Staying Slim Over 60
One of the questions I’m often asked by my readers is how I stay fit and trim. Let me dispel the “fit” myth immediately. I’m not fit and shame on me. My husband dragged me to join his gym last year and you can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been there.
You’d think that cracking a hip and being diagnosed with Osteopenia would motivate me to do weight-bearing exercises to improve it. Nope, not happened yet and it’s really dumb of me. I have upped my calcium/magnesium consumption but that alone is not enough to ensure my bones are healthy, and I know it.
I have a treadmill in the garage that used to get a lot of use but surrounded by boxes and junk, it doesn’t seem appealing so it hardly ever never gets used.
Exercise doesn’t keep me slim so it must be what I eat or rather… don’t eat. About 10 years ago I stopped eating all forms of meat. No pork, steak or chicken of any kind. After reading about meat industry practices I could no longer support it and decided I didn’t want that violence in my body. Have I missed it? You bet! There’s nothing quite as fabulous as the taste of bacon. I do eat fish.
I also try to eat my meals on a sandwich plate which limits how much I can serve myself.
I discovered that I was gluten intolerant a few years ago. That cuts out a lot of empty calories. There are many replacements for products made with gluten but I haven’t found a substitute for croissants or french bread worth eating yet! Do I miss them, yes! But I’d rather feel good than eating something tasty that makes me feel terrible later.
I’m heading out to drag my lazy bones around the block today. I’m also planning to cancel my gym membership because if I hate the place, and I do, I’ll never go there so I’m wasting my money. I either need to find a place I do enjoy or build exercise into my daily activities.
As a side note, my ability to chew has been seriously curtailed during the last month because of this dumb flipper in my mouth. I’ve lost a few pounds and my pants fit me better but I would never recommend knocking your front tooth out as a weight loss strategy 🙂
How do you get exercise and how do you motivate yourself? Any suggestions welcome!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
I tried the gym also but didn’t like it. But, I found that I love working out at home. I have 3, 5 & 8 lb handweights and a mat. I exercise every day rotating weights cardio and stretching. I think all 3 are important for a balanced and strong body. I found a woman on YouTube and love her workouts, style and attitude, she also has exercise dvds. I am 53 and probably in the best shape of my life, I also love to hike which is an activity my husband and I do together. Exercise is the fountain of youth, I’m lucky I found something I enjoy and look forward to doing it everyday and it has become part of what I do, like brushing my teeth.
That sound perfect Linda! I want my exercise to be as much a part of life as brushing my teeth too!! Smart lady, thanks for sharing.
Who is the woman you are watching, Linda, on YouTube ?
Just some advice about the front tooth implant. I had one done about 25 years ago. It’s very important that the colour match is good. You want to exactly match the other front tooth. It can be tricky.
I just got my tooth pulled and temporary crown with the implant placed today. The color is off slightly and it drives me crazy. Honestly, I am feeling so cruddy the color is the least of it but I know my regular dentist will be able to choose a perfect match for my permanent crown once the bone builds around this implant. Mismatched front teeth are a dead giveaway and I definitely don’t want that!
Hi Jennifer! I love your blog, here in Australia.
May I recommend a book called ‘Sweet Poison’, by David Gillespie. It was my starting point to a dietary change, which saw me fairly effortlessly lose around 15 kgs (about 33 lbs) extra weight I was carrying, and keep it off for 4-5 years now, without calorie counting.
It does take commitment at first, to give up sugar (in particular, fructose)!
Also, ‘I Quit Sugar’, by Sarah Wilson, and ‘That Sugar Film’ -both book and movie.
Good luck with it all. Regards, Lucy
PS – I’m in my 60s, 5’3″, 130lbs – and I hate structured exercise too. I walk the dog!!
Thanks so much for the recommendations, Lucy! 33 pounds is amazing!! I will check to see if my local library carries these otherwise I know Amazon will. xo
Since my surgery I have gained 10 pounds and losing weight has been impossible. I am hoping this lack of metabolism is temporary. I have started doing whole30 just to see if that will help with the lack of energy and inflammation. I am hoping for the best. This exchange has been so helpful, thank you I enjoy your blog very much!
Thanks for sharing Donna! Can you please share what whole 30 is? We would all love to known. xoxo
Well, you asked, and many have replied. I love hearing what you and others are doing on your inspirational blog. Adding my story to the list, my husband (76 at the time) had heart stents last January and that made him get serious about his health. The dr. suggested the Mediterranean diet, so we’ve basically just added a lot more veggies. There is nothing we say we “don’t eat”, so we have whatever our friends share with us at their homes but at our home and dining out we just slow way down on portions of any meat and add much more from the veggie bin and olive oil. I wasn’t overweight before, as I stayed between 128-130 for 35 years (5’6″, 63 yrs. old now), but I lost 12 solid pounds and feel great. Didn’t change my wine consumption or add to my exercise routine (gardening, pilates, walking).
You’re the first reader to mention wine consumption and thanks. We love fine wine and don’t want to cut it out so we have recently switched to red for the heart benefits. The more veggies we eat, the better we feel. Health scares are a very good wake up call. I’m glad he’s doing well!! Losing 12 pounds is amazing! Good for you, Barbara!
I think the way we eat has really the biggest influence on how we look! And you look great!
We rejoined a gym in January. It’s in walking distance from our house, and I actually love weight workouts. They make me feel strong (but having been on the crew team, I have to be careful that my shoulder don’t get bigger than they already are…).
My favorite workouts are however barre classes (combination of yoga, Pilates, ballet and orthopedic exercises). They have done wonders for my lower back, which I injured badly a few years back. Whenever I keep up with regular barre classes, my low back is fine. When I skip them (like I have been doing lately), my low back starts hurting. I was in a lot of pain during a long meeting this morning, and it was a good reminder to get myself back to the studio…
I did take a barre class several years ago and nearly killed myself:) Everything in moderation is a smart way to go. There is actually a very popular gym walking distance from my house but I have avoided it like the flu! Not smart, I know. Thanks for the motivation! xo
Ever since I retired about 2 1/2 years ago, I have taken up water aerobics and love it. I attend 3 or the 4 classes a week. It is an hour and it truly flies by quickly. A lot of us retirees attend it (both men & women) and my hubby does go with me at least twice a week. I so enjoy it so much and I know you would too!
I am diabetic 2 and have to exercise and this is a fun way to do it and eat right too!
I so enjoy your blog and your fashion tips!!
There is water aerobics at this gym I hate. Perhaps I should try it before I cash out my membership!!
There are two kinds of people…those who love the gym and those who hate it! I love going and have exercised religiously since college (turning 65 this summer!). I always looked on it as my ME time…nobody from work bothering me, hubby not asking when dinner will be ready. I also think of it as one of my beauty treatments! Agree with others who have said find something you enjoy and give it two weeks to become a habit. Despite all the exercise I also have osteopenia (my doctor says tall, thin, blonde=you’re going to get it); I’m determined not to end up like my mother with severe osteoporosis and 2 broken hips.
Wow, I am shocked you have osteopenia! I thought exercise would prevent it. My Dr told me my crazy thyroid caused calcium to leach out of my bones, but now that it’s gone, I need to be doing everything possible to build it back again. I was a gym goer back in my 30’s but have never been able to get back into it so I need to make other plans and get serious about it.
Walking is my way of exercise now that I am approaching 70. I use a step-counting app on my phone called Moves. I like to work towards 10,000 steps every day. My doctor says my heart and lungs are healthy! Of course I am carrying a few extra pounds since menopause and gravity has moved everything down.
Your fashion advice is wonderful. Every time I wear something you suggest, I get compliments. I’m much shorter than you, so not everything works. I liked your recent post about the lengths for pants.
You suggested a statement necklace and I found a nice one at Chico’s.
Chico’s is terrific for statement necklaces and they draw attention just where we want it, our faces!! I just remembered I have that app on my phone too! Time to get serious here. xox
I am 64 and highly recommend Pilates and gentle yoga. They keep me flexible, stronger and give me good balance which is very important as we grow older. I take private Pilates lessons and group yoga classes- Houston, Texas.
Thank you Suzanne. I know these would be enjoyable so I will hunt them down and shame myself to go!! I really appreciate your input!!
I have two dogs that insist on a walk each morning, that’s my exercise. I also struggled with bread but found I had no troubles when visiting relatives in europe so each trip I come home with flour and bread mixes.
My little dog is a lazy old girl who sniffs and dawdles which is no exercise for me at all. Perhaps I need to get a Great Dane!
Being only 4’11” every ounce shows! Recently I’ve gained a few pounds and don’t feel.good.about how I look and how my clothes fit. I love the book “French Women Don’t Get Fat”so will probably read it again and try to get my game on. Patience is not one of my virtues, making weight loss frustrating. For exercise I do a combination of cardio and weights (which would have more effect if I did it daily!). Thanks so much for this post – it’s just what I needed to motivate me!
I haven’t read that book but think I will get it. At 4’11” you have no room for any additional pounds so I bet you really struggle. That really stinks. This post and my readers comments has really, really motivated me so thanks for sharing:)
Hi Jennifer, I love your honesty about exercise. You feel exactly asI do! I know I should do more but I just don’t like it! What I do right though is eat well. I was getting sloppy this fall and gained some pounds…I reeled it in and lost 10 lbs by portion control and better choices. I am 55 (56 soon), and 115 lbs. I do fir in a 30 min walk on most days and a new puppy keeps me motivated as he loves to walk. I also have osteoporosis so I know I should do weight bearing workouts but I don’t. Alas, I just have to accept that I am happy and doing the best for me. I truly don’t want to keep having this mental battle of what I SHOULD be doing. I am being the best ME. Some people workout to indulge…not sure that is wise, really my best health choice is to control my weight and I feel good about that. I enjoy your posts, the fitting room fashion tips are great!! Thank you.
I love your attitude, Pamela. I’m doing the best I can too, but should be at least walking a bit. I will never run a marathon because of my hip, but I do want to have stronger core muscles and better posture. At 60 I want to enjoy my life but I also want to be strong enough to continue picking up my grandson:)
I’m with you on the gym and now don’t feel so guilty. Weight is a struggle. I limit bread and cake as they don’t suit my digestion. I do eat meat 2 times a week or so. I still have to make an effort to watch calories though.
If the gym isn’t my thing, which it doesn’t seem to be, I am determined to find an alternative!!
I cut out flour products (breads/sweets), lost weight and hardly ever miss them. That’s not to say, I don’t have the occasional sweet but it has to be worth it. Also, I try to have some protein with each meal.
I walk every morning for 5 km, making it a priority. I find Zumba to be fun and a great way to exercise. Have you tried it?
Isn’t it funny how we can cut large portions out of our diet and never look back? Until someone puts warm French bread in front of me. Your walking sounds like what I will try to incorporate into my day. Simple and no easy excuses. I have not tried Zumba but they do have local classes. Hmmm
Good morning, I love your blog and read every one of them the minute you post. I don’t know how old you are, but when you turn 65, you are entitled to Medicare benefits look into a plan with SilverSnickers. I did a post on my new best friend. 40 minutes three days a week. I am in and out of there in a heartbeat. Thank goodness you are going to have an implant.Love your blog. Link to http://bettycozycorner.blogspot.com/2017/04/shout-out-to-silversneakers.html this was my solution.
Joyously,
Betty
Thanks Betty! My husband is also a member of silver sneakers at a gym. He gets his membership for free! I did take a class with him once. It was pretty good but extremely crowded! I have to stop being such a baby about it
I could write volumes about this, but needless to say, it is obvious looking at me that I still struggle with emotional eating. However, I am on a healthier path than ever before. My strength training has made such a difference in my life.
Now, if I could only get the word SUGAR out of my vocabulary, then I think I could register some big losses…which I really need to do.
You’re so good about getter my up early to go to your gym. I’m proud of you Pam! I’m lucky to have slayed my sweet tooth. I just don’t but it so it’s not available.
Jennifer, my husband dragged me to the gym too and I just do NOT like it. It is everything I avoid…smelly, sweaty, energetic, loud peppy people, etc.. Recently I found Tai Chi and so far it is the best thing for me…and it’s not in a gym! I do it in our “Enrichment Center” which is beautiful one time a week. Then I practice at home, in my garden, or porch each day. It is civilized, calming, and helps my balance, flexibility, and breathing. Just what I have needed. Note: I do sweat and don’t like it, but I’m hoping it gets less as my fitness improves. Love your blog! Thanks…and blessings my friend…
I know nothing about Tai Chi but I love its description! I’m with you on the sweaty smell loud gym! I hate it. I bet my local
Neighborhood center offers things too. I’ll see what I can find. Like you, I want to enjoy something enough to do it at home. Thanks for being here and sharing my friend xx
Right there with you Jennifer. Exercise. I get all motivated and then need to have a skin cancer removed. I’ve got three on my face right now and I’m in the middle of having three surgeries. Then I REALLY need to lose weight. I guess I’ll try Weight Watchers. How do you know if you have a Guten intolerance?
PS. I do have osteoporosis and now take Proia shots. Son of a gun they work. You might look into those.If you find a weight loss miracle let me know.
I’m so sorry about the skin cancer Sandra. That’s scary but I’m glad you’re in too if it. I do know WW works so you might really like it. Give it a shot!! Xx
How on earth did the FRONT tooth ESCAPE????
I had noticed as well you look thinner in the photos…….ALL THAT TRAVELING will do it TOO!
Let’s hope I can shed a few pounds as well……………
I think WALKING is the BEST EXERCISE for the overall BODY!YOU do that WELL, with that little MUNCHKIN!
You’ll have a fabulous time on your trip!! Enjoy