Advice, please, from over 50's and a lot to lose!

[Mr.Mel]

I'm wondering if I could get some advice from people that are over 50 years old and started Atkins between 350 and 400 lbs. I'm 55 and have bad knees so I can't excercise much and I'd like to know what others in this age, weight and excercise situation have done in regard to daily calorie intake. I get so many different opinions from well meaning people. Some say eat more and some say eat less. Can anyone in my situation tell me what worked long term for them? I've basically been doing INDUCTION since May 27, 2003 but I have added a couple things not on induction now but still keep carbs at 20 per day. Started at 416 lbs. and am now 396 lbs. I've been eating between 1800 and 2200 calories a day. I've included a link to my Fitday below.

www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=Mr%2EMel

[Paleoanth]

Mr. Mel-

You might want to check out a couple of the subforums. One of them is the Triple Digits club and people who are trying to lose 100 pounds or more often hang out there:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=49

The other one is the TOFF (Over 50) subforum:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=141

Between those two places you should be able to pick up a lot of tips.

I took a look at your fitday and you are getting a lot of veggies and that is really great! You might want to dump the weiners and maybe the low carb bread until you have lost a little more.

[serrelind]

I'm not over 50, but would you be able to walk briskly or do some biking? Both are low impact, gentle on the knees, and great way to be active.

[gerriz]

Hi, I'm well over 50 and started out at almost 300 lbs. I've lost 24 lbs and just started exercising recently. I'm sure with bad knees you don't want to even walk, especially where you live, a slip on the ice could be a disaster. How about a stationary bike? I had a knee replacement a couple or yrs ago and that was one of the things I was told to do both before and after surgery. You can go at your own pace which will pick up as you keep doing it. Also, I started out with a simple stretching video and after a couple of weeks couldn't beleive the difference in how I felt, moved on to a walking video. Even a little exercise helps, hopes you find something to get started on. Good luck.

[Dodger]

I'm over 50, but at less weight. Even at your weight and with bad knees you could do cycling. It is a non-weight bearing exercise and does not have the pounding on the knees that running does. My knees actually feel much better when I cycle than when I don't. Just start at 15 minutes and go up from there depending upon how you feel.

As far as eating, Atkins is not a calorie restricted plan. In his book, he recommends eating a low carb snack if you get hungry between meals.

[GramnGramp]

Hi Mr.Mel.
My hubby is well over 50 and wants to lose a total of 150 to 160lbs.
We started in mid Feb of this year and he has lost 57lbs of it so far.
He also has gout and cannot walk very much at all. He just moves around outside as much as he can. Short distances.
As for eating, we are staying around 25 carbs per day. We were faithful to the induction foods for the first six weeks. Meat, salad, cheese and one vegetable from the approved list. He has added a few nuts, a small tomato, and some deli meat for lunch.
I know Dr Atkins says exercise is a must, but he just can't do it. Hopefully, when more of the weight comes off, he will be able to walk further each time.
I make a "bread" for sandwiches. I found the recipe somewhere here, and printed it out. I have looked for it since and can't find it anymore.
It is made with egg yolks, egg whites, and cream cheese. I flatten it out on a baking sheet, so each piece is about the size of a slice of bread.
We like it for hamburgers also. Only about 1 carb per slice.
Good luck on your weight loss. You will have times when you don't lose for a while, but it will work if you stick to it. :agree:

[napalil]

I was impressed with the story of a women who lost 40 pounds who was confined to a wheel chair. She excercised with arm movements for up to an hour a day. Doesn't sound like much, but try holding out your arms moving them up and down or around and around for ten minutes. Even the smallest movement is movement and burns calories. Find what you can do to start and do it!! Sit in a chair and move your legs up and down continuously while moving your arms. Good luck! :dazzle: :yay:

[misfit]

Cycling isn't always good OR low impact. Some of us, myself for one, have real problems on a bike (of any kind). I try a stationary bike now and then, but the same thing keeps happening........my knees blow up!!! Even tried "just a little" daily....building it up......didn't work for me. Gotta stay off of the things. :(

[mizholly]

Greetings Mel,

We've been living La Vida LoCarb for 4.5 years, we're both over 50 :-).

It's a journey and a lifetime committment. Please be patient with yourself, but be determined. Try to stay on plan - lose the phony foods and eat "close to the ground" ... you know, meat, natural veggies and a bit of cheese. Keep a watchful eye on the saturated fat and dairy - limit the cheese a bit :-).

We're all battling the same demon and we'll help when we can. I agree with the others about the stationary bike - it's a bit easier on the knees.

Hope all goes well and if we can help, we're here.

Holly

[fishie48]

I've had over 100 pounds to lose and I don;t exercise as a rule. I've done pretty well keeping to around 25 carbs a day and about 1600-1700 calories. Funny I;ve been on vacation the past 3 weeks and have been doing some swimming - my weight loss stopped???

[MizSteaks]

Welcome to the group Mr. Mel! I also have a very bad knee and the one excercise that was recommended to me by the Physical Therapist was a staionary bike. There is no weight bearing on the legs because you're seated...although it takes some getting used to for the rump. LOL. The one caution he gave me was absolutely NO TENSION on the bike. That causes more damage to the knees.

Have you considered Tai Chi or beginning Yoga? These are stretching excercises that can be done by all ages and degrees of physical condition. There are classes available almost anywhere and there are some very good tapes out for doing them in the privacy of your own home. There are also some good tapes available for doing stretching and deep breathing excercises together. Oxycise comes to mind and I know there is another one with Greer. (Help me out with the name folks!)

The main thing is to mooooove. Gently at first and work your way up. You have a challenge facing you, for sure, but that challenge is possible by taking the first baby step and then another and then another. We'll ALL be here cheering you on and giving you encouragement....it's one of the things this forum does best!

I recommend that you start your journal. That gives all of us a place to come to chat with you, get acquainted, comisserate, encourage and congratulate. Truly one of the best features this wonderful site has to offer. Directions for starting one are in the Newbie Forum.

Have a wonderful holiday today!
Nance :wave:

[lucyr]

I'm 52 with one very bad knee caused by a serious accident 20 years ago. It's a bummer.


I can't use a bike at all, stationary or not. What I can do is a rowing machine, or a ski machine (cross trainer??). No trouble at all.
Also I came across a machine in a gym which was like a bike for arms. You sit and turn the handles. It's exhausting and effective.

All I need now is the motivation!

[mizholly]

Welcome Aboard Lucy :wiggle:

Motivation you need? Motivation we got. Start slow, but START!!! You know what they say, you're here to save your life, soooooo ....

Get Moooooooving!!

We even have an official cheerleader, so expect lots of help and whatever nagging you need. :lol:

Stay well,

Holly

[mizholly]

Hey Lucy,

I just thought of something ... you need to come over and join our other forum, here's the link:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125926

It's a fairly active group, both posting-wise and, more importantly, exercise-wise.

There's also some personal sharing going on, but that's all a part of our lives, no?

Hope to see you there!

Holly

[y2valerie]

I'm wondering if I could get some advice from people that are over 50 years old and started Atkins between 350 and 400 lbs. I'm 55 and have bad knees so I can't excercise much and I'd like to know what others in this age, weight and excercise situation have done in regard to daily calorie intake. I get so many different opinions from well meaning people. Some say eat more and some say eat less. Can anyone in my situation tell me what worked long term for them? I've basically been doing INDUCTION since May 27, 2003 but I have added a couple things not on induction now but still keep carbs at 20 per day. Started at 416 lbs. and am now 396 lbs. I've been eating between 1800 and 2200 calories a day. I've included a link to my Fitday below.

www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=Mr%2EMel
aqua fit exercises would be great for you and most classes the people are in our age group. i think you can check at any of your ymca clubs or gyms for classes

[dewatkins]

Water stops the high impact effect and gives great resistance. Of course you have to have access to a pool. There are water exercise classes at the local Y and even at one of the local city pools, the close it in the morning to kids and only let in people the do the class.

Good luck

[bevbme]

Lots on peple insisted the over 50's got a forum of their own and now no one posts there.

[MammaC]

Hi,
I also have bad knees. I started out my exercise routine riding an exercise bike, the kind with the handles that also move. I rode it for 10 minutes at first, then worked my way up to 20 minutes. Now, I am able to walk. I started out just going around the block. Now, I can walk a mile or a little more at a time. Lots of days, I walk a mile twice in a day. I have also recently gotten a mini-trampoline. I am starting out slow on it, but it is supposed to be even lower impact than walking. It is sure a work out, but lots of fun, too. I just put on some music and kind of jog in place on it. I don't do it very long at a time right now, but hope to work my way up on it, too. It doesn't hurt my knees. I think that as you build your leg muscles up it takes some of the stress off your knees. I also bought some two pound hand weights, and I use them sometimes to exercise my arms. I also do stretches and crunches, etc. sometimes. That doesn't bother my knees at all. I also have other joint problems, but the exercise has really helped that more than it has hurt. Some days it is really hard to walk the mile because of pain in my left leg, but I keep going and I make it. Some days it is not as bad. Every day, it makes me feel better when I exercise both physically and mentally. I have more energy than I have had in a long, long time.

I hope you can find what is right for you. Just try some things a little at a time and work your way up slowly whatever you decide to do. Just get moving some way or another. It will make you feel so much better.
Have a great day!
Martha

[SadLady]

Well, this is interesting. I have arthritis on both knees and I have an excercise bike at home. I got on it the other day to try to excercise and the pain on my left knee left me without air. I can not understand how with bad knees can anyone do this excercise. The only thing I can do is walk and not too fast because sometimes my knee locks and I lose my balance. Just go to a mall and walk. I am almost 60 and I started at 310 lbs. Beeing stuck at 235 for over 9 months.

[Hellistile]

I think people our age who have medical problems and a lot of weight to lose and are told by well meaning and younger people that we definitely have to exercise should just ignore them initially and not feel guilty about it. IMHO we should not make exercise our #1 priority until we have embarked on a low-carb eating plan that works for us, helps us lose a few pounds, makes us feel better and with enough energy that we can gradually increase our level of activity. It took me 6 months of low-carbing before I was able to exercise. In those 6 months prior, my knees almost completely healed. I had thought that I would have to go in for knee replacement surgery that's how bad they were. Low-carbing cured my arthritis. So, take it one step at a time. If you can exercise, so much the better, but if you can't don't feel guilty.

[mizholly]

now THAT is a true story. Exercise is important but not if you cripple yourself in the long-run. One step at a time, move slowly at first. You'll soon be flying like the wind!!

[llwilson]

Hello Mr. Mel! I am 53 (soon to be 54) and have two bad knees. While Richard Simmons is sweatin to the oldies I get on my glider which places no stress on your joints. I try to work out at least three days a week when my work schedule allows it. Good luck! We sure will cheer you on! Linda

[marilynuuu]

:wave: You can see from my stats that I have walked in your shoes.

At first I walked back and forth thru my house and did arm exercises. I have one leg that is not up to walking. I use an electric cart in stores. I am able to walk into and out of stores with the use of a regular cart.

I go to the local rec center. I can swim in the regular pool and get into the heated pool and walk and then joined a class with others past age 50. NO one cares what you look like. The kids are in school.

Moving in water is pure freedom. It does not make your muscles sore. It is 2 x better exercise due to the water......there for it takes less movement to get good results. I go 2 x a wk and sometimes 3 if I am able.

I am losing steady. I eat 2000 cal a day. 2 lbs a week is normal for me to lose. YOU CAN DO THIS and not have to starve.

[marilynuuu]

My stats are not showing what they should.
started 395
now 295 last wk
I have joined the Christmas challenge and have lost 10 of the 25 lbs I said I would lose. 60 + days to go so I will make it to 280.

[spacey52]

Hi Mr. Mel, I too am over 50, 55 actually and hear where your coming from with the knee problem. I try to set goals for myself like trying to walk down the hallway to the elevator, I live in an apartment building, at least twice a day. It's not a big deal but it's something. I also believe in just stretching or trying to touch your toes. You'll be amazed with a constant rep of strectching each day and bending what it will do for you. It's not hard either. Do it maybe 10 min. a day. As you go along it will become easier. I'm just getting back into Atkins but love the fact that it really works. I just keep telling myself it took me 28 years to have packed on this much weight so if takes two to take it all off then so be it. I'm tired of shopping in catalogs and tired of not being able to walk to the store. Running was something I always loved but I don't think I could run if my life depended on it right now. I would be able to get to the elevator though. :) Keep on keeping on.