Hi Caroline,
I'm new here too and approaching my mid 40's. Vegetarian 10 years, and recently decided to commit to vegan.
I ate out yesterday - Mexican - bean and rice burrito with salsa and guac... so good!
I've read that decreasing estrogen later in life makes it is !much! harder to keep weight off. And less estrogen also means any weight gain will directed to the middle section (whereas with estrogen it goes to hip area). Yup, girls have all the fun. ;D
Anyway.. welcome. Hope you find the motivation and role models you are looking for here.

If it's important to you, you'll find a way. If it isn't, you'll find an excuse.