Over 40 and Struggling to Lose Weight

josiekat2015

I'm 44 and have been working out for over a year. I had lost weight and was down to 137 but suddenly gained weight back to 144 (now down to 142 today.) I realize it's not like when I was in my twenties when I could skip a meal and lose 5 lbs.

My trainer does P90X but I don't like to be that extreme. He says I've got to cut out everything even good stuff like avocados, etc. My opinion is I don't want to be that drastic because a.) I won't be able to maintain that kind of disciple b.) don't want to live my life without some yummy treats sometimes and c.) after I lose the weight I don't want to gain it all back when trying to eat "normally."

I'm doing a better job maintaining my data here and have to admit I had let my eating habits get a little out of hand. Isn't it just a calorie in / burn out math? As long as the net is 1,200 and balanced am I on the right track. And I'd even like to cheat and have a treat every once in a while especially on my big run days on Sunday.

MinnieInMaine

Don't listen to your trainer... Yes, it's true that weight loss is about calories in/out - but the caveat to that is accuracy. Are you weighing foods? Do you log consistently (every thing, every day)? Where are you getting your calorie burn numbers from? It's easy to over/under estimate if you're not going for accuracy and consistency and that's usually where we slip up. Sounds like you got off track with that for a while and are just getting back into it so it may just be a matter of giving it some more time.

There are also some glitches with only gauging success using scale weight - usually due to water retention. Some of it may be water/glycogen weight from your training, especially if you've been increasing the intensity lately (longer/faster runs, more weight, etc). Could be due to monthly hormone cycle. Could be due to high sodium intake.

Good for you for sticking to your guns and knowing what's realistic for you!