need to lose a lot

[emptynester]

Over the past few years I have spent so much time looking out for others that I have really neglected myself and my needs. Right now on of my main concerns is my weight and my need to shed a few pounds. What is the ideal number of calories and fat grams that a woman in her fifties should be eating on a daily basis?

[snowski1]

I guess that would depend on how much weight you need to lose, but with exercise I think that 1300 calories is reasonable with about 25-30 fat grams per day. This may be a little on the low side for you sepending on how much exercise you are able to fit in but it has worked for me with losing the weight.

[bubonics]

if you're looking to lose weight, you should reduce your caloric intake, but dieting isn't fun that way...actually dieting isn't fun at all and if you just replace some of the things you're eating w/ healthier versions, you'll drop the weight w/o cutting things out of your diet that you like.

now granted i'm not in my 50's, but i've done A LOT of research and have lost weight myself and i've done it all naturally and w/o dieting (although i picked up the pace in the exercise world). from all the research i've done, you should not reduce your caloric intake too dramatically or your body goes into a form of starvation (rather it thinks you're trying to starve yourself) and that actually has a reverse effect to keep the fat you are eating in your system...not good! you should never drop below the 1000 calorie mark and usually women really do require ~2000 calories a day if they lead a somewhat active life. BUT it's always best to check w/ your doctor or a nutritionist to get the best answers for YOUR body.

here's some tips that everyone can use:
1. replace white bread with 100% whole grains, white flour w/ wheat flour...general rule, the darker the better
2. replace any dairy products you eat w/ skim or fat free (this includes milk, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc)
3. eat as many fruits and veggies as you can along w/ LEAN meats (such as chx, fish, lean beef)
4. stay away from any foods containing partially hydrogenated oils...this affects MOST all processed foods (cereal, granola bars) but luckily KASHI and select other brands stay away so you can still eat those things!
5. do something new/little each week to gradually get yourself eating better...like cut fast food out. no french fries. no potato chips. no ice cream. no candy bars. gradually you'll change your taste buds and you won't crave the salt/sugar america has grown to LOVE :(
6. let yourself have treats and dessert (like the things listed above that are bad), but keep this in mind...MODERATION (that's the key) :)

[Darcyinks]

Empty Nester, I don't really think counting calories is the answer. I just started on the Elite Makeover diet in the new Maximized Living book. I have lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks, my blood pressure went way down as did my blood sugar levels. I am having 4 "vacation" meals a week where I eat whatever I want. It's a lifelong thing, not a diet so speed of weight loss isn't my goal even though I have a LOT to lose and I, also, am over 50 and through menopause.

I'm eating mostly food by God, eliminating toxins, no grains, no fruits except berrys, lemons and avacadoes, no sugars in any form but plenty of healthy protiens and fats. Sea salt, coconut and olive oil, raw nuts, free range cattle, chicken and eggs.

It sounds bland, but once you get used to it it isn't bad at all, and you still can "cheat" by taking vacation days. The hardest thing was eliminating sugars so I did a 5 day "detox" where I consumed nothing that contained sugars or that would turn into sugar. Once my five days were over I didn't crave sugar anymore. During those five days though I had the classic symptoms of withdrawal and was quite sick.

Good Luck!