I've "plateaued". How on earth did you lose weight in your late 50s and beyond

[PixieBest]

and keep it off, of course.

I am in my late 50s and, with great effort, have managed to lose 25 pounds over the past 16 months. But have plateaued for the last 6 months at 11 1/2 stone. Doesn't matter how I change it up or down, or what diet I do (WW, IF) I cannot seem to shift the last half stone for my personal target. I feel most days I eat v modestly and treats are rare. What on earth else can I do?! P.S. I can't really exercise apart from light walking due to disabilities.

Am so puzzled as to how other women in this age group lose weight and keep it off without starving themselves?

Any advice or thoughts or experience?

Work out your tdee on this link.

tdeecalculator.net/

Thats the amount of calories someone in your age/activity level needs each day then REDUCE that amount by 20% to get the daily calorie target you need to lose weight.
Start logging every thing you consume on My Fitness Pal. Seriously, every tea/coffee and rare treat.
It is an eye opener to discover where calories are hidden! some sandwiches can have more calories in than a roast dinner, that rare ‘treat’ could be the 100 calories over your daily target that stops you losing weight.
I’m 3 stone down just by logging on MFP and gaining an understanding of calories, I still eat normal food and have treats but I make better choices i.e if I eat 3 chocolate digestives (easily done) that’s 264 calories but I may feel more full if I eat that 109 calorie banana.
I don’t exercise (health limitations) and I’m thinner now than I was in my 20’s. I wish I had properly understood about calories then.
Good luck!

I am not over 50, but I just wanted to say that everyone swears by weights. I heard from many women over 50 how it genuinely changed their life for better when it comes to general fitness and eating.

Also what pp says, unfortunately.

Change what your eating. So instead of cereal for breakfast , try a 2 egg omelette , or Greek yoghurt and berries . Try eating less carbs if your still eating them. If you exercise , go for a walk daily as well, or change your exercise to doing something else .
Sometimes our bodies need a change .
Or be honest with yourself , are you still eating the same amount you were at the beginning ? Or sometimes people need to eat a little more for a week or two then start again.

Thanks for your suggestions. Its a real help when you are feeling "stuck".

I think one problem for me may be the idea of treats. They are usually rare, e.g. weekends away or holidays. But I'm wondering if at my age and activity level that can undo progress when trying to lose weight - especially when trying to re-set that "set point".

Onwards and upwards. I think I will try to and "coast" (maintain) for a while until I have some time/energy to re-focus and have a go at that last 7 - 10 lbs !

@PixieBest

and keep it off, of course.

I am in my late 50s and, with great effort, have managed to lose 25 pounds over the past 16 months. But have plateaued for the last 6 months at 11 1/2 stone. Doesn't matter how I change it up or down, or what diet I do (WW, IF) I cannot seem to shift the last half stone for my personal target. I feel most days I eat v modestly and treats are rare. What on earth else can I do?! P.S. I can't really exercise apart from light walking due to disabilities.

Am so puzzled as to how other women in this age group lose weight and keep it off without starving themselves?

Any advice or thoughts or experience?

Swimming

I have some disabilities so unfortunately excercise is out of the question. I am sure it would help my metabolism if I could do more physical activity, so I think its even more difficult for me to lose weight IYSWIM.

I'm thinking of trying meal replacement shakes for a couple of meals a day. I still have to cook for three men at the moment and can't always be bothered cooking a light alternative for me, i have to have tiny portions of the more calorific stuff I need to cook for the DSs. I also fancy the shakes to keep my micronutrients topped up, im a bit lacking in mental energy at the moment, although I do know about nutrition and cooking. Easy control of calory intake plus less shopping and washing up, worth a go. If my menopausal insomnia improves I'll have the energy to eat a proper healthy diet.

I read somewhere that imagining you are exercising actually speeds up your metabolism a little bit!

It’s totally normal to plateau, it happens to most people. Go through the process that @LadyFannyButton posted and the only way to succeed is to stick to it. I think when you’re losing weight over a long period, and you’ve already done very well, it’s easy to slip into the habit of allowing yourself a treat or having bigger portions.
If I were you I’d set a goal e.g. getting under 11 stone so that’s your focus, then concentrate on sticking to the correct number of calories until you’ve achieved that. Consistency and adherence to your diet is key! Good luck.