I swear my metabolism knew when I turned 40 and shut down.

I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....
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Replies

  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    welcome to the other side.
  • Lee_Fitnesspla
    Lee_Fitnesspla Posts: 29 Member
    Yep. I feel your pain. Having the same problem here. Takes twice as much energy to lose the weight and there's no wiggle room for bad food choices. Ugh is right!
  • ModernRock
    ModernRock Posts: 372 Member
    There's an estimated 100 calorie difference in BMR between 20 and 40 year old 5'5" 145 pounds females. (1430 versus 1330).
  • steph124ny
    steph124ny Posts: 238 Member
    Now if I could just get the creepy guy at the gym to stop staring at me when I run on the treadmill... LMAO!!!
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    I crossed 40 with a six pack. Yes, our metabolisms do slow down as we age, but not nearly as much as we would all like to believe. The vast majority of the weight gain is caused by too much food and not enough exercise. That can be fixed.
  • steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.

    I turn 54 this year, have lost 29 pounds (and counting) since August. Apparently my metabolism didn't get the memo.
  • steph124ny
    steph124ny Posts: 238 Member
    20 pounds.... just 20 pounds. I can do it.
  • I have always been very active. Even though I ran 20 -25 miles a week, I gradually put on extra weight even though I was counting calories and eating salads and skipping meals. I finally had enough and changed my nutrition. I started having 2 meal replacement shakes a day and I started losing weight. I couldn't believe it. I am 48. I then added nutritional cleansing one day a month and I even lost more. I have put one lean muscle and I feel so energetic! Best health decision I have made for myself. My nutrition is not a diet but a lifestyle for me. I have kept the weight off for a year!!!
  • Lovee_Dove7
    Lovee_Dove7 Posts: 742 Member
    True! I had to approach it differently than when I was younger.
  • Lovee_Dove7
    Lovee_Dove7 Posts: 742 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.

    I turn 54 this year, have lost 29 pounds (and counting) since August. Apparently my metabolism didn't get the memo.

    There's other memo's you missed, too.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.

    I turn 54 this year, have lost 29 pounds (and counting) since August. Apparently my metabolism didn't get the memo.

    my metabolism did get the memo but I tore it up and threw it in the garbage
  • LBuehrle8
    LBuehrle8 Posts: 4,044 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm not particularly heavy, but I need to lose a few pounds and I'll admit that I feel MUCH better when I exercise. But holy cow it got harder!! It seems like the first time I did this i all went according to plan. Now I can run a 5k without a problem but the weight doesn't come down like it used to. Guess I better do a better job on that food log. UGH!!! Just thought I'd complain....

    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.

    I turn 54 this year, have lost 29 pounds (and counting) since August. Apparently my metabolism didn't get the memo.

    my metabolism did get the memo but I tore it up and threw it in the garbage

    Bahaha hilarious! In ten years I hope to be doing the same thing too!!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    IDK...my lifestyle is what caught up with me...too much sitting around...too much beer and wine...too much smoking...cooking too much awesome food in my kitchen with waaaayyyyy too much butter and cream...with everything...even my green peas.

    Get rollin' OP...once you do, you'll soon realize that you got this just fine. I'm 41 and a far cry better off right now than pretty much anytime in my 30s. In a sense it's more work because when I was younger I was just more active in general...now I sit at a desk all day so I have to make that concerted effort to move...but yeah, taking back my life (just a few years ago I had the blood work of a 60 year old +) has been the best thing I've ever done. All of my blood work is optimal and I'm a lean, mean, cycling machine these days.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    Mine slowed down around 50. I eat about half of what I did in my 40s and I'm just maintaining, not losing, yet I'm just as active.
  • steph124ny
    steph124ny Posts: 238 Member
    I'm on my feet a lot at work and I lift heavy things (I'm a funeral director....LOL!!!) and I started back on the workout path last summer.I went from total couch potato to being able to complete 5 ks without too much whining. I'm up to about a 10 minute mile which I'm proud of. Bu my diet just sucks and I'm working on it.
  • LivLovLrn
    LivLovLrn Posts: 580 Member
    I think part of the problem is that we still eat like we are teenagers/early 20's and expect the same results...our bodies just can't take that any more LOL
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm on my feet a lot at work and I lift heavy things (I'm a funeral director....LOL!!!) and I started back on the workout path last summer.I went from total couch potato to being able to complete 5 ks without too much whining. I'm up to about a 10 minute mile which I'm proud of. Bu my diet just sucks and I'm working on it.

    So it's how much you're putting in your mouth and not your metabolism, which has been pointed out, hasn't slowed that significantly since your 20s. Lose the excuses and the weight will follow (harsh I know but true, everyone who wants to lose weight goes through it).
  • lizlemon4
    lizlemon4 Posts: 36 Member
    Think of all the non-scale accomplishments your making. You are exercising more, trying to eat better. I'm pretty sure your heart, lungs, and every little cell in your body are thanking you for that much. Ditch the soda (EVEN DIET) ditch the fast food. Start eating tons of fruits and veggies, drink more water. It takes work and determination ( I had to turn down pizza and a krispy kreme donut this week ) but its all worth it. you can do this!!! :smiley: and yes I am 40!! :
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    I was much more successful losing in my 40s than I was when I was younger.
  • Lovee_Dove7
    Lovee_Dove7 Posts: 742 Member
    steph124ny wrote: »
    I'm on my feet a lot at work and I lift heavy things (I'm a funeral director....LOL!!!) and I started back on the workout path last summer.I went from total couch potato to being able to complete 5 ks without too much whining. I'm up to about a 10 minute mile which I'm proud of. Bu my diet just sucks and I'm working on it.

    Veggies.....protein....healthy fats.....track fiber....not too much of carbs/sugar. I went to the store tonight so I can practice what I preach! Don't look at my wonky diary today lol
  • WakkoW
    WakkoW Posts: 567 Member
    Try lifting weights in order to maintain muscle mass.

    I'm 44 and the only memo I got was from my grandmother... Use it or lose it.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Age brings stubbornness and hopefully an ability to educate oneself

    You've lost muscle mass from inactivity and gained weight from overindulgence

    Reverse both and you'll be fine ...your metabolism is not that much lower and most of it is correctable
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,944 Member
    My metabolism didn't get the memo either. I make sure I retain a good set of muscles, which both help prevent osteoporosis and give me a higher BMI than I probably had at 35.
  • suziecue20
    suziecue20 Posts: 567 Member
    I'm 67 and even my metabolism didn't get the memo - 34lbs down in 6 months.
  • tkphotogirl
    tkphotogirl Posts: 245 Member
    My metabolism didn't get the memo either (and I'm post-hysterectomy). 44 in a few weeks and 35lbs down.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    I crossed 40 with a six pack. Yes, our metabolisms do slow down as we age, but not nearly as much as we would all like to believe. The vast majority of the weight gain is caused by too much food and not enough exercise. That can be fixed.

    ^^ +1 ( minus the 6 pack, but perhaps a 4 pack :smiley: )
  • Theresad2707
    Theresad2707 Posts: 31 Member
    So true, if I were to eat n drink like I used to I would be huge, now I just need to smell it to gain weight, at 43 I've decided enough is enough and gonna push through the flab and get stuck in to healthy eating and exercise
  • Lee_Fitnesspla
    Lee_Fitnesspla Posts: 29 Member
    Wait until you're 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 - it does not get any easier, trust me.

    Stay diligent and take CHARGE! It's your body and you only get one of them.

    Yikes! You mean it gets worse?

    I was complaining to my cardiologist (she happens to be a good friend) about my metabolism shutting down almost overnight at 40. She said "wait to you get to be my age.....you'll eat a salad and gain weight". I told her she was quite the ray of sunshine :/