harder to lose weight as you get older?

Hi, is that Newcastle upon Tyne you are from?

I know exactly what you mean, I put my usual 'Christmas weight' on this year and it just did not want to shift. A friend told me about MFP so I have been on here since June. I have lost 14-13 lbs as the weight comes off then goes back on. The good thing is that is it generally in a downward trend. As lots of people on here will testify, it does work and friends are here to help you on your way.

This is normal. As you age, your BMR (basal metabolic rate - number of calories you burn by just existing) goes down, making it harder to lose weight since you have to eat less than you could at a younger age to achieve the same results. As a result, it's even more important to correctly log your food and workout burns than before.

That being said, definitely don't use age as excuse to not succeed. My grandmother is 68 years old, and she's lost a total of 65 lbs in less than a year by eating well, swimming, and walking. There are incredible women here over 50 who have done superb transformations as well.

You might just need a little more patience and diligence than before is all!

It is harder and mostly because of hormone fluctuations. Once we go through menopause we hang onto the body fat because that is where estrogen is stored. When the ovaries are no longer producing the body wants it from somewhere.

I read a book called Body for Life for women, that is want got me started in all this, written by a female Dr. And she addresses the serious stages in a women's life. How to adjust eating and exercise for each stage.

I am post meno so basically it is, #1 cut portions, get a scale and measuring cups and use them. The book gives you a way to eye ball it to keep it simpler, but I wanted to actually see what those portions looked like. I was way off in my estimations.
#2 Cut carbs, only 2-3 servings of whole grain carbs a day. And if you are not losing you cut down to one to two per day. 2 fruit servings, lots of vegetables, and healthy amounts of protein and good fats.
#3 exercise, with the goal of losing weight but also to exchange fat for muscle. Weights and low impact cardio.

And it is possible. I am 52 and have dropped almost 20 pounds and 2 pants sizes. Starting to get some muscle definition.

Hope that helps.

I'm 53 yes it gets harder but not impossible to lose it. I go in spurts 1/2 lb a week is about avg for me but its more like nothing, nothing, nothing then I will have a nice drop :huh: I guess I am just happy that I am not gaining

Yes Keiko that is me too!! I am 52 but despite doing just about everything right and getting under goal every night I stii barely lose. Very frustrating but just have to hang in there.

Yes, more difficult, for sure, though not impossible. I also read this week on another post about low iron/iodine might stall loss, and I think I'm facing some of that, as I am on prescription iron. My biggest lesson learned is that I have to exercise to lose.

yep - know exactly what you're going through - when I was going through "the change" I gained and could lose for anything - tried Jenny Craig, went back to WW (I'm a LT member). Finally 3 years ago I went back to WW and was able to finally drop the 20 I'd gained back (which was half of what I'd lost previously)......and I've kept it off for over 2.5 years now. I still attend WW meetings and weigh in - free for me now that I'm below my goal weight. And I now have to exercise, exercise and exercise some more - I work out close to two hours every day......but it is soooooo worth it. So hang in there - stick with it - exercise your heart out and it will pay off. This is such a great site - I still get free etools with WW, but I'm on MFP now most of the time - such great support!!!

Yep - used to be able to drop 10 pounds a month very easily. It's slower now even with more exercise, but it can be done. Feel free to add me.

I am 47 and went from 188 to 122 lbs! It can be done - I have very low iron too as I see someone mentioned that. A 1 lb per week weight loss is actually great and you should celebrate that! I am definately not perfect but watch what I eat, measure what I eat and exercise - that is pretty much about it and it worked.

It can get harder as we do naturally slow down as we get older, but if I can do it anyone can! I'll be 57 on Hallowe'en!

The secret is not to let any little setbacks get to you, look forwards, not back!

Good luck

well said

The thing that makes it harder, for me, is the demands and responsibilities I have. I move forward, and am happy with my progress,
However, It is hard to diet when I am the chief cook and bottle washer for a large-ish family.
I have found my way around this....there is a way, and I am doing it!

And what's wrong with 1lb per week?

OMG!!! Yes!!! I keep telling myself my age shouldn't matter nor should menopause but Mother Nature and I are in a stronghold right now battling this out! It sucks to get old!!! ; )

Yes, this is correct. I struggled with losing weight for the last 5-7 years or so. Also tried Weight Watchers, no results. I finally went to Lindora. Lost 35 lbs and have kept it off for 4 months now. Needless to say I feel fabulous and will never go back. Lindora gave me the necessary tools to get MY BODY to lose. Keeping a food log was essential to this process AND weighing every day. No one tells you to weigh every day. 3 good meals and 3 PROTEIN Snacks were the key. Meals would be 1-2 proteins, 1 fruit, 1 grain, 1 vegetable and lots of lettuce, spinich, cabbage. Keep your carb count around 50-70 per day to start. 30 minutes of Moderate exercise every day. Lindora told me about My Fitness Pal and this is keeping me on track. Good Luck, keep up the faith.

i am 29 and my weight is 198 right now it is harder to lose weight as u get older so i dont run cause i have a bad back but i do dance around the house for 30 min or more and do a power walk for 30 min or more everyday and on a 1500 calorie diet which i dont ever eat that much calories in a day its more like 600 to 800 but if u do something like this u will lose the weight . just last week my weight was 201 so i lost 3lbs and thats good my goal is to reach 150