Photo: Yan Krukov

Can a 50 year old woman lose weight by walking?

Committing to a regular program of vigorous walking can help women over 50 kick their metabolism into high gear! Adding walking to your diet plan will help you lose more weight, more quickly, and keep it off.

mariebostwick.com - How to Walk Off Weight After 50 - Marie Bostwick

Does lemon with water burn fat?

The answer to this is easy: No. Lemons do not have special fat-burning qualities, explains Czerwony. A squeeze of the fruit's pucker-inducing juice...

Last updated Mar 7, 2018

Why does drinking water make you lose weight?

Science suggests that water can help with weight loss in a variety of ways. It may suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism, and make exercise...

Last updated Aug 7, 2020

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

This post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure policy

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

You’re female? And over fifty?

Then you don’t need me to tell you that losing weight and keeping it off is tougher now than it was when you were twenty, thirty, or forty. In fact, every decade after age twenty, your body burns 150 fewer calories than it did the decade before.

I know. Oh bunny, believe me. I know.

But before you get so depressed you fling yourself headfirst into a box of Krispy Kremes, look at it this way. There are so many reasons that it’s great to be a woman over fifty; it’s only fair that there be a few downsides, right?

If you possessed all the wisdom, experience, confidence, and overwhelming ferocity that you have now and a raging metabolism, it would throw the scales of cosmic justice totally out of balance.

But if you’re a woman over fifty, does that mean your hopes of weight loss are doomed before they begin?

Absolutely not. Most women over fifty can lose weight and keep it off. The situation is not hopeless! But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. In November of 2017, after a conversation with my doctor, I made the decision to lose weight. At Smart Doc’s suggestion, I went on the Weight Watchers Freestyle Program. Though I have tried a number of diets in the past, including the older Weight Watchers programs, I have to say that Freestyle really was ideal for me. The flexibility of this program fit perfectly with my road warrior lifestyle. It also nudged me to make better choices while leaving room for foods I love. I can’t say the pounds melted away (remember my over 50 metabolism) but I reached my goal of losing twenty pounds in less than four months. And I didn’t have to subsist on grapefruit and rice cakes to do it.

Game Changer!

However, I also credit my success at losing the weight to exercise. At the same time I started Weight Watchers Freesyle, I also started working out vigorously and regularly. For some crazy reason, I decided to channel my ferocity into training for my first Sprint Triathlon. As of this writing, I’m on track to enter a race in August of 2018. I’m not going to kid you; this is one of the most challenging goals I’ve ever set for myself. But it’s also been one of the most satisfying. Training for a sprint triathlon has not only changed my body, it’s altered my view of what I’m capable of. The confidence I’ve gained from my training has spilled over into many other areas of my life. That being said, not everybody is physically capable of training for a triathlon. Some might not have access to the necessary equipment or training facilities. And some totally fierce friends wouldn’t run unless a zombie was chasing them.

Which Cetaphil is best for face?

Best Cleanser For Combination Skin: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a hypoallergenic, gentle foaming gel made...

Last updated Dec 14, 2018

How long can I go without showering?

"If your skin tends not to be dry, you could extend it to every other day or so." If you take it from a certified germ expert, though, you can skip...

Last updated Dec 28, 2020

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

So? What does that do to the dream of over 50 weight loss? Should you just give up and go back to the donut swan dive?

No way! (You didn’t think you were getting off the hook that easy, did you?) There is one form of exercise that almost anybody can do. And if you’re truly committed it and to a sensible, healthy, long-term approach to eating, it works.

Walking.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

It goes without saying that you should check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. But I’m saying it anyway. If you’re injured, recovering from an illness, or just not feeling quite right, chat with your doctor to see if the time is right for you to start exercising. If your doctor gives you the green light, make sure you have a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes before you begin. I’m serious about this! In order to lose weight, you’ll have to put in a lot of miles. Go to a good running or athletic store with knowledgeable salespeople and invest in some really good shoes. Your feet will thank you. So will your knees. Good shoes are really the only equipment must have to start walking. You’ll probably also want a lightweight water bottle that feels good in your hand. Staying hydrated is very important. It’s also a good idea to get a good pedometer so you’ll know how fast and far you’re going. I’ve just ordered a heart rate monitor that fits on my wrist to my track miles, speed, and pulse.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

If you’re serious about walking to lose weight, you’re going to have to do a lot more than stroll. Here’s why…

To lose a pound, you have to burn about 3500 extra calories.

How many calories a person burns per hour varies depending on weight and age. For comparison sake, let’s consider a walker who weighs 155 pounds. At a pace of 2 miles per hours, basically a stroll, that person will burn 176 calories per hour. They would have to walk almost 20 hours to burn a pound. At 3 miles per hour, our walker would burn about 232 calories per hour. Better but it will still take 15 hours of effort to lose that pound. A 4 mile per hour pace would help our walker burn 352 miles per hour. Not bad! Now our friend can burn the pound in a little less than 10 hours. Adding some hills and hand weights to the mix will make that time even shorter. Here’s the deal. Unless you’re prepared to make walking a full time job, losing weight by walking means you need to break a sweat. A pedometer or heart monitor will help monitor your speed. However, if you’re walking quickly enough so you can talk but would rather not, you’re definitely setting a calorie-burning pace.

What foods open up arteries?

16 artery cleansing foods and why they help Fatty Fish. ... Flax Seeds. ... Berries. ... Citrus Fruits. ... Extra virgin olive oil. ... Avocado....

Last updated Nov 24, 2021

What is putting sugar on fruit called?

In many recipes, sprinkling fruit with sugar is referred to as macerating, too. Even though there is no liquid being applied, the open-minded among...

Last updated Aug 17, 2018

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

PUTTING IN THE TIME. WATCHING WHAT YOU EAT.

As you saw above, even at a very brisk pace, walking off a pound requires a real investment of time. There are some people who can spend 2 hours a day, 5 days a week walking but many more who can’t. For most of people, a vigorous walking program is a great addition to a sensible and healthy diet or food plan, like Weight Watchers. But isn’t a substitute for that diet. (And – ahem -I’m sure I don’t have to tell you not to use walking as an excuse to eat more, right?) When you’re dieting, walking vigorously for 30 minutes, 5 days a week can help you lose an extra pound every month. Walk for an hour and you’ll lose an extra 2 pounds per month. It might not sound like much but two pounds a month can really add up over time. Think about it. Over the course of year, you’d lose an extra 24 pounds. The average 2 year old girl weighs about 26 pounds. (You see where I’m going here, right?) So adding walking to your weight loss plan could help you lose a toddler per year.

That’s right, an entire little human! Just from walking!

Here’s the bottom line, bunny.

Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t easy at any age. Committing to a regular program of vigorous walking can help women over 50 kick their metabolism into high gear! Adding walking to your diet plan will help you lose more weight, more quickly, and keep it off. Feeling your best is a key ingredient of a healthy body image and loving the body you have now.

Sound good? I thought so. Let’s do this thing!

mariebostwick.com - How to Walk Off Weight After 50 - Marie Bostwick

What are the fruits that burn belly fat?

Here are some fruits that are known to cut belly fat: Apple. Fresh and crunchy apples are packed with healthy flavonoids and fibres that may help...

Last updated Oct 24, 2018

Is it better to eat oatmeal dry or cooked?

Though raw oats are safe to eat, it's recommended to soak them in water, juice, milk, or a nondairy milk alternative to avoid some unwanted side...

Last updated Sep 19, 2018

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

How can I clean my body deeply?

To deep clean your body, bathe or shower at least 3-4 times a week and wash your skin with gentle soap and warm water. Use a loofah, washcloth, or...

Last updated Aug 9, 2019

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Is eating konjac everyday healthy?

The high fiber content of konjac has many health benefits. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. A diet high in fiber may...

Last updated Aug 18, 2021