To ask which diet has worked best after 40

[WorriedMum192]

I have a considerable amount of weight to lose (4 stone) and my body fat percentage is alarmingly high. Last year I got diagnosed as pre-diabetic and I've tried all sorts to lose weight (paleo/fast diet/MFP) and trained for and run a half-marathon, but the scales have refused to budge and I weigh exactly the same as last year, with the same high fat percentage.

I'm not lacking motivation as I really want to avoid full-blown diabetes, I've tried so hard but it seems so much harder than in my 20s and 30s. I lost about 1.5 stone with Weight Watchers for my wedding 10 tears ago but I no longer agree with that scheme as they seem quite tolerant of processed food which now thanks to paleo I can't stand.

I can only think that having two kids and turning 40 has changed my metabolism for the worse. So, I'd like to ask, for those of you over 40 which diet or way of eating has proven most successful for you to lose weight and lose fat?

Many thanks!

My DW does 5 /2. She's lost about 2 stone. I did it too, lost a stone but ultimately it made me food obsessed! 2 of my friends do Slimmer's World and have lost a lot of weight and are keeping it off.

Good luck!!

So watching with interest..... If anyone is thinking of saying and exercise more please don't. I am lucky as my bloods are all fine but I cannot shift the fat, I can run, do intense fitness sessions along with the skinny minnies , push weights but I cannot shift the fat that sits there on top of the muscle.
I am honestly thinking of trying the blood group diet as I have seen amazing results on a few friends but some of the ok foods are rather expensive.

Opps should read eat less excercise more...

SLimming World worked for me - lost nearly 4st when I was 42 and have kept most of it off although am currently struggling to loose the 10lbs I have gained

I think I can list them in a single line:

1. None.

Diets that worked in the past simply don't work, so I would be checking this thread for other possibilities.

No diet has helped me, but having 40 minutes of pilates every morning in front of the TV made a huge difference to my figure. I also felt so light and fit it felt like I could fly (i know, I know, but even climbing flights of stairs was pleasurable at that time )

There is something that work but that I cannot be bothered to follow nowadays: Do not mix proteins with carbohidrates and stop using sugar.

If you stop using sugar you don't feel that hungry. And not eating carbohidrates until 4 hrs after proteins, or proteins until 2 hrs after carbs helps you get slimmer even if you are having the same foods.

It's a simple science, if you have the motivation then you need to eat less calories than your basal metabolic rate. You can find your BMR online. Fat doesn't stick around for no reason.
Try more cardio & less weight training.

Find your calories from lean meats, veg, fruit etc. Brown rices & pasta etc.

Like I said, fat doesn't just stick to you & not shift for no reason.

Cycling is excellent for me op.

Also Zumba? Vegs and fruit.

Cut out bread and pasta.

High Fat Low Carb Boot Camp.

A new one has just started on Mumsnet, so great to get support while adapting to this Way of Eating. On phone so can't link but look in the Low Carb topic and I think there's a Boot Camp topic.

Juicing plus paleo and excercise

Every day:

Breakfast - nutribullet juice, plus boiled egg, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes

Lunch - paleo

Diner - paleo

Snack - small nutribullet juice

Every day:

Walk 20,000 steps. That's might be a run or walk before breakfast, or can just be going about with daily life. Always walk instead of bus/ car where possible.

Swim twice a week. 30 mins lengths.

I've been doing the 5:2 diet for a few months, find it fantastic. Feels like I'm only dieting part-time, and no foods are off-bounds.

It's dropped out of fashion but dukan worked for me.

I'm in the same boat. 3 stone overweight but on slimming world last year I only lost 3 pounds. So far ive been low carbing since easter and have had zero sugar. I've gained a pound. I have will power of steel and admit I'm very confused and pretty miserable about it.

Slimming world worked for me.

And using my fitness pal has helped me curve over eating. My medication makes me hungry, so I try to drink instead of eating.

Another 5/2 here.
It's good for me as l know that on my fast day l can look forward to normal eating the next day. Lost almost 2 stone

Your metabolism slows down as you age into middle age and beyond. Fact.

I was advised by a professional in the field that to lose 500 cal per day I should drop 200 cal from food (that's a Mars bar, or 3 digestive biscuits - not asking much!) and 300 cal from increased exercise. It's working - very slowly, but it IS working. I had about 1.5 stone to shift and am more than half way there, after 6 months. I think my diet changes are sustainable: reducing sugar, fat and carbs; eating more fruit (but not too much - sugars!), eating more veg. My exercise is walking.

Honest food diary. Daily exercise. Boring, but effective.

In addition:
Cut out refined sugar -become that person that's just not fussed about cakes/biscuits/white carbs, and therefore never eats them.
Nothing to drink except water, tea and coffee.
Small plates, and measured portions.
Loads of veg and some fruit each day.
Largely avoid bread.

Being short of time I decided to try a simplistic approach. I almost halved my portion sizes, eat 3 healthy meals a day, no snacking in between, decrease my fruit intake, increase my raw veg intake. This way, I st sit with the family for the same meal, no measuring, thinking about food combinations, etc.

However, I do relax a little at the weekend, having wine, chocolate, whatever takes my fancy but not excessively.

I do exercise as well for fitnes which does help as well.

I've been doing this for two years so it has proved sustainable which I th is crucial when choosing any diet/healthy lifestyle.

It is doable but the trick is finding what works for you.

I've been doing the 5:2 diet since January. It works for me and is the only diet I've ever felt I could stick to for the rest of my life.

I also use MFP to record my calories. If you are genuinely eating fewer calories than your TDEE, and you're still not losing weight, maybe you should see your doctor about getting your thyroid levels checked.

Have you posted on the weight loss boards on here?

raging jelly. Bean wins the prize...

Yup well at times science baffles the experts. I can safetly say that I eat aorund about my BMR , brown wheat, low sugar ( mainly via fruit) white lean meat , fish blah blah blah . Water , reduced caffene Do 4 x weekly cardio maybe a 1hr row not a slow one, TRX at home . Zitlch but I do have energy ! I can also eat a biscuit drink a glass or 2 of wine have a meal out and still stay the same. .... All went down hill after child no1 and accelerated after child no 2 , menopause on the way probably and I feel fucked !!!!!!

I've tried three that helped me lose a stone. Now I can't lose a thing and my metabolism and attitude about food is fucked. Wish I hadn't bothered with the last one.

I'm over 40, would like to lose 1-1.5 stone and struggling at the moment.

I started slimming world a month before my 40th. I lost 5 stone in 10 months.

I've never eaten so much. I just about don't have bread or much alcohol.

I eat very low fat and lean meats, fish, lots of veg, some fruit, potato, rice, pasta and cook from scratch to avoid hidden fat and sugar.

Anything can work but the biggest change needs to be a commitment to try something. To accept that weight control is about a series of compromises. Those compromises are yours to make no one else say whats right for you, which is why i like slimming world. I know I'd much rather a bag of crisps and a small chocolate bar than an icecream or glass of wine but the plan gives me that flexibility.

Slimming World. I use it as a base for a healthy diet, not 'a diet' if you know what I mean. I've basically adapted all my favourites, the only things I've really cut back on is bread and butter. Have lost 1.5 stone in 12 weeks and feel great.

I'm mid 40s. 5 2 fasting. And recording food on mfp.