Can't seem to lose the last 1/2 stone. It's upsetting me.

[Sundiamond]

I'm 50, post menopause. I really wanted to shift the last 7 or so lbs that plagues me! I have had a really healthy diet (low carb, plant based) for a long time, but in few months up to lockdown, wasn't as healthy.

7 weeks ago I decided to get back on the very low carb truck.

For the first month I was so strict. Literally only got carbs from vegetables (no starchy ones). One G&T a week. That's it. I lost about 3lbs.

I loosened the reigns a little - a little bit of cheating here and then, a few more nuts.

And I've already put weight back on!

So, my questions are:

1 - Does my age really play a factor?
2 - Do I have to be super super strict at this point to get the last 7 or so lbs off?
3 - Why is it piling back on so quickly?

Then I feel defeated and eat what I want...like today. I've not gone mad but I've eaten a fair few carbs so now the self loathing kicks in!

How much do you currently weigh? If you’re not overweight it might be that your body just doesn’t want to be at that lower weight and keeps bouncing back. Might be better for you to do some weight-training which will probably reduce your body size but not necessarily reduce your weight. Weight-based exercise will also protect you against future osteoporosis.

I do a lot of weight based exercise. Have done for years.

I'm 5 ft 2.

I weigh 9 stone.

I had a child at 41. Before then, I was about 8st 4 for...well, for many years...

Have you tried the 5:2.
I think at your weight/size/age it is going to be tougher to lose the last 1/2 stone.
I'm similar, I've put on that amount in the lockdown and now I can't motivate myself to shift it!
It's tough, I agree building muscle is the best thing to help keep healthy and your weight in control.

I haven't tried the 5:2

Maybe I will.

Thanks

You're at a healthy weight and you're 50. Losing half a stone more will be hard - is it really a goal you want to spend your energy on?

I know, it seems ridiculous. But I would love to be lighter. I'm sure there's something subconscious at play - trying to hold onto that person I was - but it's how I feel

Why is it so hard at this age?!

I think it’s potentially dangerous to restrict food excessively in your 50s as osteoporosis is no laughing matter and carrying a little bit extra is protective against that. If you’ve put on just 8 pounds in your 50s you’re pretty lucky and you sound very healthy. Also, as you’ve found, you can only get down that far by eating next to no carbs which presumably isn’t a realistic option for you. I’d focus on increasing strength instead.

Hi Sundiamond
I'm just turned 56, I'm vegetarian and eat cheese and eggs. Up until a few weeks ago I was carrying 22lbs more than I am now. My knees ached, my body hurt (I have Ankylosing Spondylitis) I felt miserable most importantly had a drawer full of clothes that I couldn't wear. Over the years I have tried them all even paid £400 for a private weight loss mentor and eating plan. I lost weight every time and still gained it during the next couple of years. It gets harder to lose every time! Those diets are not real life for me needed to change how I eat and make it part of life. I still need treats and fun! I decided I needed to make sustainable changes to keep the weight off and not let it creep back on. I can't cut out my favourite things, I love cheese!
My son of 25 and into fitness and was telling me all about fasting and how the body burns fat. I decided to fast from breakfast to dinner drinking only water so I skipped lunch. This reduced calories but gave a long fasting time between meals. It also made sure I didn't snack on those things I would instantly forget I'd eaten! I missed it at first so I decided to get out for a brisk walk at lunchtime when I could for about an hour. First week 9lbs off! 9lbs! I know the first week is mostly fluid blah blah blah but my knees were very pleased. My walks got easier and the weight came off more slowly after that. I am still losing 1 or 2 lbs each week. I weigh in kilos, it is more gratifying to watch the numbers go down. 22lbs so far. I put 22lbs of tins into a bag, I had to recheck it because it felt ridiculously heavy! No wonder my knees were complaining. Good Luck, you can lose it.

Hi Jane.

Good for you, I'm really pleased.

That said, i'm not sure going without food all day is feasible for me, or necessarily the right approach.

xx

Hi OP, I could have written your three questions and I'm following as I'd like a magic answer. I'm 50 too, 5 foot 8 and all my adult life I have been 8 stone 10 until about a year ago when it went up to 9 stone 3 or 4. The numbers are slightly different but the principle is the same. It won't come off. I'm eating less than I used to, I'm trying to avoid carbs but not cutting them out, I am really frustrated that it might be an age issue and that ultimately I might have to accept it when I don't want to.

With the greatest of respect, you're menopausal. Female bodies usually weigh more at 50 than they did at 25. Half a stone is not a lot of extra weight to show after a lifetime!

Well, strictly I'm post menopausal. The hormones have settled, periods long behind me.

I work hard at being really healthy and keeping fit. That's what bothers me even more. That I try so hard and yet!

Well I guess the answer that you have a choice between serious carb restriction and maybe losing a few extra pounds or being more relaxed but being slightly heavier, albeit a perfectly healthy weight. It’s really a minor amount compared to what some women put on in their 50s and as I said before, having a slight bit of extra body fat is likely to be protective from a health point of view. If you do strength training you probably also have good muscle tone which would make you slightly heavier. I think having fitness goals like upping the weights you lift might make a bigger difference to your body than caloric restriction.

Lobster that’s a BMI at the lower end of healthy so I wouldn’t worry about a small increase in weight. You probably look better for it as low body weight when you’re older tends to equal a gaunt look.

Thank you @shedload