Almost 47 and finding it next to impossible to drop the pounds. I have blood work done and everything is fine. Back in January I started exercising every day on the elliptical. I eventually added weights and sit-ups and was watching what I ate. After 8 weeks, I lost a total of 2 pounds. Talk about feeling discouraged! I am now ready to get back on track. I am currently at my heaviest and not liking it at all! I need motivation!!!!

I second (third? fourth?) the comments re resistance training (free weights for me). It is consistently the difference between me being able to lose and not lose. Plus seeing the definition in my muscles gives me motivation to continue on the right path, which can be difficult if you have a long way to go (or even if you don't). I've read that second only to tracking calories, weight training is the most important thing you can do for fat loss.

Mine slowed. I had some blood work done and my iron, vitamin d, vitamin b12 and another b vitamin folic acid were deficient so within a few weeks of getting more sun, eating more foods with those vitamins, and taking supplementation a lot of symptoms and tiredness went away. I guess it is growing more common for people to be deficient in vitamin d and they did a study that shows that more women than men have the deficiency, and that if obese and deficient in vitamin d then getting vitamin d back in optimal range of at least 50 helps with weight loss. It takes at least six months and supervised by a physician.

I am too... struggling! It is like pulling teeth to get off just a few pounds. I can only do light exercising right now, but I hope to incorporate a little strength training in. But I only drop if I fast and I am sure that is just water weight.

I don't struggle with my metabolism any more because I had an awakening. Around 5 weeks ago I started eating cleaner by juicing and having more whole grains and plant based foods in my diet. I also started carrying a water flask with me wherever I went. This helped the pounds to shift.

In terms of exercise I train in taekwondo (3 hours a wk), run (3 x 20 mins a wk) and lift (3 x a wk). I cycle as a mode of transport. All of this has helped to boost my metabolism and mood. I must stress that I gradually added activities in and didn't start all of that in one go. With all of that being said, what you put in your body and strength training makes such a difference. I hope you find the posts helpful.

I have just turned 47 and have a new lease of life.

I have definitely noticed a shift. Before my 40's and even after childbirth, my body didn't want to hold on to weight. Granted I used to run about 25-30 km a week, which I can't do anymore because of piriformis syndrome, but still ...
I have to admit that the last two years (I'm now 45) I've been in an extremely sedentary job that pretty much limits me to my desk. And I've continued eating exactly the huge portions I always have. It's not a recipe that's working for me.
I've been watching my waistline expand, trying off an on to make a difference through HIIT training, walking, weights, elimination diets, juicing, etc.
HOWEVER, a few months ago I started doing pilates and swimming, and for the first time I started to see great results (not on the scale, but in my shape, my posture, etc.) Then I went on a 3-week cruise and though I kept on stretching, hiking and doing ab work, I ate and drank whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. And when I came back home and stepped on the scale I had to face the music. I was at my heaviest ever. Lesson to me: I can't indulge the way I did in my teens, 20's and 30's. Not if I want to be fit.
So I've been back here on MFP for the last two weeks. Logging EVERYTHING. Activity level set at sedentary. Keeping it real. Reducing portions and eating as many unprocessed foods as possible. Trying really hard to stay within my calorie allowance. Carrying my Camelbak water bottle with me everywhere. Doing pilates with an instructor 2 times a week. Trying to walk whenever I can.
I've lost 4 lbs so far. My weight hasn't shifted at all in the last 3-4 days. But we'll see if this works. I've chosen to do something that I know is extremely sustainable for me. No elimination, no burning myself out working out to a schedule I won't be able to maintain with a busy 10-year-old and a full-time job. I've not been hungry once yet.
So yes, I have seen a difference in the way my body processes food. But I'm not yet convinced that I can't retrain it if I treat it right. I'm willing to go slow: I will be happy with .5-1 lb loss a week. I still have hope!

I quit using this site about a year ago and gained all my pounds back. I realize I need MFP or I fail. Looking for some new best friends to help me get back to where I was at before I started drinking Pepsi and eating Doritos again. I promise I will be very active and try to be supportive. Anyone feel free to add me.

I tried IF and gained 6 pounds.

Lots of good info. 55 and trying to lose 30 lbs. first five came off quick probably water weight. I get on the gazelle and do one hour every other day and some crunches. So hard to lose the weight but I'm going to try some of the above advise and see if the scale moves. Good luck to all!

I want badly to have all my hormone levels checked but can't afford it, but have discovered through logging at MFP that my set point to lose is around 1000 cal a day. If I eat 1200 or so (my goal) I actually gain. In the past few years I've tried 1500 after listening to all of those who immediately start screaming "You're not eating enough" and that was a complete disaster. This time I've definitely pinpointed the magic number, but is that really what I'm stuck with now?!?!