I am almost 58. I used to be a vegan (not very good at it either) but adopted a paleo diet and have lost 55 pounds. My advice, as far as losing weight, would be this: calories DO count, contrary to what Gary Taubes writes. You can be obese as a vegan, as a paleo, as a follower of any diet, if you eat too many calories. So without going nuts trying to count calories, and also going nuts trying to figure out fat and protein percentages (which i never do), just EAT WHEN YOU ARE TRULY HUNGRY. Don't eat at set cultural times (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Eat when YOU need to eat, let yourself feel actual hunger. Then, of course, eat good, healthy food. Not junk. See how long you can go without eating, because it's during this time that your body is doing other things inside, like healing, repairing, etc. Calories ARE important. (so is quality of food, of course). :)

It isn't harder to lose weight, necessarily, it's just different. Things you did before are not going to work the same way. You may need to lower your carbs or protein and switch up your exercise. You CAN do it, it will just take some tweaking.

I am just 40 years old, but I have had to make some changes recently to lose a little weight and to maintain my weight loss. I have been Paleo for just about a year now.

I'm 45 and had put on some weight after 40, I also found the more I tried to loose it, the more I'd gain back. Finally in January started primal, still transitioning to paleo, but it definitely worked.

Once I figured out the right %s and calories for my size it started melting off like butter. I now have a metabolism, I have lost 35 lbs of pure fat, now lean and feeling great. I also believe my hormones are more balanced due to less PMS symptoms and more stable moods in general. ( I'm 5'2" now 110)

I also started this way because of health issues and those are starting to clear up now to...not 100%, but it's a start.

I've always been a yoyo dieter, always knew that my body didn't process breads, pastas and other processed food....but it was easier to go back to that, and always weight gain. Once you get through the first 2+ months it's smooth sailing. And yes, if you watch your calories and %s it should come off, but it does take some effort.

Good luck to you whatever you choose to do!

Im almost 50, (49) and I have done very well eating this way. I am pretty active, but I also have hypo-thyroid. I will say, it isn't so much losing weight as toning up for me. I started at about 145 and am now 138, so the weight loss isn't huge, the clothes size has changed drastically. I was wearing a size 8/10, now some of my clothes are a 4, (I think some companies have smaller size labels) Measure more on how you feel than what the scale says. For me, the size change was such a big bonus, the quality of my life has changed for the better, and that was what I was hoping for. I've been doing this since May of this year, and I slip up, and when I do, I feel it. Be patient and pay attention to your bod.

42, 5'5". Started out at 165, now weigh 130. Lost about 20lbs relatively easily, the last 15 were slooooooooow. I was eating pretty low carb, but I upped my carbs a bit and that's when the last of it came off. I'm about 20-21% body fat and ideally I'd like to lean out a little more, but I'm happy where I am.

I eat dairy, I don't count calories or worry too much about what or how much I eat (although I try not to eat too much in the way of nuts or nut butter) as long as it's Paleo (+dairy). I sprint 1x per week and do resistance training in the form of hauling bags of potting soil and water cans around and piggybacking two very big nine-year-olds up the stairs. I walk, garden, and do stuff around the house. I have found it very easy to maintain weight loss.

In my experience, it might be slow to come off, but come off it will.

I am 57 and yes it is more difficult to lose weight now than it was when I was younger. I am also hypothyroid, which can make losing weight difficult. But still, I have lost 55 pounds in the past year eating a Paleo type diet. I have found that I need to be pretty strict about certain things.

I really needed to cut out all dairy (even butter and HWC) and also all nuts, not just the grains and beans. I had been snacking on nuts and it's so easy to eat too many! Also I cut out all artificial sweeteners and sugar free gum, (which I knew was not Paleo but was still using anyway.) Dr. Kruse's Leptin Prescription is also helping a lot, though I hate eating 50 grams of protein when I first get up in the morning but I'm sticking with it! Also it totally helps to go 4-5 hours between meals with NO SNACKING, and I do not eat after about 6pm. I still have about 25-30 pounds to lose but I am sure I will reach that goal within the next few months.

My measurements are smaller than they were last time I was at this weight, which is a nice bonus. My husband says I am becoming nutrient dense. LOL

I'm 42. I've never really "dieted" before so I can't compare paelo to any other "diet."

I started dieting low-carb in February 2011, went paleo (with dairy) in March and have lost a bit over 35 lbs (184 to 148) (and 4" off my waist, and went from a 14/16 to a 10/12) without doing anything other than cutting out most neolithic foods. I do ride my bike to work, but I don't at all consider that exercise. It's been totally painless for me (except for complaints from my 10 year that I don't make vegan food anymore!)

Well I know better than most how hard it is to lose the weight! I went paleo about 18 months ago and lost 10kg like that ! then nothing at all - for more than 12 months I have stayed the same weight ( still overweight ) I tried no carbs high fat / more protein and less protein and I also went dairy free - I have tried it all and NADA! Worst of all I have helped about 5 people lose a lot of weight doing what I do !

I finally admitted that I need some more help - to fine tune the diet - so I found a Naturopath who ( like many of them ) believe in the Ketogenic diet. After a few tests and such he discovered some problems. We are working on fixing them and already after 2 wks I have lost 3kg and lots more to come.

Sometimes in spite of all the reading and research we are still not skilled enough to treat medical problems.

I saw my GP a few wks ago and she wants to put me on all sorts of meds - only to change the symptoms - I feel that with a few simple changes made by a person who has great skills in this diet and area my problems are treated not just made manageable.

Go get some help and fast track this ride - I wish I had done so 12 months ago !

I've heard that women over 40 or 45 often gain weight because their metabolism slows down. I'm 45 but I can't say that has happened, yet. I've been more or less at the same weight since the age of 15 (122 lbs, give or take a couple of pounds), and am still eating the same amounts of calories as before. However, since getting a pedometer a couple of years ago I'm definitely walking a lot more (6 to 8 miles a day) so maybe that has compensated for a slowing-down metabolism.

I have paid greater attention to what I eat since my late thirties, lowering my carbs, drinking almost no alcohol, avoiding junk, and just basically trying to max every calorie in terms of nutrition. I'm also doing some strength exercises (weights, push-ups) to keep my bones strong.

I'm 48. Went Primal 10.5 months ago. Dropped ~15 pounds--4 of it right away.

Went from an 8 to a 2 in the same clothing brand.

I eat dairy, avoid FODMAPS (because I am intolerant) and never cheat on gluten.

What worked for me:

Low carb 50-70 g/day.

Intermittent Fasting (I eat in a 6-8 hour window most days.)

Making sure my Vitamin D, A, K, Magnesium & Zinc are optimal (this can take some fiddling!)

Lots of gentle walking; 1-2 hours daily.

Bodyweight exercises 1-2x/week for 15-20 min.

10 min Dance "sprints" at my 1-2X weekly free-style dance sessions.

YMMV. Older women don't lose that much weight on the plan, just a few pounds. The bigger change is in measurements and in energy levels. I believe that idea that metabolism slows is a partly a myth. I am much more active than before, as many are, and it is still very difficult to lose any weight.

What about a high raw paleo diet for weight loss? It works for me. It works for Carol Alt who wrote the raw food book, Raw 50. She does include raw dairy, egg, and fish recipes along with the other standard raw vegan fare. I don't eat even raw dairy (and gluten is devastating) because it doesn't go over well for my skin and digestion. Nourishing Traditions cookbook has recipes and guidance for consuming raw meats. I eat raw oysters in addition to raw liver (blended into green smoothies so I can't taste it); I got this oyster idea from browsing Denise Minger's website.

I am curious if a high raw paleo diet combined with regular exercise helps many women over 40 to lose weight? Everyone is different of course. Some don't do well on raw, some do.

My heaviest was in my 30's. It wasn't until I stopped eating the grains that I look and feel the best. I am 47 and keeping the weight off has been very easy. I lift my kettlebells once in awhile and swim once a week. Paleo is KEY!

I'm 42 and have really been plateau'd at around 140 (I'm 5'6) even with Paleo. I've been trying various 'ways' of tweaking my nutrition but as I feel I'm borderline ED, it's been frought with cheats (paleo cheats, and non-paleo cheats, but never ever gluten cheats).

I wanted to let you know what I'm going to try, based on reading other posts here.

Fasted exercise in the morning (bikram yoga 2-3 days a week, one hike day, 2 HIIT days with arms and abs, one to 2 rest days a week), after a cup of green tea.

Carbs will be around 50 to 100 a day, and from sweet potatos and squash (and veges of course), no fruit or white potatos. No night shades. Super low carb didn't work for me.

Lean and also fatty protein, no eggs (think I'm allergic...such a bummer).

Big ass salad once a day, with liver support foods like dandelion greens, cabbage, etc.

Will use a little clarified butter or coconut oil to cook meats and a little olive oil on salad. Need to cut down on amount (so maybe 2 to 3 tablespoons a day, if that?) since I tend to overdo it and take in too many calories here. Also, a couple teaspoon of fish oil supplement a day.

Cut out the dairy--no regular butter or all the gobs of heavy whipping cream I've been guzzling.

Planning 4 meals a day, trying not to eat within 3 hours of bed. Gonna try this without calorie counting first, and then if I have to, crunch the numbers and be more 'measur-y' with my food. This usually sends me into binge-mode so I have to be careful here.

I think you can't discount estrogen dominance potential in your 40's...I take a couple of supplements to help my liver clear excess estrogen: Indole-3 Carbinol and calcium glucarate. This is helping tremendously! Also why the salad with liver foods.

I also cut out all fruit just as an experiment since the liver has to work a little harder to break down fructose as opposed to starches. Just wanted to give my poor liver a break.

As a final note, am going to try a supplement to help balance neurotransmitters/dopamine etc. Hoping this may help with the emotional challenges with food, and life.