I'm 48. I started an exercise program and gained 10 pounds! People keep telling me it's muscle but my jeans tell me not so much. I'm trying to lose 30 pounds which (I think) would put me in a very tight size 6 and a comfortable 8. I'm in a tight 10 now, but a 12 is too big (I'm 5'8"). So this year, I started a new diet with a registered dietitian. I have cut out all commercially processed foods, white flour and white rice. I also (on the advice of my dietitian), cut my calories a bit more. She said I may have a slower metabolism which is why I have so much trouble losing. We'll see.

Hi:) We are very similar- I am 51 and have two teen boys as well I have totally yoyo'd 20 lbs over and over. I find that eating high protein, lower crappy carbs (vs good carbs) helps me stay full and satisfied. And NOT restricting any food (i.e. sugar) helps me-- but too much sends me over the edge. I think when you find your stride after trying different ways of eating-- maybe changing one thing at a time-- you'll be able to get it. Still working on it here... LOL...:)

Hi, I used diet1234 drops and lost 50 lbs, now learning how important it is to not overeat. Feel free to message and friend me. I keep telling people cuz I thought I would never be able to lose the fat. There is a lot of info online and even youtubes about weight loss. Some is phoney but some really helps. Make 2016 your year!

I am 54 and have battled with my weight since I was 13. I am a small size but am getting very flabby. I have managed to keep my weight up and down 5 pounds but now I have gained 10 lbs. i cant seem to stay motivated Tired of watching my food intake. Any suggestions I am also tired of the additional body pains after exercizing

Love all the encouragement and ideas to help with motivation. Any ideas are always welcome I should probably explain a little more of my circumstances. I am 5'6" and 53. My weights stats are above. I live in St Lucia , West Indies which is fantastic but it does create issues with obtaining certain foods that in the US & UK would be easily available. Although there is a lot of amazing locally produced fruit and veg a lot is only available seasonally. Also a lot of fruit & veg is imported and therefore expensive. Exercise should not be an issue but the heat and humidity can play a part in restricting when and what you can do. I try and walk early before the sun is too hot and do aqua which is great fun and refreshing. Running not my thing but in the process of learn to swim properly so I can take advantage of the ocean. For me when I started the re-evaluation of my lifestyle was to do little and often. Initially started with a 20 minute walk with the dogs - now I am doing at least 4 miles a day . I never thought I would say this 6 months ago but I love my early morning walk!

I am 59 and have fought gaining for 15 years. I am working out when I never have before. I am 5'2" and this point 112 pounds. My clothes tell me I need drop some.

I manage to walk to work and back most days and two days a week I do strength training. The strength training takes me a maximum of 30 minutes and I don't get sweaty but it is toning all my muscles.

I have to track my calories all the time as I have a terrible habit of just eating non-stop if I don't count them! It's made me plan my meals for the week and my lunches. Planning makes it easier to stick to healthier choices, for me anyway, as I then have the correct ingredients in for dishes I like which I can look forward to eating.

Being in peri-menopause has meant I have had to drop 250 calories a day to just stay the same weight. That was the biggest surprise to me as it happened very suddenly and I had to drop so many calories to just stay still.

I'm 49 5'6" and 148lb. My maintenance weight is 142-144lb and maintenance calories are 1400-1450

I have been doing the 5:2 diet since the new year to drop the 10lbs I put on in the two weeks of Christmas. I find this the easiest plan to use as the occasional drop in calories needed to peg back my weight after holidays or if it starts to creep up. I start the diet by only having vegetable soup on the two down days and a normal evening meal until I have adjusted and can go all day without any food and just eat my evening meal. It's hard to start with but once you adjust it works wonders. I keep an eye on my calories on the other 5 days and still manage to go up a couple of pounds each weekend eating with the family!

I haven't changed my diet, I eat what I want and even when I want but the important thing for me is knowing how much I can have without getting into the excess that makes me gain weight. I'm still working on the holiday eating though as I always end up with an extra 10lbs twice a year which I need to reduce without feeling deprived at those times.

Everything is possible you need to find the routine that suits your lifestyle and you will be able to stick to i.e. don't add in exercise you aren't going to want to keep doing, swap out foods for healthier versions so you can still enjoy the things you like, if you want to eat chips/chocolate then work them into your daily/weekly/monthly eating plan. Try out exercising whilst cleaning like lunge hovering or try bodyweight exercises when you have 5 minutes spare throughout the day.

Another day in paradise..... Walk the dogs - still dark! I need to teach the dog the time or least not to wake up until it is light. Did the aqua class this morning - love it as it refreshing and sets me up for the day. Not working till this afternoon so home for lunch. This means I can "be good" and not get distracted with cake at the office but have friends coming over later for drinks and snacks so willpower may go out of the window. The weekend will also be a challenge as have social activities planned for both Saturday and Sunday. Not sure the scales will move much this week.