Started Running at 53: How Ksenija Lost 16 kg (35 lb)

My name is Ksenija. I am 53 years old and weighed 88 kg (194 lb) in January last year. My New Year’s resolution was to lose weight: I wanted to shed 13 kg (29 lb) by May 2016.

Therefore, the first thing I did was change my diet. I now focused on quality rather than quantity. And when I saw a cake, I thought: Do I really want to eat it? I soon overcame my craving for sweets. And, of course, I started exercising more.

Thanks to a healthy diet and exercise the fat just melted away! That’s why I kept going even after I had achieved my goal. At 72 kg (159 lb), I said to myself: Ok, that is enough for now – 16 kg (35 lb) less is a huge success. I have been able to maintain this weight since last summer.

What is my secret to success? I use as many Runtastic apps as possible! When I go walking with my dog Yogi, I turn on the Runtastic App... And I can’t imagine a day without my activity and fitness tracker. For me, it is a powerful source of motivation. 10,000 steps a day is my goal. With Yogi’s help I can easily rack up 12,000.

During my “big weight-loss phase,” I also tried out the Results App from Runtastic. I always alternated workouts. I really enjoy trying out new things!

Before I started training regularly, I was in poor physical shape. I even started running – at 53 years of age! My doctor asked me, “At your age?” As if being older were an excuse to quit exercising… Don’t I need a functioning body when I’m over 50?! 😉

I positively felt a desire to run! As a beginner, I got my training plans from Runtastic. I found interval training particularly motivating because I could see how many calories I was burning.  Today I can run a half hour straight. I am so proud of myself!
If my back is hurting (I work in the care sector and have to lift a lot), I switch to Nordic walking. I don’t try to play down my pain and listen to my body.

There is plenty of opportunity for exercise in your daily life: I take the stairs, try to bend forward all the way, squat down deeply and even tie my shoes standing up. You also have to change your mindset. I believe it is important to set priorities and to cancel coffee with a friend once in a while so you can work out instead.

For me, it is important that my body, mind and soul are in harmony. If you don’t feel well physically, your spirit can suffer, too. The healthy feeling I have now is simply wonderful. But you have to want it. And you have to lose weight for yourself – and not just your appearance.

And here are a couple of tips for everyone wanting to lose weight: Don’t be too strict with yourself! If you don’t feel like exercising one day, then take a break. Go at your own pace and stick with it. Every step, every stair, every time you put your socks on standing up is another step in the right direction.

Have you achieved similar successes? Tell us about your success by sending an email to mysuccess@runtastic.com. And don’t forget to include some before & after photos.

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