How hard is Atkins after age 50??

[SlimLiz]

Hi everyone! I am 51 years young and starting Induction tomorrow.

I have some fears that I'd like to address to this group:

1. I am too old to lose weight anymore (need to drop 70 lbs).

2. Induction is too severe for someone over age 50.

3. I have hypoglycemia and won't be able to function at work while following Induction.

Can anyone give me some words of encouragement? In particular, I'd love to hear from any woman who BEGAN the program after the age of 50. BTW, I was successful on Atkins in 2002, but I was younger then and exercised a lot.

Thank you all!

Liz

[sallyseachange]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi and welcome Slimliz! Nice to have you here! Kudos to you for deciding to take control of your eating/life. Soon you'll be on the path to better health and a slim figure.

To answer some of your questions:

1) No, you certainly are not too old to lose weight. I started Atkins after age 50 and lost perfectly easily. It might not be quite as speedy for we over fifties, but those lbs do come off just the same. Exercise really helps.

2) Induction is fine for someone over 50. Just remember to take your vitamins, drink plenty of water and follow the plan to the letter. You'll be fine.

3) I'll leave that question for someone more medically inclined, but I don't think you need worry.

Happy Atkineering!

[Mickkey]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

First let me say, my Mother is in her 80's and lost 23 pounds this past year, so I don't think age has anything to do with it.

1. I'm over 50 also, and last year lost 40 pounds following Atkins. I got stupid and gained some of it back, so I'm back once again and losing. Age is just a number. You CAN lose 70 pounds if you WANT to.

2. You'll be fine on Induction. If you get hungry....eat, but make sure it's on the acceptable list.
Follow it to the T and you will see results quickly.

3. I can't answer that either, but I'm sure Dr. A covers that in his book.

You can do this Liz, easily. You will have to do a little exercise to help it along. Start small....like walking. If you have a question, post and someone will be willing to answer. Get involved here on the boards. Start a journal, and discuss your day to day with others. Join some challenges, new ones go up at the start of every month. You can do this... we'll be here to help!

[SlimLiz]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Sally and Mickkey, thank you so much for your warm words and encouragement! It really made my day to know that my age doesn't have to get in my way of getting down to my goal weight of 140 lbs.

Today I've followed Induction 100% and actually really well. I've taken my day slow and even layed down this afternoon for 30 minutes just to ensure that my energy wouldn't flagg too much. I'm a massage therapist and use a lot of energy during the day.

I will indeed become active on this forum, because I can see from just your two responses how important it is to connect with others during this process.

Besides, I might make a nice friend or two along the way!

Warm Regards,

Liz

[imagood1]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi Liz -- I'm 51 and just starting out on Atkins. I've been reading so many success stories and looking at before/after pictures - that's where you can get a lot of willpower. The people on the board are fantastic - the best of anyplace I've ever been. I may only have 1 day down....but I feel like I've whipped the world!!

Carole

[sallyseachange]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Slimliz... if you get a few days feeling off colour and lethargic, don't worry or get discouraged... most of us go through a carb withdrawal at the beginning. We call it "induction flu" here. After a few days, you'll begin to feel on top of the world!

[KarenRB53]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi: I'm 60 yrs old and trying to get motivated to start this diet. I need to lose 25lbs for my health. Could someone give me a sample of what 1 days menu is on the Induction phase. I don't enjoy cooking so just something really basic would be great. I appreciate any advice.

Karen

[Velcrocat]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Karen eggs, cheese for a snack as long as it is legal cheese (check the induction list), a salad or veggies from the veggies lists. and any meat of your choice, Just be careful of processed meats, organ meats, and shell fish. These have carbs you will need to count. The veggies allowed are listed and the quantity daily is 3 cups, again count carbs. This is where you will get most of your carbs. Eggs and cheese also have carbs you will need to count.

Any food you like which is on the induction list (first 2 weeks) is allowed for any meal you want to have it. You are not limited to breakfast foods for breakfast.

[pearson]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

I'm almost 50 and also have had hypoglycemia forever. It has been my experience over the last 30 years is that this is the ONLY way to control your weight and keep hypoglycemia symptoms minimal. Such a shame sometimes I get off track.

Patti

[Monita]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hello Liz,

I saw your post and feel like I just have to respond to a couple of your concerns.

"1. I am too old to lose weight anymore (need to drop 70 lbs)."

I am 74 y/o and I started Atkins on 12/2/08 and so far have lost 13 pounds. I just joined the board tonight and posted my story in the "Introduce Yourself" forum. You can read my story at the thread "Delurking at Last..." So you see, I may be old enough to be your mama and it's working for me.

"2. Induction is too severe for someone over age 50."

I went through induction and had no adverse symptoms whatsoever...none of that induction flu or icky feelings that I see others describing. I held strictly to the plan with no cheats at all.

"3. I have hypoglycemia and won't be able to function at work while following Induction."

Can't address this because I haven't been hypoglycemic. Recent labs showed me to be pre-diabetic and that is one of the main reasons I have started on Atkins.

"Can anyone give me some words of encouragement?"

YES! You can do it. If you have concerns because of the hypoglycemia talk with your doctor and get his or her opinion.

"In particular, I'd love to hear from any woman who BEGAN the program after the age of 50. BTW, I was successful on Atkins in 2002, but I was younger then and exercised a lot."

Well, at age 74 I do believe I qualify here. I did no exercise other than ADL for the first four weeks but have resumed mall walking with my DH. My physical therapist has instructed me to limit my walking to level surfaces and only 30 minutes. When the joints aren't hurting after the 30 minutes I extend it to 45 minutes.


Get in there and get started girl and I wish you great success with the plan. Looking to see you around the forums.

[MomToEli]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi Liz! For a second I thought maybe I had written your post

I'm 51 and just finished 2 weeks of Induction. Lost 7 pounds and 6.5". So, not the 15-20 pounds some lose, but better than I was afraid it would be I have tons of energy - got rid of that feeling of falling asleep in the afternoon. The last few days we've gotten a treadmill and I've started using that every day (weather here is way too messed up with snow/ice/cold to be walking outside for me right now) so hoping that is going to kick things up a bit.

I didn't realize there were so many of us the same age on here. Do we have our own thread somewhere?

[Mom2Boxer]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi slimlliz! Welcome aboard!

I just joined this group and I did find out today through some reading that the second time around is harder to lost but it can still be done...just don't give up. It might take an extra week of induction, but that is only because our bodies build up a resistance to the diet. lol!

Clever, huh?

Anyway, I lost a lot too in 2001 and here I am back needing to lose a heck of a lot more than I did then! Menopause and quitting smoking...ugh!

Good luck to us all!

[Labarum]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

I didn't find it hard at all.

Are we have an over 60s section?

That's creeping up on me!

[Tooder]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Hi there!
I'm 51 and revisiting Atkins WOE after menopause and gaining 40+ lbs (more like 60 but who is counting). With my new metabolism I's harder to keep the weight off and I find I have to be more strick on my WOE. I was on Atkins to lose weight several years ago and found it to be very effective, although at the time I didn't need to stay on it to keep my maintenance level. Now it's another story.

I have accepted this is going to be a lifetime WOE for me now. This is the difference I have personally found with the losing weight after 50. I guess each person is different but I find the weight comes off slower than before. That being said it sure beats being overweight and unhealthy at this vital stage of the game.

Goodbye FAT!

[Labarum]

Re: How hard is Atkins after age 50??

Welcome back to The Way!