I am 46 (almost 47) and have generally fluctuated between size 10 - 14.. I have hypo-thyroidism, which is just makes me sluggish and, lets face it, lazy. Over the past few years I have stayed comfortably in my 14 size body and finally those too have become tight. I had a job interview last spring and went ahead and bought a size 16 suit to be comfortable and one where I could button the jacket. That really sucked. Now, my company has a more relaxed dress code over the summer so we adopt a "business casual" dress code. Over the summer I half heartedly told myself (again) that I would take up jogging and my size 14 clothes will be back to being comfortable. I HATED jogging, gave up and just let time go by.. Lo and behold when I went to try my clothes back on, yes the 14's fit like the 12's used to... BADLY.. To top it off my closet collapsed tryign to contain 3-4 different sized wardrobes!! I finally just donated the 10's..
As far as excuses, mine has been that I commute 4 hours a day to a demanding job and often work at home. I am too tired by the time I get home to even think about taking my ample behind to the gym. Not to mention most of them are not opened early enough for me to get in before work. Now that fall has arrived, it is getting darer earlier which rules out evening walks, which I enjoyed during the summer..
So here we go, trying another approach. I am committed and determined.
I have tried every diet there is and know it is a matter of finding the right balance of what you eat and to excercise. My challenge will be to find what works for me food wise.. I think what I need to do is listen to my body (not my cravings)!
My approach...
Eliminate flour - the gluten causes inflamation and I have end up with the worst blood sugar crashes
Limit carbs to non-gmo or organic grains or rice
More vegetables (not my favorite - but I like salad)
Reduce meat.. I really do not need to eat 2x per day
Stop drinking - that one glass of wine turns me into a couch potato
Excercise! I have joined Anytime Fitness - a 24 hour gym so my excuse for availability is out the window