hiya, I am 47f, 5’2”, and currently in 180s. I’m looking to end up somewhere between 110 and 125 as I think that may be an appropriate age range, I am NOT in menopause (I have been told this is relevant?). The last time I was “thin” I was 18 and was barely 5 feet and fluctuated somewhere between 85 to 105, depending on the time of the month and how much running/weight lifting id been doing. So, I don’t really know what a good weight for me is at 5’2”. I have lost over 120 pounds, I stopped weighing myself at 290 and went up two more pant sizes before gaining some sanity and if I am honest I had that largest pant size holding on with a button extender type elastic deal… so I am fairly certain I ended up well over 300 lbs at some point. I was keto and I am mostly carnivore now. I have a gnarly corn allergy and I honestly went carnivore because it’s easier to manage my allergy at the moment that way. I hope to join a gym soon and start walking with the eventual goal of going hiking with my great pyrs. I sometimes do DDPYoga, but I prefer to sweat alone and it has been hard to get space to exercise at home lately(yes, I know I am making excuses with this one). I read so many different things about women needing to fast differently than men and specific ratios and on and on and quite honestly, I find it all abit confusing. I use a Cheapo body composition scale but no food tracking apps and at the moment am trying to sustain weight loss while healing my gut, I feel like my allergy getting worse is a sign of poor gut health. I do take some supplements and am happy to share those. Really I am determined to not be fat when I hit 50, I make 48 next month and I just NEED a change. So I’m looking for opinions and advice on what people who are here have done that works. Fasting times, caloric stuff, what you guys are doing to be more comfortable with all this extra skin, just anything and everything you guys have to offer I am willing to hear and think on. Also…I am, if you can’t tell, super nervous about posting here. Please know, I don’t need y’all to be gentle, but I for sure need some input because I am floundering and have been for like two years.
IF seems to work for a lot of different people, different starting weights, ages and life styles, no harm in trying right? I’m a 51 yo woman, (SW 98kg CW 89, GW 72)
Start small and build on it. Maybe start 10:14 and after a few weeks increase the fasting window. It took a good 3 to 4 weeks for me to see a result so trust the process.
I started fasting in December, I’d put on a lot of weight with covid inactivity and lost a lot of fitness so along side fasting I started doing a small exercise routine on a phone app. There are plenty of fitness videos on YT you’ll find something that suits you. I’ve also started counting steps to make sure I get my fitness to a better level.
Have goals but also be gentle on yourself.If you don’t fast for the full length one day or don’t do any walking or exercise then it’s ok as long as you get back to it the next day. One day won’t matter.
I don’t count calories but I am noticing more awareness of what I put in my body. I’ve really cut down on drinking and I eat light some days. Not every day though.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to post, this is a really supportive group.
You know… Not to nitpick with your post… But you say that you’ve been floundering for two years. You also say that you’ve lost 120 pounds. That’s not floundering my friend, that is success!
My usual first comment refers to this being a marathon not a sprint, but after two years I think you’ve got that part covered. Very few people are perfect about diet and exercise, and sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for people that are perfect. It seems like they are just obsessed with the whole thing and it doesn’t seem like a fun way to live your life.
So what else is important? From my own experience, it can be difficult to eat properly once your hunger gets knocked down and you’re comfortable with 1618 or 20 hour a day fasting. I don’t think you need to be over the top about it, but this is probably an eat your vegetable situation! Although for a while there I was doing a very low carb and I know my food composition was not the best.
Many many people do this with zero exercise. Personally I just feel better when I get moderate levels of exercise. And regarding having equipment or space, you don’t have to go crazy. Especially in the winter, my exercise consists of stretching, core work, and dumbbell exercises. That sounds very impressive right? Wow so busy, Sounds like hours a day… Not even close! Remember the adage “a bad workout is much better than no workout”. My dumbbell workout takes about 30 minutes. Yesterday I did it in 10 minutes… But I did it. That’s the important message. Just do something!
Someone else already said this and it bears repeating. If one day you only fast for 12 hours? It’s not a crisis, and it’s genuinely not a big deal. Be aware of it, do not go on some kind of a crazy binge, and do better the next day. If I get to 10 or 11 in the morning and my stomach feels funny and I’m just not right? I’ll go have a light breakfast. Just don’t do that every day!
What else? Opinions differ on this one, but I find that daily weigh ins (and recording my weight) was very effective. Yes, there will be days where you get on the scale and you’re two or 3 pounds heavier than you think you should be. Conversely the opposite will happen and you get super excited for 24 hours but when you weigh in the next day those mystery pounds come back. Still a good idea! What it did for me was make me realize that there’s more to life than my scale. If I weigh in and I’m a little heavy but I feel good? My take away is that I feel good. Also, your body weight does fluctuate for a variety of reasons… The more data you have the more accurate your trend will be and you’ll be able to see progress on the scale. If you weigh in once a week, those random fluctuations are going to hit you much harder.
Regarding the extra skin, let me say that does sound like a tough problem. I’m older than you, and I have to accept the fact that there are certain realities with getting older… Skin elasticity is one of those things. I don’t know the details here, I know you will do your own reading and research, but based on the situation it may be that medical intervention is required. Don’t panic! Again, this is not one of those all or nothing situations. As you continue to lose weight start working with the doctor. they will give you some options and you’ll choose one. In my business we would call this “a good problem to have“ because it means that you’ve actually succeeded with your weight management!
finally… Yes this post is actually coming to an end… Someone else mentioned how supportive this group is and it’s completely correct. Never be afraid to post here. I read the other posts, but don’t get caught in the trap of comparing yourself to other people. I have done 60 or 65 hour fast and I think that’s a lot. There are people who do five day fast like it’s nothing! I respect them, God bless them, but I just don’t feel the need to do that. Better to stick with a reasonably consistent 16 hour a day program as opposed to overreaching, pushing yourself too quick, and then giving up. Of course for you after two years… Giving up does not sound like one of your problems!
Good for you for wanting to be your best at 50 and congrats for losing 120lbs already.
I know you said you’re not in menopause but worth noting (if not relevant for you, might be for someone else reading) perimenopause where your cycle is still regular can screw with your weight (I gained 10lbs in 6 months) and make it really hard to lose.
Weight loss definitely gets slower to go as you get older so don’t be hard on yourself if the scale only moves slowly.