50's with 25-50 lbs to Lose

I'm 50. Pre-menopausal. 36.5 pounds over weight. Not eating any wheat or refined sugars. Watching my carb intake (keep it around 20), consuming 1100 to 1400 calories a day. Exercise at least 3 times a week for an hour. Go on hikes 2 or 3 times a week in addition to the exercising. The problem: my weight is not budging. I've been at this for about three weeks - a pound would be nice. I would be happy losing a pound a week...even a half a pound a week would be tolerable - but to lose nothing is frustrating beyond words. Any thoughts on this? Suggestions on what I could be doing differently? I don't look at the way I'm eating as a diet, this is the way I'd like to eat as a life style choice. I eat at least two salads a day with veggies (this is where the majority of my carbs come from). I don't want to have to work out extremely hard for hours everyday...I want to eat and exercise sensibly. But I'm beginning to wonder if this is something possible if I hope to lose the extra weight. I'm willing to buddy up with someone who is having a similar struggle - and perhaps together we can find a solution to this resistance to lose weight! Anyone(s) out there interested?

Good morning, I know all about what you are talking about. First are you sure you are getting enough Calories? I am doing a 21 day gentle detox cleanse now and am eating around 1,400 to 1,500 calories a day and finally after years of this 2-3 pds up and down I am losing weight. the one thing that this has shown me is I am not eating enough food. Just a thought!

I have struggled too and not lost weight until I added heavy calisthenics and increased protein. I don't exercise every day but I get in a good 1- 1 1/2 hr workout 3x a week and try to walk with a little jogging. This is what it takes for me to lose weight these days. My calorie intake is about 1400 a day average ( I try to get away with more but doesn't work ) I've lost weight real well like this. It's hard but it's feels amazing! It's worth it. I am in my 50's. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your replys - good advice. Really discouraged though...yesterday I stepped on the scale to only see that I had GAINED 3 pounds in one day! I have not strayed from my eating plan in the least. Honestly - I feel like I'm going crazy! Help!!!!!

Hi-
There is a book out there called Living Low-carb by Fran McCullough, I found it when my son got stuck when he had lost 20 lbs, she says to take L-carnitine, Acetyl, and its bit expensive, along with flax seed oil capsules. you need to do 1000mg to 4000mg, split in two daily doses, before breakfast and lunch, start with 1000 and take more if you aren't losing yet. It has zero toxicity, and 4 caps of flax oil(omega3)daily. (pages 47-50), Well it worked for my son,he lost another 20, all this in 4 months. but then he was 20, so that had have something to do with it. I just started it with my atkins. there is one guy, Crayhon,who says that obesity is a symptom of L-Carnitine deficiency, I don't know if I really believe that but it's in red meat, and if you don't eat much then it's possible. Good luck.

3 weeks isnt really that long.i would suggest more good foods.why only 20g carbs?i try to get 45g a day and i am satisfied with my progress.it takes time and persistance.you can do this.you might have to tweek your diet a little but if you stick with it it will work.i promise.

Remember that muscle weighs more than fat. As much as you're exercising you are probably building up a lot of muscle. Are your clothes getting loose? I am losing weight much slower than I would like (about 1/2 lb a week), I notice I'm moving to a smaller size in clothes.