Dieting over 40

Sure. It is harder. :nod: I'm less active, partly due to age but mostly due to life. It takes a lot more planning and sacrifice to be active now with four kids. I suppose that is switched up for many - had their little kids when younger and more free time in their 40's when their kids were older or even out of house - I did that part backwards :P I cook for kids now, not just myself. I have aches and pains that I never had before. Weight comes off more slowly. It comes off in different places. But - it is coming off. It isn't going to be any easier in my 50's so now is the time!

Look at some of the success stories on here of woman in their 40's. OMG. They look amazing. I don't know that I'll ever have the time and dedication to look like they do but it is inspiring that is for sure

Got the t-shirt!

59 here, and MFP has been great. I've lost over 20lbs with another 10 to go. It takes alittle more time and patience. Also read a great book that said it all---as you get older you have to move alot more, not less. Everyone thinks they can begin to take it easy, and this will point you in the wrong direction. Follow MFP guidelines, read the threads, learn alot, ---and go!

In reality the main reason people find it harder is because they are generally less active than when they were younger. People'e metabolism only slows around 100 calories for every 10 years so it really shouldn't be significantly harder. I've found it easier because I now have more knowledge and more drive to do it.

i'm 42 and find it easy if i stick to the rules: i do this, works every time without fail:

For me it’s simple math, and this is the short version:
Find out how many calories you maintain at and subtract 500 per day to lose 1lb per week (or subtract 1000 per day to lose 2lb per week).

Here’s the longer version:
I have a sedentary day job, and I only want to lose about 10lbs (so my BMR is around 1200), which is the amount of calories I would need if I was in a coma; but because I talk/stand/laugh/walk a little during the day, I use about 1600-1700 and maintain my weight

1lb is about 3500 calories, so to lose 1lb per week, I have to reduce my calories by 3500 a week.
2lb is about 7000 calories, so to lose 2lb per week, I have to reduce my calories by 7000 a week.

I can do this in a way that suits me, my activity level my lifestyle and the amount of time I want to spend on a ‘diet’. It involves creating those deficits by reducing the calories I eat and exercising the others off.

So for example, last year I continually lost 1lb per week by simply eating 1500 - 1600 calories a day and exercising off 400 calories. This meant I was creating a 500 calorie deficit a day, which over 7 days added up to 3500 calories, which equals 1lb.
This time, I can’t be bothered with weeks of dieting so I’m prepared to work hard and lose 2lb a week and I’m doing this by the exact same method, only this time I’m eating 1200 calories a day and exercising off 400-500 per day.

I’m getting the results I predicted because I know what my activity levels are and what my maintenance calories are, thereby knowing how many calories I need to reduce by.

Also, I don’t eat any animal products at all (no meat, no fish, no diary) so I have a lot of knowledge about healthy nutrition and I make sure my 1200 calories are nutrient rich and meet my daily nutritional requirements.

Other than physical issues that limit exercise, I've found it easier. At age 55, I've accepted that "one of these days" is not a valid outlook. And taking 30+ pounds off my joints has helped with those issues.