Menopause weight gain

flannan

I have always had a decent weight (5'5 around 120 starting in my 30's; 108-115 when younger) .
Menopause hit over the last year (45) and within about 6 mos I have gained 10 lbs, all on my waist/belly.
I am so depressed. My MD told me 'you're just eating more". I am NOT. Im eating exactly the same but storing fat.
I have done some research and found menopausal belly fat is a common problem and reeeally hard to lose. Anyone have any tips or encouragement for this specific problem?

LotusF1ower

I have always had a decent weight (5'5 around 120 starting in my 30's; 108-115 when younger) .
Menopause hit over the last year (45) and within about 6 mos I have gained 10 lbs, all on my waist/belly.
I am so depressed. My MD told me 'you're just eating more". I am NOT. Im eating exactly the same but storing fat.
I have done some research and found menopausal belly fat is a common problem and reeeally hard to lose. Anyone have any tips or encouragement for this specific problem?

Hi

I sympathise with you on this, completely!

Nineteen months ago, I began to go through the menopause and the weight started to creep on, gradually and sneakily at first so that I hardly noticed it and then one day I noticed my work trousers were tight and was shocked to discover my weight had upped by over 14lbs. THEN I got injured and was unable to train, this didn't help at all keeping my weight in check, neither did me pigging out on sweet stuff and crap. The upshot of it all was that instead of 140lbs, I was, by now, 175lbs.

Okay, I thought, lets shift it. It had always been easy to shift before, however, this time was a different kettle of fish! Weight loss of instead of 2lb per week coming off like before, it was now something like 3oz! To say it was a struggle was putting it lightly!!

However, having said all that there is hope for you because, although it was a pain to try to shift during the beginning and the middle of the menopause, towards the end the weight is starting to shift faster and I really feel that I am now getting back to what I was before it all started. I can only put this down to nearing the end of the menopause and settling down once again.

Oh yes, by the way, the mid section? That seemed, on me, during the menopause to go a little "lumpy" and I felt frumpy. I had no waist and felt crappy. My waist is also getting back to normal now though, at the moment it is just over 29 inches.

What I would advise you to do is this, log absolutely everything, do exercise, do not think "oh I'll start my weight loss plan next week or next month or wait until I have gone through the menopause" if you do that, you will have so much more to do. Monitor yourself and weigh and measure once per week. Write everything down. Gradually as the weeks and months go by you will find it gradually becomes easier and the weight will come off.

Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix to losing weight during the menopause, what with the hormonal changes and God knows what else occurring during this time, you may feel as if you are on a hiding to nothing, but that is far from true, what really happens is that everything is just slower than it used to be.

The one good thing you may find during this time though is a substantial increase in stamina and strength - I used this to my advantage on the treadmill. I did get a back injury, however, I am now able to run again but am taking it a lot easier.

Please just don't give up, the weight will come off eventually as long as you plug away. Your measurements will reduce as long as you persevere! xxx

flannan

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Everything I read online was all doom and gloom or taking HRT (which i can't).
Like you, I didn't notice at first and was shocked to weigh myself and find out how much I'd gained. I'd like to get this off my waist but more importantly, I don't want the lbs to continue to go on.
Im glad I found this site to do as you suggested: log everything. Im just starting but it's good to hear from someone positive!

berta757

I am a carbon copy of your statement. I have gained and maintained 10 pounds due to menopause in the past 1 year. It is very depressing when you have never had a weight problem, ever, other than child birth...and I lost it within 6 months. I have just joined myfitnesspal and I am really hoping I will loose my weight. I still exercise 5-6 weekly 30 - 60 minutes. Now, I am desperate and hopeful.

Berta757