Help for 47 y/o woman

I can really relate! That was about the age that I stopped being able to lose weight. I did weight watchers and would lose about 10 pounds but then stop losing.

I tried eating more, eating less, upping exercise, blood tests, eliminating processed foods, no alcohol, and about everything else you can think of.

Ultimately, my journey took a couple of turns recently. I was talking to an expert (radio call in show) about people my age and not being able to lose weight. I asked what the key was for peri- and menopausal women. He said that the answer isn't one that most want to hear. He said you have to exercise 300 minutes a week now.

I didn't want to believe it, but shortly after that, still seeking how much I should actually eat, since these website recommendations weren't working for me, I found a place that tested RMR. It's a breathing test. My theory was that the calorie recommendations were based on averages for our weight/sex/age, but something was off for me.

I took the test and found out that I actually had a resting metobolic rate of 1022. The average for my age should be 1490. In order to lose weight I had to eat less that 1000 calories a day. I tried for 2 days, and instead chose to up my exercise instead.

Since that time, I've lost 5.4 pounds in a month. It took me 4 months to lose 5 pounds before this.

I hope this helps you. Not the answer you probably want, but it is my reality.

I can also relate. My thyroid tests came back normal for years but the weight kept piling on and my binge eating was out of control. I tried WW several times lost some gained more. MFP wasn't working for me initially either. I'd have some success, fall off the wagon, gain that weight back and more. Since June 2012, I seem to have managed to get my diet under control and the weight is starting to come off. I haven't felt out of control and haven't binged. I've been losing about 2.3 lbs/week. I don't know why but I'm happy to be in control. What seems to work for me is reducing carbs and sodium and eating more protein. Drinking lots and lots of water. Reducing processed food and virtually eliminating fast food. Everyone is different but alcohol and eating out do slow down my progress even when I allow for the calories. For me all calories are not created equal. White bread, white rice, pasta, processed food and even diet pop can make me feel out of control. I truly believe that there is some combination of carbs, sweets, sodium and fat that is addictive. So, I'm keeping an eye on all of those tasty things!

I have a long way to go. I hope I can continue to feel in control. I have complete confidence that tracking everything and staying within the guidelines works. I know that my weight will fluctuate but will continue to go down. I've been entering the 5 week weight target MFP calculates for me in the notes for that day 5 weeks away. Guess what? Today, it said that I would weigh 259.2. My weight this morning was 259.5. Just stick with it. It works if you are patient and give it a real chance.

I too am 47 and although I'm doing more exercise then I have EVER done the weight is much slower to come off. I have come to be happy with a 1-2 lb. per week lose instead of the 5 lb I used to have when I was younger.

I reduced carbs, sodium as well. I try to keep my fiber up with my food instead of taking a supplement. I plan my meals, sometimes a couple of days ahead, and I make sure to drink at least the 8 glasses of water a day.

But I think the biggest thing for me was no more fast food. I allow myself 1 iced coffee from McDonald's once a week, plus it's a medium. I was drinking 2 large a day before. Plus since I was going to the drive thru I would always get something for my kids, which was hurting them, too.

If I do eat out I make sure to pick restaurants that have their menu/nutritional info on line and I chose one that fits into my plan.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Hope it helps