Yes, metabolism is complex but if you burn more calories than you take in you WILL lose weight.
It's not opinion, it's proven fact. No one is immune to the laws of physics.
But there is nothing that will effectively target old belly fat. 100 million landfill copies of "Abs of Steel" will tell that story. Sure, you can gain a little muscle in your ab area, but not to the point of slim definition.
Women, especially older women, if truly making changes, after a few months might manage to drop say, 15-20lbs (if they are very disciplined and lucky, and concentrate on maintaining/gaining muscle and not just cardio'ing their way to unhealthy skinny) and might find they lost a cup size in their boobs, and their legs are a bit thinner, their ass is flatter - in the not-good way, and their face is a bit more jowly and saggy, but nope, that tummy is still there.
Fat loss doesn't come evenly across the whole body.
I just don't care for all the judgment against a stranger here, and it probably leads to a lot of folks NOT wanting to ask these questions, as the "Oh, you should just..." crowd comes out in full force.
I agree with Aerides.
I've had a lean, toned stomach my whole life. In my late 60's, it is beginning to pouch slightly, no matter how many crunches I do or how many cookies I refuse. Gravity and genetics always win in time.
Having no wealthy husband to hang onto, and being afraid of surgery, I'll just keep exercising to maintain core strength as long as I can, and perhaps wear a foundation garment, should I want to step out in a tight red dress.
Nevertheless, if somebody else wants a little surgical help for their waistline, more power to him or her.
Finally, my thought, for the "he/she looks fake" crowd, is to consider: how much worse would they look if they'd done nothing? You can bet the person being criticized, has considered this.
I make the same argument for hair dye (nobody thinks it fools anyone - they just think gray looks awful on them), Botox, and everything else we do to look a little better for just a little longer.
No, it's opinion. Because it relies on the obsolete and often disproven idea that we "burn" calories. Metabolism is far more complex.
Repeating a discredited idea doesn't help.
I agree. No one in history has ever gained weight consuming less calories than they burn.
if you think otherwise, provide some proof.
No, talking to you is pointless.
And I'm sure you feel the same way in the other direction.
Carry on.
This isn't a matter of opinion or feelings. You have chosen to believe something that can't happen.
Facts are facts even if you don't like them.
No, you keep accusing me of saying something I never said.
Just look at post #25 where I made my point. Your posts are just knocking down your own strawman.
I agree. No one in history has ever gained weight consuming less calories than they burn.
if you think otherwise, provide some proof.
Our bodies need fewer calories as we get older. So, the perception that our bodies adjust to lower caloric intake is merely because as we get older, we do need fewer calories with the same level of activity.
The same is perhaps true of "dieting" to lose weight. The dieter may not realize it, but with the continued calorie deficit, they are finding ways to move more slowly and make fewer movements overall. Plus, I have not known one dieter who didn't admit to cheating, due to hunger and cravings.
Because most "diets" are overly restrictive. You can't simply say, right, I'd like to weigh 125 lbs, and the maintenance calories for that body are X, so I'll just eat X and get there.
You have to get a noticeable deficit, probably less than the amount a 125 lb woman eats normally, which might make you uncomfortable, and unable to maintain the same activity levels properly. The body doesn't always make the right decision on when to reduce via muscle or fat either. You will lose some muscle while also losing fat, but it's certainly not a set ratio for everyone.
Age and hormones also play a role. We have all tried the kind of diet that worked when we were 30 - do X for 2 weeks and drop 5 lbs - easy peasy. Try that again at 60 after menopause? hahahaha nope not remotely the same result.