40-something & frustrated: What do you do when NOTHING works?

[barbeml]

I have always had a moderate weight problem, but in my late 20s I took off 36 pounds and kept them off effortlessly for 10 years. Then the weight started to creep on.

I do the right things: I cook healthy meals from scratch most nights (I love South Beach approach to food), I know what reasonable portions are, I love fruits & veggies, we eat many vegetarian meals, never eat fast food, take my vitamins, eat "good" fats & carbs, etc. DH and I walk a couple of brisk miles every day, but still the scale does not budge.

A few months back, with my annual GYN appointment looming, I decided to kick up the exercise big time. I got Denise Austin's customizable workout DVDs and hand weights. I did 20-60 INTENSE minutes of cardio, weights, etc. EVERY DAY for 8 weeks. During those 8 weeks, I had no sugar or alcohol, and I kept my calories around the 1200 mark.

Got on the scale at the doctor's office and I had not lost one single ounce. I almost cried. I am in good health overall, but I seriously need to lose 30 pounds. The Doctor just said to keep on doing what I am doing. I am stumped and would love to hear from those of you who have "hit the wall" and managed to find something that works.

Thanks for listening!

 

[LAinSEA]

...and I need to take off the 30 I lost (and found) over last year, plus about 20 more!

I'm 41 and it has definitely been a bad year. My eating habits (mostly) are good. I stay primarily low carb/low fat/small portions/low cal. I'm not a nightime snacker or a cookie eater. I've not been able to exercise like I was last summer (walking 6x a week for 40-60minute), but the weight came back so much faster than I'd ever had it come back before.

I'm into the doctor's office first week of August and I'm asking for full bloodwork (thyroid--both tests).

There is a book out about how to fit fat over 40...I've not had the time to find it or buy it. Has anyone read it?

-Laurie

 

[barbeml]

Thanks for replying!

I have Denise Austin's book for over-40 females and it is very good. She covers many areas of overall health, not just weight.

I accepted a long time ago that I would never be skinny and that I would always have to watch my eating and exercising, but at least I used to get results. Doing all this work and not losing is driving me crazy.

 

[SetzKitten]

OMG, I was just going to post about this! I exercised 60 minutes a day plus a swim or two in the pool for the last 18 days and didn't lose a pound. The scale is not my friend, it just ticks me off. I've been following my regular "got to lose a few" diet plan for those 18 days and it's failing me. I'll be 41 on Friday and wanted to lose the 10 pounds I packed on (at an alarming rate, I might add), but it isn't happening. I think age has much to do with it. It doesn't make me happy, especially if it is going to get harder each year.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Have you guys tried Cathe? www.cathe.com

 

[barbeml]

Resistance training is supposed to work when all else fails, so I even lifted weights regularly during that 8-week period. All I got was sore! I am going to work the weights back in to my routine because my arms felt stronger, even if they didn't look any better.

I'm also tired of the "Oh the scale isn't moving because you are toning up and building muscle, and that weighs more than fat." Once you build some muscle you are supposed to become a more efficient fat burner, but that did not happen. Besides, my clothes didn't even feel looser.

I really am trying to focus on being healthy, but I can't believe I am stuck at this weight forever.

 

[Cruise04]

Try for a week really measuring and weighing your food and writing down everything - calories, fat grams and carbs. That's what I'm doing (I'm not 40 yet but I'm 36 and getting close to that age group). I had been faithfully working out and working out hard from July 1-14 and was really watching what I was eating. My scale did not move one ounce either. On the 14th I started writing everything I put in my mouth down - calories, fat grams, and carbs. I am weighing and measuring everything. You'd be surprised what you think is a portion really isn't, I was. I am now down 7.5 pounds since the 14th. I'm so very happy with my turnaround. I was really getting bummed.

So try that for a week, keep up the workouts and drink lots of water (like over 64 ounces in a day - I'm drinking 72 on non-workout days and 102 on workout days). That has helped a lot too.

Good luck!

 

[barbeml]

I've done the food diary and I drink lots of water...always feels good to be hydrated!

 

[lovinaz]

Well I am not yet in this predicament, but could it be your body is getting ready for "the big change"? I know my mom had one dilly of a time maintaining weight after she turned 45 or so. Her hormones just went nuts. I've read you can start feeling the effects several years before you actually start menopause. Just my two cents, I hope you are able to get off your plateau!

 

[barbeml]

Well I am not yet in this predicament, but could it be your body is getting ready for "the big change"? I know my mom had one dilly of a time maintaining weight after she turned 45 or so. Her hormones just went nuts. I've read you can start feeling the effects several years before you actually start menopause. Just my two cents, I hope you are able to get off your plateau!

No doubt about it! I am hoping gals of the same age have some advice for dealing. It is REALLY frustrating.

Thanks for the