How to fight the mid 40s weight gain?

[Anonymous]

I lost 6 pounds in a month but I restrict myself to only 1k calories and record every drop of anything I put in my mouth on my notes app. I also workout for 45 minutes on the eliptical vigorously, do 15 minutes weight training and then swim for 30 minutes as many laps as I can. I get there as soon as they open so I can get everything in, shower and get to work on time. You MUST count EVERYTHING!!! People drink juice, smoothies, and all kinds of crap and think it does not add up. No sauce, no salt, no sugar, no wheat, and no junky carbs like potatoes or rice. I do allow one sweet per day and those are rice rollers with dried fruit. That is it! I even switched to sugar free gum. I turned 40 last year and realized I was gross, ugly and fat. So, I did something about it and have lost 60 pounds. I want to go all the way back to high school weight and will not stop until I reach it. If I have to do 500 and get on a pic line so be it. And, this is for me not for some man, so there is that before anyone on here bashes me for trying to appease somebody. This is what I want. I want back control over my life. Good luck OP. Be ruthless with the diet and exercise. Your body can take it. Mind over pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lost 6 pounds in a month but I restrict myself to only 1k calories and record every drop of anything I put in my mouth on my notes app. I also workout for 45 minutes on the eliptical vigorously, do 15 minutes weight training and then swim for 30 minutes as many laps as I can. I get there as soon as they open so I can get everything in, shower and get to work on time. You MUST count EVERYTHING!!! People drink juice, smoothies, and all kinds of crap and think it does not add up. No sauce, no salt, no sugar, no wheat, and no junky carbs like potatoes or rice. I do allow one sweet per day and those are rice rollers with dried fruit. That is it! I even switched to sugar free gum. I turned 40 last year and realized I was gross, ugly and fat. So, I did something about it and have lost 60 pounds. I want to go all the way back to high school weight and will not stop until I reach it. If I have to do 500 and get on a pic line so be it. And, this is for me not for some man, so there is that before anyone on here bashes me for trying to appease somebody. This is what I want. I want back control over my life. Good luck OP. Be ruthless with the diet and exercise. Your body can take it. Mind over pain.

I sincerely hope that when you reach your goal that you are satisfied with what you have achieved and are happy and sustaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say you eat salads for lunch, but so what? What do you eat in the morning, in the evening and do you snack?

Do you put sauce / ketchup / soya / salad dressing on your foods? Do you consume a lot of dairy.

It sounds honestly, like you don't have a clue.

OP here. No need to be rude. For breakfast, I eat a cereal bar on the way to school along with coffee. In the evening I eat a normal dinner or chicken, fish, pasta etc. I think I may be eating too much at dinner so maybe I’ll add some protein to my lunch to keep me fuller. The only dairy I consume is cheese on pizza every few weeks and a splash of creamer in my coffee. I eat maybe a tablespoon of ranch dressing on my salad. No alcohol. Dessert maybe once a week. Soda maybe once a month.

The day should start with a healthy breakfast, this cereal bar is likely 75% sugar and that is setting the tone of your day and leaving you hungry at the end of it.

oatmeal has no sugar in it - you add chopped apples and it's sweet but still, very low sugar. You can also add nuts for protein / calories.

do not eat pizza it is really high in fat and carbs - there is basically zero nutrients in a pizza and its something like 350 calories per slice.

Never have a soda, never have dressing, what is the "protein" you're adding to your lunch? There's a big difference between a can of tuna and a few slices of salami in terms of fats.

You don't have a clue.

How tall are you and what do you weigh? You might be trying to maintain at a weight that is too low for your height/frame. No pizza ever or no dressing is crazy.

I am European we don't eat like you do.

Why do people call themselves European? Why not just say you are Belgian or Swedish or Spanish or Polish? It’s almost like you’re trying “flex” because you think “European” sounds more worldly.

I know a lot of heavy Germans, English and Italians. Aren't they "European" as well? lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lost 6 pounds in a month but I restrict myself to only 1k calories and record every drop of anything I put in my mouth on my notes app. I also workout for 45 minutes on the eliptical vigorously, do 15 minutes weight training and then swim for 30 minutes as many laps as I can. I get there as soon as they open so I can get everything in, shower and get to work on time. You MUST count EVERYTHING!!! People drink juice, smoothies, and all kinds of crap and think it does not add up. No sauce, no salt, no sugar, no wheat, and no junky carbs like potatoes or rice. I do allow one sweet per day and those are rice rollers with dried fruit. That is it! I even switched to sugar free gum. I turned 40 last year and realized I was gross, ugly and fat. So, I did something about it and have lost 60 pounds. I want to go all the way back to high school weight and will not stop until I reach it. If I have to do 500 and get on a pic line so be it. And, this is for me not for some man, so there is that before anyone on here bashes me for trying to appease somebody. This is what I want. I want back control over my life. Good luck OP. Be ruthless with the diet and exercise. Your body can take it. Mind over pain.

I got to my HS weight at 48 (it was about 45 pounds for me). All I really did was cut sugar and walk a lot. I didn't track, count or measure anything. The last time I got obessesive about that stuff (in college) I found myself at <90 pounds. Be careful, PP.! You sound like you are spiraling.

[Anonymous]

Weight Watchers

[Anonymous]

I can't believe that all this journaling, measuring, calorie-counting is sustainable long-term.

I think every person is different and you need to find what works for you.

I weighed 180 in 2012 and was wearing size 14 pants. I've since had two kids and am now 47. I dropped 35 pounds in 2012-2013 from diet alone. I just decided to greatly limit my gluten and sugar intake. Pounds fell off. As long as it was low sugar or gluten free, I didn't limit quantities. I still eat chips, pizza, and ice cream - only as the occasional treat. This has been VERY sustainable for the past ten years. I wasn't anywhere close to skinny, but felt pretty good in size 6 pants.

My body is now changing and it looks like the pounds are focusing on my mid-section for the first time. Pants don't fit well. My plan is to refocus on what's worked in the past and to pay attention to portions for the first time ever - and listen to my body when it's trying to tell me to quit eating even though it's sooooo delicious. I'm also eliminating the early breakfast, which is tough as i'm usually up by six. I go with water, coffee, and a splash of creamer until my body tells me it's really hungry - I can usually wait until 10 or 11am. Then I eat a salad with plenty of fat and protein (yes, often with cheese and bacon and a seed blend!). And sometimes, but not always, a late afternoon snack designed to help me make it to dinner.

We'll see how it goes. I don't exercise in any meaningful way. I need to; I know it!

The point being that this can take some experimentation, and for many, it doesn't require some unfun, super strict, likely unsustainable plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say you eat salads for lunch, but so what? What do you eat in the morning, in the evening and do you snack?

Do you put sauce / ketchup / soya / salad dressing on your foods? Do you consume a lot of dairy.

It sounds honestly, like you don't have a clue.

OP here. No need to be rude. For breakfast, I eat a cereal bar on the way to school along with coffee. In the evening I eat a normal dinner or chicken, fish, pasta etc. I think I may be eating too much at dinner so maybe I’ll add some protein to my lunch to keep me fuller. The only dairy I consume is cheese on pizza every few weeks and a splash of creamer in my coffee. I eat maybe a tablespoon of ranch dressing on my salad. No alcohol. Dessert maybe once a week. Soda maybe once a month.

The day should start with a healthy breakfast, this cereal bar is likely 75% sugar and that is setting the tone of your day and leaving you hungry at the end of it.

oatmeal has no sugar in it - you add chopped apples and it's sweet but still, very low sugar. You can also add nuts for protein / calories.

do not eat pizza it is really high in fat and carbs - there is basically zero nutrients in a pizza and its something like 350 calories per slice.

Never have a soda, never have dressing, what is the "protein" you're adding to your lunch? There's a big difference between a can of tuna and a few slices of salami in terms of fats.

You don't have a clue.

How tall are you and what do you weigh? You might be trying to maintain at a weight that is too low for your height/frame. No pizza ever or no dressing is crazy.

I am European we don't eat like you do.

Why do people call themselves European? Why not just say you are Belgian or Swedish or Spanish or Polish? It’s almost like you’re trying “flex” because you think “European” sounds more worldly.

I know a lot of heavy Germans, English and Italians. Aren't they "European" as well? lol.

Are they real Germans and Italians and English people or are they Americans claiming ancient heritage? You do get big Europeans they are normally the peasant class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say you eat salads for lunch, but so what? What do you eat in the morning, in the evening and do you snack?

Do you put sauce / ketchup / soya / salad dressing on your foods? Do you consume a lot of dairy.

It sounds honestly, like you don't have a clue.

OP here. No need to be rude. For breakfast, I eat a cereal bar on the way to school along with coffee. In the evening I eat a normal dinner or chicken, fish, pasta etc. I think I may be eating too much at dinner so maybe I’ll add some protein to my lunch to keep me fuller. The only dairy I consume is cheese on pizza every few weeks and a splash of creamer in my coffee. I eat maybe a tablespoon of ranch dressing on my salad. No alcohol. Dessert maybe once a week. Soda maybe once a month.

The day should start with a healthy breakfast, this cereal bar is likely 75% sugar and that is setting the tone of your day and leaving you hungry at the end of it.

oatmeal has no sugar in it - you add chopped apples and it's sweet but still, very low sugar. You can also add nuts for protein / calories.

do not eat pizza it is really high in fat and carbs - there is basically zero nutrients in a pizza and its something like 350 calories per slice.

Never have a soda, never have dressing, what is the "protein" you're adding to your lunch? There's a big difference between a can of tuna and a few slices of salami in terms of fats.

You don't have a clue.

How tall are you and what do you weigh? You might be trying to maintain at a weight that is too low for your height/frame. No pizza ever or no dressing is crazy.

I am European we don't eat like you do.

Why do people call themselves European? Why not just say you are Belgian or Swedish or Spanish or Polish? It’s almost like you’re trying “flex” because you think “European” sounds more worldly.

I know a lot of heavy Germans, English and Italians. Aren't they "European" as well? lol.

Are they real Germans and Italians and English people or are they Americans claiming ancient heritage? You do get big Europeans they are normally the peasant class.

You have obviously never been to Italy. Most people are skinny, skinny fat or outright fat. Skinny are mostly the younger ones who will fall into the two latter categories over time. Very few people are fit, but you also do not see the extreme obesity that you frequently encounter here in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Late 40s. I exercise daily (weights and cardio) and have accepted I can either be fine getting a little fatter every year or be a little hungry throughout the workday.

You may exercise with weights but obviously they're not heavy weights where you're building enough muscle to counteract effects of metabolism

[Anonymous]

People consume more than they think. Also women that are 40% smaller than their husbands get all upset that their calorie intake should be lower. It’s science. Get a grip.

Numbers suck, wear a helmet.

Stop eating garbage that is processed or in boxes and match your daily needs and adjust from there. It’s pretty easy. And it’s not crazy to be hungry sometimes. How exactly do you think humans lived on earth before that signal? There weren’t grocery stores 10.000 years ago.

[Anonymous]

The same idea had been around for years: eat until you are not hungry, not until you are full.

I'll bet you only need to eat half of what you normally eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, this discussion brought out the nasty in some people. I am 5'3" and now around 126lbs. At the beginning of last summer, I was around 121 or so and that's where I feel most comfortable in my clothes. As for protein at lunch, I either have some tuna, a piece of grilled chicken or a hard-boiled egg. I think I'll eat some protein as a snack when I get home so I don't overeat at dinner. I do indulge sometimes but I cannot eat how I could 10 yrs ago.

OP you’re one inch shorter than me and we are very close in weight. Protein and fiber for breakfast- just boil some eggs and make a small smoothie. Protein on your salad, or add some quinoa to make it more filling. Apple and nut butter for snack at 3, sleep more, more water, and smaller portion at dinner. Try to slowly reduce your portion size at dinner instead of go full on.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say you eat salads for lunch, but so what? What do you eat in the morning, in the evening and do you snack?

Do you put sauce / ketchup / soya / salad dressing on your foods? Do you consume a lot of dairy.

It sounds honestly, like you don't have a clue.

OP here. No need to be rude. For breakfast, I eat a cereal bar on the way to school along with coffee. In the evening I eat a normal dinner or chicken, fish, pasta etc. I think I may be eating too much at dinner so maybe I’ll add some protein to my lunch to keep me fuller. The only dairy I consume is cheese on pizza every few weeks and a splash of creamer in my coffee. I eat maybe a tablespoon of ranch dressing on my salad. No alcohol. Dessert maybe once a week. Soda maybe once a month.

The day should start with a healthy breakfast, this cereal bar is likely 75% sugar and that is setting the tone of your day and leaving you hungry at the end of it.

oatmeal has no sugar in it - you add chopped apples and it's sweet but still, very low sugar. You can also add nuts for protein / calories.

do not eat pizza it is really high in fat and carbs - there is basically zero nutrients in a pizza and its something like 350 calories per slice.

Never have a soda, never have dressing, what is the "protein" you're adding to your lunch? There's a big difference between a can of tuna and a few slices of salami in terms of fats.

You don't have a clue.

How tall are you and what do you weigh? You might be trying to maintain at a weight that is too low for your height/frame. No pizza ever or no dressing is crazy.

I am European we don't eat like you do.

Why do people call themselves European? Why not just say you are Belgian or Swedish or Spanish or Polish? It’s almost like you’re trying “flex” because you think “European” sounds more worldly.

I know a lot of heavy Germans, English and Italians. Aren't they "European" as well? lol.

Are they real Germans and Italians and English people or are they Americans claiming ancient heritage? You do get big Europeans they are normally the peasant class.

You have obviously never been to Italy. Most people are skinny, skinny fat or outright fat. Skinny are mostly the younger ones who will fall into the two latter categories over time. Very few people are fit, but you also do not see the extreme obesity that you frequently encounter here in the US.[/quote

]

I've been to Italy many times. I wasn't claiming Europeans were obese like Americans (I'm from the Uk) but I've seen plenty of fat little Italian women over the age of 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say you eat salads for lunch, but so what? What do you eat in the morning, in the evening and do you snack?

Do you put sauce / ketchup / soya / salad dressing on your foods? Do you consume a lot of dairy.

It sounds honestly, like you don't have a clue.

OP here. No need to be rude. For breakfast, I eat a cereal bar on the way to school along with coffee. In the evening I eat a normal dinner or chicken, fish, pasta etc. I think I may be eating too much at dinner so maybe I’ll add some protein to my lunch to keep me fuller. The only dairy I consume is cheese on pizza every few weeks and a splash of creamer in my coffee. I eat maybe a tablespoon of ranch dressing on my salad. No alcohol. Dessert maybe once a week. Soda maybe once a month.

The day should start with a healthy breakfast, this cereal bar is likely 75% sugar and that is setting the tone of your day and leaving you hungry at the end of it.

oatmeal has no sugar in it - you add chopped apples and it's sweet but still, very low sugar. You can also add nuts for protein / calories.

do not eat pizza it is really high in fat and carbs - there is basically zero nutrients in a pizza and its something like 350 calories per slice.

Never have a soda, never have dressing, what is the "protein" you're adding to your lunch? There's a big difference between a can of tuna and a few slices of salami in terms of fats.

You don't have a clue.

How tall are you and what do you weigh? You might be trying to maintain at a weight that is too low for your height/frame. No pizza ever or no dressing is crazy.

I am European we don't eat like you do.

Why do people call themselves European? Why not just say you are Belgian or Swedish or Spanish or Polish? It’s almost like you’re trying “flex” because you think “European” sounds more worldly.

I know a lot of heavy Germans, English and Italians. Aren't they "European" as well? lol.

Are they real Germans and Italians and English people or are they Americans claiming ancient heritage? You do get big Europeans they are normally the peasant class.

Welp, we can just discount everything you've said or will say, now that you've unironically used the term "peasant class."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lost 6 pounds in a month but I restrict myself to only 1k calories and record every drop of anything I put in my mouth on my notes app. I also workout for 45 minutes on the eliptical vigorously, do 15 minutes weight training and then swim for 30 minutes as many laps as I can. I get there as soon as they open so I can get everything in, shower and get to work on time. You MUST count EVERYTHING!!! People drink juice, smoothies, and all kinds of crap and think it does not add up. No sauce, no salt, no sugar, no wheat, and no junky carbs like potatoes or rice. I do allow one sweet per day and those are rice rollers with dried fruit. That is it! I even switched to sugar free gum. I turned 40 last year and realized I was gross, ugly and fat. So, I did something about it and have lost 60 pounds. I want to go all the way back to high school weight and will not stop until I reach it. If I have to do 500 and get on a pic line so be it. And, this is for me not for some man, so there is that before anyone on here bashes me for trying to appease somebody. This is what I want. I want back control over my life. Good luck OP. Be ruthless with the diet and exercise. Your body can take it. Mind over pain.

The problem with this is that you’re screwed forever by restricting yourself so much. You’ll never be able to return to normal eating because you’ve reset your norm to 1K calories/day.