likely health impact of any fat loss. Be consistent by always measuring at the belly button.

Are you keeping a detailed food diary or log, with weighed and measured quantities? Which specific time restricted eating (TRE) protocol are you supposed to be following?

As you may be aware, the average UK diet is poorly balanced, not properly varied, way off on portion sizes, and deficient in one or more micronutrients (minerals/ vitamins/ essential fatty acids/ antioxidants). Healthcare professionals are little better than the general public BTW. :eek:

From this foundation a restrictive weight loss or diet protocol is a recipe for disaster. You cannot get all the nutrients you need for health in one 'normal' meal a day.

Agree with the earlier comment: the books by Dr Michael Mosley/ Dr Clare Bailey (UK husband and wife team) are well worth reading. They emphasise loading up on a really wide variety of nutrient dense wholefoods; lower carb, moderate fat and protein; not simply calorie counting or TRE.

How/ when/ where are you eating comfort food, bread, sugary things? Are they in your kitchen cupboards, from a shop on your regular walking route, is a friend or relative sabotaging your plans?

Walking and gardening are fantastic lifestyle physical activity, working every muscle and getting you out in the daylight. They are not classed as formal exercise, and nor do they need to be! Gardening could be the hobby that helps you live to 100. Do you grow some of your own food, as well as cook from scratch?

Assuming that your heart, circulation and lungs are healthy once you are thoroughly warmed up - ten minutes - include some power/ speed walking or hills/ inclines in your walks without slowing your pace. Brief bursts are fine, count your paces or to the next lamppost, say.

Fat cannot turn into muscle - sorry - nor will you gain muscle unless you significantly alter the type or intensity or duration of (usually) formal exercise or sports that you do. However your long-term commitment to walking and to gardening is highly likely to have maintained your muscle mass. You have the body of a younger man. :T