To ask if it is actually possible to lose middle aged spread?

[Fairyliz]

I'm in my 50's 5ft 6inches tall and weight 9 stone; so I don't think anyone would think I was overweight.

However, I have a terrible figure, skinny legs and arms and a barrel shaped torso. My friend who is two stone heavier than me actually has quite shapely limbs but an even bigger barrel torso. Looking around at other middle aged women we are all the same shape if different weights, whereas young women whatever their size seem to go in and out.

So AIBU to ask if it is ever possible to regain a waist and if so how?

Yes of course it's possible. You lose weight around your waist exactly the same way you do at any other age - diet control and exercise. I see plenty of women in their 50's, 60's and upwards in good shape at my swimming pool.
A lot of people swear by a low carb diet, especially as you get older. We're also learning more about how important exercise is for general good health.

I am 54, I have put on weight since hitting my 50s but weight is dropping off on the Blood Sugar Diet (low carb) I am shocked at how easily it is coming off.

Another one advocating low carbs (and go easy on the fat too)! Early 60s - lost a stone recently by ditching carbs and cutting back on the fat. The right kind of exercise will also improve general muscle tone.

I'm 52 and have been dieting for a couple of mths ready for my holiday - I usually weigh 9st 10 ish though was 9st 13 before diet started and am currently 9st 3.
I'm a little curvy and have always had a defined waist but I have to work harder to keep it now.
Tend too loose weight off waist, back, boobs and last of all hips/lower stomach.

Yes DM is nearly 70 and has the figure of 25yo after doing the Blood Sugar Diet/ 5:2.... or some Michael Moseley thing anyhow. She looks incredible and has come off her blood pressure meds!

Forgot to add when cutting back/dieting I try to cut out most bread, all cakes and biscuits and only have 1 chocolate bar per week. I exercise as before - 2 running sessions and 1 yoga session weekly - yoga is excellent for toning.

Yes, I am 53 and have lost 30 pounds in the last 17 nonths by cutting back a bit on treats and walking. My flabby midriff has gone. I am now back to being an hourglass. I didn’t think I would ever be this shape again.

I have this problem but it's improved by cutting out bread pasta and anything baked with flour etc. Not sure if it was the gluten or carbs but there you go.

The thing is I don't actually want to lose weight overall just off my stomach. Is that possible?

Read the science on keto and low carb diets OP. There's a connection between insulin and laying fat in the middle area. Diet Doctor or Blood Sugar diet website explain it better than I can.
I do the MN Low carb bootcamp and it works. So glad I know about this way of eating now. Wish I knew 10 years ago. Woudn't have been carrying around an extra 2.5 stone throughout my forties.

1200 cals per day. Lots of exercise. Dull but works.

You can't lose weight just from certain areas, you lose weight from all over your body. People (well, women) tend to carry weight in different places. Your body shape indicates that you are carrying visceral fat ('hidden' excess fat around your internal organs). If I was you I would sort out your diet and start a proper excercise regime that includes cardio and weight bearing excercise.
I have never had a defined waist even when I was very thin because I go straight up and down, but excercising means that I don't gain too much abdominal fat.

I have the same tendency OP.
In my 50s, same height and weight.

I do exercise and try to limit refined carbs.

One encouraging thing I have noticed is that although my belly is the first place I put weight on when I gain, it's also the first place I lose from too. I have skinny arms and legs but do weight training to increase muscle in my limbs to make them more shapely

I have rediscovered my waist after joining exercise classes. Pilates and yoga are good for posture and flexibility, Zumba is great fun, cardio includes stuff that will trim the mid section and Booty Barre does side crunches and waist trimming as well as booty trimming.