I am heavier, eight YEARS post-partum, than I was at my baby shower. Just shoot me now.

[Anonymous]

I just came across a long-forgotten packet of photos from my baby shower in March 2003, about 7 mos. pregnant.

Everything about me, save that bump area, is significantly thinner than it is now. Jawline, face, arms, neck, butt .... The scale backs this up. Oh yeah, I make myself sick.

Is there any hope for me now, at age 44? I can't think of anyone I've ever known personally who lost weight at this oldster age and actually kept it off. How about you? Do you know anyone, anyone at all, who is as old as I am and successfully lost real weight? My usual "cut back some" effort is, uh, not working at all.

[Anonymous]

Your post is timely for me. Just had a formal physical today. I'm six year post-partum and still have 40 lbs on me. In fact, if I care to dial back to my wedding day weight, I'm a whooping 63 lbs heavier. Eek. I'm determined to lose it though. Getting the tough love message from my doctor was helpful. Maybe go get a physical and get a game plan together. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Oh ladies, I hear you! These posts are timely for me too. Just had a physical -- I'm 42 and clearly need to lose 20+ lbs. That info wouldn't be so bad, if I hadn't already been busting my a** for the last 4-5 months. I have been doing cardio, watching what I eat, the whole 9 yards and it just isn't doing ANYTHING! Urgh. Does anyone know the magic formula for the 40-something moms?!? Please share

[Anonymous]

Yes, welcome to post 40!! I recently weighed what I weighed 3 months PP from my first which is 20 lbs more than I weighed 3 months after my 2nd kid. I do know several people who did lose weight and kept it off post 40 so it can be done. The key is that you have throw away all your old notions of how to maintain your weight.

I know that not only was I always normal to skinny but I never had to watch what I ate. If I wanted to drop a few lbs I would increase my running and presto I would be as thin as I wanted. I also never gained weight around my middle. Not true anymore.

Lesson 1. Kids need fat, you don't. Now, I realize that I am exposed to much different foods than when I was single without kids. Yes, I could eat whatever I wanted but I usually did not have much food around or would go out for something ethnic. Now, I am exposed to cake or cupcakes on a weekly basis as part of the birthday party circuit. Italian food has replaced Sushi. Pasta has many more calories than sushi! Yes, avocados are great for my skinny kids but not for me. You need to be mindful not to eat the kid stuff, make lots of extra veggies, and have healthy, low calorie snacks in the fridge even if the kids will not eat them.

Lesson 2. The burbs. If you live in the burbs, you are not overweight because you have kids but because you no longer walk anywhere. I lived in DC in an area where there was no parking. If you found a space, you kept it and would consider walking 100 miles before giving it up. The daily walking to work and everywhere else meant that even when you thought you were not exercising, you were exercising. A quick 20 minute stationary bike ride would not equal the calories you would burn on just daily walking. If at all possible move.

Lesson 3. Find skinny moms. This may be another suburb thing but even at 20 lbs overweight I am much thinner than the other moms. It is easy not to realize how much weight you are gaining when everyone around is is extremely overweight.

Lesson 4. You need to really increase your exercise routine. You need cardio and weights. If you have lost muscle, build it back. It will burn more calories. If your knees are not a problem, try running sprints as well as longer distances.

Lesson 5. Drink water. I have no idea why but it seems easier to become dehydrated when you get older. Thirst and hunger can get confused.

Lesson 6. Avoid restaurants. Only go out to really nice fancy restaurants that still serve small portion sizes. Any mid level restaurant has been driven by market forces to double or triple portion sizes over the past decade. There is nothing on the menu that you can order that will be under 800 calories.

Lesson 7. For some extra motivation and if you are discouraged, go try on pants at Ann Taylor. A size 4 is what an 8 or 10 used to be. You will think you lost weight when you have not. Just don't let it cheer you up so much that you end up ordering a Starbucks Frappacino.

[Anonymous]

I'm 48 and just started Weight Watchers online. In 7 weeks I've lost 18 lbs. So it's slow but you can do it!

Totally agree about the restaurant thing. The other day I was considering getting a sandwich at Panera. Their bacon turkey bravo sandwich (OK, it has some bacon on it but still ...) has almost 1000 calories. Seriously! So it's a great idea, even if you don't go on a formal diet, to look at the website of any chain you go to and plan out ahead what you are going to order.

[Anonymous]

It's 9 months up and 9 years down, right? At least, it seems that way to me.

It's about lifestyle changes. The PP who talked about the unholy trinity of birthday cupcakes, mac and cheese and the minivan shuffle hit it right on the head. Your lifestyle has changed -- time to change it again in a mindful, intentional way.

[Anonymous]

But what are you cutting back to? If it's to what you used to eat 8 years ago then it just won't work. Your metabolism has probably slowed down so you need to eat less than that. My parents are in their early 60's (a way off, I know) but they are fitter and healthier than ever. Their secret is to walk everywhere and only eat two meals a day. And no snacking.

[Anonymous]

I read somewhere that your metabolism slows down as you age because you lose a pound of muscle a year after age 30. I'm 52 now, and have suddenly gained 15 pounds (peri-menopause, I guess). I have been craving fat, and I don't exercise at all, even though I love to exercise. I don't know what it is, this change of life thing?? I'm tired all the time, and crave sweet, fatty foods. I eat really healthy food, but I eat a lot of it, or at least as much as I did when I was younger. I have to cut back on the amount of food I eat, and if I do that, I will be hungry all the time. I had food problems as a teenager, and I don't ever want to go back to that. I'd rather be hungry.

I went to a nutritionist a few years ago, and she told me that if I want to avoid gaining weight as I go through menopause, I have to add more and more exercise to my day and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, far fewer carbs and more healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, almonds, avocados) and plenty of lean, grass-fed protein.

I eat well except for the sugar, which I can't keep away from. I'm hoping I'll feel like exercising soon because if this weight gain keeps up, I'm going to need a new wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

pp here. Oops, I meant "I'd rather be FAT than hungry". Never want to starve myself as I did when I was a teenager.

[Anonymous]

I am 38, but I have had the same problem. I finally have lost 10 pounds and I feel like I am on my way to my 25 pound weight loss goal. I had tried so many times before and failed (have had 3 c-sections so the "shelf" was PROFOUND). The thing that worked for me this time is I stopped exercising. When I exercised and cut back on my fat and calories it just never worked. I was so starving after working out I just couldn't manage it. So, this time, I just gave myself a break from exercising, and I am focusing my attention on lowering intake, and not eating a single bite of anything after 7 pm. This means that I eat dinner with my kids and well before my husband comes home, but I have lost 10 pounds since April 10th when I started this. I felt like I needed to shock my system. No, it has not been easy, and I am dying to eat something around 8:30 pm...especially when I watch my husband eat. But I remind myself of how MUCH BETTER my body feels, and I hold off. Once you let yourself see some weight loss, you will become stronger in maintaining your goal. I plan to start running again, after I shed some more pounds. But, I am giving myself a break until I shed another 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's 9 months up and 9 years down, right? At least, it seems that way to me.

It's about lifestyle changes. The PP who talked about the unholy trinity of birthday cupcakes, mac and cheese and the minivan shuffle hit it right on the head. Your lifestyle has changed -- time to change it again in a mindful, intentional way.

Agree. AND you HAVE to change your eating, not just change it for a few weeks, but FOREVER.

I work out 6xs a week and the scale did not BUDGE until I changed my eating. And now it moves very slowly. Get your Resting Metabolic Rate tested and then determine your caloric intake for the day. For me, this is how I've been losing at a clip of 1-2lbs a week (only have 15 more to go).

-Meal Replacement Shake for Lunch
-Small 100-200cal snack for mid morning
-600cal lunch (this is my big meal)
-Small 100-200cal snack mid afternoon
-Meal Replacement Shake for Dinner
-Small Square of Dark Chocolate around 8:30.
**Some nights I do a "real" dinner, but I always keep the portions very small, probably close to 350-400cal.
I hardly ever cheat. My snacks and meals are always very healthy and I avoid most bread and pasta. I get most of my carbs from fruit and when I do do rice, it is normally brown. Unlike another poster, I do VERY often eat avocado for snack.

I also bring NO JUNK in the house. I do not give my kids hot dogs and chicken nuggets, so eating off their plates, is usually pretty healthy.

When you are older, the scale does not move very quickly, you have to be patient and stick with your program.

One other thing, is I have started to become very active....I bike to and from work day a week (30miles round trip, I live off the W&OD trail and work right off the trail as well). I also try to hike Old Rag Mountain 1x a month. I also live in the FAR burbs, but still try to walk places. I have two shopping centers within a mile of my house, so I do often walk to get what I need when I have the time.

However, despite all the exercise, for me my weight loss TRULY is dependant on my caloric intake. I work out because I want my body to be tone and muscular.

[Anonymous]

I lost 53 pounds at age 49 on Weight Watchers. Have kept it off for 4 years - am now 53. It has changed the way I feel about myself - great program. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's 9 months up and 9 years down, right? At least, it seems that way to me.

It's about lifestyle changes. The PP who talked about the unholy trinity of birthday cupcakes, mac and cheese and the minivan shuffle hit it right on the head. Your lifestyle has changed -- time to change it again in a mindful, intentional way.

Agree. AND you HAVE to change your eating, not just change it for a few weeks, but FOREVER.

I work out 6xs a week and the scale did not BUDGE until I changed my eating. And now it moves very slowly. Get your Resting Metabolic Rate tested and then determine your caloric intake for the day. For me, this is how I've been losing at a clip of 1-2lbs a week (only have 15 more to go).

-Meal Replacement Shake for Lunch
-Small 100-200cal snack for mid morning
-600cal lunch (this is my big meal)
-Small 100-200cal snack mid afternoon
-Meal Replacement Shake for Dinner
-Small Square of Dark Chocolate around 8:30.
**Some nights I do a "real" dinner, but I always keep the portions very small, probably close to 350-400cal.
I hardly ever cheat. My snacks and meals are always very healthy and I avoid most bread and pasta. I get most of my carbs from fruit and when I do do rice, it is normally brown. Unlike another poster, I do VERY often eat avocado for snack.

I also bring NO JUNK in the house. I do not give my kids hot dogs and chicken nuggets, so eating off their plates, is usually pretty healthy.

When you are older, the scale does not move very quickly, you have to be patient and stick with your program.

One other thing, is I have started to become very active....I bike to and from work day a week (30miles round trip, I live off the W&OD trail and work right off the trail as well). I also try to hike Old Rag Mountain 1x a month. I also live in the FAR burbs, but still try to walk places. I have two shopping centers within a mile of my house, so I do often walk to get what I need when I have the time.

However, despite all the exercise, for me my weight loss TRULY is dependant on my caloric intake. I work out because I want my body to be tone and muscular.

If I had 2 shakes instead of food, I'd be pretty miserable. Cant you at least have a salad and some protein or some vegetable soup instead of the fake stuff?

[Anonymous]

Shake poster here. I've tried portion control and it always has left me hungry. For some reason the shakes have worked. They leave me full. I am trying to wean and replace with food, but I'm watching the scale closely to see what my body responds to.

The shakes were difficult at first, but the reward of watching the scale drop and NOT be hungry keeps me very motivated. Also, one of the nice benefits is that when I don't have time for a meal the shake is very easy and keeps me from eating something stupid, like french fries.

I'm down from a sizw fourteen to ten, so for me it is working great!

[Anonymous]

Wow - this sounds like me. I weigh about what I did at 7 months pregnant and it's been more than 10 years. A lot of the weight has come in the last 5 years (40's). My kids are finally old enough that I have more time and am about to start an exercise program and weight watchers. I am optimistic. I am shocked when I see pictures of myself as my mental image of myself is definitely 10 years ago.