50+ who lost on Atkins/ I need support!

[Pie4me]

I would like to get some support and hear from those

of you over 50 (ladies) that were successful in loosing
weight while on Atkins at this stage of your life.

Did the weight seem to disapper slower?
What type of exercise did you 50+ do?

Since I turned 50 my body shape has seemed to change
and I am having trouble dealing with it. I still seem to think
that I should weigh what I did in my 30's but maybe that is
unrealistic...I don't know.
Looking for fresh ideas and support--Thanks

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by Pie4me

I would like to get some support and hear from those

of you over 50 (ladies) that were successful in loosing
weight while on Atkins at this stage of your life.

Did the weight seem to disapper slower?
What type of exercise did you 50+ do?

Since I turned 50 my body shape has seemed to change
and I am having trouble dealing with it. I still seem to think
that I should weigh what I did in my 30's but maybe that is
unrealistic...I don't know.
Looking for fresh ideas and support--Thanks

Hi Pie!!!!

I wasn't quite 50 when Dr. Atkins entered my life, but darn close. Age aside, at that point in my life I felt WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY older than I was ... because I was embarrasingly out of shape and overweight at age 46 .. it was U G L Y .. and destined to get alot U G L I E R .. but thank heavens I happened upon DANDR in the "action aisle" of Walmart in January 2002 .. the rest is, as they say, history ..

But back to original question .. no problem losing the weight for me as I was SERIOUSLY DESPERATE to turn my life around once and for all ..

I had alot of strikes against me at that point .. I was 46, on hormone replacement, post-menopausal (from a surgical hysterectomy), surgically hypothyroid (after suffering with Graves Disease, I had a subtotal thyroidectomy) at age 45 ...

Enter DANDR in January 2002 .. and I committed 110% to the plan for "2 weeks", not at all believing that it could or would work to eat FAT and get THIN .. well, this former skeptic is a full-fledged believer now, I can tell you that!

I also really committed to daily exercise .. nothing special, no gym membership, just a daily walk of 1.5-2 miles at an increasing faster pace...well you probably know the rest of the story by now as I've completed over 6,000 running miles since 2002 .. (whoddathunkdat?)

All this to say, age DOES NOT matter nearly as much as your commitment to sticking with the plan and following it to the letter .. some people may dispute that, but for me, it was and is true .. ATKINS WORKS if you make it a daily commitment .. one hour at a time, one day at a time, for a lifetime ... AT ANY AGE.

PS .. I just turned 52 today .. and I weigh less than I did in 1974.

Betty

[Pie4me]

TT.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thanks for your support--Somehow I KNEW you would be the first to answer!

I think of you as an exception to the rule of 50+ year olds.
But you got your head on straight and "went for it" and you got there!

I want to hear from other 50+ ladies out there too!!

Why don't other 50+ friends use this forum more???
That's what makes me think Atkins doesn't work for most 50+ ladies...

I want to hear some Atkins weight loss "bragging" from 50+ friends
who visit this website...LET ME HEAR YOU!

[sallyseachange]

YESSS! Atkins does work for 50+ ladies... very well indeed!

Ok... I started Atkins when over 50. Never expected or intended to make this a way of life. However, it was so pleasant compared to most weight loss plans, that it just happened!!

Sure... at 50+, I lost slower than I did in my twenties or thirties, but with exercise thrown in (half hour fast dog walk and half hour exercise routine), it wasn't all that difficult. You just need a little more patience.

I reached my first goal (which I'd thought was reasonable, as it was a bit higher than my pre-pregnancy weight) with far less trouble than anticipated. Then went on to a new goal: Lower than I was before both of my kids!!! Took eight months to get to final goal. Been maintaining well since then.

My body went almost back to where it was, with the exception of a slightly thicker waist... but am not complaining, as before I used to be very wasp-waisted; so now I'm still fairly curvy even at age 54.

Maintaining is harder than losing for me, but it still isn't really a problem (at least it hasn't been so far)... especially with the exercise routine a way of life now.

Atkins rocks... whatever your age!!

[kelly50]

Hi, Pie. I echo what has been said. Atkins really works well both for weight loss and not being hungry while losing weight, but, it has not been a quick process for me at 51 years old. I lose an average of 3-4lbs a month and that is following the plan as written.

The thing that has changed my body, aside from the weight loss of course, is the weight training I have been doing 2 times a week for the last 6 months. Exercise is so key for women our age to maintain muscle mass and shape, don't you think?

Bottom line for my weight loss has been: Atkins works well. Exercise is KEY!

Weighing what I did when I was 30 or even 40 years old would make me look gaunt. Looking the best I can and being as healthy as I can is my goal now.

[Pie4me]

Thanks so much 50+ friends.....
I knew you all were there SOMEWHERE!!!!

Your posts have revived my confidence 100%

50+ ROCKS THANKS LADIES!!!

[Elizellen]

Hi Pie

I began Atkins when I was nearly 55 and didnt really find it difficult compared to the starvation 'rabbit food diets' I had tried in earlier times of my life.

Over the first and second years I lost about 60 pounds each year while walking regularly and in general being more active (taking stairs instead of lifts, parking further away from shops etc).

I wish I had started going to the gym and lifting weights earlier, but didnt till in my third year of Atkins, since when I have found my body reshaping itself rather than losing weight, but I am slowly getting there!!

[IrishIrish]

When I began, I was a mess! I hadn't walked more than 20 feet at a time and was virtually a "shut in". I had knee problems and couldn't move without having a coughing fit. I got a peddler that I put on the floor in front of a chair and stuck my feet on it and started peddalling .... I "danced to the oldies" sitting in my chair using my upper body to move ... I couldn't wait to gain stamina to stand and do Tae Bo but in the meantime, I sat as I punched the air and refined the moves. Once I had lost enough weight to walk far enough to move from the couch to the car, I started swimming at a community pool. From the day I began Atkins, I just started moving ... every day a little more. Now I do resistance training with bands, I have a set of Bowflex weights, a treadmill and a bicycle. I even utilize a trainer in my home from time to time when I need a little kick in the butt.

I've been doing Atkins for 4 years and I'll be 56 in a few months! When I began, I kept telling myself that I could only eat an elephant a bite at a time ... and four years later, I couldn't image being without my exercise!

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by IrishIrish

When I began, I was a mess! I hadn't walked more than 20 feet at a time and was virtually a "shut in". I had knee problems and couldn't move without having a coughing fit. I got a peddler that I put on the floor in front of a chair and stuck my feet on it and started peddalling .... I "danced to the oldies" sitting in my chair using my upper body to move ... I couldn't wait to gain stamina to stand and do Tae Bo but in the meantime, I sat as I punched the air and refined the moves. Once I had lost enough weight to walk far enough to move from the couch to the car, I started swimming at a community pool. From the day I began Atkins, I just started moving ... every day a little more. Now I do resistance training with bands, I have a set of Bowflex weights, a treadmill and a bicycle. I even utilize a trainer in my home from time to time when I need a little kick in the butt.

I've been doing Atkins for 4 years and I'll be 56 in a few months! When I began, I kept telling myself that I could only eat an elephant a bite at a time ... and four years later, I couldn't image being without my exercise!

Irish, you are a TOTAL inspiration!!!! WOW! Congrats on your success!

Betty

[healthandharmony]

perhaps I am a bit premature as i am 52, and attempting atkins for I hope the last time. I stopped reluctantly last year, but I have a goal and motivation. I have joined a gym. I started on sunday and reading your posts have helped a lot. I am looking forward to being slim again. I feel good and know that in a few weeks i will feel even better.