Just Joined - Menopause Stinks
LB30
Posts: 109 Member
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this group and thankful that I've found it. I have just been told by my doctor that I am peri-menopausal. I just thought I was crazy and lazy.
My doctor gave me a referral to first see someone who specializes in nutrition therapy (as opposed to the wine and caffeine therapy I leaned towards. Ha!) to try to balance things out before going straight to hormone replacement. She studied under Dr. Weil, so I know this will be from a holistic approach. Has anyone gone this route? Were you successful?
I have gained 20 lbs in the last 18 months and am back to my old post childbirth weight after having kept it off for 8 years. I'm sure I've earned a few of these extra pounds, I haven't been as diligent as I once was, but I didn't think I was slacking 20 lbs worth. Obviously, I ate more and moved less, but it seems like there are some mitigating circumstances that have made counterbalancing that a little more challenging; fatigue, anxiety, sleep disruption, achy/stiffness, forgetfulness...etc. I'm looking forward to reading through/hearing what others in a similar boat have done.
I'm new to this group and thankful that I've found it. I have just been told by my doctor that I am peri-menopausal. I just thought I was crazy and lazy.
My doctor gave me a referral to first see someone who specializes in nutrition therapy (as opposed to the wine and caffeine therapy I leaned towards. Ha!) to try to balance things out before going straight to hormone replacement. She studied under Dr. Weil, so I know this will be from a holistic approach. Has anyone gone this route? Were you successful?
I have gained 20 lbs in the last 18 months and am back to my old post childbirth weight after having kept it off for 8 years. I'm sure I've earned a few of these extra pounds, I haven't been as diligent as I once was, but I didn't think I was slacking 20 lbs worth. Obviously, I ate more and moved less, but it seems like there are some mitigating circumstances that have made counterbalancing that a little more challenging; fatigue, anxiety, sleep disruption, achy/stiffness, forgetfulness...etc. I'm looking forward to reading through/hearing what others in a similar boat have done.
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Hi and welcome. Everyone here understands how you're feeling!
I've been trying to "eat for menopause". It helps!0 -
Thanks. :-)0
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Welcome to the group! I had gained about 40 pounds during my marriage, so when I started eating better, it was as I became peri menopausal. Then menopause gave me food allergies and I couldn't eat a lot of carbs. So basically, it hasn't caused me to put on weight.
The caffeine and wine diet is heavenly though, isn't it? ❤️❤️❤️0 -
Welcome I am post now, but I remember the many annoying symptoms I went through.
I did not want to go onto hormone replacement therapy, and never did. I did take Soy Isoflavones with cycles of Black Cholosh (not sure of spelling), these helped take the edge off of my worse symptoms. 
It would be interesting to hear what your new nutritionist recommends. 0 -
Thanks ladies. I will meet with the nutritionist at the end of January (assuming my insurance covers) and I'll let you know what she says.0
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I hear ya!... ,my life has changed dramatically. some days I want to get into a hole and never come out.0
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Me too. I need a reset. I want to try carb cycling but I am scared of getting ravenous and bingeing.0
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I started on here6 years ago next month. The MFP plan worked perfectly for me. I lost 40 lbs. but sometime in the last 4 years the hormones shifted and the weight loss/maintenance rules changed. I've gained 20 lbs and it feels like starvation is the only way to budge the weight. And when I go back to eating normally (and by that I mean about 1500-1600 calls a day) it comes right back.
Very frustrated!0 -
I started on here6 years ago next month. The MFP plan worked perfectly for me. I lost 40 lbs. but sometime in the last 4 years the hormones shifted and the weight loss/maintenance rules changed. I've gained 20 lbs and it feels like starvation is the only way to budge the weight. And when I go back to eating normally (and by that I mean about 1500-1600 calls a day) it comes right back.
Very frustrated!
And frustrating to read that we're just not counting carefully enough.
I'm working a HELL of a lot harder to maintain now than I ever did to lose. And yes, the minute I blink, I gain 5 and have to grit my teeth to get it back down.0 -
I'm also tired of reading about improper counting and weighing. I'd doing the same thing I was doing when I was losing (and maintaining) in the past. Sadly, my body is not responding the same. I fully understand that a calorie is a calorie, but I also understand that my 40 something body does not respond the same as my 30 something body did. I now avoid posting on the main boards because while I don't dispute the 'science', I think there is more TO the science. So right now I prefer to read from those who, whether we can explain it or not, understand the dilemma. 0
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I started eating lower carb because my significant other was ordered by his doctor to do Atkins. Surprisingly, most of my menopausal symptoms disappeared or were greatly lessened. This was back in May. A happy side effect is I also lost 22 pounds so far.
One thing I have read is that we become more insulin resistant and this is why lowering carbs can be key.0 -
I started eating lower carb because my significant other was ordered by his doctor to do Atkins. Surprisingly, most of my menopausal symptoms disappeared or were greatly lessened. This was back in May. A happy side effect is I also lost 22 pounds so far.
One thing I have read is that we become more insulin resistant and this is why lowering carbs can be key.
Yup. I see more and more evidence that we become more insulin resistant.0 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »I started eating lower carb because my significant other was ordered by his doctor to do Atkins. Surprisingly, most of my menopausal symptoms disappeared or were greatly lessened. This was back in May. A happy side effect is I also lost 22 pounds so far.
One thing I have read is that we become more insulin resistant and this is why lowering carbs can be key.
Yup. I see more and more evidence that we become more insulin resistant.
No! No! No!
Y'all stop saying those ugly things!
Sigh. I think you're right though.
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since menopause, I have become gluten sensitive (learned through testing)., Clearly there is something to this. I too gained weight through menopause and am now struggling to take it off. You really have to be good to see any results! Great that we can support each other.0
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »I started eating lower carb because my significant other was ordered by his doctor to do Atkins. Surprisingly, most of my menopausal symptoms disappeared or were greatly lessened. This was back in May. A happy side effect is I also lost 22 pounds so far.
One thing I have read is that we become more insulin resistant and this is why lowering carbs can be key.
Yup. I see more and more evidence that we become more insulin resistant.
No! No! No!
Y'all stop saying those ugly things!
Sigh. I think you're right though.
Hubs has downloaded SEVERAL pubmed articles for me. I really think it's true.0 -
Hello Ladies... Just thought I pop in and join the discussion. I am 41 and I'm in the midst of "The Change". I've noticed the weight gain (especially over the holidays), my work schedule has been crazy and I haven't been able to work out like I was before - The entire month of December was very stressful with work and my dad being in the hospital. But I'm not experiencing the depression - I'm dealing with RIDICULOUS ** HOT** FLASHES ** - and I mean crazy hot flashes. And some anxiety/irritability but that's about it so far.
I've started reading up on and using essential oils - my sister-in-law is big into using them so we'll see if some of the "potions" help.
My Hubby got me a Samsung Gear Watch that has a step counter for Christmas - very cool. I do feel better now that I'm working out again... I think that has been the best medicine for me so far.
But I have considered learning more about a low carb diet, Which will be hard b/c my hubby makes home brew that is REALLY good but I think for the most part I could do it for the day-to-day meals, and pick a day on the wknd to treat myself. 0 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »I started eating lower carb because my significant other was ordered by his doctor to do Atkins. Surprisingly, most of my menopausal symptoms disappeared or were greatly lessened. This was back in May. A happy side effect is I also lost 22 pounds so far.
One thing I have read is that we become more insulin resistant and this is why lowering carbs can be key.
Yup. I see more and more evidence that we become more insulin resistant.
No! No! No!
Y'all stop saying those ugly things!
Sigh. I think you're right though.
Hubs has downloaded SEVERAL pubmed articles for me. I really think it's true.
Can you share some links of the articles?0 -
here's a general summary:
https://www.womentowomen.com/insulin-resistance/insulin-resistance-what-is-it-and-how-we-can-heal/
If you buy into it, it's basically prescribing the south beach diet (It doesn't say that but that's what it describes). I already eat that way... the research articles below refer more to adding back HRT/BHRT.
Some of the research articles are either available off pubmed, or are summarized off pubmed.
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/8405521
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9847982
and this one on hotflashes and insulin
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/772465
here's some general, non pubmed ones
http://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/pcosandinsulinresistance/how-to-avoid-insulin-resistance.aspx
https://www.glowm.com/section_view/heading/Endocrinology%20of%20the%20Perimenopausal%20Woman/item/82
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/23/12/1731.full.pdf
a nice one on wine and insulin https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Davies9/publication/11352160_Effects_of_moderate_alcohol_intake_on_fasting_insulin_and_glucose_concentrations_and_insulin_sensitivity_in_postmenopausal_women_a_randomized_controlled_trial/links/0deec53b7f0f2dcd8d000000.pdf 0 -
ChangeIsADecision wrote: »Hello Ladies... Just thought I pop in and join the discussion. I am 41 and I'm in the midst of "The Change". I've noticed the weight gain (especially over the holidays), my work schedule has been crazy and I haven't been able to work out like I was before - The entire month of December was very stressful with work and my dad being in the hospital. But I'm not experiencing the depression - I'm dealing with RIDICULOUS ** HOT** FLASHES ** - and I mean crazy hot flashes. And some anxiety/irritability but that's about it so far.
I've started reading up on and using essential oils - my sister-in-law is big into using them so we'll see if some of the "potions" help.
My Hubby got me a Samsung Gear Watch that has a step counter for Christmas - very cool. I do feel better now that I'm working out again... I think that has been the best medicine for me so far. But I have considered learning more about a low carb diet, Which will be hard b/c my hubby makes home brew that is REALLY good but I think for the most part I could do it for the day-to-day meals, and pick a day on the wknd to treat myself.
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Which essentials are you using and how do you apply them? My hot flashes are crazy too. I can't tell you how many I have a day. Trying to find some relief.0
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Which essentials are you using and how do you apply them? My hot flashes are crazy too. I can't tell you how many I have a day. Trying to find some relief.
@cdover10 - so far I've been using Lavender, Clary Sage and Rose Otto... I put them in my lotion, rub on my feet and put socks on and I put those 3 in my diffuser that runs all night. But I just ordered a PMS blend from Amazon... I'll let you know how that goes. I also take Black Cohosh - it's an herbal supplement for hot flashes/female issues. I probably have 5-6 during the day and 3-4 at night.
I hope this helps.0 -
Hi all! In the same boat. I was peri for two years and 60 pounds piled on very slowly. My last cycle was in July so menopausal but a few months from the official word.
Just woke up with my sugar really low. Had a bad day not eating much after not feeling well and my sugar was low. This thread was timely. Left hubby a note to wake me to eat breakfast at a normal time. Will look to see if there is a welcome thread to introduce me and my symptoms. Hope everyone has a good day. Thanks for being here. It really does help!!!!0 -
Hi all! In the same boat. I was peri for two years and 60 pounds piled on very slowly. My last cycle was in July so menopausal but a few months from the official word.
Just woke up with my sugar really low. Had a bad day not eating much after not feeling well and my sugar was low. This thread was timely. Left hubby a note to wake me to eat breakfast at a normal time. Will look to see if there is a welcome thread to introduce me and my symptoms. Hope everyone has a good day. Thanks for being here. It really does help!!!!
Welcome!0 -
im just PRAYING for the day science discovers the "caffeine and wine" therapy actually works... you can bet ill be first in line to volunteer for that study!! And they wont even have to pay me to participate.. nope nope nope !!
in a few years into menopause and can totally relate to everyone's frustrations, hot flashes, and a firmly building disbelief in the simple CICO at this stage.. I do believe that the hormone explosion taking place inside us definitely impacts on weight loss at this stage; and the more I learn about how what we eat can help/hinder those fluctuations, the more im convinced CICO is only one part of the equation - I still believe it's necessary to use more calories than I consume of course... but I no longer think that's the only answer - for me anyway..
it helps to know we're not alone too... right now i'm struggling with mood swings which are not "that" normal for me.. I go from a high euphoria and feeing good to an Oscar worthy impression of Reagan in the Exorcist in a heartbeat LOL...
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Hi all! I am post-menopause and struggling too. Have been very careful since August, first with WW then to MFP (again) and have managed to take off 12 pounds, but it is eating barely over my BMR. I started working out every day on top of my 4-6 miles a day walking, and lifting weights, and since then have lost one pound. I am now at 25 days in a row on the elliptical (it helps relieve stress, no judgement). If I were in my 30's I would have lost 25 pounds by now. Ageism is real, but this time it is our bodies, not someone else
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Do agree with you on that one, the older we get sometimes the weight does not come off so easily no matter what you do. Couple that with menopause, life kids and everything else we women do not have it easy lol!0
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Nature's sunshine makes a vitamin/herb pack called "natural changes" which worked great for me to eliminate the hot flashes and insomnia. It calls for 2 packs a day, but after the first month I was able to drop down to 1 pack a day without any recurrence of symptoms...after 90 days I was able to stop taking it entirely without a return of symptoms, but I'm only just starting this journey, so I expect at some point I will need to go back on it. I think it's been about 10 months since I last took it.
Also, there are cell salts for menopause, however I don't have any personal experience with those regarding menopause, they work great for everything else!0 -
Hey everyone. 46 yo and have been going through menopause since age 37 (POI/POF). Long road to get on correct bio-identicals (I take Vivelle and progesterone) and now trying to lose 30 lbs, Looking for tips and tricks. So far I've been doing Jillian Michael's BodyShred the last 6 weeks. I see my muscles tightening and have lost an inch but only ONE lb! I mean REALLY??? Need some support because weight loss at this age is definitely a long game!0
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I will tell u girls something that works for me, I am 51 years old and I never thought I could lose weight I went on alot of diets and even calorie count but when I started eating every 3 hours I tricked my body into releasing the fat. I eat eggs scrambled for breakfast and then 3 hours later maybe cottage chees with pineapples and then lunch grilled chicken with salad. I use the right portions. But I am at a steady 2.5 pounds a week. It's a miracle, cause this has never happend for me before. I do have hot flashes but control them with black kohosh and evening primrose. I have insomnia but ain't got that one licked yet. I have tried every drug at drug store and melatonin. But thought maybe the eating every 3 hours may help somebody. I really don't believe a calorie is a calorie. Carbs will keep u from losing. I eat protein and fiber alot. And small portions it was so hard at first but as my stomach shrunk it got easier. Took about two weeks. And of.course i work out 45 minutes at home 4 days a week to start. Add me as a friend if u would like. I haven't learned how to do that yet.0
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I just found this group and thanks for all the helpful advice. I lost 75 pounds in 2015. I am low(ish) carbs which is nowhere near The 20 grams at Atkins induction. I eat a lot of veggies and probably stay between 60-80 grams
I don't eat many processed foods or artificial sugar which may have helped control my symptoms.
I have hot flashes which are worse when I eat crappy and drink cocktails. I had sporadic periods for the last year and had my last one 10/31/15. Almost 3 months.
I know maintenance will be a stuggle but I have non scale goals set and am feeling as motivated now as last January0
