Weight loss aged 40+ and post partum- possible?

[MamaMeela]

Hi all, posted this on weight loss board but it's quiet over there!

I'm 40 and had my first baby in 2020 by c-section. I've got 2.5 stone to lose ideally, or 2stone to begin with, but I had to wait for 6 months before starting strenuous exercises.

I've successfully lost weight in the past in my late 30's through low calorie, low carb, high protein, and strength /resistance training. However, this time it's not working!! The same method that lost me 2 stone aged 38 has achieved a grand total of 2lbs loss in the whole of January. For context all month I had a net of 1200-1300 calories per day, 5 strength and HIIT workouts per week plus an hours walk with the buggy. Zero sugar and loads of veg. It's a bit disheartening and demotivating as I thought I was doing really well!!

No doubt it's a combination of being 40+ and the baby weight.

Any tips on what else I can try? Has anyone out there succeeded in losing baby weight after age 40??

Have you looked at intermittent fasting e.g. 16/8 or 18/6? I had a lot of success looking weight with this last year and I'm 43.

Loosing weight.....

Ahhhhh I was just about to post the same type of thread. I’m 42, have had 2 children in the last 4 years and the bastard weight won’t shift. I want to lose 10kg (so 1.5 stone??).
I run 15k a week, walk lots, eat sensibly and boringly but nothing is shifting at all. I’m trying to shift the post baby tummy weight but it’s not working. I’m
Looking for tips.

@ilovespinach thanks for this. I have sort of done this before in the past - just naturally. Perhaps worth a try again. It would mean eating with my baby at 5pm though, as my DH and I normally eat after bedtime and chores are done at around 8.30/9pm.

What kind of hours have you done?

@Twickerhun omg tell me about it!! Do you drink alcohol? I do, as I'm no
Longer breast feeding, and a glass of wine is the only thing getting me through these lockdown days. I know it's bad but I think dropping alcohol will be the only thing I can do to reduce calories, short of starving myself! I also found swimming really worked for me 2 years ago so gutted that pools near me are all closed.

@MamaMeela I normally eat 12-6, 10-6 or 12-8. That's the beauty of fasting you can tweak the hours to whatever suits.

Yes, totally possible! I'm 49 this year and have lost 4 stone over the past 3 years. Taking me from a size 14/16 to a size 8/10 at 5ft7.

Done by tracking food and exercise on FitBit to ensure calorie deficit. For exercising I do a run 6miles) and a walk (3miles) everyday.

I had ds mid-40s. Had 1.5st to lose. Taking up running worked for me. And bf ds for 12 months.

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?. I became hypo after my 40s pregnancy and one of the symptoms was not be able to lose weight despite dieting.

@pensivepigeon

Done by tracking food and exercise on FitBit to ensure calorie deficit. For exercising I do a run 6miles) and a walk (3miles) everyday.

Very inspiring! Well done, this is great! It sounds like you lost the weight quite slowly over a while?

I struggle to find time to exercise alone due to baby, but I am fitting in a 30 min strength resistance training at home each day (different body areas each day to allow muscle groups a rest). The only other main exercise is my daily walk with buggy (1hr). I want to try and squeeze in more. If gyms were open I'd use the crèche and go swimming but not possible right now.

@KellyMarieTunstall2

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?. I became hypo after my 40s pregnancy and one of the symptoms was not be able to lose weight despite dieting.

Yes I had this checked when I was poorly at my 6 week check and it's normal. I think it's just a slow metabolism due to age, baby and genes.

@Mintjulia

I had ds mid-40s. Had 1.5st to lose. Taking up running worked for me. And bf ds for 12 months.

Amazing! How fast / slowly did you lose your weight? I'm trying to improve my 2lbs a month!

Mam, I wouldn't underestimate the difference your walk and strength training can make. If you get a fitness tracker this will give you an idea of the amount of calories you burn.

Are you breastfeeding? This can inhibit weight loss.

Thanks @pensivepigeon ! I do use an Apple Watch and MyFitnessPal but I really don't burn that many calories in my walk I don't think. Hoping to try the Fast800 having seen some stuff on here about it.

@CuppaTandCake

Are you breastfeeding? This can inhibit weight loss.

No I wasn't able to continue unfortunately. The downside is as soon as I stopped I started drinking wine again...

An hour's walk will burn 300 to 500 cals depending on how far/fast you go. This can make a difference quite a difference if you consider some meals can be that much.

I lost 2.5 stone a couple of years ago by doing keto. Have managed to maintain by low carb. I'm 48.

It's the only thing in my 40s that worked for me.
I researched lots then down loaded the app carb manager and kept my carbs below 20g a day.

It was hard at first but I ended up loving keto. I just low carb now as don't want to have to track carbs forever.

[quote MamaMeela]@Twickerhun omg tell me about it!! Do you drink alcohol? I do, as I'm no
Longer breast feeding, and a glass of wine is the only thing getting me through these lockdown days. I know it's bad but I think dropping alcohol will be the only thing I can do to reduce calories, short of starving myself! I also found swimming really worked for me 2 years ago so gutted that pools near me are all closed. [/quote]
Do I drink..... erm.... yes.... sigh

My plan for drinking is to drink only weekend nights and max two a night. The reduce down from that.

Do you do a strength resistance training programme? Any details you could share?

I’m also going to try running a little longer but it’s so damn hard to get a decent break for the kids to get out.

Keep up the walking. An hour a day on your feet moving is a great start, and every bit of being up and about makes a difference. I am aiming to walk more each week.

I am 44 and my youngest DD is 4 since I went over 40 really struggled but then last year got to 11stone 8 and had to start some blood pressure medication so that was it losing weight has had to happen for my health. Started in October and simply counted calories on an app made sure I never go over 1200 calories a day. It's been slow progress but have lost a stone am now at 10st 8 have done nothing special just made sure every day I dont exceed those calories. If I exercise I can eat more so that is my incentive to do it. First 2 weeks nothing came off then it started slow and steady

Can I ask what app you use to track calories?

@pensivepigeon

An hour's walk will burn 300 to 500 cals depending on how far/fast you go. This can make a difference quite a difference if you consider some meals can be that much.

@pensivepigeon this doesn't happen to me. Eg I walked 4 miles today which took just under an hour walking at a moderate to brisk pace. Myfitnesspal / Apple Watch tells me I burned 63 calories doing that.

@Twickerhun I have followed James Haskells 8 week plan in his Perfect Fit book on my Kindle. I heard him talking about it on the radio once and I liked his attitude - he wasn't trying to sell his book as easy but said if you stick to it you will get results. He has an 8-week and also a 12 week plan. The 8-week is for beginners or those working at home with no equipment when pandemic forces gym closures. There are 5 simple sessions a week with 2 x rest days. The sessions alternate between HIIT and Resistance / Bodyweight training, but even his HIIT session contains elements of resistance. It takes 20 mins to half an hour for me each morning with baby watching, and with Wed and Sundays off.