Does weight loss show itself differently as you get older?

[HoleyCow]

So - 6 years ago I lost 10kg. I looked so much better, everyone commented and it was amazing. Then it all crept on again. Now, I have lost it again and nobody has noticed a thing. My DH, who is a kind and honest soul, says he doesn't notice any change (he did the last time). I can "feel" the difference but I am aware that the visible changes have been different. Last time I was able to fit into a pair of new Gap Long and Lean size 12 jeans - I bought a new pair last month and can't even do them up. What's going on? (I was 41, am now 47)

Oh this has happened to me too! Have lost two stone over the last year, and I look exactly the same! Not one person, not even DH has said 'Have you lost weight?' My waistbands are a little bit loser, but I am still the same dress size - I can never fathom out these 'drop a dress size in two weeks' diets! But at least we know we have lost the weight, and we must be the healthier for it, but wouldnt it be nice if just one person noticed! And dont forget, the sizing of clothes has really changed the last few years as well, so the size trousers you bought may well have been called a different size a few years back.

Hmmm - I'm wondering if I've lost it all off places like my arms and calves which are less obvious :). Oh well, maybe they'll all notice the next 6kg!

Are you less muscular/ toned than before? That makes a big difference, as a lb of muscle is more compact than a lb of fat. Also, if you had dc in the intervening years, your hips and ribs can widen, which might affect your dress size.

I suppose it's possible that I'm less toned, although I was nerver very toned before. No - no dc in the intervening years.

Sadly I believe you do start to lose muscle tone in your 40's, so I suspect that is the issue.

Well hopefully people will notice when I lose another 6 kg. I find it hard to believe (and bloody depressing) that nobody will notice when I've lost nearly three stone!!

Put like that it sounds really sad! Maybe they are all being super polite and don't want to imply you were a heifer? Or you dressed so well they couldn't tell? Or you need new clothes to show off your shape?!

You need a tape measure rather than scales. If you use that and make a record then you can see where you need to be. I'm currently aiming for my pre-pregnancy weight but I know I'll probably have to lose another half stone to get back to my pre-pregnancy waist measurement.