I know you think impossible, but not so!

[TRunnergirl]

I am nearly 62 years old. When I was approx. 55, I viewed a recent photo of myself and was so disgusted.

So, I bought a treadmill. The salesperson that sold me the treadmill laughed and said it would soon be a place to hang clothes! Not so, I am on my third treadmill and I run outside when weather permits.

I began to walk on the treadmill and I promise that it was not long before that walk seemed so slow. You would be shocked at what you can do. It was not long at all before I was running. And, I am still running.

Let's face it. Diets are great while you limit what you eat. BUT, as soon as you go off of those diets, the pounds pile back onto the body! Do not get me wrong. I am all for dieting.

BUT, the key is exercise. When you exercise, your body begins a transformation that it incredible. It is absolutely true that you begin to have more energy. And, exercise becomes very additive.

I only run between 28-30 miles per week. However, I can promise you that the running allows me to lose weight (or at least keep weight off) and I can enjoy a variety of foods. Yes, I do take phentermine (when available).

I just encourage everyone to try walking. I PROMISE you that once you begin to do so, you will consider jogging, then running. Even if you just want to walk, you will be absolutely amazed at how much trimmer you will become and how much better you will feel.

Of course, all of the above is based on my personal experience. But, again, I am not a young chick.

And, another HUGE benefit is the fact that even your skin, everything will improve. You will look MUCH younger. Most people think I am in my late 40's, early 50's.

Wishing all of you well.

Take care.

[Atron]

Thanks for the good advice. Exercise is absolutely essential most people.

I hear too many people talking about exercise to weigh less and look better, and that’s a perfectly good reason for exercise.

I also like to stress that exercise is beneficial for the body even if you have a BMI of 20. It’s proven to help the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune system. It may also be good for mental health as well.

The bottom line is that I’d encourage every to try and fit some exercise into their lives. There are countless benefits.

[crucibelle]

@TRunnergirl -- Great post. I can't lose any weight at all by restricting calories, alone. I HAVE to exercise. Aerobics are awesome (I prefer dance or step aerobics) but I have found weight training to be absolutely essential. Weight training isn't just for people who want to bulk up. Light weights with many reps are good for females (or guys) not wanting huge muscles. When I added weight training to my regimen, it totally reshaped my body, for the better... aerobics alone can't do that. Weight training also has the benefit of increasing resting metabolism.

ps -- the above is just my opinion & what works for me. I know everyone is different.

[chera]

I am nearly 62 years old. When I was approx. 55, I viewed a recent photo of myself and was so disgusted.

So, I bought a treadmill. The salesperson that sold me the treadmill laughed and said it would soon be a place to hang clothes! Not so, I am on my third treadmill and I run outside when weather permits.

I began to walk on the treadmill and I promise that it was not long before that walk seemed so slow. You would be shocked at what you can do. It was not long at all before I was running. And, I am still running.

Let's face it. Diets are great while you limit what you eat. BUT, as soon as you go off of those diets, the pounds pile back onto the body! Do not get me wrong. I am all for dieting.

BUT, the key is exercise. When you exercise, your body begins a transformation that it incredible. It is absolutely true that you begin to have more energy. And, exercise becomes very additive.

I only run between 28-30 miles per week. However, I can promise you that the running allows me to lose weight (or at least keep weight off) and I can enjoy a variety of foods. Yes, I do take phentermine (when available).

I just encourage everyone to try walking. I PROMISE you that once you begin to do so, you will consider jogging, then running. Even if you just want to walk, you will be absolutely amazed at how much trimmer you will become and how much better you will feel.

Of course, all of the above is based on my personal experience. But, again, I am not a young chick.

And, another HUGE benefit is the fact that even your skin, everything will improve. You will look MUCH younger. Most people think I am in my late 40's, early 50's.

Wishing all of you well.

Take care.

You go girl!!! What a delightful post and so uplifting!!!
You're absolutely right too. Getting up and moving is soooo important; regardless of how much you diet, there's no substitute for exercise.

Unfortunately, fitness has become a bit more challenging to me, due to some health issues. But.....that means I just have to be more creative in the activities I choose, as well as more realistic in the goals I set for myself and more patient regarding the amount of time it will take me to reach them.

A few weeks ago, I bought a Nintendo Wii, along with 2 of the Wii Fit Games. However, I've not been able to use it yet because I still have to purchase a piece of equiptment required for them to work correctly (a balance board). But, I am looking VERY forward to getting started with it. My doctor actually talked me into getting this. He says they're a really good way to get or stay in shape and that they're perfect for people with health issues. In fact, they use this at an office where a friend of mine goes for physical therapy.
Anyone ever tried it?

[Tece68]

Great post and good for you @TRunnergirl! I use my WII fit and enjoy it but would rather exerise outside my home if possible. I agree that exercise is needed when losing weight I can not lose weight without it. Plus for me it is my unload time to clear out my brain!

[Feefee]

Get it girl! I am so jealous of you. I wish I had that much energy. You have motivated me to get my butt up and exercise. The phentermine does help but I prefer using rimonbant to suppress my appetite. I am thinking of trying the HCG diet also. Thanks for sharing your story.

[teresita]

ItS like that commercial "a body in movement stays in movement" Unfortunately, I do so much speed walking at work that the only walks I take are with my dogs through our trails but any movement for any age is great. I started lifting 5lb dumbbells after my daughter was born from the advice a nurse practioner gave me about keeping my back strong. Though less frequently, I still have those dumbbell and a 10lb barbell and so far my back hasnt been an issue, work makes it sore but it doesnt last.

I hate the word diet in terms of losing weight. Your diet is simply what you chose to eat. I have seen people cut back to under 1000 calories a day and barely lose weight. Better choices in what you eat is what your diet should consist of and that goes for those who arent overweight too. And anything in moderation isnt bad, a sweet here or there or a handful of chips. Its when we eat the whole bad with dip and call it dinner. Lately I havent had an appetite and I know thats part of the reason Im tired.

Its unfortunate a lot of members here have so many restrictions that keeping their bodies in movement ends up with extra pain. Maybe someone could suggest some low impact, sitting down type excersize just for muscle tone.

[Jeremy Fisher]

As some of you know, my dd has a knee issue we are trying to work through (scar tissue from playground accident). I learned that if one does not use a joint, it becomes stiff. So movement is key.

One tip on lifting low level weights (1, 2, 3, or 5lbs) is to do the traditional lifting movements flat on one's back. You still use your arms, but don't strain your neck.

Also for me, the elliptical (which they have at many rec centers) is very good low impact aerobic exercise.

Swimming is good too for many restrictions. One can run in the water or do exercises. Just keep it moving. No matter how difficult. Getting up off the sofa during commercials and walking around one's house would even help.

As I always tell my dd (10 yrs old), it's not about being thin, it's about being healthy. Some folks are just bigger than others; it's how they are made.

[teresita]

@Fireplaces your last line "Its not about being thin its about being healthy" should be a slogan for Michelle Obama and her fight with childhood obesity. Or a slogan period. I may use that but will give you credit of course

[billyboy1965]

Getting up off the sofa during commercials and walking around one's house would even help.

.

I take stairs instead of the elevator. I pick a far away parking spot unless the weather sucks. I shovel snow instead of the snow blower unless it's really deep and heavy. I try to get out for a walk every day. There are all sorts of little things.

[Roswell1947]

Weight training isn't just for people who want to bulk up. Light weights with many reps are good for females (or guys) not wanting huge muscles. When I added weight training to my regimen, it totally reshaped my body, for the better... aerobics alone can't do that.

You're so right.
I have been running & swimming all my life
but never got that tight muscle tone look.

[jholden40]

@Rowell10mg
You should try the jogging programme on Wii sports. It's great, you can just sit down and waggle your controller. There's no need to actually move your legs or get out of breath.

[Roswell1947]

It's great, you can just sit down and waggle your controller.

Is that a sexual reference of some kind?

[jholden40]

@Rowell10mg
Not unless it's white, plastic and runs on two standard AA size batteries.

[Quirk]

Running is great, I agree. I almost recovered from my eating disorder because of running. I took up running in 2010 after having not run for a decade due to a fracture. I was so happy and had a reason to get out of bed every day. Also, it helped me eat better because I thought of food as energy instead of something that would make me fat. I felt good about my body.

Then, I made the mistake of seeing an "eating disorders specialist." These people try to tell you that running equals bad and yoga equals good, or that if you have an eating disorder you should be completely sedentary. She tried to get me to pay for a cab to the doctor's instead of walking (about 40 minutes). I am low income and can't afford a cab. So anyway, when I ran my first 5k, a huge accomplishment, all she did was to put me down. Life went downhill after that, and I ended up with knee problems a year ago and a doctor told me to never run or walk for fitness again. Why did I believe him? My acupuncturist says she can get me running and healthy again. A massage therapist told me it has been a year, another year and I should be able to run again if I'm careful. I fired that therapist.

[phxjmc123]

@TRunnergirl -- Great post. I can't lose any weight at all by restricting calories, alone. I HAVE to exercise. Aerobics are awesome (I prefer dance or step aerobics) but I have found weight training to be absolutely essential. Weight training isn't just for people who want to bulk up. Light weights with many reps are good for females (or guys) not wanting huge muscles. When I added weight training to my regimen, it totally reshaped my body, for the better... aerobics alone can't do that. Weight training also has the benefit of increasing resting metabolism.

ps -- the above is just my opinion & what works for me. I know everyone is different.

You have to add weight training or some sort of anaerobic training to your exercise routine. You have to build the machine to burn the calories. People often have the wrong idea of muscle. Muscle apart from brain matter is the only 100% constant active tissue in the body. The more muscle you have on your frame, the more calories you burn at rest.

[MaggieA]

Yoga and meditation all the way, for me. I keep un-doing injuries instead of generating them! Last Saturday I went to dinner with a friend. We sat at the bar to chat with the bartender. A couple we "kind of" know were there as well. As they were leaving, they stopped to chat. More than usual. She was asking me about yoga, so I gave her a card. She said, "I was looking at your back from across the bar, and thought:'bitch!'" We both laughed. My dress was only straps in the back. Later that night I took myself to a bar where some incredible musicians, also friends, were playing. I danced my arse off; sometimes by myself, a lot with a 33-yr old gorgeous girl in really high shoes and REALLY high skirt. Someone in the bar bet my piano-playing friend that I was the youngest and couldn't be over 30. I went over and talked to him and meet his wife. He wasn't drunk. But he was flabbergasted when we told him I have just passed by 56th birthday. Had his wife take his picture w/me. Pretty funny, but fun.

[lammi]

That is awesome to read! Good for you. I keep trying to find the motivation to go long distances and always hit a wall at about three miles (walking.....I haven't taken the running plunge yet) Have a good day!

[Chick]

@chera you will love it! I really like the yoga (never felt so loose and flexible), down hill skiing (alot more muscle use than you would think), and the balance exercises. I remember how stunned I was when I first got it at how sore my muscles became! Now, I don't think you can become an olympiad with it or anything, but it's a great launching pad, IMO.

@ TRunnergirl Great post! I'm gonna dust off some equipt tonight and get sweaty.