Community » Motivation » Get Fit Over 50 » Staying motivated

Welcome there is a lot of tools to help you.

Thanks for the comments/encouragment. I had one of those lightbulb moments after watching the Superbowl Halftime show. Madonna was the performer. There is no denying that at 53 she looks great. Even better than great. If you can believe what you read it sounds like she's always gone the extra mile to take care of herself. I watched her performance last night and, well, it revealed some things about her. Yes, she can move and she is still fairly flexible. But compare her energy and movements to a decade ago. Her energy has diminished, she's not as stable on her feet (the high high heels don't help!), she's no longer able to bounce up from the floor to a standing position (you can see her actually and intentionally, body joint by body joint willing herself to a standing position). She doesn't "multi-task" ie: sing while assertively moving. So, what's my point? My point isn't to beat up on her, but instead to help me realize that all the most expensive trainers, nutritionists, spirtualists, cosmetics and cosmetic procedures cannot stop the aging process. We can to some extent manipulate the outside, but inside our body is going to continue to age. So, maybe now when I get home from work and have done my chores I won't feel so bad about choosing to sit and read a book or watching TV. I will see this as an acceptance of a process that is natural. I will still exericse, still eat well and still aim high - but I will understand that as time marches on that it brings change and I must be willing to change with it.

Calories needed are directly related to how much of them we use up. We have a certain amount we use for just "being". Then we need to add what we need to support our lifestyle. When I cycle I eat a lot more than on days when I sit and read. So, one day I may consume 2,500 calories while another day I may consume only 1,400. I don't buy the mindset of weight loss being more difficult as we get older. I lost 80# in my late 20's. I'm now in my early 50's. When I do gain some pounds it always comes down to this; use more than I take in. Pretty simple math! The weight always comes easily when I pay attention! I will agree that our body mass does some shifting as we get older! I am feeling more back on track. My eating has improved and the Madonna moment has really been an eye-opener. I appreciate the comment - and it served to remind me that because I am older, and I no longer want to burn the candle at both ends, that I need to pay better attention to my nutrition. I'm always pretty good about not overeating, but I can get a little too relaxed from time-to-time, and not pay close attention to good nutrition. My experience has proven that for me carb consumption in my post-menopause life must be controlled at the lower end, while my protein needs to increase. I started paying close attention to this and feel better energy levels! YEA

Good luck