To those who have lost 75+ pounds....

[Nuggie's Auntie]

Happy Birthday, Bob!

You didn't find running really taxing on your joints? Esp. carrying extra weight?

[PennyK]

Originally Posted by pumptmuscle

I lost about 85 lbs a while back. One thing I definitely notice is age does have a bearing on success. It's much tougher now (today's my 45th birthday) than in my 20's. My weight has literally yo-yo'd for the past 30 years so that sure doesn't help.

I strongly suggest running and some form of resistance for optimal success. I've done a lot of different things over the years including hi intensity workouts like kettlebells, jump rope, Cathe, Ilaria, etc and I believe running is the best hands down. There seems to be something about moving forward and propelling yourself that anything (or at least most things) stationary has a hard time matching.

Having been around some of the fittest people in the country, at least running/cardio-wise, I can attest to how great running is. It also gets you outside and for some reason, I always derive more pleasure exercising outside, which is kind of ironic cause I'm a homebody who spends the vast majority of time indoors.

Of course, eating a clean diet can't be neglected. A poor diet can certainly sabotage the best weight loss efforts all by itself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Thanks for taking the time to reply on your special day!!!

[lorajc]

Yes, I'm interested in this thread also. I'm aged 55 and have a good 60 or so pounds to lose.....so far, I've lost 20. I've NEVER had to lose weight in my life so this is all totally new to me and HARD. I'm currently in menopause. My hot flashes are finally starting to subside a bit so hopefully, I'm starting to come out the other end?

Bob - Interesting what you say of "running" - I hurt my ribs and have been unable to do anything the past few weeks, so all I've been doing is a walk/run program - daily . I lost 6 pounds in the past 3 weeks doing this!! I couldn't believe it!! I'm going to continue for a few more weeks until my ribs heal....but I'll definitely keep throwing it into my routine more after I heal also!

[pumptmuscle]

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

I should mention I basically lost the weight and took up running afterward. It kept me thin. I switched to racewalking afterward due to some persistent injuries and I gained some weight. Not much but I def didn't have the 'running' body anymore...even tho I believe I was doing slightly more weekly mileage racewalking.

If joint issues are a problem, maybe try a treadmill, or a run/walk program like lorajc mentioned. You don't have to run an entire workout. Running on grass, dirt, loose gravel or maybe even a rebounder or using an elliptical are other options.

I believe running form is very important, too. You should try to be as light as possible when running and especially, don't be 'stompy' or clunky. When done properly, running should look smooth and relaxed, regardless of how fast someone is going (unless they're very slow). hth

[Negin]

Originally Posted by PrairieGem

And then, late this spring, thanks to VFers, I discovered a really smart, sensible book by psychiatrist Dr. Judith Beck, The Beck Diet Solution.

Thank you for reminding me about this book. I'm not sure if I'm in a place to take charge of my terrible emotional eating , but I would very much like to read this. Just don't when I'll be ready.

Originally Posted by sunday

But I will say maintenance is MUCH harder than losing. Ugh! It's a daily battle

This is the story of my life. I've lost and like 90% or so of people, I've regained. Maintaining is so hard.

[Lucky Star]

Congratulations Demeris!

Originally Posted by Demeris

Unlike others who can tell you that they did WW or they went vegetarian, if I say what I did, I will get the thread shut down (this is based on past experience. If I had the time or the inclination, I could pull of the threads where people went on and on about WW or vegetarianism, but the minute I posted the food choices that create and support health for me, the thread got shut down).

If others can mention WW or vegetarianism I'm sure you could state a simple general idea like primal eating, grain-free or something else. As long as you don't post details or offer specific advice, then why not? People could always PM you if they want to know more.

[PrairieGem]

Originally Posted by Negin

Thank you for reminding me about this book [The Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck]. I'm not sure if I'm in a place to take charge of my terrible emotional eating , but I would very much like to read this. Just don't know when I'll be ready.

I hope you do check it out! Just reading the book helped me make some big changes in my thinking, and she has a really great approach to emotional eating. One thing she stresses--and that I'm going to stress now, too! --is that life, dieting, weightloss aren't all-or-nothing. Even partial successes are success! So if you can get a handle on SOME aspects of your weight, that's still wonderful, worthwhile progress! Ie, don't not start something because it might not get you all the way to your goal, know what I mean? (Honestly, I just had the book out from the library in a big stack of other stuff, and after a couple of weeks thought, "I should at least LOOK at this before I return it." LOL!)

***
Bob, happy birthday! I'm with you on the surprising and almost magical effects of running. I've done every kind of exercise over the last 20 years, and absolutely *nothing* has dropped pounds like running has. And I'm *terrible* at it! We're talking, like 2 to 2.5 miles, at about 14 minutes/mile. And that's after doing it for six months. But I am addicted (and strangely, stupidly macho about running, given how normally sensible I am in the rest of my life *and* how embarrassingly bad I am at it! ).

[Negin]

Originally Posted by PrairieGem

she has a really great approach to emotional eating.

Thank you so much for the encouragement.

[ivorygorgon]

It really comes down to two things: you have to change your diet and exercise. No -one really wants to hear this, but it is that simple. Clean up your diet and move.

I had to completely change how I think about food, feel about food and use food. Same with exercise. I consciously DECIDED to love exercise and I worked at it and tried many different things to find the movement that works for me and that I LOVE doing. Working out and eating right are not huge chores and sacrifices. It is my lifestyle and what I want to be doing. This change did not miraculously happen. I had to WORK at it.

If I can help in anyway, please feel free to PM me.

Oh, and I have lost almost 100 pounds and kept it off for about 10 years now. I will be riding in a 36 hour, 500 mile bicycle relay race in October. 12 years ago, if someone told me I would be where I am now, I would have told the they are crazy.

[PennyK]

Originally Posted by ivorygorgon

It really comes down to two things: you have to change your diet and exercise. No -one really wants to hear this, but it is that simple. Clean up your diet and move.

I had to completely change how I think about food, feel about food and use food. Same with exercise. I consciously DECIDED to love exercise and I worked at it and tried many different things to find the movement that works for me and that I LOVE doing. Working out and eating right are not huge chores and sacrifices. It is my lifestyle and what I want to be doing. This change did not miraculously happen. I had to WORK at it.

If I can help in anyway, please feel free to PM me.

Oh, and I have lost almost 100 pounds and kept it off for about 10 years now. I will be riding in a 36 hour, 500 mile bicycle relay race in October. 12 years ago, if someone told me I would be where I am now, I would have told the they are crazy.

I love what you said here and it really helps!!! Congratulations on your success and good luck on your upcoming relay.