“Even if the scale isn’t changing, my body is”

Before and after
Women approaching middle age may have a difficult time losing weight – sometimes even on LCHF.
Bitte Björkman shares her story here:
The Email
Hi!
I realized that perhaps someone might be inspired by my weight journey. It’s not as spectacular as many other’s, but I’m sure there are many others in my situation. Middle-aged women may have a hard time losing weight, and I want to show that being persistent works! Even thought they scale doesn’t budge, the body changes.
Health-wise I’m free from:
- gastritis
- migraines
- constipation in combination with sprints to the bathroom…
- snoring (had chronic sinus problems)
- dry skin
- abdominal bloating
And more that I’ve likely forgotten here :)
My first checkup was after about eight months on LCHF, and I’ve had one every other year after this.
I started at 165 lbs (74 kg) in January of -09, 43 years old. I’ve been weight stable since then, and kept within 139–143 lbs (63–65 kg).
In the picture to the left I have six months left before I dared to try LCHF (fear of fat!) – sorry about the poor picture quality – and the one to the left is taken a month ago.
I’m not exactly shy, so I’m happy to have my name there if you feel that you want to use my story!
Sincerely,
/Bitte Kempe Björkman
Comment
Congratulations on your successes!
The story is fairly typical. Most people – even women over 40 – will lose weight on LCHF without hunger. Reductions in digestive problems such as abdominal bloating and gastritis are also very common. Migraines and snoring are also among things that are also improved.
What do you think?
Do you have any other experience? Or any tips for losing weight for women after 40?
More
More health and weight stories
PS
Do you have a success story you want to share on this blog? Send it (photos appreciated) to andreas@dietdoctor.com, and please let me know if it’s OK to publish your photo and name or if you’d rather remain anonymous.
But...
Even with LCHF, calorie balance IS important! I know this flies in the face of many LCHF authors who (rightfully) reject the notion of calorie balance as a panacea for weight loss. I get that the diet industry is missing the point on this one. Yet in my own experience, I find that even when following strict low carb, the weight does not "fall off". The fact is, why should it? I mean, if people were designed to sustain themselves on low carb for long periods of time it would be a real problem if a low carb diet automatically led to weight loss.
The fact is that the body will sustain itself through the manufacture of ketones, which comes from our own fat stores, which come from our consumption of dietary fat and protein. If your intake of fat and protein is sufficient to meet your body's demand, you will not lose body fat, period!
What LCHF (in my opinion) affords us is relative freedom from the cravings that cause carb consumption, which in turn spikes insulin and drives weight gain.
Therefore, I recommend tracking total calorie intake even on a LCHF diet if the goal is weight loss. It has made all the difference to me.