can you loose weight at 65?

Like many others on this thread I have tried all kinds if diets/eating plans over the years. Some have been successful, notably the Cambridge Formula on which I lost a couple of stone and then took up jogging. Unfortunately after a hysterectomy, stopping the jogging and moving to Cyprus it all piled on again until I needed to lose even more. Enter Slimming World, 4 stone loss, felt great and looked pretty good. That was 5 years ago and I'll be 75 this year. I've now put at least 3 stone back on. I know what I ought to be eating but hate feeling deprived of things I like, plus we have lots of visitors to stay and we do eat out fairly often. Exercise is difficult in the extremely hot summers, which start in May and end in October so I'm finding motivation hard. Hopefully having a look at 'I'm a pear' will help. Well done to everyone who has lost weight and managed to keep it off.

It's all in the mind! (Well, not All, but most of the problem of being overweight.) You have to 'see' yourself as slim as you want to be. For years your subconscious has held the picture of you being 'fat', and if you don't change that, you will find it extremely hard to change your figure. Spend a few minutes, several times a day, to alter your view of yourself. 'See' the new, slim you. Then 'feel' how pleased you are, how proud of yourself you are. Really bring up the emotion! Wonderful! I've done it! I'm so excited!

Also, stop telling yourself (and others) 'I can't have that, I'm on a diet.' Try saying, instead, 'I don't like doughnuts, sweets, chocolate', etc.

This may take some weeks of practice, and you have to really concentrate on your 'idle thoughts' and your 'self-talk'. Every time you think or 'see' FAT, quickly change it to SLIM. Discipline your subconscious! Set trigger-times for your mini-meditations - say, when you are washing-up, or every time you switch a light on, or even every time you go for a pee! Choose something that you do several times a day. (It will soon become your habit.)

In essence, change your mind, and your body will have no option but to follow.

Good luck!

Motivation is what gets me going. I am now 71 and was never overweight until my late fifties when I was really unhappy with life. I took myself in hand and lost up to 3 stones by limiting eating and increasing exercise. I seem to only succeed on less than 900 calories a day plus gym, walking and swimming.

Any way for the first time in my life I went on holiday abroad with my son and his family 6 years ago and have done so alternate years since. When I have nothing to look forward to I gain weight. This year I knew I had to get into my holiday clothes and swimsuits again and managed to succeed in losing nearly two stone again. While on holiday I ate delicious food and drank alcohol every day but also had time to do yoga, dance, swim and aqua-aerobics so actually lost another few pounds in those two weeks.

Now I am home and too busy to exercise at the moment. I long to go swimming, walking and go to the gym but don't honestly have the time because of all my family commitments. I know I am already getting heavier which makes me miserable and so I eat too much rubbish again. Vicious circle!!!

OK ...Next week I will fight back!!!! I've done it before so it can be done again!!!

Well said!

I did loose a lot of weight after my husband died, being miserable and neglecting myself I looked awful, then gradually after comments from friends and family I gained weight. Now a comfortable size 12, too much tummy of course but that didn't go when I weighed less, happy with my shape.
I don't count calories, just small meals and plenty of vegetables, occasional glass of wine, swimming and walking for exercise.

PS I’ve bought an exercise bike. It wasn’t expensive (£75 + pp) but came out well in reviews. I had a huge, ugly thing years ago and can’t believe how small and neat but comfortable and stable, and idiot-proof, this is.

It’s in the spare room looking out over the garden, but has wheels and is light enough to move if I have guests. I was just reading Grandma2213’s post and thought that would solve her exercise problems, and those of others who can’t find time to exercise.

Just 10 minutes when you can manage it, twice a day preferably. I use it on days like this when it’s wet and miserable and I don’t fancy walking in the drizzle or if I’m busy and pushed for time.

Hi I'm with all of you 65 trying to lose weight for ages .up and down socialise a lot .like my wine and food .Don't like classes so always tried by myself .can only seem to maintain .
Going to try 5.2 as I've not tried before and sounds good.sometimes just need a change but don't want it to rule my life

I’m a stone heavier than I would like to be. I am at work sitting at a desk 4-5 days a week which doesn’t help. I get very little time of my own which means I can no longer do the classes ( Pilates, yoga etc) that I used to love. I also used to walk on the beach most nights after work ( childcare permitting) which is hard to do on your own in the dark . Dieting alone is miserable as I don’t really overeat anyway . Help !

Meant to add it’s mainly tummy but I am right in the middle of a miserable menopause too.

We can lose weight at any age petunia

If you eat a bit less and move around a bit more you will lose weight.

There is absolutely no need to go on any silly restrictive diet, as they are impossible to stick to long term.

The thing is to eat reasonably normally but with slightly smaller portions. That coupled with a bit more exercise will do the trick. Aim to lose it slowly, say a pound every couple of weeks.

Yes, It’s not a big deal but it just needs your dedication which mainly help you to lose weight.

Just reread this reopened post and my own contribution. I got going on the exercise again successfully then Christmas activities intervened so started again in January. Then pure bad luck I slid down a muddy bank when walking and sprained my ankle. I later discovered I had also a fracture of the fibula. Needless to say 7 weeks later with no proper exercise I am growing outwards again. Honestly if it wasn't for the cost of new clothes I would give up! Being stuck at home means too many snacks and glasses of wine. OK I need to take myself in hand again though not sure how this time.

Old Meg I am definitely a Welsh Cob! Like NfK I put on weight eating a “normal healthy diet” and only lose it if I cut carbs to an absolute bare minimum. I am trying to motivate myself to start again but not succeeding!

That happened to me Grandma2213 - broken fibula. Inside for weeks, no exercise, lots of treats. I put on so much weight and am very slowly losing it. So so hot in Oz this summer that it's impossible to.move for long.

I'd been doing Low Carbing for a month and only lost 3lbs in that time .
Last week I started the Fast 800 Diet and it's my first weigh in in the afternoon . I'm excited but also dreading it as I'm frightened that I'll get a huge disappointment . It can play with your mood , can't it ? After being so good on the diet , I hope there is a loss - I'll tell you later !

Started slimming world june last year weighing 12st 5.5,now weigh 8st 9lb,I am 66 ,yes it can be done. Good luck.

The I’m a pear thread is still going and a few of us are supporting each other in our Onward and Downward campaign. Losing weight IMO is so much about our mental state. Some binge when feeling down, physical disabilities can have an impact. It’s a mind game.

I have managed to reduce the amount of food I eat and keep off the weight, long may it last. I mustn’t get complacent.

Well it was weigh in today , a whole week on The Fast 800 . No weight loss at all

tow so disappointing ....

Try not drinking alcohol, or at least cutting right down. Working for me.