I have to compete against The Mid Age Spread thread as if it were the newest virus around. Then there's the monthly water retention round my periods, which i still experience about every 2 months. Then there's the food cravings which my inner girl still enjoys every once in a 2x per week and about every week of the month.

Having to deal with my weight fluctuations is quite frustrating too. Just when i reach my 1st goal my body always seems to go right back up 3 Lbs and its like a darn Never Ending Cycle.

How do I ever reach my next weight loss goal when Im stuck losing a nd regaining the last 3 Lbs cyclically. How do I get past this barrier and move down to the next -10 lbs to lose?

Any tips out there, esp from middle aged women like myself? Im 5'8, and stuck at 184. But the weight keeps haunting me a few days out of the week when it reaches a high tide and then goes 2 to 3 lbs over the 184 which i worked Very Hard to drop down to so far???

1BlueRose - I feel your pain! The bloating, cravings, slower metabolism, age related aches and pains making me want to curl up under the covers some days instead of exercise. I also feel like I am struggling to lose the same pounds over and over. The only thing I can do is try to be more stubborn than my fat and not give up! I look at it this way - I might not be seeing any big drops in short periods of time - but at least I'm not making any huge gains either. Going up and down the same three pounds is better than going up three pounds, and then going up another three pounds, and so on.... I know that I would be much heavier than I am if I didn't at least try to watch my calories and exercise, so it is what it is. Hang in there! I find this board very helpful for motivation and staying or getting back on track.

Is there a magic switch when you turn 40 that makes your hips drop and spread, makes every calorie count twice? Anyway, I kept going up and down or should I say down then back up. I know it's my fault; the cravings not particularly for just one type of food made me feel like I was running in circles. I've recently been trying a new, natural supplement and have been able to stave off cravings and I feel more energetic, I've also lost 6 lbs.; I just haven't wanted as much food, so I hope it continues.

I am right there with you. Once I hit 42/43 the weight started coming back on, my hormones have gone out of control and it seems no matter what I try I cannot get the scale to go down. I am so frustrated with my weight issue that I finally joined a diet center, hoping to get some of this weight off. It's still early days for me so will see how it goes.

Hi, NEmom!

I remember you from the boards back in the day! So great to see you here (well, not really, but you know what I mean!). Ugh, so many of us have regained weight that we already lost a few times before. So frustrating. Nice to have fellow soldiers to keep me motivated!

HelpI need motivation. I returned on Friday from a mission trip with my daughter and it really was a lot of heavy manual labor and I came home weighing 2 lbs heavier.I had to go back to work yesterday and I feel the stress eating hitting me strong.173lbs today ugh