Metabolism & weight loss at 39?

[Evianne529]

I know this is a well worn question but here I go. I am yearning to lose about half a stone very quickly, as a short, sharp kick up the bum to motivate myself. The context is that I am not overweight, but I am at BMI 25 and would like to bring it down to around 21 ideally. I am a size 12 and my belly is my problem area although I know I can't target weight loss and I'd like to lose weight all over, generally.

My "problem" in terms of weight loss is that I am very healthy already- I don't eat sugar or refined or processed foods, and the only dairy I have is a splash of skimmed milk in my morning coffee. I count calories and eat loads of veg and fish, generally high protein low carb. I exercise about 3-4 times a week (strength training and cardio), plus I walk a lot in my normal life. I also drink 3 litres of water daily. My partner says he doesn't understand why I'm not stick thin with my diet.

I'm 39 and feel like my metabolism has just sort of got stuck. Does anyone with a similar experience have a suggestion of how I can kick start this weight loss?

Thank you x

Bumping anyone?

In all honesty, I thought I had written this! I had a thread a month or so back only mine was also questioning if it was because I was still breastfeeding.

Kind of similar to you, I’ve been on 1200 calories a day for months and nothing shifted. It’s so demoralising. I’m now trying 16:8 as the intermittent fasting is meant to be good for stabilising metabolism.

It’s so rubbish though. I really don’t know what’s happening. Unlike you, I’m really uncomfortably overweight because I have t shifted the baby weight. I need to lose about 2 stone. I do kettlebells three times a week, and walk or scoot everywhere :(

I’m 36 and to maintain my bmi of around 18 I have to eat less than 1000 calories a day, more like 800. If I eat more than that the weight goes back on and fast. Walking a lot helps but really if I go over 1000 calories my weight creeps up and quickly.

OMG this is so depressing! But helpful- thank you!

I forgot to mention I am in 1200 calories a day max, and in do intermittent fasting- eating between the hours of 12-7. There's literally not much more I can think of to do... except for lower my calories further by upping my exercise further.

I don’t know much about it, but I think if you are consistently eating a low-calorie diet then your body just adjusts to that intake. Bodybuilders incorporate a ‘cheat day’ a week into their diet to sustain weight loss and avoid plateauing. It might be worth looking into if it’s not something you’re already doing.