Losing weight in your 40s - is it really harder?

I used to be able to lose weight in my 20s and 30s by simply thinking about it and cutting back on "bad eating habits".  I am starting a new diet to lose about 20 lbs of the "bad habit" weight gain from the past 5 years of a sedentary job and the slide into my 40th birthday.  I have heard people tell me my whole life, "enjoy it now cause when you're in your 40s you'll gain weight and not be able to lose it" or "when you lose weight after 40 it never comes off your abdomen and hips"

Is any of this true?  Do I have to become a work out junkie to lose weight and keep it off?  I can't imagine treadmills as a part of my daily routine when I'm 70...Scared you are all going to confirm my suspicions.

Well, I am not even 30 yet, but I have read that women gain a little abdomen fat naturally over the years...my best friend is in her early 40's and I have seen her lose weight and her belly looks better than my 2-baby-stretched-out belly. She wears a 2 piece to the beach and does not look bad. (And she DOES NOT hit the treadmill.)

I thought at 27 I was never going to lose the weight I gained having babies, but now I know that is riduculous. I believed all that metabolism slowing down stuff and yea...I also know a woman who had 4 babies, and she was in her 40's and her body was way hotter than mine. (Okay, so she used to be an aerobics instructor and she liked to run...) I guess it is all in what you are willing to do, and anything is possible.

At 70, you may not care about having the body of a 20-or-30-or-40 year old... :-) However, it would be good for your bones at 70. :-D

I have a friend who does some costuming work for the Palm Spring Follies.  Some of the dancers there are in their 70's, and I can tell you that there isn't a flabby abdomen in the lot.

Losing weight and getting more fit in your 40's (or 50's or 60's) isn't at all impossible.  There's nothing about age that makes fat impossible to firm up, you just may have to work at it harder.  As we age, our metabolism can slip a bit, which is why you find people in their 30's and 40's who suddenly have to watch what they eat for the first time in their lives.  But a healthy diet and exercise plan will give you results at any age, it may just take a little more time and effort as you get older.  All the more reason to get into shape now and not wait until you are in your 50's! ;)

I'm looking at 8 years back at work, partnership @ a law firm, no exercise, too many glasses of relaxation wine, and five stone. Looks pretty tough from here!

Having used my 40th birthday as the kick in the pants to lose 50lbs that I'd been staring at for a few years I'd say...  don't worry.  You don't have to become a total health-freak or gym-bunnie to lose weight in your 40's.  You may decide, however, that you don't want to be the weight you were when you were 18 but that you'll settle for a few pounds as insurance.  This is mature and sensible :-)

I think what you do have to realise is that you can't eat pizza/drink beer/burn the candle at both ends with gay abandon as you may have done in your twenties and thirties and it won't show on the scales (or in your face) because it will.  It's more about finding some consistency... activities you like doing, trimming the portions a little, choosing healthier foods.... looking after youself with a 'healthy lifestyle' in other words.

FYI My abdomen will never be the same again largely because a large baby exited it a few years ago!   It was worth it.

The one thing I am learning on this weight loss journey is patience. I am 41 and started my healthy eating journey the first of February. It has taken me that long to lose 8 lbs. In my 20's and 30's I would lose weight by eating less and dancing at the clubs at night. But, I have just stuck with it. What are my options. I need to lose 40 lbs. So I could quit and be right back where I started or stick with it and have a very very slow weight loss. I have found the cravings fade and treats are just that, treats. I have found with the slow weight loss that I find things just aren't worth eating.

Good luck. There is a 40ish and losing thread in the "Motivation" forum if you want to add your thoughts to the group.

Weighed 235 on my 40th birthday.

Weigh 200 for my 43rd birthday.

Hard to do?  Yes, but worth it.  Eat great healthy foods, lots of fruits and veggies.  Drink your water.  Enjoy your life.

I agree with just about all of the posts above.  It is not so much harder, but you have to make better over all choices.  Also, I have found with age comes wisdom.  You don't have to fight with yourself once you realize that the only person you need to be accountable to is YOU.  Not to your neighbor, your husband, your friends or a weight loss group-JUST YOU.

I will be 41 on the 24th.  I started at 295 pounds (see pictures of my 40th birthday-yuk!) Today, I weigh 192 pounds. All I have done this year is focus on better health, and used CC as a tool to get here.  I will post a picture of my 41st birthday here proudly. :)

It is harder. I used to be able to just hit the gym, eat low fat and I could banish a couple of lbs. a week no problem.

After two kids and a sedentary job and not as much gym access and a husband who loves to eat...well...50lbs creeped on fast. But it's coming off slowly.

I've been doing this consistently for a month and lost 5lbs. It's possible, it's just a longer process.

The key is really consistency. When we were in our 20s and 30s we could eat well and not so well and not pay for it so dearly. We have to be more consistent now than we were then.

Slow and steady wins the race, Mary1912.  Good for you on your five pound loss.  It will come off, just do what you have been doing and enjoy feeling better.

Definitely over 40 is ALOT harder to lose.  I have always been a "winter gainer" and had no problems losing it by Spring.  Not anymore!! I am 45 now and it just seems to get harder every year because I haven't really lost it all in like 4 years which just keeps adding up to the next year.  I know menopause has a big affect as well but I won't give up.  It's not impossible at all just takes a little more patience.