Post hysterectomy weight loss

Question
I have been moderately overweight for most of my life.  I had a total abdominal hysterectomy almost a year ago and it seems almost impossible to lose weight.  I am 5'7, 188#, well proportioned, size 16 in clothing, 41 YOA.  I really do try to eat healthily 90% of the time and exercise 3 days per week (walking 30 minutes).  My blood work and pressure are excellent and my thyroid test was normal.  Any other suggestions on what to do?  I do all the usual things: fiber, fruits/veg, low fat dairy, whole grains, no fried foods, etc.  I am at the end of my rope because I feel like I do the right things and get no results.  I like to eat convenience foods (lean cuisines, etc) due to time constraints.  Please help if you can.

Answer
Hi Beverly,
I am glad that you are conscientious about your diet and general health!  Great news on the bp and thyroid tests.   However, you do need to increase your exercise.   Although 30 min 3x week is better than none, it certainly is not enough for weight loss.   The amt you are doing is what is recommended for general health and reducing chances of heart disease and cancer, etc.   However, it is recommended that for weight loss, you must do 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days of the week (ie 5 days per week).   If you break it down into cardio and weights, you can do 45 min cardio & 45 min of weights daily for one week (5x), and the next week you can try 30 min cardio & 1 hr of weights daily, 5x week.   This way, you are not doing the same thing every week.   If you did this workout schedule, I guarantee you will not be a size 16, and the weight will drop.   Simply eating healthy 90% of the time and just doing a few 30 min cardios 3 days a week is not going to get you the results you are looking for.   Add to this the fact that you eat convenience foods (laden with sodium, fat and sugars---yes, even weight watchers products, Jenny Craig, etc), and it's not a surprise that your weight hasn't budged.
Nix the convenience foods, and think of them instead as a "convenient way to gain extra fat/weight".   Convenient for no one except the company making $ off of you!    Take the time to cook yourself some healthy meals, freeze it and tupperware it, and you will not only save a ton of $, you will know exactly what you are eating, and you will definitely lose weight.   A great website dedicated to female fitness is www.oxygenmag.com, which will give you great tips on how to eat and exercise correctly.   Good luck Beverly!

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