what IS it about losing weight after 40?!?!!?
kasamgirl
Posts: 14 Member
hi all - I'm a newbie to mfp but in the past I've had real success with dropping the pounds. It seemed so easy in my 20s and 30s. Now that I've crossed 40 it seems impossible!! I've been dropping 1 or 2 and gaining back 3 or 4 for about a year now each week. Oh and I have the worst bloated stomach ever. And this is AFTER I have given up all junk food. It's just like my body is saying "I'm not budging from 150 so suck it up" 
what gives???
what gives??? 0
Replies
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40 isn't a magic number where you get fat. I got down to my high school weight in my late 30's and am still there at 40 (104 pounds this morning). I just ate less and moved more.
If you're a newbie to mfp, plug in your stats, get a goal, log your food to be under that goal until you lose weight.0 -
Hi. I don't necessarily think it has to do with age. I think it has to do with having more going on in your 40s then perhaps 20s and 30s so maybe less time to exercise, eating for convenience because no time to food prep, etc. As far as bloat I can only share my experience. I've never been diagnosed lactose intolerant but cutting dairy from my diary alleviated that problem. I still have my occasional frozen yogurt and when I do I look pregnant! Lol. Also how is your fiber intake?0
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Sadly our metabolism slows with age
used to be so easy to lose weight without any effort when I was younger. Guess we just have to work extra hard. Sigh! ![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
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Anybody know if it is due to muscle loss? I wonder if strength training will help fix this issue.0
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I think that's probably part of it - the years of sitting in cars and at desks and on couches is not exactly jacking up our metabolism! I also think bad habits get ingrained over time to the point where they're hard to even notice and easy to be in denial about.0
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Loss of lean muscle as we age is one of the causes of it. Aging plus a calorie deficit is a big punch in the face to your metabolism. You'll see this advice over and over again in forums.. but... lift weights and refuel if you want to keep that lean muscle. You're not going to bulk up like a guy on a deficit - it takes a huge amount of calories to grow muscle. The goal is to keep whatever you have. So do your cardio/classes/whatever but incorporate some sort of weights into your routine.
To me the only challenge of being 46 is that I have a few more boo-boo's to work around than your average 20 year old.0 -
Thanks for the tips....will look into doing weights more to build muscle mass. Have also started taking a probiotic daily to help with the bloat (my fibre intake is already pretty high). Am trying to "shake it up" by doing cardio 5 mornings a week and going a little under my 1200 calories a day and if I don't see results in 2 weeks max - I'm going to my doctor.0
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Thanks for the tips....will look into doing weights more to build muscle mass. Have also started taking a probiotic daily to help with the bloat (my fibre intake is already pretty high). Am trying to "shake it up" by doing cardio 5 mornings a week and going a little under my 1200 calories a day and if I don't see results in 2 weeks max - I'm going to my doctor.
the 1200 calories a day is supposed to be net calories, not gross. you're supposed to eat more if you're doing cardio 5 days a week.0 -
I feel like for me it's a hormone thing. I can feel mine changing in many ways: cycle changes; PMS changes; libido changes; appetite changes and energy changes. It really sucks. Every one is different though so... ya never really know.0
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Does anyone know why some of the replies in here (this thread has 2) are showing up locked?0
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Sometimes I think it isn't the actual number of being over 40 but the fact our kids aren't quite as demanding and we have a moment to think of ourselves, then that moment is over and we are dashing everywhere, trying to do everything. At some point there hormonal changes will have an impact too. Muscle burns more calories than fat so incorporating weight training is great advice. I read a study, can't remember the journal, it was a couple of years ago. They had implemented weight training in adults over 80 years old and determined that they could still build muscle mass. So if an 80 year old can do it, I know I can too!0
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Well if you are a woman the 40's is usually a stage called peri menopause. And many women experience hormonal changes, metabolism changes, plus things like hot flashes and night sweats. I think there is also a connection with muscle loss the older we get.0
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To be honest I have just gotten lazier over the years! There I said it.. I want to be thin and healthy but to be honest I don't want to do the work.. I suck.. Oh ya I love to eat..
I have set a small goals for myself
1. Eat all meals no skipping
2. Get up and keep moving
3. No stress or beating myself up anymore.
4. If I want more I have to do more.0 -
I'm 43 and hoping this doesn't hit me anytime soon. I've had 5 children and I think my metabalism is still going. Hoping to find some friends on here that are trying to dodge the bullet.
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It can definitely be done. I started my journey at age 39 and lost 80 pounds in 9 months. Six months later and I've kept it off and am currently the same weight and size I was when I graduated high school. Life is good!0
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Losing weight in your mid to late 40's sucks. You have to work so much harder! The things I used to do for weight loss don't work now. I'm 46, gonna be 47 on Friday & those pre-menopausal hormones are not kind to the hips and thighs!0
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Hi. I don't necessarily think it has to do with age. I think it has to do with having more going on in your 40s then perhaps 20s and 30s so maybe less time to exercise, eating for convenience because no time to food prep, etc. As far as bloat I can only share my experience. I've never been diagnosed lactose intolerant but cutting dairy from my diary alleviated that problem. I still have my occasional frozen yogurt and when I do I look pregnant! Lol. Also how is your fiber intake?
I totally agree with you. We have families and more responsibilities in our 40's. Personally, in my twenties I found it a lot easier to get up early in the morning to do a Cindy Crawford workout video!!!!! I just think it's a slower, less instant fix in your 40's to achieve sustainable weight loss and fitness.0 -
Losing weight in your mid to late 40's sucks. You have to work so much harder! The things I used to do for weight loss don't work now. I'm 46, gonna be 47 on Friday & those pre-menopausal hormones are not kind to the hips and thighs!
I turned 47 years old on feb. 13 too!! and I know what you mean by pre-menopausal hormones mine is all in the belly though!
We need to be friends since we share the same bday and issues with hormones:)
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Our bodies don't process food the same way - If I had a dollar for every over 40 person I have talked to in the last month that has some kind of food intolerance I would be loaded.
I myself have had to cut out or reduce sugar, Gluten /Yeast / mushrooms, blue cheese , bananas, pineapple tomatoes and spinach - I am seeing the belly swell change , I don't feel as foggy in my brain as before and I am less cranky not to mention I lost 3 pounds
It has taken a lot longer than in my 20 & 30's but never the less doable0 -
Thanks for the tips....will look into doing weights more to build muscle mass. Have also started taking a probiotic daily to help with the bloat (my fibre intake is already pretty high). Am trying to "shake it up" by doing cardio 5 mornings a week and going a little under my 1200 calories a day and if I don't see results in 2 weeks max - I'm going to my doctor.
I had the bloat super bad but started taking a probiotic about a month ago and no more problems with that. I feel a ton better and don't feel sick in my stomach after eating. I think your on the right track!0 -
I've found that reducing my sugar intake and eating whole grain carbs and vegetables has helped with bloat. It hasn't reduced a lot of weight, but I am still leaning out. If I eat high carb items like pizza, pastas (not whole-grain), I find I tend to bloat a lot more. Lifting weights has really helped too, but I'm still trying to find that balance to keep pushing the weight down. Having a desk job doesn't help either.
Hope some of this can help you too!0 -
farmergirl1974 wrote: »It can definitely be done. I started my journey at age 39 and lost 80 pounds in 9 months. Six months later and I've kept it off and am currently the same weight and size I was when I graduated high school. Life is good!
Wow that's awesome!0 -
Ladies and Germs...The answer is quite simple really, you see when we first arrive we are simple lil sponges, all is right with the world, no bad habits and life is good. Then we hit puberty and we think this party will last forever and we know everything. Bad habits immerge, but we pay no attention. We don't heed anyone's advice or words of wisdom. In our 30's we are finding out perhaps we should maybe do a few things different, but we still feel invincible, still think our boobs will be perky forever, wrinkles don't exist and since we won't be 40 for like a long time, we got lots of time, no worries right ?!?!? But then we do eventually hit 40 and kiddies it's just the universes way of saying..."I tried to tell you but you just didn't listen". LOL
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KellyLyn68 wrote: »Ladies and Germs...The answer is quite simple really, you see when we first arrive we are simple lil sponges, all is right with the world, no bad habits and life is good. Then we hit puberty and we think this party will last forever and we know everything. Bad habits immerge, but we pay no attention. We don't heed anyone's advice or words of wisdom. In our 30's we are finding out perhaps we should maybe do a few things different, but we still feel invincible, still think our boobs will be perky forever, wrinkles don't exist and since we won't be 40 for like a long time, we got lots of time, no worries right ?!?!? But then we do eventually hit 40 and kiddies it's just the universes way of saying..."I tried to tell you but you just didn't listen". LOL
Exactly! The accumulation of bad habits, piling up on each other. Clean the slate and get back to basics! There's still time :-)0 -
farmergirl1974 wrote: »It can definitely be done. I started my journey at age 39 and lost 80 pounds in 9 months. Six months later and I've kept it off and am currently the same weight and size I was when I graduated high school. Life is good!
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That's great0
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I lost 260+ pounds starting age 45. Am 47 now. Started at 419, weighed 155 this AM. I think weight loss is probably possible at any age.0
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I am in the center of this... Yes, I'm having a difficult time losing weight, but it's for two reasons. In my control: not smoking, food choices, exercise. Out of my control: hormones, injuries.
So, I just have to work harder!0 -
And, don't forget the food has changed over the years. Look at our children they are tall, amazonish looking. Btw, I have gotten an intolerance to eggs...but wait, I can eat organic eggs. What does that mean? I am allergic to something in the feed?
Yes, more things on the plate, less time moving around/exercising, lower metabolism, and more processed/unhealthy food choices than back in the day all contribute to weight gain.
We can lose the weight and get back to our pre-20/30 years by looking at each of the factors mentioned and doing something about them. I lost 40 lbs last year and look to lose another 40 by refocusing some of my attention (less time on fb, talking on the phone, watching tv), adding lunchtime exercise to get in cardio wkout 4-5 per week to include strength training 2x per week, and eating healthy (cut out the sugar, most wheat, grains, etc.). Once I do all these things, the weight will come off.
If I can do it, you can too. Btw, I turned 47 in March. I get metabolic testing done every other month. Mine has increased to fast since my last test. I am very close in body fat to the below 30%. I got this!!!!
Dr. C0 -
I am 46 and decided on September 1st I wanted to lose 40 lbs and wear a bikini for my 47th birthday (June 3)- happy to say I have surpassed my goal early and feel great! The key for me was no sodas, drive thrus, pasta, bread or rice. I am going to run my first 5K May 2nd. Never thought I'd say that! Treadmill and weights are my magic beans. 0
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