I was watching the Today Show and they were discussing various diets for when you are in your 20's to 40's. Their expert said that the middle age spread in NOT inevitable. She spoke about things that we already know like spreading out our meals, eating smaller portions, and taking omegas.

Is this true?

I think it really depends on the person.Some people have a really hard time losing weight ,and when you add the fatigue a lot of us suffer it makes it harder,The best thing to do is just take good care of yourself,eat healthy and try to exercise.

I'm thin, and I still have middle age spread. I no longer have a waist, my rear went flat and we won't even talk about my breast.

It seems as if everything just switches places on us..at least me. Then there is the gravity thing.

Ack!

This is a difficult one. As some ladies age they just seem to put on weight even if their diet is healthy. Others do not and I think that it would be very unfair to compare the two. My husband is the same age as me and just recently his weight has ballooned, yet he has a very similar diet to me and I weigh 8 Stone. I have replaced all cakes and puddings with fresh fruit and it hasn't made a bit of difference. He has developed the most horrible tummy that hangs over his trousers. It really worries me. I suppose that he really needs to take more exercise but he works terribly hard and I could not expect him to come home and do a run.
He is always exhausted. We try to do a brisk walk each evening before bed and I serve salads at least 5 times per week. It is as if his hormonal profile is controlling fat levels. He doesn't drink alcohol at all.
I have noticed that my weight is changing at this age. I used to be very toned and now I can feel everything sort of drooping. I am still very lucky but I am aware that I am going to have to keep a real close eye on my weight, I probably need to cut down my intake substantially. AS Lady E said the awful fatigue we seem to suffer at this stage is not conducive to a vigorous program of activity. My whole life used to be spent running here and there but I have had to stop that behaviour because I don't really feel well enough.
It is all very frustrating.



Regards


XIII

Hahaha, how old was this specialist?!

I have middle aged spread and have not had too much trouble with my weight before but I do now. Since I turned 42 my weight has stayed about the same number but I have shifted all over the place. I have no butt or boobs, and my middle looks pregnant!!

I don't know, and don't think I've EVER known, a 60-year-old woman with a flat stomach, shapely bottom, and pert breasts.

JJ

Helen Mirren looks pretty good.

and so does Diane Keaton!!

And so does my mom! She is 65, and decided to get fit several moths ago, and has done a wonderful job of it too. She joined a walking club and regularly goes to curves - in fact she has a part time job there now!! Her retirement job....hmmmm. She eats well, and looks fantastic.

For myself, I am a little heavier than I want to be, but I have taken up vigorous walking and have to say that my "flat butt" has definitely lifted and rounded. The exercise has shrunk my waist line. So even though I am a little heavy my shape is looking so much better. I think at this age you may have to work a lot HARDER at maintaining your shape, but it can be done. It is the darn loose skin that drives me crazy! Nothing will tighten that up but surgery....and I am not going there.

and dont forget suzanne somers...

I know she hopped on a heap of supplements and lawd who knows what else, but she still a-glowin and lookin slim.

I saw her on some show last night, and she looked amazing...

Shes got a new book out, of course...

I will not be buying it, however i will peep it out at the local book store...

I think Suzanne Somers looks sort of pickled as do many celebrities who do things to maintain their youthful appearance. I do know one lady at work without middle age spread but she works exceedingly hard at it - running five miles a day, weights, etc.

I was watching a movie the other night called Boyton Beach Club. Dyan Cannon is in it. She has to be about 70. Tiny, skinny figure in tight blue jeans and still has long, wavy hair but she has done something to her face. No wrinkles and lips kind of big-she looks scary. Sally Kellerman was in it, too. Slim and trim and no wrinkles and also about 70. Brenda Vaccaro about same age was heavy set and looked good. I could not tell if she had anything done to her face-maybe a little. Joseph Bologna and his wife, Rene Taylor, are in it, too. They look their age.

I saw Suzanne Sommers on a talk show and I believe she said she is taking high, high amounts of bioidentical hormones in order to force her period. IIRC, she said her hormones are those of someone in her 20's. She went on to say something about having your period is a small price to pay for looking and feeling young, youthful and vigorous.

I am all for bioidentical hormones if one can afford them but sheesh, taking an excessive amount to force a monthly period seems dangerous to me.

Middle age spread can be simply conquered by eating clean and exercising with weights.

You can actually change the shape of your body by building muscle.
The only way to build muscle is by eating clean, eating often, lots of lean protein at every meal, and heavy weight training.

You can start out with those pink dumbells, but if you want sexy arms and legs with NO jiggle, and a high perky butt that's as firm as any 25 year old, you need to work at it, and you need to lift heavy at least 3 times a week. And you also need to do cardio on the days you don't lift.

Aerobic exercise like jogging or running will burn fat, but it won't build muscle.

This woman is 78 years old. Her name is Marjorie Newlin.
If you don't believe me that we can look this good well into old age, then read her story:

http://www.fitbygeno.com/morjorie_newlin-getting_older.htm

She also runs and lifts weights.
If you don't exercise, at our age, all the excessive hormones in the world won't make you fit and firm.
You'll just get fatter and softer if you don't workout every day.

Well if I could pump enough hormones in me to make my body think it's in it's 20's again then I could run and exercise like I used to. As I remember it, she said it was the large bioidenticals that allowed her to regain the strength, energy and desire to do those things.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not putting her down, I think she looks great, I just wish there was something I could do or afford that would jump start me, again.

I haven't read her book, only saw that one talk show and it must have been about a year ago..maybe longer..brain fog yah know.

At our age, a jump-start always begins with a gentle push.

Armadillo,

Can you share your clean diet with us. I so admire you're figure and how you take care of yourself.

Hugs,
Karen

Here are my gentle pushes, as I go about my days..

-viewing women underweight, overweight, ill dressed and miserable
-witnessing foul attitudes, and defeatist mentalities ( understandable to some degree)
-witnessing how those with esteem issues draw to themselves increased negatives circumstances
-witnessing family members decreased life satisfaction due to bad habits never challenged nor changed, for long (ill health is rampant)
-driving by a bus stop, and seeing people attached to respirators (or some life saving device)or hover-rounds...
-watching a friend on insulin eating all manner of foul sugary foods/drink..
-when weighing the cost of supplements over pharmaceuticals
-when I think about my future and all the wonderful things I have yet to experience..

on those days when it gets hard, and my head hurts, feet ache, mood is rank, blood is boiling, or general feelings of dread are upon me.... it only takes a few minutes for one of my pushes to materialize...

and poof...

I'm moving...

my life is calling... and (this quiet hell is not going to rob me of THAT too)

Tis all~

Thanks, Arm..

I think I will start a seperate thread with my eating tips, so as not to hijack this one.

If you are interested, I follow the basic principles of Dr. John Berardi, in his book, Precision Nutrition.

Please hijack it .

Please hijack it .

WOW! You look GREAT!

How long have you been working out?

WOW You should be so proud of yourself! xx

maybe this doesn't belong here, but I just had to post it...watch Chloris Leachman dance (she's 82!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdjFA7HYyQQ

Amazing.

If I can still WALK in those high heels at 82, I'll be happy!

Isn't she? I couldn't believe the way she was twirling around. I'd love to know if she takes hormones. Maybe I'll try writing to her.

She is such a character, lol:). I love her witty personality.

Cloris has spunk! Did you know she was Miss Chicago in Miss America Pageant in 1946. Measurements: 37C-21-34 (as Miss Chicago 1946). I didn't know that until I looked on imbd. Does make you wonder if she is on hormones. She might have had a little face work done but not much. Compared to Joan Rivers!! Too bad Marie Osmond can not come back on Dancing with the Stars since she has lost a lot of weight. Valerie Bertinelli has lost a lot of weight, too. She looks so young but is 48 yrs old. Makes you wonder if a lot of older celebs do natural hormones.

In addition to cosmetic work, personal chefs, trainers and make up artists, no wonder they look good!

Arm, your groupies (ME) are patiently a-waiting your thread.

(YOU, inspire me so very much) and I appreciate each morsel of wisdom that share..

I'm 6 weeks into a weight training programme and I can already feel some benefit. My arms have more definition, my back is feeling a lot stronger and my bum is better - or perhaps I'm imagining that one! I have a sedentary job and my posture was suffering. Armadillo is an inspiration and I too think diet and exercise tips would be hugely appreciated!.

Dear Pemmy
While I do agree that these Stars do look pretty good am pretty sure that most on hormones.I think I told you about a friend of mine.She is 68 and looks pretty and toned.I know for a fact that she has been on hormones from the age of forty and intends to die with them by her side!She has never had any plastic surgery done.
so really think they help to keep a youthful glow!

Love
Your Friend
Elizabeth

Good for you 'BearLady'

I work out three times a week and have seen benefits too so you are not imagining anything.It really does make a difference.Have also upped the Proteins cut back on the Carbs.a and sugar is out.I do have the occasional treat but am much more careful of that old saying "A moment on the Lips,a lifetime on the Hips!"

Well done and flaunt that booty!
Blessings
Elizabeth

I've been quite inspired by this and the other weight loss thread, especially the links to Morjorie Newlin, which resulted in me joining a gym a couple of weeks ago. I've had a regime worked out by one of the trainers there and had a walk-through of the two programmes (one cardio and one weights), so now I'm on my own. I have my current measurements logged, so we'll see what happens.

However, the link on the other thread says that Morjorie Newlin is 86 years old, so I did some checking up on her to see what else I could find out about this remarkable woman. I found the following video: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UAUQd1xfyPs

Sadly, I also found the following tribute, which states that she died in January of this year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillykevflicks/2239213791/

I can only comment on my own experience. Since my symptoms began Ive done nothing but gain weight. 25 pounds or so. I am having so much trouble losing it and it's depressing me. AND the weight is all around my middle. I feel like spongebob!! I have a big middle and skinny legs...very attractive. Does anyone else have trouble losing even when really following a healthy diet and exercise plan?

Weight loss will come slowly, but it's NOT impossible.

Make sure your calories and macros are spot-on, and be SURE you really know what a healthy diet is. Just because you made that muffin or apple pie at home, doesn't mean it's healthy!!! This is a common misconception, and it's no wonder these poor women just get fatter and fatter. They are eating almost no protein, and way, way, way too many "homemade" carbs in their "healthy" diets, fooling themselves, and ending up frustrated and fatter.

Wow Diane, I hope I look as good as Marjorie Newlin did at 86!...I wonder what she dies of?!

Caz

...I meant 'died' of!

When I was 25 years old I didn't look as good as Marjorie looked at 86.

And 86 is pretty old. Nobody in my family liked past 60!! Heck, I feel ancient at 54!!!!!!!

I tried to look up what Marjoire died of but couldn't find out.

I just found out, she died of lukemia at age 87...what a fascinating woman.