how to lose weight at age 44

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 44 and I'm gained about 25 pounds over the past 18 months (currently 160 at 5'6") Whatever I do, I can't lose the weight and in fact, it keeps creeping on. At a baseline I eat 1500 calories a day--have done this for about 10 years to maintain my previous weight of 135.
I recently did 6 weeks of intermittent fasting (only eating from 2pm-8pm and keeping it at under 1200 calories). I gained weight. I have not exercised in recent years (besides living a non-stop life with 3 kids) but 4 weeks ago I started walking 3 miles a day, 5 days per week religiously. Back to eating 1500 calories a day. Have gained about 5 pounds in the month (since I stopped the intermittent fasting).
I guess I need to cut calories below 1200 and do vigorous exercise but I just can't function well on that little food. It's difficult for me to go all day at work while hungry, let alone have the ability to exercise vigorously. Any thoughts? Am I just beyond hope with a mid 40's metabolic slow-down?

Cut out processed foods - which essentially is what keto or low carb accomplishes

and yeah, you probably need to drop down the number of calories you consume

[Anonymous]

Given your age, I would at least check the thyroid.

I gained 13 lbs in four months at age 39 for no apparent reason. My eating habits hadn't worsened and my exercise habits hadn't changed. (I'm a daily exerciser, almost no exceptions, and a fairly serious runner.) I also had recently moved and was walking even more than usual.

I did in fact have a thyroid issue. I started medication for it a couple of years later (when I finally got tired of feeling tired all the time) and the weight is very, VERY slowly coming off. I'm not someone who likes depriving myself, so I don't really diet.

One caution about the drastic calorie restriction: it doesn't leave you anywhere to go as you get older. I'm in my late 40's and can still eat 2,500 calories/day (sometimes more) and maintain weight. I've never drastically restricted calories, unlike most of my friends, and the difference in what we can eat is pretty significant. I like not having to count every single calorie.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the posts, NP here, 46. Need to lost at least 15 pounds, probably 20 if I was being completely honest with myself. Can some of you who have been successful with IF and low carb diets, please post your routine and foods that you eat? I need to really focus on this.