Weight loss and menopause

DebiLu64

Oh my goodness! 3 weeks on MFP and only lost 2lbs. I'm 55 and just going through menopause and I cannot believe I'm having so much trouble with losing weight! I need help...doing some research on this and all it is doing is confusing me. Any suggestions or hints would be much appreciated!

Sabine_Stroehm

Hi. Consider joining us here:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

I found it a challenge as well. There's quite a bit of research that suggests that peri-menopause is associated with higher than normal ghrelin levels. Leptin is often impaired.

There's also quite a bit of research that suggests that menopause very often causes insulin resistance.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/menopause-weight-gain#section4
I have personally found that I've needed to lower my carbs a bit, and be more careful about the type of carbs I eat in order to be successful. (Nothing magical, this just helps me not feel hungry all the time).

Best of luck!

cbstewart88

Two pounds in three weeks is very good actually!! A reasonable, sustainable weight loss. I don't know your height/current weight/activity level - but I am 64 years old 5'4" and this is what worked for me: I REALLY upped my activity level. Like, A LOT!! I realized that as I aged, I unintentionally became less active. I started walking, then running, incorporated some weight training, and took boxing lessons, which had me jumping rope, doing jumping jacks, burpees and other calisthenics that I hadn't done in 30 years. I began to feel much more energetic and my disposition improved tremendously. A positive outlook is very important IMHO when changing the diet. It keeps you motivated and less likely to feel resentful or deprived. I know many people on MFP say that exercise isn't necessary to lose weight, but for me it absolutely was. Best of luck to you. Keep going!!!! .

skippygolunks

What has helped me the most with my weight is going on bio-identical hormones. It stopped the dreaded waist expansion in its tracks. Since going on them I do still have to be mindful but I don’t get big weight fluxes and it is so much easier to lose weight. Giving up gluten and dairy had also helped.

Sabine_Stroehm

skippygolunks wrote: »

What has helped me the most with my weight is going on bio-identical hormones. It stopped the dreaded waist expansion in its tracks. Since going on them I do still have to be mindful but I don’t get big weight fluxes and it is so much easier to lose weight. Giving up gluten and dairy had also helped.

What approach are you using? I have been doing transdermal progesterone and estrogen lately. I was doing transdermal estrogen, and micronized progesterone, but didn't like the side effects of the progesterone.

njitaliana

I'd take a look at exactly how much you are eating. Plenty of us take off a lot of weight after menopause. I did, and still am. It's more about calories, even at this stage of life.

Samantharavenclaw84

Hi, I had a total hyster when I was 28 and have been on HRT since (34 now). I switched to a different one last May and have noticed that this time around the weight is falling off more easily. At that time I had switched doctors and when she saw what I was on she told me that there was no way to expect weight loss with that particular HRT. I don't believe it all comes down to HRT but maybe that is something to look into if you are currently taking an HRT. I still think CICO and proper tracking is the main thing.