It finally happened to me...

[Anonymous]

I am 49 years old. I have been 132 lbs my entire adult life - 5'4". Even after kids, went back to 132. Well, here I am at 49 and have gained 5 pounds this year. Now 137. My eating has not changed. My current diet is mostly IF and low carb with indulgences like pizza once a week and dessert/cocktail on weekends. But the weight crept on this year. I have found unless I go (i) zero carbs, (ii) IF and (iii) no sugar, I cannot get back to 132. The thing is, I like to eat. I eat relatively healthy, but I like to have dessert and a cocktail or two on weekends. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that either I do no carb/no sugar to get back to 132 (which I was always trying to get below anyway) or I just enjoy my life and suck it up at being 137. Anyone relate?

[Anonymous]

It’s hormonal changes causing your body to lose muscle mass. The only solution is lifting regularly.

[Anonymous]

You’re very lucky. Work on building muscle. At first you may gain but then you will find that your eating/weight are more like your normal.

[Anonymous]

Is there really much of a difference between 132 and 137? Seems like such a ridiculous thing to care about.

[Anonymous]

I started gaining weight in mid-30s, after having my thyroid removed. But I've found a new plateau that isn't that bad (BMI 20), so you may not balloon to unhealthy proportions, OP. Just keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

Who cares? Bodies aren’t meant to stay the same size our whole life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there really much of a difference between 132 and 137? Seems like such a ridiculous thing to care about.

It becomes 5 lbs per year quickly at that age…. need to counter the muscle loss.

[Anonymous]

Ugh I hear you OP. Gained 10lbs from 48 to 50 years. And I already lift incredibly heavy (230lb deadlifts, 130lb deep squats etc) so it isn’t lack of muscle mass. Turns out I have Hashimotos so have started on medication 2 weeks ago. Also on HRT since April. Have also kept exercise regime the same as last ten years but have cut out breakfast since April.

Weight is just sticking there. Dr thinks the thyroid medication will probably help me lose the excess weight. It is frustrating, particularly given I was the same weight for decades, only increasing when I was pregnant

[Anonymous]

I am in exactly the same position. It’s such a bummer. I feel like I have to be in extreme deprivation or not fit into my pants. Such a bummer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 49 years old. I have been 132 lbs my entire adult life - 5'4". Even after kids, went back to 132. Well, here I am at 49 and have gained 5 pounds this year. Now 137. My eating has not changed. My current diet is mostly IF and low carb with indulgences like pizza once a week and dessert/cocktail on weekends. But the weight crept on this year. I have found unless I go (i) zero carbs, (ii) IF and (iii) no sugar, I cannot get back to 132. The thing is, I like to eat. I eat relatively healthy, but I like to have dessert and a cocktail or two on weekends. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that either I do no carb/no sugar to get back to 132 (which I was always trying to get below anyway) or I just enjoy my life and suck it up at being 137. Anyone relate?

You have a normal BMI, and a 5 pound weight shift can be due to fluid alone. You need to just chill out.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP! I've started to amp up my weightlifting, heavier weights 3-4x a week. I've lost an inch on my waist, so will keep going. Do you work out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there really much of a difference between 132 and 137? Seems like such a ridiculous thing to care about.

I'm 5'7 and the difference between 140 and 145 is a pants size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 49 years old. I have been 132 lbs my entire adult life - 5'4". Even after kids, went back to 132. Well, here I am at 49 and have gained 5 pounds this year. Now 137. My eating has not changed. My current diet is mostly IF and low carb with indulgences like pizza once a week and dessert/cocktail on weekends. But the weight crept on this year. I have found unless I go (i) zero carbs, (ii) IF and (iii) no sugar, I cannot get back to 132. The thing is, I like to eat. I eat relatively healthy, but I like to have dessert and a cocktail or two on weekends. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that either I do no carb/no sugar to get back to 132 (which I was always trying to get below anyway) or I just enjoy my life and suck it up at being 137. Anyone relate?

100% relate. I'm the same age. 5'2 and have been around 125 lbs up until I turned 45 or so. After 45, my weight has gone up to 130-132. I could go down to 125 but I'd have to do IF or drastically reduce carbs, which I won't do anymore. Life is too short! As long as I eat healthy most of the time and exercise regularly (weights 2x a week, walk daily, cardio class 2x a week), then I'm okay with whatever number I see on the scale. I'm more focused on being strong these days! Also, at our age, weight gain is natural as a result of perimenopause and menopause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there really much of a difference between 132 and 137? Seems like such a ridiculous thing to care about.

When you're on the shorter side, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there really much of a difference between 132 and 137? Seems like such a ridiculous thing to care about.

When you're on the shorter side, yes.

DP Agree. I'm 5'4 and 5 pounds means my size 4 pants start feeling snug, and 8 pounds means I'm a size 6 (which I don't have in my closet)