Over 60 and Succeeding with Macros

We get messages frequently from women that are 60+ wondering if Macros will work for them. Those messages typically look like this,

“You look pretty young. I’m postmenopause and the weight just keeps piling on. Have you ever worked with women over 60?”

Gone are the days of thinking counting macros is only for 30-year-old body builders. We have had many over 60+ years-young women in our program thrive! We want to introduce you to our Client Spotlight of the month, Terri! We know she will inspire you with her story.

Tell us a little bit about your story. Work? Married? family? What’s a typical day in your life look like?

Terri: I am 63-years young and I live in a small town in Iowa. I am fortunate to spend time with my oldest son, daughter-in-law and my two joys, Charlotte, who is 3 and Pierce who is 2. They are the main reason I decided to get into a better nutritional shape. During the day my work is spent 75% sitting at my desk. I go to the gym after work to help with my depression and release my negative energy.

How did you find Stay Fit Mom and what made you decide to take the leap?

Terri: I saw a post from a person who posted before and after pictures and I was curious what she did, so I messaged her and she told me about Stay Fit Mom. I was amazed by what I read and knew I needed to do something. I was frustrated because I was increasing my workouts, watching what I ate but I just couldn’t lose, in fact I continued to gain the weight. I knew it was my nutrition that needed help. I decided to give the 6 weeks a try, what did I have to lose?

We know that Counting Macros is difficult, especially in the beginning. What finally helped make macros click for you?

Terri: I would say the first 3 weeks were the roughest for me as I felt so overwhelmed with figuring out what to eat and how to hit my macro numbers. It caused frustration and doubt set in, and my bulimic brain was in overdrive. Early in my life I was bulimic for 13 years so I was a very strict eater, no pasta or bread, never overeat, never get on a scale and this program had me scared to death. Around the fourth week things clicked and I realized I could eat more than I was actually eating before I started with SFM and still lose the weight, which is what I was seeing on the scale and my clothes were loose. I
got an understanding of what motivates me and it has helped me towards my weight loss.

You’ve been crushing this process for months! What would you say is the biggest reason for your success? 

Terri: Two things helped me to succeed in this program, first trusting the process, which you
hear everyone say, but it is so true and second figuring out what I am going to eat for the next day that previous night. That is the best advice I could tell anyone. I fill in my 3 meals, then I go for my snacks, my fun foods that I look forward to. I have found if I didn’t do this I would fail and struggle with hitting my numbers, so I quit over-thinking it and started planning and that has helped me tremendously. I cut the recipes in half sometimes and make 3 different things so I am not eating something every day, but that Bang Bang Chicken I could eat that for every meal!!!

You are 63 years young! What would you say to women over 60 who think counting macros might not be for them?

Terri: I saw a post a while back that clicked for me and that is why I started this program and it said, “As we age, our muscle mass deteriorates at an alarming rate”. I was spending more time for workouts and watching what I ate but the weight kept piling on, and as women age, we loss muscle and can gain fat, therefore we need a strategy for this and Counting Marcos is that. I would explain to others how counting macros is a way to track food intake using grams of protein, carbs, and fats instead of calories. It is a great way to reach nutrition and fitness goals without depriving one of food, because it is tailored to a person’s individual needs and goals. Calculating macros factors in a person’s age and teaches a person how much food is appropriate for them to eat in light of their amount of exercise and desired goals.
This SFM program established a very healthy eating attitude for me and I no longer worry about putting on unnecessary weight.

How has your macro counting journey impacted other areas of your life besides getting a new wardrobe?

Terri: I feel so much more confident about my body and how I feel. I am so thankful for this group and the amazing women that support and cheer each other on. Also, this program has taught me that my body is a furnace and it needs fuel and eating more as increased my metabolism that has helped me to lose weight and the recipes are not diet food, it is real food just a different way healthy way of eating.

Tell us about your experience working with Coach Mariesha specifically.

Terri: Because I have Body Dysmorphic Disorder, I didn’t see what Mariesha saw in my photos at the beginning. She would continue to praise me for the results she was seeing but I could not see it. She realized the frustration I was feeling as I couldn’t see the changes and she continued to help me with this. She did not give up on me as I was being so tough on myself. She continued to support me and help me through the process.

What Coach Mariesha has to say about working with Terri:

Mariesha: Terri came to SFM under eating and rigorously exercising. From the outset, I knew we needed to reverse her calories up so that she could have plenty of energy to throw at her workouts while also still meeting her weight loss goals. Terri jumped right in and was immediately consistent with eating more food and hitting her numbers despite the frustration she experienced getting used to tracking in the first couple of weeks. Because Terri has body dysmorphia and struggles to see her progress, I get to partner with her every week and help her see the changes that are occurring. It is a delight to coach her and be on this journey with her! 

There you have have it! Be like Terri and don’t let age hold you back!

If you’d like to work with one of our coaches one on one, we’d love to have you.

Click HERE to learn more.