58 years old and 85 pounds overweight and miserable

[granny1177]

Where do I start.  I am 58 year old female with knee arthritis-85 pounds overweight - work full time as legal assistant-get home 7 pm each day - am totally miserable and have no energy.

I need a jump start to lose about 30 pounds fast but am having no luck.   What should I eat and when  to get a jump start on the weight loss.  

[Mum419]

I have arthritis in most joints, knees, ankles and feet predominantly. I too am over-weight as the weight crept on when I couldn't exercise as much (I used to be quite fit). I had a partial new knee joint almost three years ago and I need to loose preferably 3 stones. I have stopped eating butter, I eat Benecol light instead and choose the lighter option for things like mayonaise. I bought an exercise bike as this takes the pressure off my knees. I eat smaller portions of food, I use a smaller plate and don't have seconds. I avoid shopping when peckish and try not to buy biscuits so that they are not in the cupboard when I fancy one. My problem is that I used to be able to eat pretty much what I wanted as it never made a difference. I can't go swimming either as the knee action of any style makes my knees swell after about 10 mins. I can understand how you feel as despite all the above, my weight loss program is slow and I am aware that the longer I am over-weight, the more pressure I am putting on my un-operated on knee and other joints. A magic pill would be great!  I also have a cople of dogs and my kids and I share the walks with them, we live in the country and there are great walks, I just have to take pain killers with me just in case things get too bad if we go too far. Best of luck.

[Barb135]

twehner5 pretty much said it - I suppose she looked at MY computer again because that's about what *I* was going to say.  

One thing I can't stress enough is to make sure you eat a good breakfast.  Eggs, dairy, whole grains, etc have the protein.  For breakfast I often have a hard cooked egg with a slice of whole grain toast and a glass of milk or some yogurt.  For snacks try celery sticks or apple slices with nut butter (peanut, almond, etc); but watch the nut butters because they do have fat - just watch the portion size - if it's 2 tbsp, stop with that.  

I also think twehner is right about dessert.  Whenever we are trying to lose weight, we have to do it in such a way that it can become a way of life, not just a "diet".  We all know that it's extremely unlikely that we are going to give up desserts forever.  

Try starting out with small changes as was suggested and keep going from there.  I'm glad you have had blood work done and know you are healthy.  For those of us with medical issues to deal with, it's that much harder.  

Stay with us - and good luck.  

[twehner5]

I was right there with you!  I have had 5 minor surgeries on my left knee - and I have arthritis now because of it.  

You asked me how I lost my weight.  I want to emphasize what others have said:  drink water!  Being dehydrated CAN make you fatigued.  I'm glad you have had your bloodwork checked.

I did NOT diet to lose my weight this time.  I decided that THIS HAD TO BE THE LAST TIME.  To do that, this had to be something I could do for the rest of my life.  No formal diet is something I can do forever.  Meal plans or points or anything else established for me actually makes me obsess about food.  I was constantly thinking, "OOHH!  What do I get to eat NEXT???!!!"  THat didn't ever work for the long haul for me.

This time, I tried to eat more fiber (fruit, veggies, whole wheat, etc.), more protein (lean), and VERY IMPORTANT: 3 servings of low-fat dairy per day.  Women esp. need the calcium in 3 servings of dairy, but studies have shown that 3 servings/day helps people to lose weight and keep off weight that IS lost.  AND, by filling up on fiber, protein and LF dairy AND water, I didn't have to worry about eating so many BAD carbs - I was fuller!  

I must tell you that I still eat dessert.  THIS DOES *NOT* WORK FOR EVERYONE!  You must carefully consider whether or not you should start off with NO simple carbs (white sugar, white flour, etc.).  You know YOU!!!  BUT, I do NOT go overboard.  AND, since I NOW exercise MOST days of the week, I make much better food choices.  I'm NOT gonna pig out on dessert when I worked hard to work-out!

GOOD LUCK!  I'm so glad you reached out to all of us!!!  There are many on here, as you've seen, who are willing to help.  Staying in touch helps a lot.

[Mjthewritermom]

You have received some excellent suggestions, etc.  I just want to affirm you as you start just where you are.  You are being truthful as to the state you are in and how you feel.  

I just got off my duff (so to speak) and committed with the first steps to shed the excess baggage I have.  Being older, I am pacing myself so as to not make matters worse.  I will follow eating suggestions.  Knowing our weaknesses is good.  This is a good place to come to post when temptations are haunting us.  I think I will do that.

My husband, bless his heart...likes to cook and he made me a very rich chocolate cake for my birthday which was last Sunday.  I ate a medium sized piece and then wanted to freeze the rest for that "day when I am skinny enough to eat it", but at this point, I want to throw the rest away to get it out of the house.

Starting somewhere with small steps lead to bigger ones with more energy.  

We are cheering you on,
:-),
Donna

[Bababibi]

Yeah, thats a good idea for the water idea. If you drink a lot of water you will be full so you won't eat as often. The only bad part is that you have to the bathroom more. Haha, thats the pain about it.

[elaine1961]

I try to drink about 10 glasses a day but i dont always manage it, i do drink a lot of caro which is simular to coffee but without the caffine and stuff i have about 5 mugs of that each day. I have it black with no sugar,

[granny1177]

thanks so much for your response - as coincidence would have it, I did start wearing a step pedometer a couple days ago - our HR departmenrt had some at work - I just need to get to some serious stepping.  My bloodwork is good and my blood sugar is also good.  Sweets/pastries have always been my weakness and I admit that, although I have slowed down on them a lot.  What are the high protein items you eat during the day to keep you full?  thanks again

[granny1177]

thanks - you are very encouraging - I just have to put my mind to it and get it done.  Do you always drink a lot of water?

[elaine1961]

you have been given lots of good advice already and you have to find what works for you,
I to have arthrities in my knees,hips and spine,when i started i was 356lbs,now one year on i'm 108.4 lbs lighter. and my arthrites is getting better. I dont know what your eating habites are, but i used to only eat once a day about 8 pm and i never had any energy, now i eat 3 meals a day, breakfast i have fresh fruit and musli, lunch time i have a salad or sandwich at work, mid afternoon i have fruit then on the evening i have fish or chicken with veg, or pasta, i dont eat anything with added sugar and i make everything myself so i know whats in it,as for exercise when i started it was just 5 mins then i just kept increasing it as and when i could, good luck let us know how you get on.

[Barb135]

Welcome.  

There have been some really good suggestions made already.  Walking is one of the best exercises there are.  I wear a pedometer every day and aim for 10,000 steps.  Sounds like a lot, but every step counts.  

It's very important that you eat breakfast and because you get home so late, there probably isn't a lot of time between eating dinner and going to bed.  I would suggest that you eat several small meals/day and try to get the most of your food early in the day.  I get up at 3:30 am and am usually in bed around 7:30 pm so I eat a fair sized breakfast (eggs, toast, fruit, etc), then smaller meals every few hours throughout the day, with very little food from about 4:00 on.  

Eating smaller meals at closer intervals will help keep your blood sugar more steady and will help curb the cravings.  Also make sure you get plenty of protein and fiber with each mini-meal since they will make you feel fuller quicker and keep you feeling full longer.  

You might also try doing a web search for low impact exercises that you could do with your arthritic knee.  But don't forget to walk as much as possible.  Park further from the door; use stairs instead of the elevator, etc.  

AND - here I go again, gang, sounding like a broken record, but I have to ask.  Since you say you are SO tired, have you checked with your doctor to make sure you don't have any underlying medical issues, such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, etc.  There are several medical issues that could cause you to gain weight and/or be unable to lose it, as well as causing extreme fatigue.  

Good luck and keep posting so we know how you are doing.  

[granny1177]

thanks for the post - I have gained from 135 to 219 over the past 8 years.  I have knee arthritis - especially the left knee and have to take cortisone shots occasionally.  the weight loss I know will help.  Please tell me how you lost your weight - by the time I get home from work at 7 pm each night I have no energy and it is very depressing.  Thank you.

[twehner5]

When I began losing weight almost 3 years ago, I started by taking an early morning walk.  I made sure I ate a light breakfast first (like a low-fat yogurt, or something).  You should really "break-the-fast" BEFORE you exercise to get the most out of your walk.  Since I assume you will not be "power-walking", a light breakfast is in order and it shouldn't matter when you eat it.  I would walk fairly fast, and I'd eat almost right before walking out the door.  For me, this was NOT a problem.

Oh, and I went on to lost 70+ pounds.

[granny1177]

early morning walk is good idea - I think I will start with that.  thank you

[granny1177]

thanks so much for the post - I have got to start walking I know - I have tried weight watchers before - maybe I will try again - just have no energy.

[suzi-q]

There is weight watchers as the above poster said, and is great for the long haul, but to jump start yourself, I like the South Beach diet plan...the book is only around 15 bucks and I found quick weight loss in a hurry...then I started counting 1200 calories a day and have lost 17 pounds! (I need to lose 25 total)...also, you need to add exercise...even if you start with just a 10 minute walk a day and slowly increase.  It will help your metabolism and get your endorphins moving!  BEST TO YOU!

[Bababibi]

Also sorry one more thing i forgot to include. What time do you get up? You should get up early before you go to work and take a walk every day. Thats a simple thing to do and really does help. The good part is, is that it is not hard on your body.

[Bababibi]

     You should try to go on weight watchers. They hold classes to tell you how to lose weight every week, you stand on a scale each beginning of class and see how much progress you made. They teach you what to eat and what quantities for everything including sweets. I consider it more a way of life then a diet. You should start out with that and then that should help with your arthritis. A friend of mine was overweight and lost 60 pounds on weight watchers. If this is less than your goal then with all that weight loss and your arthritis gone you should be able to exercise. That will definitely speed up your metabolism.

    You use a point system for each food you eat. Depending on your weight, height, and age they tell you how much points you can eat each day. The more weight you loose the less points you'll get. They also give you a book on each food that tells you how much points each food is. For example, an apple is point. You check it off on your list  as one more point you cannot use up for the day. There is also a points finder they give you that helps you determine how much points each food is by the calories, fat grams, and dietary fiber. As long as you stick to it, it works great!

     They also sell weight watcher cook books and have so many online low calorie recipes to help as well. I hope my suggestion is a help to you and if you decide to use it and have any questions you can just ask.