How difficult is it to lose weight at 40 and older?

[jhwhite]

Back in 2011 I lost 60lbs and was in great shape. 2012 was a hell of a year and I couldn't even maintain. Since then I've gained 30lbs and I want to lose it by the end of this year. But I turn 40 in June and EVERYONE keeps telling me it's impossible to lose weight at 40 and older.

So should I just be in maintanence mode and strive not to gain? Or can I get back into shape?

[Dominique]

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@Corney wrote:
I do not, never have agreed with the idea of fasting.

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@Corney: if someone is at an unhealthy weight, wants to drop some and has the following options: 1) eat 3-4 meals a day, but without being able to drop weight (for whatever reason), or 2) only eat 1 meal a day (intermittent fasting), and be able to drop weight over time (for instance, because IF makes it easier for them to restrict calories), reaching or getting closer to a healthy weight, which is better? I would say 2) is better, even though I’m not a fan of IF either. Just because IF may not be the optimal way to eat doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done: if it allows someone to reach tangible results they wouldn’t see otherwise, it’s definitely the better option. IF performed as described here won’t kill you, or even damage your health. The human body is certainly flexible enough to adapt to being fed only once a day.

[Corney]

What happens when they stop IF, or do you suggest they continue IF for the
rest of their life. You should read " Diet Myth or Truth Fasting is
Effective For Weight Loss" On the WebMD web site.

[CHIPLEE]

About a year ago I started this journey I'm on.   Bad heart, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, drank beer everyday, stayed up late.   Since then I lost 46 pounds.    Exercise everyday, eat clean. and blood work is outstanding, no medication at all now .    Don't ever let someone say you can't do it,  because it's your life,  it's a mindset,  it's a lifestyle change.   YOU CAN DO IT !    I am 49. 

[SunsetRunner]

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@CHIPLEE wrote:

About a year ago I started this journey I'm on.   Bad heart, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, drank beer everyday, stayed up late.   Since then I lost 46 pounds.    Exercise everyday, eat clean. and blood work is outstanding, no medication at all now .    Don't ever let someone say you can't do it,  because it's your life,  it's a mindset,  it's a lifestyle change.   YOU CAN DO IT !    I am 49. 

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Fantastic to hear!

I was in a similar situation when I was the same age. High blood pressure, well on my way towards diabetes type 2, back problems, hip problems, couldn't walk properly, low sex drive, low energy, depression. My wife made me quit my stressful job, encouraged (ordered) me to go to the gym consistently 3 times a week (which I since have learned to really enjoy), and together we changed our lifestyle, what we ate, etc. Result: in 9 month I lost 75 lbs and became fitter than I had been for decades. All signs of impending diabetes gone, blood pressure returned to normal, no more back and hip problems, no more depression, lots of energy, lots of sex drive, much improved memory, and a chance to get my life on the right track. She believed in me and saved my life! 

It truly is amazing how enormous the capacity of our body is to heal itself with the right conditions! 

IT CAN BE DONE! 

[Corney]

I totally agree, it takes resolve, motivation, and the courage to change
behaviors and life styles. Keep up the good work!

[bobbnj]

Yes you can lose weigh after 40, try after you are 70  plus, I lost 56 lbs. and have kept it off.

Track my exercise routine and food intake, eat a healthy diet, on fitbit and it works. Just stay motivated and enjoy feeling great with the weight lose.

[Dominique]

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@dsizzye wrote:

-Cold assimilation (to put it simply cold shower at morning and at evening)
-Cardiovascular exercises (tons of sit-ups)
-Kegel exercises
-Healthy diet
-Positive attitude to life

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All the above is probably fine if the goal is to lose weight at 40 and older (which is the subject of this topic). The rest of your post will likely be removed by a moderator, as it is in violation of the Community guidelines.

[dsizzye]

Overweight really goes without ED issues. It would be interesting to most of the folks wondering through web in search of the solution to the overweight problem.

[SunsetRunner]

In 13 Months, I lost 136 pounds. I'm currently 53 years old. I started at the end of December 2016. I started at 420 lbs. I'm currently 284 lbs. Since I've lost so much weight, I'm now stalled and my body want to take a break, so I've been able to maintain my weight for a few months.

It's very possible to lose weight when your past 40.

My stats are in my sig.

[Dominique]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

It's very possible to lose weight when your past 40.

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Definitely. What’s much harder and slower (e.g. at fifty-something vs. twenty-something) is gaining muscle.

[SunsetRunner]

Oh for pete's sake.  I am 63 and lost 35 pounds when I was 59 and have kept them off following the Atkins way of eating.  I work out with weights and have increased muscle.  I am doing a Jane Fonda step aerobic video 3x a week and walk an additional couple miles daily.  40 isn't old.  Either you are looking for excuses or you need a new "everybody"  🙂  Just get er done.

[SunsetRunner]

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@Dominique wrote:

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

It's very possible to lose weight when your past 40.

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Definitely. What’s much harder and slower (e.g. at fifty-something vs. twenty-something) is gaining muscle.

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Building muscle is always hard no matter what age you are, but being "much" harder or slower as you get older is an exaggeration. With average genes (like mine) it becomes a bit harder and slower as you age - maybe - but not by much. However, it gets progressively harder and slower the closer you are to reaching your genetic ceiling, at any age.

I'm almost 53 now and keep a detailed training journal, and in the last 12 months I have overall increased my strength by approx. 85%, which is about 1.25% per week in average (compound calculated). In the same period I lost 20 lbs.

This was by doing full-body workouts 3 times a week, following a plan of progressive overload with an intensity of about 75%, focusing on high intensity, relatively slow and controlled movements (for maximum muscle time-of-tension and to reduce the risk of injury) and low volume (to protect my joints from over-use). In this way I spend only about 4-6 hours weekly in the gym.

I have not been 100% consistent and if I had, the results would probably be even better. Also, it took me a long time and a lot of research to find out what worked best for me, but when I figured it out, the results improved significantly.

[SunsetRunner]

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 This was by doing full-body workouts 3 times a week, following a plan of progressive overload with an intensity of about 75%, focusing on high intensity, relatively slow and controlled movements (for maximum muscle time-of-tension and to reduce the risk of injury) and low volume (to protect my joints from over-use). In this way I spend only about 4-6 hours weekly in the gym.

I take a slightly different approach...

I do the progressive overload aspect, however, I concentrate on high reps to failure.

For example, for large muscle groups (Back, shoulders, chest, except legs) I start at 130 lbs (part A of the set), then drop to 100 lbs (part B of the set), then 70 lbs (part C of the set). At each part, I do the weight until I can't get another rep in good form.

For smaller muscle groups, I do 70 lbs and so the same style of drop sets, except I drop to 50, 30 respectively.

I also do another style called rest pause where I just use 100 lbs (large muscle groups) and 50 lbs (small muscle groups) and do Parts A, B, C with the same weight, just wait 15 seconds and try to push out more reps. Again, for me the key is going to failure.

I can combine these "styles" in one workout or do all drop sets or all rest pause exclusively.

My reasoning for doing this? I can get some volume in a limited amount of time, without over taxing my joints, and boy do I feel the muscle worked the next day.

I think the key for me is going to failure or at least pretty close to it.

Legs are my ONLY exception as I do pretty heavy hack squats with a rest pause style. I still doing the part A, B, C for each set. And right now I'm doing 250 lbs for 22 reps on the first Part A of the set.

I know, it sound very complicated to write all this out, but man do I feel the muscle the next day. Not overly sore, but I feel I've worked my muscles.

and I have progressed with the weight amounts as I started at lower weights 2 months ago. I'm planning on bumping it up another 10 lbs for large and small groups very soon, as the 130, and 70 are starting to feel pretty light.

[WavyDavey]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

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@Dominique wrote:

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

It's very possible to lose weight when your past 40.

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Definitely. What’s much harder and slower (e.g. at fifty-something vs. twenty-something) is gaining muscle.

---

Building muscle is always hard no matter what age you are, but being "much" harder or slower as you get older is an exaggeration. With average genes (like mine) it becomes a bit harder and slower as you age - maybe - but not by much. However, it gets progressively harder and slower the closer you are to reaching your genetic ceiling, at any age.

I'm almost 53 now and keep a detailed training journal, and in the last 12 months I have overall increased my strength by approx. 85%, which is about 1.25% per week in average (compound calculated). In the same period I lost 20 lbs.

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Nice progress. But in order to prove your point, do you have records for a similar period during your 20s? In my first year back in the gym in my 40s, I was able to progress the major lifts by 100% (newbie gains). Sounds good, but in my 20s, the progress over the first year was greater, even on a much poorer diet. Thus, I don't think "much harder and slower" to gain muscle is an exaggeration.

[rylohnes]

I'm almost 42 and have lost 34 pounds since April 2nd. I've cut carbs down to 20 a day and walk as much as I can. Atkins isn't for everybody but it works for me as long as I stay in their guidelines. Good luck on your journey!!! 

One thing to keep in mind.... Whats worth the prize is always worth the fight!!!!!

[RileyzMom]

Are you doing Keto or Atkins?  

[rylohnes]

I'm doing Atkins and feel great. I also walk more now than I ever have. 

[SunsetRunner]

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@WavyDavey wrote:

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

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@Dominique wrote:

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

It's very possible to lose weight when your past 40.

---

Definitely. What’s much harder and slower (e.g. at fifty-something vs. twenty-something) is gaining muscle.

---

Building muscle is always hard no matter what age you are, but being "much" harder or slower as you get older is an exaggeration. With average genes (like mine) it becomes a bit harder and slower as you age - maybe - but not by much. However, it gets progressively harder and slower the closer you are to reaching your genetic ceiling, at any age.

I'm almost 53 now and keep a detailed training journal, and in the last 12 months I have overall increased my strength by approx. 85%, which is about 1.25% per week in average (compound calculated). In the same period I lost 20 lbs.

---

Nice progress. But in order to prove your point, do you have records for a similar period during your 20s? In my first year back in the gym in my 40s, I was able to progress the major lifts by 100% (newbie gains). Sounds good, but in my 20s, the progress over the first year was greater, even on a much poorer diet. Thus, I don't think "much harder and slower" to gain muscle is an exaggeration.

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Thanks! Yes, you are right, I can't prove my point as I don't have records anymore going that far back, so this is only according to what I remember. But I did keep records back then and never remember improving by 100% or more in any given 12 month period. But, of course, that might have been due to other factors, like poor workout planning, bad form, ridiculous diet, not understanding the importance of intensity, etc. Today I know so much more than back then.

For me, the important thing is that, even in your fifties and beyond, you can make significant progress and transform your body! Don't let anyone make you believe otherwise!

[SunsetRunner]

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@dsizzye wrote:

Hi there. I have no idea if my method would be applicable to everyone, but I think It might be of some use. The only things I did to completely defeat my ED case here:
-Cold assimilation (to put it simply cold shower at morning and at evening)
-Cardiovascular exercises (tons of sit-ups)
-Kegel exercises
-Healthy diet
-Positive attitude to life

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Sit-ups are not an effective cardio-vascular exercise as the stomach muscles are quite small, so the cardio-vascular effect is minimal and you're also not burning any significant amount of calories. Ab exercises strengthen ab muscles, and that's about it. Besides, sit-ups puts a lot of pressure on the lower back, and can lead to serious back problems over time. There are many ab exercises that are just as effective, without compromising your lower back.

For maximum cardiovascular effect I would target as many muscles as possible with compound exercises, and always include the largest muscles in the body. Two of my favourites are jump squats and burpees. Add 130-140 BPM music as required.

[911DispatchOma]

I am 54 years young and have lost 71 pounds since May 1, 2017 thru Weight Watchers.  I have learned to move more mindfully, changed my eating habits and feel better than ever.  80% of weight loss is what you eat, adding steps and exercise into your daily routine strengthens your body, reduces your stress level and makes you feel better from the inside out!  Best Wishes...YOU CAN DO IT!