Calling successful female slimmers over 40 - help!!

Well, ladies, I am glad I saw this post today. I am doing all I know how to do. I have researched the site thoroughly, changed many of my habits - including raising the calories I eat. My weight has gone up, the inches have not budged. I would just like to see some kind of progress as a motivator. I cannot tell you how frustrating this is...

Sorry, OP, I have nothing to add regarding successes. I am going to keep track of this thread you so generously started so maybe I can learn something!

I find as I get older I do not lose weight easily. Even staying under the calorie limit, I have to add a lot of exercise. I don't eat back my exercise points. I do eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables and cold water fish (2 times per week). I don't eat any other meat, dairy or eggs. I use the Fitbit monitor and walk at least 10000 steps per day, climb at least 10 flights of stairs, do an hour of Zumba 3-4 times per week and do weight training 2 times per week. Sometimes I swim 45 minutes of laps instead of Zumba. I have lost 45 pounds in the last couple of years. When I stopped paying attention to how much exercise I was doing, I gained some back. I lost it again when I started doing more exercise and paying more attention to the calorie count.

For me, it is easier if I log the food before I eat it. That way I can adjust portions if I need to. Also, since I gave up dairy and eggs, it is easier to bypass all the baked goodies that show up in our office lunch room. I work four 10-13 hour days a week. So it was a little challenging to get in the exercise. I find I can get in the 10,000 steps and stairs at work by parking further away, walking a little extra at lunch and taking the stairs. If I don't make my goal, I walk after work. I am lucky because I have a flexible schedule and can start work early so that I can get my hours in and leave in time for Zumba classes in the evening. I do weight training on my days off.

I agree with everyone who posted that the key is to just keep plugging away. At some point, you will lose even the most persistent pound if you stay on track. Good luck!

I second everything here- even the conflicting advice! You can't argue with success and what works miracles for one doesn't seem to move an ounce for another. You have to find what works for your body. For me, like many, exercise is huge- and unfortunately, as I have gotten older ( 50 this year) 30 minutes is not enough to make the changes I am after. I am at 60 minutes of various cardio six days a week and am trying to get in a day with 90 minutes. It doesn't always happen all at once-I sometimes do fast walking, etc in the evening. Also weights 2 or 3 times a week. Some days I eat back all exercise calories, some days about half, some days none at all, so I can't speak on that. I do believe you must fuel the machine.

I also drink tons of water, get plenty of fiber, and watch my sodium like a hawk. I log consistently and plan the day out so that I know what I have to work with- I also tend to eat very simply which helps me stay on top of what is going in. I do have an occasional beer etc (pizza tonight) but I do plan for it.

Since I really started using MFP consistently in February of this year I have seen change- not always pounds, often in inches. I think, as the others have said, consistency is key- if you are consistent and on target 95% of the time, the other 5% (beer, eating out) won't do damage to your goals.