Weight gain

[HexBramble]

I've put on weight, post-summer. I sometimes tend too, but it's mostly been an inch all over, too tight trousers etc etc. I don't know whether it's because I'm older (41) but I find that my belly and the fat around my back is enormous. I'm a 12-14' but I have an enormous belly, literally one huge roll. It's grotesque, and coupled with the inch (or two) all over, I'm feeling just uuuuurgh.

I'm also worried about diabetes.

Maybe go for a check up with your Dr incase it's thyroid related.
Your metabolism does slow down in your 40's.
Probably best to have some blood tests to check your hormones.

Have you worked out your calorific needs and how much you are eating?

You need to re-think perhaps because at 40 you don't need as many calories as you do at 20 or 30 unless you are doing masses of activity.

How do I work out my calorific needs?

And my thyroid dipped post pregnancy a few years ago but it seemed to balance out after about a year of 50mcg thyroxine. Perhaps I need to get it checked again.

Hi HexBramble :)

I wouldn't worry too much... where there's a will there is a way :)

The best way to check you're caloric maintenance is to use a Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) Calculator... This basically calculates how many calories you're body requires to maintain the weight that you are currently at.. then once you have found this out you just take 300-400 calories off and you are sure to loose weight FACT! Just make sure you are keeping track of what calories are in you're foods! Keep them half healthy im sure you have an idea what is good and what is bad i.e. cheese burger and fries vs grilled chicken with sweet potato wedges ... lol And make sure you are getting plenty of proteins! some carbs (not too many) and you're healthy fats found in nuts, olive oil, avocado etc....

Fitness... This is very important, if you are not doing any exercise at the minute I would highly recommend to do so. Even a 30 - 45 min brisk walk a day to start off... so many benefits come from exercise.... Better moods, self confidence, fun, up lifting, great for you're mental and physical state, highly reduces the risk of illness and is just brilliant in every way! :)

I have attached a link which will take you straight to a BMR calculator
-> goo.gl/nkwGHb

I hope this helps, Think positive, Be motivated, Stay focused and Do it for yourself because you owe it to yourself :)

Zara thank you. What a lovely positive post. Made me well up a bit actually.

I'll let you all know how I get on!

Aw no problem Hex, that's great glad I could help a bit :)

Hope all goes well :)

Ah OP I feel your pain!

Same here - I do tend to put a bit on over the summer- all those balmy evenings sipping wine. Eating out and holidays.

However this year it's been ridiculous. I even joined up at Weight Watchers. I was the heaviest I have ever been - aside from during pregnancy.

I am mid 40s -and have the belly. I have always in the past had a pretty good stomach tone. Pretty flat -but not now.

I believe that it is harder as you get older - your metabolism slows down, family to feed makes meal planning more complicated etc.

So far I have lost 9lbs - but am finding that I do have to really think about what to shop for/cook for the family.

Agree with the comments about exercise too. Diet is the main thing, but keeping active does burn off some calories- and gives you a boost. I have increased the frequency and distance of my morning runs - in the hope that it'll show a lower weight on the scales.

Another thing to add while on the topic of exercise, Cardio is brilliant but resistance training actually promotes more fat loss that cardio... a mixture of both will surely gain you maximum results :)