Weight loss aged over 45

[StripeyCurtains]

Doe anyone have any success stories after achieving weight loss when aged 45+ ? I've realised that my eating and drinking habits need to change; I used to be able to eat and drink anything and stay a size 8-10, but now I'm a 12-14 and I need to reign it in before my self confidence hits a rock bottom. Am avoiding mirrors, cameras, sex and anything that reminds me that I'm getting older and fatter.

Older I can cope with - I can't do anything about that, but fatter is something I can tackle. I need to lose about 30lbs.

How did you do it?

Have lost 16kg over the past two years (well actually two patches of six months), using myfitnesspal - roughly speaking a eat less/do more approach, but with a sprinkle of low carb. I'm a bit stuck at the moment, would like to lose another 2 stone/12 kg and it's not really going anywhere, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was. I'm 48.

Yes, I've just lost two stone and 6 lbs in 12 weeks. I'm 45

I can honesty say that age has made zero difference and I sometimes wonder if we tell ourselves it will as a form of self sabotage? My loss has been at the same rate as it has been in the past when I've put on a couple of stone

I'm usually a size 10 and about 9 and a half stone but I'd gone up to 12 ish. I cut out all snacks and I stopped eating pasta and bread but I don't really low carb as A it's tricky when you're a vegetarian and B in the real world you do need to enjoy the occasional potato! Portion size is crucial too

I'm impressed. Well done to you both.

I do wonder if the age thing is a red herring or not. One factor for me though is medication that I have to take which has weight gain as a side effect so I'm definitely noticing that its much harder now to drop the pounds than it used to be.

The positive side of age for me is that I'm so much less negative about my own body than i used to be - I actually like the way I look, fat or thin, and that helps to make positive changes. Also I am looking around at people starting to get into tricky waters with chronic or acute disease and that has given me a big incentive. My mother's boyfriend has developed diabetes and has so many health problems as a result - it brings it home just how much I do not want to have diabetes. Likewise, the stupid hip and joint niggles I was starting to have, have pretty much disappeared even with the first 8kg or so. Another good incentive to keep going.

The first thing you should do is forget about the age thing.
It's not an age thing. It's poor diet and lack of exercise, which you recognise.

I'm sure medication can have an effect on weight loss OP but again, don't dwell on that. It's the old self sabotage thing before you've really got going.

It's similar to when I read people saying ' I've got 8 stone to lose and I'm concerned about the loose skin.' Again, it's looking for an obstacle to throw in the way before you've even got started. Almost like looking for a reason why it won't work

Honestly age has no bearing in my opinion. Watch the carbs, don't eat refined sugar, up the protein a little and - crucial - limit portions n sizes and don't graze all day. Follow a plan if you can.

The only issue I have with age is with the scales, my water weight is all over the place much the same as my periods. I have to rely much more with clothes now.

My before and after I went to WeightWatchers to shift the weight and now I'm toning it all up by lifting heavy weights. I'm 50 . Age is no barrier. Good luck. Stick with it; we all get there in the end

stevie69 you look amazing. Agree it's that I need to remove the obstacles and also think long term. I find that if I don't see the immediate weight loss I used to see then I give it all up. I need to be in it for the long game.

stevie you look amazing and those leopard pants really suit you

Thank you Stripey, thank you bruffian; that is very kind of you both. I really just wanted to get across that:

a) age is no barrier—so no telling yourself that it is

b) I'm an ordinary girl, with an ordinary life, doing ordinary things (it sounds a bit dull, but it's not in reality). If I can do it, YOU can do it. I got my eating under control and upped my exercise. I didn't take any pills or go on any outlandish diets.

Take it at a steady pace, accept that you will have bad weeks (very occasionally) and don't let them throw you off track.

Good luck to all of us. I'm now 'managing my weight' and that's a permanent fixture; if I take my eye off the ball then I'll go back to where I cam from—and that is NOT happening!

Please do update us with your progress. I LOVE it when people achieve something, anything, that makes them happy. I'd love everyone to be happy

Stevie B xx