Interesting question. I'm 42, almost 5'7 and weigh 125lb - just under 9 stone. I started at 157lb in July and my goal was 10 stone - a weight I hadn't been since my late 20s. I did low carb, 5:2 and Shred. I found 5:2 fast days made me unhappy and stressed (am breast feeding) and the idea of 5:2 is you eat what you want 5x week but stay under 500 cals 2 x weekly.
The upsides were I learned to tube in to what real hunger felt like, and found I could exercise when fasting which rips through visceral abdominal fat like nothing else. The downsides were I felt unwell and obsessed with food.
I started looking more at paleo/ primal and research on fasting. I found that women often do better on shorter fasts - 14 hours, not longer but still gain benefits from resting the digestive system and tuning into body signals. I didn't want to disrupt my hormonal balance and so I experimented with 16:8 - basically starting to eat late morning and avoiding breakfast which is often wheat-y/carb/ baked goods/cereal based offerings. Instead I embraced work outs then brunch.
Maybe a few nuts or yog/berries or coconut oil and coffee before a heavy work out.
It worked well for me and I lost a lot of body fat. I'm now very lean and ripped - measured with callipers by a pro my body fat was 17 percent.
I don't want to go lower and risk early menopause.
I don't have time to eat slowly as am SAHM to autistic toddler. Food is eaten fast whilst doing other things and prepared fast. That is a regret but it's how life is
I am on the go all day. My hours exercise when I'm in my body without my brain whirring is my release. Food is pleasant fuel. I find it easier to be disciplined and say: I don't eat refined, or bread, or sugar than to moderate. I sometimes treat myself to sushi, or flatbread with a meal. Once in a blue moon a piece of dark choc or cherry dipped in dark choc. If I'm rushed I eat ultra low carb: ham and cheese and chicken and spinach. (I'm often rushed and will come in at 30g carbs)
I drink dry white wine most nights.
I am still getting used to my new body.
I look like a dancer now.
It still surprises me.
I don't want to go back but I'd like more time to enjoy my food.
Today I had: scrambled eggs in a wrap, pole class
No lunch. 2 drumsticks, a carrot, and broccoli with butter.
Lobster tails with spinach salad (live in Caribbean: it's cheap lobster season)
Not enough veg basically.
Not enough time!