Just wondering if there are any older women trying the Fitbit, I am 70 and just started.

[helena]

Looking to see if anyone else my age is trying the fitbit to lose weight, I am 70 but I do workout with a personal trainer and take Yoga.

[dancefoxtrot]

Off the Wall,

Sorry to hear about having to more. Hopefully it will be an opportunity to move to a better place that is more secure. Let's all imagine you finding a better home. 

What makes you want to eat at midnight? That will just wake u up further and deprive you of more sleep. Can you have a little snack bag ready and after a tall glass of water eat only the low cal snack? Wonder if you are taking diabetes med. that is too high and drops your blood glucose too low. If you have a glucometer take your blood glucose when you awaken. If you have a reading above 75 you can drink the water and tell yourself sorry food in the morning. 

I like to remember that good Moms are not indulgent if it is unhealthy. Good Moms are firm and since we are our Mom as well as a kid inside, let's be a firm Mom and smile broadly on Mother's Day. I know this may sound screwy to some but it helps me to say no to myself as a way of loving myself.

Sometimes we confuse loving with over indulgence in food or inactivity. 

All the best,

Barbara G 

Breathing deeply and moving help lower cortisol levels released during stressful times. Sleep is one on the best way to lower the stress hormone, cortisol, as well.  

[Ebonnye]

Hi,

I'm a youngster (only 68) and new to these forums.  I've been using my fitbit for about 8 months.   Needed to loose a 100 lbs and signed up with a wellness group.  The fitbit was one of the tools I was given.  I am down a little over 40 lbs (and I'm happy about that) but have so much more to go.  I only average about 2500 steps a day but I have exceeded 5K 56 times, 10K 15 times, and 15K twice.  I need to walk more but just can't get motivated.  I am currently using the Optifast Program through Kaiser to get most of my remaining weight off.  Upon completion of the Optifast Program I plan on using Weight Watchers as my maintenance program.  I've been looking for a walking buddy (can't seem to do it alone) and can't find one so I'm hoping that this community can fill in the void for me.  I didn't start gaining weight until after 50 so I don't have very good eating habits but I have learned a lot in the last 10 years (when I realized I was actually over weight).  I really want to celebrate my 100th birthday, but don't want to be a burden to my family.  So getting healthy has really become an important goal.  You ladies (and gentlemen?) seem to be very supportive of each other and I'm hoping to become a part of that.

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Ebonnye,

Welcome, youngster. So do you like to dance? Turn on your favorite turns and dance your lbs. away. I go to dance classes like zumba and many Jr. Colleges have older adult programs with exercise classes that are free or low cost. Have you tried to find a www.meetup.com group in your area for a walking group? I teach exercise at a senior center 3x a week.  Lot's of people walk together in the county were I live.  Also, I call my sister and encourage her to walk where she is 3000 miles away. We talk and walk and when she sits down I keep going and talking. She sometimes sits on a stationary bike and peddles as I walk. She has more medical reasons to exercise and more resistance but she is moving after a bad heart report last week. 

You are the Mom and the child within so take her by the hand and dance or walk. You have made 5K and 10k before so you know that you can do it. If you had a child who didn't want to go to school or do her homework I bet you wouldn't hear of it. Well, then you are in charge. How about making a minimum commitment to yourself like at least 3000k a day. I will support you in reaching your goals as I bet others will too. Each day you can share when you make it and beat it as well. 

That said I have 2000 steps more so up I go, and walking around my room right now.

Yours in health,

Barbara 

[mjxcw]

Hi,
I am 64 and am glad you are making progress. I lost 25 pounds with the fitbit and then plateaued. I kept losing and gaining the same 5 pounds over and over again. I fought against joining WW because I was prideful and thought I could do it myself. Maybe I could but...

Since I joined I've lost another 27. And I learned that I really enjoy being part of a group. People talk and listen and help each other. People clap and cheer for you even if you've only lost 0 pounds but faced temptation and fought against it. I like goin g each week. It gives me a community. And what I say will help others. It's worth every dime.

I also have belonged to a gym on this weight loss journey. I have used my fitbit religiously. I have tried classes where I am the absolute worst and slowest. But I've improved. Yesterday I was in an interval class and the 75 year old next to me was fabulous. Yes, it is worth every penny.

Why? Because I have lost weight. I am now in the normal range for my height. I do it 5 pounds at a time and sometimes it takes over a month. I do it one good choice at a time, one small change at a time. I went through my clothes again this week and have bags for charity. I am a size 8 and dropping. You can not sell how wonderful I feel every day. No guilt. No shame. I'm proud. Confident. My oldest daughter has bragged about me to her friends. Who would have thought?

So it's taken me a year and a half to get here, stumbling now and then. To me you sound depressed and discouraged. Please consider joining WW and a gym. You will meet people slowly but it will make a difference. If I had to wait to find someone to go to a gym with, I would not have gotten this far. And now I have a whole new set of friends and acquaintances who cheer me on. Please take courage and walk through the door. Please go to the supermarket and do laps. Or the mall.

I walk around the house. I walk back and forth in my bedroom. I get up during commercials and pace. I dance in the kitchen. Even if you are only getting up 5 minutes out of an hour, please get up and move.

The face I'm looking at in the mirror is one that is significantly different from before. I can see cheekbones that I had forgotten. The journey may be slow but it is worth it.

More tips. I hardly have bread. Snacks are planned. Fruit. Veggies. Protein.

I'm in NJ. What state are you in? I am thinking of you and holding you in my heart.

Maryann

Sent from my iPad

[Willscrk]

Hi, Helena, I just turned 67 and have been using my FitBit for about 5 months. Losing some weight would be ok but my main concern is my lack of fitness and strength--especially upper body strength. I can walk up a storm but can't get up from the floor without a support. My upper arms are very flabby and I have problems opening jars, turning keys in locks, etc. Don't care for weights but have been trying to do some wall push-ups and various stretches. My FitBit has been a great motivator but I still have to battle my urge to sit, surf the web, and watch TV with doggies (and hubby) by my side. Do wish physical activity and sports for girls had been a part of my childhood and teen years! My 12 year old niece plays 4 sports on traveling teams and has for years. I am so happy to see the benefits she has gained from her participation!

[Willscrk]

Hi Deborah, good for you getting your 10K steps in Minnesota! We see those snow pictures on TV but do not have those extremes in Alabama, although this winter has been a very cold one by our standards! Keep stepping as surely Spring is on the way, even for the Northern areas! Good luck!

[MCarr]

Welcome.  When you're watching TV you can get up during the commercials and walk in place.  That seems to help.  Baby steps - that's what it is.  One step at a time.  Good luck.

[Ebonnye]

Thank you 'dancefoxtrot'

Walking around the house....That is something I can do alone since I live alone . Let's see how that works.  My goal for today is 3 to 5 thousand.

[MCarr]

That's a good start.  Good luck.

[Ebonnye]

Oh no mjxcw I am not depressed or discouraged.  I am definitely frustrated but never depressed or discouraged. 

I am in a very good place right now and have been for a number of years (well maybe not a big number).  I just want to get really healthy, continue to enjoy my family (especially my gran babies), continue to enjoy my friends,  continue my relationship with Ron (my best friend ever), and travel, travel, travel. 

I am a member of WW but have not been going to meetings,  I have a gym membership but have not been going to the gym.  I went back to work (retired in 2008) to fund my passions.  During 2014 I lost 40 of my 100 lbs and will loose the rest during 2015.  It took me 15 years to gain it so I'm not expecting to get back to normal overnight.  But I want to!!!

So house walking is how I'll amp up my steps.  And thanks for the encouragement.  Oh and in response to your question, I live in CA. 

[MCarr]

Since you don't care for weights how about stretch bands.  They can do wonders for your arms.  Keep up the good work.

[Willscrk]

Good for you! Add music you like and play it loud since it is ALL about you! Go girl!

Sent from my iPad

[KathyAnn]

I am enjoying this page. I'll be 66 years old next month.  Got a Fitbit Zip in January and then liked it so much treated myself to the Charge in February.  Have lost 12 lbs since January 1.  I've been overweight my entire life - could lose 100 lbs.  However, I just want to be down a total of 20 lbs for now.  I had hoped to make it by next week when my sister-in-law moves to our town - but it doesn't look like that will happen.  I've had my husband in the hospital 3 times - and each time it slows me down.  I set my step goal at 3,000 - that is a 2,700 increase from when I started in January!  I make the 3,000 most days now so will need to increase it.  I know we can become healthier and more "fit" (pun intended!) if we continue on this path. 

[BurdsNest]

Good for you!  Keep up the good work and don't stop!  Sometimes we get discouraged and want to say,"Whatever!"  But like I tell my kids, (in the classroom and out), give yourself a pity party for an hour, then get over yourself!  🙂

Welcome to the FitBit family and the forum.

Sincerely,

"Don't Believe me......Just Watch!"

[Willscrk]

So sorry your husband has been sick; but kudos to you that you have managed to keep stepping! You will make it in your own time and the reward of your success will be so sweet. I try to remember to pray for others while I am on the treadmill; I will add your continued progress to my requests. You go girl!

Sent from my iPad

[MCarr]

You are doing awesome considering what you've been through.  Keep up the good work.

[JustCarol]

Good for you KathyAnn! You are an inspiration to me! Keep it up, you'll get there.

[JustCarol]

Ebonnye, I recently rejoined WW, but did the online version. I lost weight before with the online program, then decided to go to the meetings, but I didn't enjoy them that much. I need to take of some weight and get healthy once again. I've been walking on the treadmill every day and have set my goal to be 5,000, which I can achieve. It's enough to get me off my rear which had become a habit. I was lucky to get 1500 steps in a month ago. Sounds like you have a good handle on life!

[ajppep]

I just got a fitbit charge my boyfriend got me so far I love it ..I'm 60 been going to the Y almost everyday walking 2 miles or so sometimes less and then 3 days week I lift weights and do few other excercises and then have a recubment bike in house I ride...today I did 3 mile walk, weights, and 5 mile bike ride outside...no matter what I do its like the weight just stays...my main problem is the stomach area...I telll myself don't give up

[ajppep]

I've had both knees replaced 3 years ago had them done 3 months apart and doing great with them...in the warm weather I ride bike outside 20 plus miles a day and now trying to get in some walking and weights 3 times a week...need to loose some weight so hoping the fitbit will keep me more on track with things best of luck to you