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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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Original poster

Age 40+ looking to lose weight and improve fitness in 2014.

71 replies

HoneyandRum · 29/12/2013 11:15

I have found it is much harder and takes much longer for me to lose weight in my 40s. I managed to get back down to a healthy pre-dc weight and size after first two dcs (not immediately, but when I had the energy to think about it). Since I had dc3 when I was almost 38 I have never been back to where I was. It also was not a priority for a long time as three kids and life made it hard for me to focus on myself.

I managed to lose half a stone last year just by watching calories but once I lost my focus the weight went back on.

This year I want to make health and fitness for myself my focus. I would love to have some more MNs on board for mutual support. My plan is to be realistic. At the moment I am doing no exercise to speak of so plan to go back to weight training twice a week and to gradually add cardio such as walking and swimming.

To watch my food intake I plan to use Myfitnesspal and also the principals in the book "Eat to Live" which always motivates me, as a doctor explains which foods help your body and which do not with lots of scientific evidence. When I get distracted I eat way too much dairy for example.

Whose in?

OP posts:

cookieowner · 15/01/2014 13:12

madwomanintheatt1c. (sorry!)

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 11/02/2014 10:11

Hey girls are you still out there?! I am resurrecting this thread - after all my good intentions we suddenly got some unexpected news that we have to move (renting abroad and owners coming back). So that threw me off, and since then I have manged to munch through some delicious food and have managed to put weight on! .

When I stood on the scales last night I decided I had to get my arse in gear - so have FINALLY changed my name on MFP (am now HoneyandRumGermany ) Is anyone willing to get back on the 40+ wagon with me (or maybe you already have been doing great since the New Year?)

Honey x

OP posts:

StoneToGo · 11/02/2014 23:00

Am I too late to join?

I'm 48, 5 feet 8 or so, currently 11 stone which is very heavy for me - was 10 stone this time last year. Put on weight due to moving around less due to new job sitting about more and too much wine. I go to the gym but don't have time to move around anymore than I already do. I hate the idea of becoming a middle aged blob and can't wait to get rid of this fat.

I need some sort of structure, but not too many rules - totally confused whether to go for primal, low carb, calorie counting. Would love to see the science behind them all but not sure where to see a precis and find the best one.

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 12/02/2014 14:58

Hi stonetogo so glad someone checked in. I have found the best thing for me is if something is working stick with it - MFP really helped last year so I started yesterday. I already have lost a couple of pounds but I think that seems to be down to giving myself food poisoning (or maybe it was a stomach bug) yesterday . Would you like to set a goal for the end of the month?

OP posts:

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 12/02/2014 17:46

Gah! DH brought Thai home - I've been so good today so am resisting as 4 people munch around me!

OP posts:

HowGoodIsThat · 12/02/2014 17:55

Still here - managed to lose the thread somehow.

Going OK actually. I have stuck to 5:2, been getting to Pilates weekly. I have cycled for the last three weekends and totaled 90km last weekend. I am struggling to keep up the swimming - it is too wet and cold.

8lbs lost since New Year.

ONWARDS!

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 12/02/2014 19:07

Awesome Howgoodisthat appropriate name there!

I'm still recovering from my bug and just munched a salad instead of Thai. I hope to start some exercising - back to weight training next week and walking.

OP posts:

StoneToGo · 12/02/2014 20:22

Today I have counted calories. For the first time in years I have been starving all day, but have eaten way more than usual - just thinking of dieting makes me hungry. I am also exhausted, despite having eaten more than usual. Or - maybe I normally eat more than I realise, but I don'think it is that.

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 13/02/2014 05:35

Have you tried My Fitness Pal? It's very easy to use and straightforward if you are counting calories. I had never done that before, I lost weight after my first 2 DCs by cutting certain things from my diet and excercise. I used MFP last year for a while and lost at least 7 pounds. So I started it again this week. I was 151 at the weekend and am 147 today.

My goal is to be under 140 by the end of the month, I haven't been under that since I was pregnant with my third, in fact I weighed a lot more I was over 170 I think. Once I get below 10 stone I will just keep going and see where it takes me.

I am jettisoning all dairy and as many animal products as I can - and eating veg, fruit, beans, small amount of whole grains, onion, tomatoes and mushrooms and a sprinkling of nuts, tofu and drink a ton of water. My diet should be mostly fresh veg (greens) and some cooked starchy veg (I'm not quite there yet!) the more fresh veg you eat the more you will lose. It's low in calories and takes a lot of energy for your body to digest.

You may be exhausted because you are detoxifying but also you need to get enough nutrition even if you cut calories. What are you eating?

OP posts:

HowGoodIsThat · 13/02/2014 13:57

That's why I like the 5:2 - it doesn't feel like dieting. I am surprised by how not hungry I am - or how long I can stave off hunger with another drink. And if it does feel tough, I just think - I can eat tomorrow.

And I don't pig out the next day so it works. I don't feel deprived or like I have this whole counting/monitoring thing hanging over me.

I am also trying to think along the lines of "What do fit people do?" so I gander at what thin, fit people are buying at the checkout or eating in the cafe. Its quite inspiring.

I have also had the bombshell of high cholesterol levels as a result of my first GP middle-age health MOT. That is also forcing me to review my diet - lots more nuts and oats for a start...

Dosey · 13/02/2014 17:43

I also do the 5:2 and it is so easy. I enjoy my fast days and the feeling afterwards. I never thought I would be able to do it when I first started but its like giving your eating habits a health check. I used to binge eat on my non fast days but I also do 16:8 on my eating days and this also helps. On my eating days, no food is restricted. I have been doing this for 18 months now and it just feels normal.

StoneToGo · 15/02/2014 12:58

I may investigate 5:2. HoneyandRum I was eating fairly healthily - I think it was just because it was my first day and I was trying not to eat too much - it is easier now thanks.

JemimaJones · 15/02/2014 22:58

Hi, I'm losing my excess fat this year but I refuse to diet as for me they don't work....any of them. If they did I wouldn't still be trying to lose weight
I eat whatever I want as long as I'm truly hungry. Have lost eight pounds so far this year. It's definitely harder over 40.

StoneToGo · 16/02/2014 21:23

Jemima that's amazing. I don't really get hungry any more though - maybe I should just not eat until I do. Also, how do you work that around family mealtimes.

JemimaJones · 17/02/2014 11:05

I don't eat until I'm hungry. If I make sure I leave enough hours without eating before dinner then I'm generally hungry enough.

forgetdieting · 17/02/2014 16:17

I don't think I could live without the food I enjoy. I stopped following diet after diet and finally lost weight. If you've got time, cooking your own food means you'll prob take in less salt and preservatives etc. I suppose I now eat when I'm hungry like you Jemima, that's about every 4 to 5 hours for me.

JemimaJones · 17/02/2014 17:11

Stopping dieting is definitely the way to go forget isn't it. It frees up all that angst spent working out how much you are eating and if its low fat or low cal etc. Now just eat when my body is really hungry for food and stop the minute im feeling satisfied. And you lose weight. Whats not to like.

forgetdieting · 18/02/2014 08:14

Unfortunately hunger can be triggered by many things - stress and psychological issues etc. Sometimes you can't wait to eat until you're hungry. There are just too many FADDY diets out there promising weight loss, some even portraying themselves as healthy. When you stop a faddy diet all the weight piles back on quickly in my experience.

Parsley1234 · 19/02/2014 10:18

Hi am 47 lost 30lbs vlcd kept off for three years now 10 2 and looking to lose few lbs and tone up going to start primal 21 next week recipes look great and joined my fitness pal last night. Am fast walk jog every day with strength bearing exercises too have had a trainer for a year which really helped but having a break re finances for few months ! This looks like grt thread

Original poster

HoneyandRum · 22/02/2014 10:10

So far I've lost 5 pounds in 11 days, I hope I can lose 5 more by the end if the month.

OP posts:

HowGoodIsThat · 06/05/2014 08:32

IS anyone still active?

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