Why the f*** can’t I lose weight? I’m doing everything right

[Sorryagain]

Postmeno, 55, want to lose half a stone. I don’t like my weight. I’ve always worked out, done lots of heavy-ish weights and eaten healthily but in the last month I’ve really upped weights a lot. I’ve also

• kept to a low calorie count (20% off my TEE - track food most days. Try to keep to 3 meals but some days I do graze but not over cal limit
• upped protein most days to around 100-120g a day
• upped walking to try to do 7.5-10k a day
• added at least one HITT class onto 3 days weight training
• drink more water (my weakness)

i don’t drink, I eat v little sugar and almost no white stuff

the scales have moved by 1lb! I’m so fucked off.

I know post meno it’s hard but this is ridiculous.

I feel stronger, though, and I sense more muscle definition. But I don’t believe muscle will weigh more and keep me at this weight

thoughts? It’s v un motivating

I assume you’re not losing weight due to increased muscle mass, which is a good thing as you age.

For weight loss, food intake is more relevant than exercise. Have you tried intermittent fasting, e.g. only eating during an 8 hour window?

A calorie deficit will cause weight loss though. Sadly for you, it literally is that simple. What makes it less simple for people is realising they might need more of a deficit to take into account a slower metabolism, poor self control or not being truthful about kcal. They all add up.

I haven’t reported anything.

It’s simply not true that it’s ’difficult to put on more than a few grams of muscle as a woman’. Total rubbish. I gained around 6lbs in muscle, just from resistance Pilates. Some women gain muscle very easily, even in middle age. I’m the same dress size as I was before.

It’s also not true that it’s only on arms and legs. Mine is all over - my arms and legs are toned, but I also I have abs and glutes.

I also recommend you only weigh yourself once a week. If you do it every day, you’ll drive yourself insane. I can easily fluctuate a kilo during a week.

I’m peri and I have tried a few things such as keto, low calorie, slim fast blah blah . The only thing that has ever worked for me is limiting my carbs to 100 a day. It’s manageable enough so that I can have potatoes or something I like for tea but I’m good for breakfast and lunch. You’ll be surprised at what you can have. Because I don’t miss out I find o stick to it longer and I’ve lost a stone on it. It’s not a fast fix more of a lifestyle but I did see changed in a few weeks

This is a good tip. If you will do it every day it should be exactly the same time in the morning before food/drink. As you want this to be a longer term thing, weigh weekly.

Im 57
Only lose weight on 1000 cals a day and 16/8 simultaneously.That works for me, buy only then lose 1lb to 1.5lbs a week. So 4/6 in a month.
Sadly no short cuts for me.

Less salt, drink more, regular saunas, lymphatic drainage massages

"Plus you dont need to be eating protein at that rate, make sure you have plenty of fibre, for your weight around 60g of protein is fine."

One gram per pound of body weight is advised for 'normal' people, but we are told that if trying to lose weight over 40 or trying to do body recomposition from fat to muscle it should be closer to 2g per pound so I understand OP's target. I find it completely impossible though as a vegetarian.

Same, I've been on fast 800 or variations for twenty years. I'm 55 been perimfor 15 years

Muscle weighs more than fat. Are you feeling trimmer?

OP is in a calorie deficit but the scales aren’t moving - so it’s obviously not that simple is it.

She isnt in a calorie deficit sufficient for her requirements (although she has lost a pound but she would like to lose it quicker)

The reality is that you find out what your requirements are by trial and error, a calculation online is a good guide but you can only work it out by ensuring you track it accurately and then work out if you're losing in line with that.

There is no science in the world that can show that you acquire weight in a deficit of fuel.

In a previous job I sometimes did 16k steps a day. It was a sedentary office job, but I walked there and back and had to go down to reception several times a day. Now, I struggle to reach 10k because my job is different...

You’ve asked this question in the worst possible place. On Mumsnet anyone eating over 1k calories a day and getting any kind of enjoyment from food is a lazy slovenly glutton

It is true. Please provide evidence of where Middle Aged women in a calorie deficit doing moderate exercise are able to create enough new muscle to physically increase their clothes size.

By definition she herself is not in calorie deficit, or she would be losing weight!

Actually, you have the opposite on MN. Anyone who says something like they wouldn't have another meal if they had a three course meal for lunch will get called a 'teeny tiny' or accused of 'competitive undereating'. Anyone who is realistic about women needing a lot less food than men (in general) will be called sexist.

Unless there are other factors post menopause such as the body needing to hold on to its remaining oestrogen in the mid section.

She's not gaining muscle in enough quantities to increase the scales.

while i agree it won’t all be new muscle weight, i personally love seeing how my body fluctuates between muscle and fat weight.

i have these scales which were recommended by my husband’s nutritionist.

they also measure visceral fat.

uk.pricecompare24.com/product/omron-bf511-family-body-composition-monitor/B0033AGBW0/?wbraid=Cj4KCAjwkZm_BhBZEi4Ay__IKedqt5cB3bIdI_ZWt4_V7Rynw4rbiJ_Zj4vlU5dXAJ97Ail6ZNKrdBcBGgKrZw&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-QI-Cr95XX1XWFH7AjM82LyOxhS5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKdZnNSUlDowmg3hc8m7DAP9PIxfKLMBXiCQgtgC1csTtUe0lcOjBlMaAlt7EALw_wcB

She is losing weight! Just slowly

The number on the scales might reduce but that would be muscle loss and not fat loss.

Which at her age would not be good!

I agree with the others you need to eat less (also agree that it is miserable). It’s harder to lose weight at your age and also as you are not overweight - your body doesn’t need many calories to maintain current weight

Thank you! I've had a really bad couple of months with chronic sinusitis together with sleepless nights (menopause). It's seems to be improving now, but I've finally got an appt to see the doc about it 🤞🤞🤞

Looking forwards to getting back on the bike, putting on a couple of pounds of muscle, and having looser jeans again!