I am losing weight!!!!!!

[michel]

I am 5'8" (maybe a bit shorter, because of osteoporosis - I am going to have my wife help me check on my height properly); I am 62, and I weighed 14 stone 2 lbs.

I decided to give up alcohol in February ( part common sense - part thrust upon me when I found I had become almost alergic to wine) - it was the right thing to do; I have always had a problem with alcohol.

I then decided that because of a bad back, arthritis, both hips giving me quite a bit of pain (one is a replacement hip which looks as though it needs replacing; I had it done 15 years ago), I would go on a diet. I would cut out everything "between meals". Because of the pain I have, I often need to go to bed; I decided that I would also do so whenever I felt the urge to binge.

I have lost (to date) 1 stone 4 lbs; I am very careful with making sure I have small portions of food (the reasoning being that I could maybe shrink my stomach). I am still losing 1/2 Lb daily; when I reach the low side of "The right weight for my height", I will relax a little - but I am never going to allow myself to get back to where I was.

I hated looking at myself in the mirror - I thought I looked disgusting; the benefit may even be that my self esteem (what self esteem?) may increase a little; I am fed up with hating myself.

 

[ninerbuff]

Good loss, but when you diet you will lose lean muscle tissue along with fat unless you are strength training. That will translate to less muscle holding you "up" and could cause more issue to your joints. Not to mention it will lower your metabolic rate so you will have to keep eating less to not gain weight.
If you are exercising (not just cardio) then kudos, but as a Personal Trainer, I would advise adding strength training.

 

[michel]

Good loss, but when you diet you will lose lean muscle tissue along with fat unless you are strength training. That will translate to less muscle holding you "up" and could cause more issue to your joints. Not to mention it will lower your metabolic rate so you will have to keep eating less to not gain weight.
If you are exercising (not just cardio) then kudos, but as a Personal Trainer, I would advise adding strength training.

Ouch! I shall have to try, but I have zero energy anyway (maybe just a little more than when I was heavier) - but I am scared of excercise because I am already permanently achey (fibromyalgia), but thanks for the advice - I will try.

 

[Kathryn]

Exercise is amazing. We just got back from a huge vacation, during which I basically ate my way through Europe - but I also walked my way through Europe. I am certain that I added at least 500 extra calories a day to my diet - probably more - but we walked so much that I actually LOST weight.

This was a reminder to me of how important even simple aerobic exercising is. I walk regularly but only for about 30 minutes a day. It simply amazed me at how many calories walking apparently burns.

 

[Kathryn]

By the way, Michel, congrats on the weight loss! Hope you can manage to integrate some exercise into your daily life - even starting with just ten minutes a day would be great. I think you would feel much better!

 

[Onkara]

Good for you. Michel. Aren't you feeling hungry most of the time if you have reduced food quantity?

I have also found stopping alcohol results in much better health benefits, the damage is invisible sometimes

 

[ninerbuff]

Exercise is amazing. We just got back from a huge vacation, during which I basically ate my way through Europe - but I also walked my way through Europe. I am certain that I added at least 500 extra calories a day to my diet - probably more - but we walked so much that I actually LOST weight.

This was a reminder to me of how important even simple aerobic exercising is. I walk regularly but only for about 30 minutes a day. It simply amazed me at how many calories walking apparently burns.

Whether you walk a mile or run a mile, the caloric burn is the same. Main difference is duration of time and intensity.

 

[ninerbuff]

Ouch! I shall have to try, but I have zero energy anyway (maybe just a little more than when I was heavier) - but I am scared of excercise because I am already permanently achey (fibromyalgia), but thanks for the advice - I will try.

You're best bet then is water exercise. This will reduce impact and weight on the joints and muscles, but still provide resistance. Don't know if you can swim, but there are actual water exercise classes you can take. Good luck.