Losing weight can be tough at any age, but if you're over 50, you may face even more of a challenge than a younger person might. That's because your metabolism tends to slow down by about 5 percent each decade past age 40, according to WebMD. In addition, as you reach your 50s, you may be juggling work and extensive family responsibilities and take less time to make healthy food choices and work out.
If you're in this age group, look to these Atlantans – who have lost weight in their 50s – for inspiration:
Angie Spann Arnold, 53, of Marietta - lost 104 pounds to go from 279 to 175 pounds.
Arnold had lost weight and gained it back over the years, falling into a pattern of yo-yo dieting. As a result, she knew she had to look for a lifelong change rather than a quick fix. She turned to prayer and self-reflection and came to realize that when she was unhappy, she would eat, so she knew she had to make her happiness a priority.
After starting with a strict low-carb diet, she eventually started adding in fruits. She still limits carbs, including restaurant-served bread, because they make her gain weight, but she doesn't deny herself anything.
Arnold has joined a gym and has started to run, which is something she never saw herself doing.
Kimberley Craft, 58, of Decatur - lost 90 pounds to slim down from 217 to 127 pounds.
Craft started losing weight by joining Weight Watchers and has remained a lifetime member. She was motivated to shed the pounds when she was down on the floor, working on an art project, and found it hard to get to up and catch her breath. She saw limitations on her future if she didn't lose weight, so she joined Weight Watchers the next day.
Rather than joining a gym, Craft works movement into her daily life, wearing a pedometer to track her progress. She also eats a diet that's rich in foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy oils, emphasizing that healthy choices – rather than deprivation – is the way to achieve success.
Making your health and happiness should be a priority, she believes, and it's a gift that you can give your loved ones.
Wanda Cagle Gray, 59, of Cartersville - lost 65 pounds to go from 200 to 135 pounds.
Gray had lost weight and gained it back in the past, but after seeing a photograph of herself, she decided to try again. In addition, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure helped motivate the change.
Gray gets her meals from Jenny Craig, finding that she likes the food and spends less on it than she would if she ate out and prepared other meals at home. As a result, she eliminates a good deal of temptation from her diet.
For exercise, Gray has grown to love walking, even going as far as 30 miles a few times a year.
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