Is it me

[gillyflower88]

Hi everyone, is it harder to lose weight when you are older? I,m having a real problem at 67. Such poor results after being so careful. Very disheartening.

[Penel]

Hi Chino

I'm the same age as you, and have found the best way to lose weight is to do it the old fashioned way. I've cut right down on starchy foods like cereal, bread, potatoes and cut out sugar, apart from fruit. I don't eat low fat foods or ready made meals. The advice to cut fat out of our diets is not a good idea, as it leaves you hungry, and our bodies need fat to make hormones and absorb vitamins and minerals.

Some people have success with the 5:2 diet, but this does not suit me.

Hope you can find something that works for you.

[gillyflower88 in reply to Penel]

Thank you for your welcome reply Penel, I shall persevere. I find eating out difficult, garden centre cafes etc .

[Penel in reply to gillyflower88]

Perhaps have a scone instead of a cake? If you have a sandwich, make it brown or wholemeal bread? Try to have some fibre with your meal, like a salad.

[harleychick]

yes as u get older iy is harder to loose weight. im having a hard time my self

[Hidden]

Im having the same trouble loseing very slowly. But I had a good feeling last night got in a onesy that I brought last year and could not get in to it .so a little does work x

[gingernut49]

I'm going to be 65 at Christmas and I lost three stone on the 5:2 Diet. It's the first diet that's ever worked well for me and the weight has stayed off since April 2013. I especially like the fact that I could fit in the two non-consecutive days around my social life so always had my 'fasting' days when I was going to be alone that day. The best part is that once you get to the weight you want to be you just 'fast' one day a week to maintain your weight loss, rather than the old way of stopping counting calories and piling it all back on again and more.

[Zenette]

It is true that you need fewer calories in general from middle age, compared to when you were younger - even more so when trying to lose weight.

But luckily it is still perfectly possible to lose weight, at any age! Many people are proof of that.

It may just take longer, and may require a bit of more cutting down on your intake, nothing too severe though.

[suzybenj]

All good advice - slowly slowly i say and everything in moderation. I have more of less trained myself not to eat cakes or any treats that are empty (dull I know). If I do i will share someone else's - i.e. just a mouthful. I just try and weigh up is the treat worth the calories. The low GI approach works for me - - same sort of thing as penal says really - on the fruit front I stick to tinned grapefruit and apples. But sadly the truth is our hormones just want to keep the weight on - so it is old fashioned calorie counting for me.

So I am currently losing a pound a week - and being pretty strict - but not overly so- I am planning to cut crisps out next week . So it is coming of slowly - but if if take my eyes off for a second - pounds just leap back on!!

good luck

[Vellum in reply to suzybenj]

Yes don't they just! ... and I have to stop pretending ( even at 70 ) that yogurt and fruit are ok for my snacks, when I still EAT TOO MUCH of these things. I've just got to watch portion size in everything!

[margrete]

Yes it is. In scientific terms, it's because of muscle loss, which starts in your 30s. However, I don't believe the fact that it's more difficult is a reason not to try.

[Penel]

Margrete makes a good point about muscle loss. If you are able, try to include some exercise in your week. I have found that Pilates and Aquafit have helped combat the muscle loss, and improved my flexibility and strength. My knee joints won't let me do the Couch to 5k running.

[gillyflower88]

Thank you everyone, it,s so good to know i,m not on my own. I really appreciate your advice and value your comments. Tomorrow is another day so let,s lose some weight

[macbrad]

Yes, it is more of a challenge to lose weight when in your 60s. However, with a combination of exercise and being careful most days with what you eat, it is possible. The great thing about this programme is just being really conscious of what one is eating and how even little treats, can really add up quickly.

[returner]

Hi chino,

My take on it is that it's about the 'bad' habits being more deeply entrenched.

I mean if you've been eating 'badly' for five or ten years, then it's very likely going to be easier to change your habits, than if you've been doing it for thirty, forty, fifty or whatever years.

But it is - as often said on this blog - really about making changes in your lifestyle and making a difference that lasts.

[gillyflower88]

Hi returner, all very true and no appetite for gym exercise either

[Hidden]

Try also to exercise,such as jogging,