Losing weight and staying fit

• FairwoodKing

  When I turned 50, I looked like an Adonis. I was slender with great muscle tone. Then a few years later I had major lower back surgery. I gained 60 pounds almost over night. To make matters worse, I had hip replacement about a year ago, and that made everything even worse. Now I am 61 and I look like a lump of mashed potatoes. One of my doctors told me I look like I'm pregnant.
  
  I still have back and hip problems, so I probably can't work out the way I used to. And I have to be very careful not to fall for fear of breaking my hip.
  
  Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should eat or what kind of exercises I should do to lose this weight? My doctors have not been any help at all. I don't expect to look like I did 11 years ago, but I have to do something to at least fit into my clothes. I should also add that I gained 10" of waist in the past five years.
• believer

  

  Cut down on carbs, eat smaller portions during meals, eliminate snack intake, and take moderate walks every day. Eat less, do more and it will come off albeit slowly.
  
  I'm 52...I've lost 10-15 pounds doing this the past few months.
• se-alum

  

  Eat alot of bacon!
• 4cards

  

  believer wrote: Cut down on carbs, eat smaller portions during meals, eliminate snack intake, and take moderate walks every day. Eat less, do more and it will come off albeit slowly.
  
  I'm 52...I've lost 10-15 pounds doing this the past few months.

  Very good believer! Your suggestions are excellent and that is how I did it.
  All my numbers were horrible (bp, sugar..etc...) and then I changed my diet, and starting going to a local gym. I lost 40lbs almost 3 years ago and have kept it all off.
• Sonofanump

  FairwoodKing wrote: I still have back and hip problems, so I probably can't work out the way I used to. And I have to be very careful not to fall for fear of breaking my hip.

  Swimming or running in water is the least taxing exercise on your body, but it also if hard to burn calories per hour in the pool.
  
  Recumbent biking is next for least wear and tear. You can burn a good amount if you really get going (over 20 mph)
  
  Yoga will improve flexibility, strength, balance and will burn a decent amount of calories.
• Thunder70

  

  I went on a keto diet and loved it. Raised my fat intake and cut my carb intake to nearly 0 for 6 days a week. Lost about 30 lbs over 3.5 months. It was great.
• berry

  Swimming. Cut down on caloric intake.
  
  Resist the sausage temptation.
• Bigred1995

  

  berry wrote: Swimming. Cut down on caloric intake.
  
  Resist the sausage temptation.

  This is funny! berry never disappoints!
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Sounds like your current condition hinders a lot of exercise options, you might want to take a look at the metabolic diet:
  
  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Metabolic-Typing-Diet/William-Wolcott/e/9780767905640
  
  It has worked well for us, not just in the weight category but also energy levels and general well-being.
• Oxathiazide

  FairwoodKing wrote: When I turned 50, I looked like an Adonis. I was slender with great muscle tone. Then a few years later I had major lower back surgery. I gained 60 pounds almost over night. To make matters worse, I had hip replacement about a year ago, and that made everything even worse. Now I am 61 and I look like a lump of mashed potatoes. One of my doctors told me I look like I'm pregnant.
  
  I still have back and hip problems, so I probably can't work out the way I used to. And I have to be very careful not to fall for fear of breaking my hip.
  
  Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should eat or what kind of exercises I should do to lose this weight? My doctors have not been any help at all. I don't expect to look like I did 11 years ago, but I have to do something to at least fit into my clothes. I should also add that I gained 10" of waist in the past five years.

  Perhaps you need to stop that "other" exercise that may have messed up your "back"/hips!
• ZWICK 4 PREZ

  

  FairwoodKing wrote: Now I am 61

  ur too damn old to be worried about how u look
• Thunder70

  

  ccrunner609 wrote: Cut your portion sizes on your 3 main meals and add snacks every 2-3 hours. Apple or other fruit, 1/2 a protein bar, pretzals, dry cereal ect.... are good snacks.
  To me it sounds like you have nothing to lose in regards to exercise. If I were you I would start with weightlifting. This will strengthen your muscles and joints. Add swimming, biking, walking, jogging ect....after awhile.

  I am going to politely agree and disagree with you here...
  
  I agree on the diet suggestions. Eating every 2.5 - 3 hours is a must. The increased frequency of eating raises the body's metabolic rate thus raising the amount of calories being burned.
  
  I will disagree with on the the exercising part. I think the person should first concentrate on the cardiovascular exercises before the weight training. Not only does the individual have a history of back pain but also a joint replacement. Why would you want someone like this to add unneed weights to further aggrevate the problems? Why not start with the cardio, begin strengthening the hip and lose weight and after a period of a few month, slowly add bodyweight exercises and then weight training after that. That would be the most logical route, IMO.
• BoatShoes

  IMO, it's going to be tough to overcome that weight gain at your age. Especially, because I'm not sure eating like a bird or following some kind of diet sounds fun. I know a lot of middle age folks who have had success with weight watchers and it's free to join right now according to their commercials. Also, if you like dogs, maybe find an athletic dog that you could really love and enjoy taking on long walks every day.