I was just wondering if there are any others here like me that are trying to make a significant fitness "comeback" in their middle age. I am 46. I was in pretty good condition in my late 20's but have become overweight and unfit as the years went by. Lately, I notice that there has been a decline in my daily energy level that concerns me. I know I am getting older, but I think I should be able to work and play harder than I do.

I am trying to shed pounds and recapture some of the physical capabilities of my misspent youth. I would be interested in sharing goals, successes and ideas on this forum. Anyone else interested?

That sounds like a great idea. I am in my mid 40's and it has always been a real struggle for me to lose weight and keep it off. I am also an active individual playing sports, trying to go to the gym a couple of times a week, and keeping up with my two teenage sons.

Thanks John, and welcome aboard. I hope we'll get some other folks to chime in here, and we can share tactics.

Back in my early 20's, I lost a lot of weight with some pretty extreme dieting tactics but I don't think I could do that now. What I am doing right now is weighing myself once per week. Same day of the week, same time. I am keeping a written record of that to chart progress.

The difference now is that I am trying to be realistic in my expectations. If I can drop a pound or two per week by eating better and getting more exercise, that's great. If I have an "off" week and go up a pound, I am not letting that discourage me. So far, I've been at this for a few months. I've lost some weight, and my clothes are fitting better.

I've got a long way to go, but at least I am moving in the right direction.

Excellent! I have had a goal set of being down to 200 lbs by this time next week. I am three lbs from that goal as of this morning so I will probably not make it. but it is close. Next I will reset my goals for the vacation my wife and I will take in October.

I'm with you buddy!

I'm 45. In my teens and most of my 20s I smoked, but still managed to stay in pretty decent shape. I quit smoking in 1986 and between marriage, kids, career, et al I started packing on the pounds. After my second hernia surgery in 2000 my weight had balooned up to 250 (I'm 6'5", so I wasn't fat, but it was way too heavy for my liking) so I ddecided to do something about it. Like everyone else, I'm time constrained so the only time available for a workout is in the early AM. I get up at 5 every morning and alternate between cardio and weights. I feel great, the weight is down to 220, the fat's been replaced by muscle, waist is down from 38 to 35, and I feel I have more energy now that I had when I was 30. Life is good (a career change last year helped immensely as well).

So, how'd this work out for you? Time for a T+2year update

I would like to tell you after 2+ years that I look and feel fantastic. But, that wouldn't be true.

I have lost some weight, and I am in better condition that I was 2 years ago, so I guess that's a positive. Not where I hoped I would be though.

On the up side, I haven't given up. It's just slower going than I thought.

Well, Easter night I had a "cardiac event" that led to two stents put in an artery. I have also lost 12 pounds since then and am feeling much better.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief Engineer:
I would like to tell you after 2+ years that I look and feel fantastic. But, that wouldn't be true.

I have lost some weight, and I am in better condition that I was 2 years ago, so I guess that's a positive. Not where I hoped I would be though.

On the up side, I haven't given up. It's just slower going than I thought.

I'm also finding that it's taking longer. But I have been able to make measureable progress. I've lost weight and am able to do much more, physically, than I could even a few months ago.