To ask about middle age spread

[SpeckledHem]

Since my mid forties I have gained weight which collects around my tummy and hips. I don’t eat any more, or differently compared to any other part of my adult life. Despite being active and following a healthy life style my weight seems to be going up not down and it’s really getting me down. Is this about age rather than calories?

I use macrosinc.net and then the fat loss calculator. When it gets to the activity section pick one of the sedentary options - unless you are a lumberjack working 12 hour days . They email you a free ebook too which is helpful.

My protein is set at 106g - I log in MFP. I hwve lost 2 stone since Feb - it's been steady between 0.5 to a max of 2lbs per week. I don't use protein powders or shakes as I hate them so my protein comes from eggs, tuna, chicken,, greek yoghurt etc. I was sceptical to start with but it really does work. As I am over 50 I didn't really want to lose lots of muscle mass and I think this helps. I bulk my meals out with lots of veg too. My calories are set at 1487 for my weight/height so I don't feel deprived either.

Not so much the weight as changing shape at 57, added to that hormonal depression ( evil it is😡), along with my mild bi polar no hrt.
I love if I calorie count, mainly off middle.

You need less calories as you age, so if you eat less, move more that will help counteract this

A study debunked the thing about metabolism slowing with age.
What does happen with age, as I understand it, is:

1. You store fat in different places; and
2. You stop building/maintaining muscle naturally (hence weights); and
3. If you eat on average (hypothetically) 100 cal over the amount you need for a stable body weight, then by mid 40's on you have done that for enough years to create the additional tyre.

I have it too 😞

I also think it's harder to lose at older ages. In my 20's and 30's all I had to do was skip a couple of dinners and it would all snap back into where it belonged.

I'm feeling inspired to try 16/8/ how frequently do people do it?

A study debunked the thing about metabolism slowing with age

I imagine PP is thinking about this study.

I've tried hard to understand it.
Problem for me is... my 17yo DS eats hugely more than I do. but does hugely less activity (he is skinny & my weight is steady).

17yo me ate hugely more AND did a lot less exercise than 54 yr old me -- so how does that work if we are about the same weight? If nor metabolism difference, what did 17 yr old me do with the extra calories.

I can repeat that statement comparing 54yo me with 24 or 29 or 35yr old me. And it's even more obvious difference for 47yo DH. Young Me & DH were famous in our social circle for hoovering up leftovers at every restaurant meal, our housemates bought us enormous dinner plates. Now we eat moderate-size meals & can skip them completely.

DH has tracked his activities for 25 years and he does hugely more exercise now than he did 25 yrs ago. So where did the extra calories we ate 25 yrs ago go, if not on metabolic differences?

@NeverRTFT

A study debunked the thing about metabolism slowing with age. What does happen with age, as I understand it, is:

1. You store fat in different places; and
2. You stop building/maintaining muscle naturally (hence weights); and
3. If you eat on average (hypothetically) 100 cal over the amount you need for a stable body weight, then by mid 40's on you have done that for enough years to create the additional tyre.

I have it too 😞

I also think it's harder to lose at older ages. In my 20's and 30's all I had to do was skip a couple of dinners and it would all snap back into where it belonged.

This seems a bit contradictory - if your muscle mass decreases, that will slow your metabolism.

@Jezzballs2000

I'm feeling inspired to try 16/8/ how frequently do people do it?

I do 4 days a week and find that works well.

I lost a lot of weight doing 16/8 IF previously and plan to do it again in the New Year.

I am determined to get healthy in 2022.

Yes, tis the bastarding menopause.

I put on SO much weight eating the same, going to the gym 4 times a week as I always had. I diet, nothing happens. It is shit.

I do 16/8 all the time. Pretty much as a way of life. I don't diet or count calories, just stop eating after 8pm until 12 noon the next day. Just been away and as breakfast was included, I did 10-6 ish but didn't keep to it well, as I wasn't going to spoil anyone's fun. Couldn't wait to get back in the routine when back home though. I could feel my waist getting wider every day

I swear by the 16/8 eating plan.

For lunch my sandwich consists of one slice of bread
For eve meal 1/2 of my plate is salad, 1/4 fish/meat, 1/4 carbs
I have honey instead of sugar in hot drinks
I rarely drink juice or fizz - only when eating out
I have reduced my dairy intake

I am the same dress size as I was in my 20's and 30's, however not quite as toned on arms and thighs. I can live with this.

For a year I walked 40 minutes five days a week and did 16/8. I ceased walking for a few months and added no weight at all.

Exercise is so important for our health regardless of our weight. But I do think hormones have a part to play as does diet and emotional/mental health. I’m 42 and heading towards peri. I am looking into HRT for when I need it

I feel so much better when i do cardio it really helps anxiety/mood, I do smaller weights via bands and yoga too. I also go for a walk a lot . I work 12.5 hour days on a ward and move around 5 miles a shift.

Food wise I don’t strictly do intermittent but I stop eating at 6pm most days and don’t eat till gone 9:30. But I do have a coffee in the morning. I have a varied healthy diet but no interest in giving up carbs. I just have smaller amounts.

I don’t weigh myself but feel it in my clothes when weight increases and tbh I have to do all the above to stay a size 12. I probably eat around 1600 calories a day. Maybe a tad more. I’m fully expecting to have to change more as I age.

I'm 56 and not overweight (bmi 20), but my middle has definitely increased. I do 18:6 daily and run 50 miles a week, plus cycle and walk. Should do weights as it's very important for bone density but I have no idea how to and I like being outside. Eating low carb definitely helps, as does reducing sugar and not eating any processed food. It's hormonal too. HRT has also helped me a lot.

I’ve just had some kettle bell weights delivered- not sure what to do with them 🤣 I’ll have to look on YouTube

Kettlebell swings. 👍