Losing Weight Over 40 with Weight Watchers

If Oprah can lose over 40 pounds at age 60+, so can you!

I was recently sucked into watching old videos of myself from 12 years ago- right after my son born and what I saw was quite shocking. I saw myself in a completely new light- I looked exhausted and yes depressed. I remember being home all day with my daughter- not having very many friends in our new neighborhood and feeling overwhelmed and sad.

I think so many of us mothers BEAT OURSELVES UP ON a regular basis. Whether we think we are not doing a good enough job parenting our kids; disciplining them, feeding them enough veggies, reading to them, getting in quality time with them and yes the list goes on.

Some of us also feel incredible dissatisfaction with our professional lives and even our marriages. Some of us don't make enough time for our friendships– so add to that having to feel shame over our appearance and well- it is enough to make a mom NEVER WANT TO GET OUT OF BED.

Fast forward 16 years and I am Losing Weight Over 40 with Weight Watchers and have slowly taken off all the baby weight /extra poundage one gains when one turns to the ripe old age of 40.

But none of this happened overnight. It was a very gradual process and no amount of shaming or making me feel jealous could have made this process go any quicker.

I also know that, the woman I was 13 years ago- probably would not have taken very kindly to a seemingly happy pin thin mom telling me I have no excuse to be overweight and look frumpy. I'm sure her intentions are good– but from a mom's perspective I'm not sure the message is getting anywhere.

Weight loss is like quitting smoking- NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU DO IT- you do it when YOU are ready.But when you are and if you are over 40 Weight watchers can help you and here are some ways!

Losing Weight Over 40 with Weight Watchers

Eat your points.

Skipping meals and eating less than your target points will not help you lose weight. Here are a few recipes to help you stay on track- Broccoli Salad ( so easy to make) and this Lemon Pound Cake!

Consider strength training.

Most women know all about the treadmill and step aerobics, but we tend to steer clear of weights. Why is that? Long gone are the days when we thought weights would cause bulking. It takes a whole lot to bulk up, especially as a woman. Strength training burns calories during your workout, and after. It can also help maintain your metabolism, when many women experience their metabolism slowing after 40. You can also try the Body Boss Method to kickstart your workout!

Eat more fiber.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that something as simple as aiming to eat 30 grams of fiber each day can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and improve your body’s response to insulin just as effectively as a more complicated diet. Not sure which foods are filled with the nutrient? Fear not! Check out some of the best sources ranked in order from the least nutrient-dense to the most potent. Head to the grocery store and stock up on these items to keep your bod healthy and trim.

Sip green tea.

Every tea has its own special weight-loss powers, but if your boat is sinking and you can only grab one package of tea before swimming to the deserted island, make it green tea. Green tea is the bandit that picks the lock on your fat cells and drains them away, even when we’re not making the smartest dietary choices. Chinese researchers found that green tea significantly lowers triglyceride concentrations (potentially dangerous fat found in the blood) and belly fat in subjects who eat fatty diets. Follow these steps to Make the Perfect Cup of Green Tea!

Fill up on lean protein.

Lean protein is kind of a big deal when it comes to weight loss. Your body needs protein to maintain, repair, and grow lean, fat-burning muscle and help you stay fuller longer. One 2005 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition even found that people who ate 30 percent of their calories from protein, versus 15 percent, reduced their total energy intake by 441 calories. Damn.

So to get you to your weight-loss goal without hating life, check out my Weight Watchers tater tot recipe to get your fill of lean protein and this list for healthy, lean protein options.

Drink more water.

When you feel “hunger” set in, drinking some water can help you determine how ravenous you actually are. One 2015 study from the University of Oxford found that obese adults who drank about 16 ounces of water 30 minutes before their meals ended up eating fewer calories and losing 2.6 more pounds than those who simply imagined that their stomachs were full before sitting down for their meals. Check out 5 Ways Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight