It is harder, and I have found that I need to be far more disciplined now. I lost 50 lbs in my early thirties, almost effortlessly. Now I find that I need to be excessively disciplined and organized. My dietary needs are much different now, too. I find that I have to reduce my carb intake and up my protein to see results.

I lost so fast and easy several years ago (in 2006, I was 35). I don't know if it was because I had NEVER tried before, so the change in eating and exercise was a complete shock to my system or what. I kept it off for a while, but it's slowly crept back on until I was pretty much back up to where I was.

I don't know if it's being in my 40s (I'll turn 43 this year) or that my body acclimated to my exercise (I've stayed very active, but in quite a "routine rut" doing the same, steady stuff day after day) ... or just that I wasn't watching what I was eating. When summer rolled around and I couldn't fit into any of my clothes from last year, that's when I decided to really take action.

I joined MFP in May, started logging all my food and upping my exercise. I had pretty good success by the numbers (following the basic calories in calories out) for a few weeks (lost 10 pounds of a desired 45), but didn't lose ANY this past week (even though the numbers had me at over a 5000+ deficit for the week). A bit discouraging. Too early to call it a plateau, but I was really hoping to get a little further along before hitting any snags. I'm planning on plugging along ... Hoping to shake it up with the 30 Day Shred (there is a big group starting today).

Yep. I'm stuck at the last 10 pounds. Been here for many moons.My efforts have been Herculean but the lowest I've been able to go is 128 pounds.

When I was 27 I got down to 117 pounds with what felt like very little effort. I went jogging a couple times a week and followed a sensible diet. Now...well, I guess maybe I just have to accept the extra weight. :sad:

It is tough but you can do it! Slowly and forever beats quick and regaining. Just don't give up!

I didn't have any trouble losing weight in my 40s until I became perimenopausal about a year ago. Since then it's been very hard to lose it and keep it off. I don't think it's any specific age, but rather the point in your particular life when your body starts to change. At least that's been my experience. At the beginning of 2010, I was 46, weighed 136 (about 20 lbs overweight), and knocked off all the excess weight in less than 2 months via a combination of Herbalife, the South Beach Diet, and exercise. I haven't used Herbalife again because it gets quite expensive with all the supplements, not to mention remembering to take them three times a day! However I'm having such a hard time losing now, even though I do at least 30 minutes of some kind of non-stop exercise almost every day and have an overall healthy diet, that I'm considering trying Herbalife again, at least for a couple months.

I think a hard part is the weight starts to redistribute in a way it didn't before. I have a large belly right now but I never used to and I've weighed more than this, unfortunately. Seeing myself look different to my own eyes has been maybe the thing to open my eyes to the need to get going on this commitment to a healthy lifestyle and stop messing around. Also, more stress in the 40's with age creeping up and bills and family issues...oh to be 18 again!

Don't watch the clock, don't use the scale. Just do the work and eat right. Before ya know it you'll be there. I did 50 lbs in 4 months. Looked sickly though. I'm doing it slower this time

Just hang in there...

Yes, I am proof it can be done. My ticker is only recent, and I started my journey at a much higher weight. As others I had to be disciplined and deliberate. It has been slow, but I really watch my food choices (mostly eat clean), upped the protein, lowered the carbs and sugars. Of course along with a steady exercise routine (make sure it's something you enjoy). Find your balance and it will come off even if not as fast as it used to. "Break the unreasonable down into little reasonable chunks A big goal is only achieved when every little thing that you do do every day gets you closer to that goal":).

Amyzeppy, you can do it! Being here everyone has a challenge they face and we are here to support each others goals. I felt the same as you, especially the weekend I didn't have to work and I ate over my calorie goal. When I made that post, the members here on MFP reminded me that the body responds to our emotional stress. My biggest challenge is my stomach as well, but everyday I work on it. It's tough, but I try to keep a positive attitude about it and not allow the challenge to overwhelm me. Don't give and keep trying.