Why Losing Weight Is Harder in Midlife (It's Not Your Fault)
After my first child, I gained a fair amount of baby weight and decided I needed to get back in shape with a "proper diet." I started tracking calories, aiming for a ridiculous 1,200 a day (what was I thinking?!). After a few weeks,when the weight didn't budge, I went to the doctor, convinced it was my thyroid. He was a lovely older gentleman who looked me in the eye and said, "Well, you seem trustworthy as a teacher, so it's either your thyroid or you're lying to yourself."
When my test came back clear, I was ashamed, even though I knew I hadn't lied. I was just expecting quick results and couldn't sustain such an aggressive approach, add to that the fact that I didn’t understand what I was doing, and you get a pretty unhappy result.
I went on to try Slimming World, fasting, paleo, and even tried to "outrun the food that I ate." This constant struggle left me feeling broken and confused. Trying everything and getting nowhere is a reality for so many women in midlife, but it's not your fault. Things that used to work just don't anymore.
Here are the main reasons why, and they have nothing to do with will-power:
Hormones and Your Body
As you get older, your hormones start to change, especially as you go through perimenopause and menopause. This can cause you to gain weight around your stomach, EVEN if you’re doing everything the same. These hormonal changes also make your body less efficient at using sugar for energy. This means your body might store more of it as fat, which can feel incredibly frustrating…and a little unfair.
The Weight of Stress
Midlife often means a heavy mental load: juggling work, kids and family. This constant stress wears you down and makes it harder to make good choices about food. When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which encourages your body to hold on to fat, especially around your tummy. It’s a natural reaction, but it works against your weight loss goals.
Old Tricks Don't Work
The diets and workout plans that worked in your twenties usually don't work now. Why? Because they're mostly extreme and don't fit into the busy and often stressful life of a forty plus woman. These "all or nothing" approaches usually lead to feeling burnt out and giving up and finding yourself on the sofa with a tub of mint chocchip and fuck it mentality.
Your Metabolism Slows Down
As we get older, we naturally start to lose muscle. This is important because muscle is what helps your body burn calories. When you have less muscle, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to lose weight.
Feeling like your body has turned against you is a tough and lonely experience but a different path is possible, one that leaves behind the shame and frustration of old-school dieting. You can achieve sustainable results by working with your body and your life, not against them. Let go of the "all or nothing" mindset and find a new way forward that works for you.
If you need a little help getting there, you can find a supportive community and simple, flexible methods that truly work at ruthmacfit.com.
Ready to Say No to Crap Cake?
The journey to feeling stronger and healthier in midlife isn't about perfection; it's about making a series of small, intentional choices. You've already taken the first step just by reading this.
If you’re ready to leave the frustration and 'all-or-nothing' mindset behind and join a community of women who are building a life they love, then the No Crap Cake Method is for you. This isn't another quick fix; it's a sustainable way to nourish your body and mind.
Ready to start your journey? Visit ruthmacfit.com to find out more and join our tribe.