Too old for a fresh start?

FunLovinCriminal

Hi all
I am getting close to 50, belly is getting large. Two young kids that I don't have the energy to chase, and work in a supermarket, where we are given doughnuts free every lunchtime - and I struggle to resist.
I have joined a gym, and would like some advice on what I should be doing to lose the weight around my gut. I tend to jog on the running machines for 45 mins, any advice or help?
My issue always has been, I try and lose weight for a couple of weeks, then because its not instant success, I give up and get a doughnut

Van_Girl

You could try joining us here on the weight loss thread. It's keeping me motivated at the moment

For me, I've found that tracking my calories works. It does mean I have to calculate everything that goes into a meal, but there are plenty of recipes that will do the counting for you. Also, try Pinch of Nom recipes, as they're really good. The important bit is ensuring you have a calorie deficit, so you start to see the small losses from week 1

Grumpy_chap

Certainly not too old to start at 50ish.
That's my age.

If your primary concern is weight and middle age spread, then the key is your calorie deficit.  I use My Fitness Pal to log my calories - it is a free app, so very MSE
I also use a fitness tracker, which links with the MFP app and allows the app to adjust your intake each day against exercise levels.
I also use a smart scale and weigh myself the same time daily.

If you are in calorie deficit you will loose weight and calorie surplus you will gain weight - that is as simple as it goes.

In terms of exercise, the cardio activity you are doing is the best for losing weight (compared to resistance training).  The gym is good, and I like to swap between the treadmill and the rowing machines, occasionally the bike.  I tried everything and found these were the three exercise machines I preferred.  TBH, I only really enjoy the bike in a class with others, whereas the treadmill and rowing I am happy just alone (easier to track today versus yesterday).

As we are moving into the summer months, you may find you can be just as effective exercising but a more pleasant location if you can take a walk / jog / run / cycle outdoors, depending on what the local area is like.

You will also need some will-power to resist those donuts and to stick with it.

Good luck with your quest.

MMMee

It certainly isn't too late. I'm in my mid-50s and I've been "letting meself go since 1984" and had hit 19" 3' in June 21 before deciding to do something about it.

Not that I did much, curbed the excesses food-wise, but that was all and by October 2022 had got down to 17" 13' - so 18 pounds in 16 months, not exactly rapid, but about the most I'd managed in decades.

From last November though, something changed and I took it serious. For the first time in ages I've actually tried to cut down on food - counting calories even on a bad day, and have spreadsheets recording everything - and dusted off the exercise bike in the garage that, tbh, I'd never used.

I started with 1 mile on the first day and over the last six months have pushed myself and had an evening 'ride' on average five times a week, building up the distance and speed so that I'm doing 20 miles at a decent lick now.

Anyway, I'm now 14" 6', so I've lost 3 1/2 stone in the last six months, and 4" 11' overall.

Obviously I still need to lose a couple of stone, and the weight loss has slowed down massively with a few weeks diversion in the shortbread department of the larder taking its toll, but I'm comfortable that I'll keep going now.

I don't normally write this sort of thing on-line, and I am the last person to have a success to shout about - I'd kind of assumed I would be winched out of a window at some point in the future - but I guess the time was right and to be totally honest once  you actually start and see some kind of result, it is surprisingly easy to keep motivating yourself.

Good luck anyway, but as other have said - calorie counting is an easy way to keep on top of it all, and step away from the doughnuts

MikeJXE

It's never too late and I am 82

I was always about 10.5 stone but since covid and we were told stay at home I am now 11.5 stone

I now walk 2 miles a day but struggling to give up cheese and crisps

I would love to run but daren't as had 2 heart attacks in the last 20 years 

I have decided to see the doc and try to get a supervised fitness programme at the gym 

gwynlas

I used the treadmill at the gym for years without using it properly with the range of functions it as. I invested in a few personal trainer sessions and let them know what I wanted to achieve and can choose from a range of equipment. Ditch the doughnuts and find something that suits you from the examples on line whether that is 5:2, WW SW intermittent fasting etc. It is certainly not too late as any improvement in health will be good for you. I have just started adult swimming lessons at 65 having not been in a pool since schooldays

DietIrnBru

Personally I feel that the social visit to the gym - few machines here and there, doing "my own thing", never pushes you. It sound like you are treading water. Maybe try the gym classes - half the battle in a gym is mental, not only are you physically working but you are also having to mark your own work - fine for short periods when you arent exerting, but over an hour, coasting is a risk.

Classes mean you can focus on working and let the instructor tell you what you should be doing - your only job is doing it as full on as possible. Diet sounds like an issue - avoid the staff room at work - not only will you avoid doughnuts but also the pointless small talk that ruins most break times. Good luck in your journey,

thara1996

Heya. 

Fitness is so much more beyond any machines in a gym. In other words see if the pool at the town leisure centre is a good idea. Please take the time in order to explore your alternative options as well. Good luck. Inquire directly about fitness classes too held at the local leisure centre in addition here. Hugs and prayers coming your way pronto. Try not to stress. 

Gardening counts as exercise. So does walking in a local shop on your own. You can even find good home fitness equipment online these days. Look at Amazon. Try Ebay. Consider what fitness means to you for starters. You can do this. Breathe in and out. There are free Zumba videos on YouTube, take a look at a few to begin with. Or maybe download a weekly fitness plan onto your phone. 

Yoga helps some people. If you happen to live near a bowling alley, make full use of it at least once a month. Bowling is fun. Stay open minded. Exercise is not a chore. Approach it with that mindset in question and you’re ready to go. Seriously. I’m not sure if this is a option but try table tennis. Some people love to do Nordic walking. Whatever floats your boat really. 

Other sporty folks are a good source of information on sports and fitness. Go and talk to them. Hear what they recommend. Take it from there. Think outside of the box. This is literally the best way to do exercise. 

MrsStepford

During Lockdown I somehow injured one of my knees and had to be my own physio. Even if you are confined to bed or can't walk far, there are exercises which will help you to rebuild your fitness. Concentrate on doing the exercises correctly rather than quickly. Don't do too much, do them steadily. Once you have a basic foundation to build on, you don't need to be pounding away on a treadmill. There are so many ways of exercising, including swimming, aquarobics, table tennis, badminton, bowling, Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, hand weights, resistance bands, Nordic walking...

Pollycat

OP posted in April 2023 and hasn't logged on since 4th May.

Just sayin'....