Why Am I Gaining Weight?

Your metabolism takes a nose dive at 40, you probably need to change up your exercise schedule and definitely take a look at your calorie intake.
40 was that magical age for me. You have to burn more than you eat if you want to lose weight, it's the only way to do it.

I am 46
My metabolism came to a screeching halt at about 41/42.
Same diet, same exercise, gained weight.
much harder to get it back off
Talk to your Doctor, have a physical,
revise your exercise plan
review your meal plan(s)

I have come to realize that I will never be as thin I was when in my 30s.

But, "I am older and have more insurance".

I agree....metabolism can stall out in your 40's.....maybe try more cardio to fuel up your metabolism?

I think your metabolism has just slowed down. I just turned 40 in March, and never had any problem with my weight, but I've gained 10+ lbs. in the last 6 mo. or so.
Best wishes :)

At 41, I would guess changing hormones. Dr. Oz talks a lot about that on his site... at 41, you definitely need to add weight lifting to your routine and perhaps change up your diet a bit.. what worked in your 30s, may not work in your 40s.. believe me .. I know :) best of luck

I really think there is a lot to be said for a weight our bodies get comfortable at. I know that some research debunks the set point theory. But here's my story...

In 1999 I lost 2 sizes and gained 8 pounds while working out hard enough to gain a lot of muscle. But then I got pregnant and was sick and my husband got another job keeping me out of the gym. I gained the 2 sizes back and stayed right about 200 pounds. In the last 10 years I have lost between 20 and 35 pounds so many times I can't count anymore. I have been as high as 228 which was TERRIBLE. I have been as low as 187 which I have never been able to keep a grip on for more than a few days. I have spent most of my time right about 210. This is TEN YEARS of it and I am 44. So my big problems started in my early 30's.

Welcome to the 40's...
LBC

I had some unexplained weight gain and just found out it is a large fibroid. (Apparently very common to women in their forties.) Please don't ignore it,
see your doctor. It may be something; it may be nothing. It's concerning you so it's wise to get your questions answered by your doctor. As always, YMMV.

If you've been doing the same workout the whole time, you need to change it up. Your body 'memorizes' your workout and it will become useless if you're still doing the same old thing; you need to switch it up, which causes 'muscle confusion', then makes your body work harder to burn the calories :)

You need to switch something up. Either change up your diet a little or change your workout routine. Your body is getting complacent and you need to give your metabolism a shock to get it to kick into gear again. Age may play a factor but if you are a normally healthy active person I don't think that is too much the case here.

If you are doing the same thing for excercise you need to switch it up. If you are not excercising start! try adding some weight lifting done's have to be big weights, just to add muscle. muscle burns more calories than fat! Good luck!

Definitely get checked out by your doctor to be sure something isn't amiss but, I really think it is because you haven't changed your diet or exercise program in 3 years.

The body 'gets used' to routines and adapts to it. The metabolism resets itself and now you're in a maintenance mode. Also, as we age our metabolism naturally slows so that could be a factor.

Switch up your exercise routine. Include HIITs (Google high intensity interval training) and try strength training through circuits or supersets. (Feel free to PM if you want suggestions)

With your nutrition, if you are eating a certain number of calories (say 1800 a day) multiply that number by 7 and divide up your calories but NOT an equal amount each day. For example, some days you'd eat 2000, other days 1600, and other days 1800. This 'bounce around' still gives you enough calories to sustain basal metabolic rate and activity but also encourages your metabolism to not be so lazy and sluggish.

It could be your metabolism.

It could also be your thyroid.
Get some bloodwork done.

If that checks out fine, then it's time to kick your exercise regime in the arse and do something new.

Awesome job on the weightloss! Wow...

I think it's probably a metabolism change with your age, but you might want to get your thyroid checked too, like others have suggested.

Another thing is to watch "Fat Head" (great name, I know). Seriously. Watch that documentary. It's entertaining as well has awesome information on why we gain weight. It's really not all about calories intake. That will work for some people, but not everyone. The real issue is how much your blood sugar is effected - this is true for everyone - not just diabetics. But, if you watch Fat Head, he explains it really well. After watching the show, you feel a lot more educated on how to keep your blood sugar at a nice level so that you are not gaining weight. Some of the info he shares is quite surprising too! If you have Netflix, you can watch it on Instant Watch. Even my husband liked it, and I wasn't thinking he would.

time nto get thyroid checked out............

Time to switch up the program, your body has done so well with it, but is bored now :)

Updated

Time to switch up the program, your body has done so well with it, but is bored now :)

I think you just need more information:
www.SoYouWantToCleanse.com

B.
Family Success Coach

hormones....age....THYROID....see your doctor. :)

After spending the past two months thinking about going to the gym, I put on 5 pounds. And when I finally went (twice!), I gained another half a pound. I'm trying to convince myself it's muscle. What do you think?

Okay, fine. I can pretend to be shocked as much as I want, but the thing that keeps ringing through my head like a mantra is something I heard Richard Simmons say on a late night talk show *years* ago.

"The reason people who have lost weight regain it is that they lie to themselves. They say, "I've done so well, I deserve a reward" or "Now that I've got things under control, I can have this thing I shouldn't eat" or "I'll just exercise more to work this off." But the truth is, they are lying to themselves, and one lie turns into another lie."

(Paraphrased, obviously. You get the idea.)

at our age, one of the first things that your doc will check is your thryroid function. if it's slowing down, that would be the reason for your weight gain. it's probably a good idea to go get yourself checked out.

i think it is age. metabolism change. you also might need to switch up your workouts. our bodies acclimate to the workouts so switch it up. more protein in the am, eat a little less and switch up workouts. yea, easier said than done but you have to keep tricking your body. good luck!

As you age (and I mean from late 20s on), your metabolism will continue to slow down. So, what you might have done in your mid thirties to remain stable might equal weight gain now. Do you have any other symptoms besides weight gain. Common conditions might be related to thyroid problems or menopause, though you are a little too young for menopause.