Doubts about weight loss during peri menopause

cupcakesandproteinshakes

Nothing changes about cals in cals out during perimenopause. I’ve lost and gained during it. I think these are just stories that get in the way of just getting on with what you need to do. It’s the same as the ‘my metabolism is slow’ story. Just not true for the majority of people

charmmeth

I have just posted ths in another thread, but here is my experience to add to that of others:

I am another of the ones who has achieved a very respectable loss (12kg, which is 2 stone; 28lbs) since May last year. I am in my late 50s. I lost about the same amount 2014-15 (pre-menopause), but put it back on again, helped by an acid reflux medication and by not keeping an eye on things in peri-menopause, during which my hunger sky-rocketed. However, I was still in my smaller clothes so it was in different places (for me especally my lower stomach area).

This time around, I found losing to normal bmi and just below a very similar experience from last time. However, losing to goal has been a lot harder, and although I touched my goal weight of 75kg just after Christmas, I regained 2kg during January which I am now losing again. I am still not there (and fortunately having a break a regain does seem to have increased my ability to lose now). My own experience has been that I have needed to log more carefully and think more about my macros this time than last time.

Looking at my weight loss graph from last time, compared to to this time, I can also see that I found it a lot easier to get below 75kg then than I am finding it this time. What I am currently not shifting at all is the bulge around my lower midriff. Maybe that will go, maybe not. On the plus side, I am miles fitter this time around and have much more muscle.

Machka9

findingmi wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
I’m 44 years old. I have been reading SO many discouraging things about attempting to lose weight during peri menopause. I wonder if anyone out there can share a story of success during this time? Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone!

Lost 25 kg when I was 48/49 during perimenopause.

Speakeasy76

If you have ANY doubts about being able to lose weight as you get older, check out this lady. I don't use the word "inspiration" loosely, but to me, she is one.

https://www.trainwithjoanofficial.com/

Littlebitofsparkle74

So glad I have found others who have peri menopause, I'm struggling with weight loss but I really need to get on top of this , my moods are as up and down as weight ,today I've decided to up my calories ,but still have a deficit as I feel I'm setting myself up for failure ever day then when I go over them I give up, I'm looking into upping my protein to see if that helps with the ravenous cravings I've been getting and to try and be a bit kinder to myself.
My joints hurt and its a real effort to move and go out for walks, although I always feel better for actually doing it, anyone else?
Anyone take any supplements/ vitamins that have helped?
Sorry I'm going on without any actual purpose , Good luck everyone we can do this

rheddmobile

Littlebitofsparkle74 wrote: »

So glad I have found others who have peri menopause, I'm struggling with weight loss but I really need to get on top of this , my moods are as up and down as weight ,today I've decided to up my calories ,but still have a deficit as I feel I'm setting myself up for failure ever day then when I go over them I give up, I'm looking into upping my protein to see if that helps with the ravenous cravings I've been getting and to try and be a bit kinder to myself.
My joints hurt and its a real effort to move and go out for walks, although I always feel better for actually doing it, anyone else?
Anyone take any supplements/ vitamins that have helped?
Sorry I'm going on without any actual purpose , Good luck everyone we can do this

One recommendation is to get your iron levels checked. I was dangerously anemic during peri and it didn’t help my activity levels at all!

springlering62

Eight years ago I was on a walker for a couple of weeks and then on a cane because of an illness that counts severe joint swelling and pain as the main symptom. It wasn’t the first time I’d had it, so there’s residual damage to this day.

The weight certainly didn’t help, either.

You either have to decide, I’m beating this joint pain, or it’s beating me. You can basically choose to be vibrant and active and stay young, or become your (mine, anyway) mother.

When it became too painful to stand up in the morning, I started stretching. It was simple and short at first, maybe ten minutes, but I loved it so much and it was clearly making a difference that it started running 30-40 minutes. It wasn’t so boring because I did long holds on the floor for the second half, and that became pet-pet time for our collection of dachshunds at the time. (Having a few between your legs puts that much more oomph into a wide legged forward fold.)

After a stretch, I could bound down the stairs, no pain.

It was shortly after I began stretching that I really took yoga seriously, and began going two or three times a week. Now I do a vinyasa or Universal style flow class every day. I can sincerely say, nothing will keep you young like yoga, and you can start at any age and any “athletic ability” (believe me, I have zero zip nada of that).

Don’t give in to your joints. Overcome them.

AnnPT77

rheddmobile wrote: »

Littlebitofsparkle74 wrote: »

So glad I have found others who have peri menopause, I'm struggling with weight loss but I really need to get on top of this , my moods are as up and down as weight ,today I've decided to up my calories ,but still have a deficit as I feel I'm setting myself up for failure ever day then when I go over them I give up, I'm looking into upping my protein to see if that helps with the ravenous cravings I've been getting and to try and be a bit kinder to myself.
My joints hurt and its a real effort to move and go out for walks, although I always feel better for actually doing it, anyone else?
Anyone take any supplements/ vitamins that have helped?
Sorry I'm going on without any actual purpose , Good luck everyone we can do this

One recommendation is to get your iron levels checked. I was dangerously anemic during peri and it didn’t help my activity levels at all!

Also add thyroid check. Joint stiffness, discomfort were among my first symtoms, and it's easily treated.

Seconding Springlering's stretching/yoga suggestion, too: Helped me even before my hypothyroidism was resolved.

Littlebitofsparkle74

Thankyou both I did get myself out for a long walk today and generally felt more motivated, I won't let my joint pain win over and Will definitely take your advice on stretching and exercising, Thankyou for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it 😊

Pipsqueak1965

I lost around a stone at about 50. Now I'm 56 and have maintained that loss - it's a myth about metabolism slowing. We just mostly get lazy and greedy.

charmmeth

I have also lost 13 kg (ca. 30 lbs9 since last May, and I am 57. What I do notice is that I have had to log more carefully and do exercise that was more bodyweight focused than swimming which is what I did when I lost the smae amount of weight a few years ago. For me getting through to menopause from peri-menopause alo meems to have made a difference: I think my hormones settled down and I wasn't hungry all the time in quite the same way. However, I continued to gain until I my clothes started not fitting and made the decision to lose it all again. The key is logging (food and exercise) and keeping my calories maintenance level. I'll be properly into maintenance after Easter which is great but will also be a challenge!

kshama2001

rheddmobile wrote: »

Littlebitofsparkle74 wrote: »

So glad I have found others who have peri menopause, I'm struggling with weight loss but I really need to get on top of this , my moods are as up and down as weight ,today I've decided to up my calories ,but still have a deficit as I feel I'm setting myself up for failure ever day then when I go over them I give up, I'm looking into upping my protein to see if that helps with the ravenous cravings I've been getting and to try and be a bit kinder to myself.
My joints hurt and its a real effort to move and go out for walks, although I always feel better for actually doing it, anyone else?
Anyone take any supplements/ vitamins that have helped?
Sorry I'm going on without any actual purpose , Good luck everyone we can do this

One recommendation is to get your iron levels checked. I was dangerously anemic during peri and it didn’t help my activity levels at all!

Oh, yes, I have crippling fatigue when my anemia is out of control

1poundatax

I lost 60 pounds during that time a few years ago. I put a lot of it back on but that was due to my choices and behvior rather than peri menopause or menopause. I am losing weight now again due to my choices and behavior. I am not saying it is always easy, but weight loss has never been easy for me (and probably most of us.) I am actually finding it easier now because I have accepted certain truths, there is no magic, I am responsible for my health and my choices, this is aa lifestyle, not something I do until I reach a certain weight and then I'm done.

Luke_rabbit

AnnPT77 wrote: »

rheddmobile wrote: »

Littlebitofsparkle74 wrote: »

So glad I have found others who have peri menopause, I'm struggling with weight loss but I really need to get on top of this , my moods are as up and down as weight ,today I've decided to up my calories ,but still have a deficit as I feel I'm setting myself up for failure ever day then when I go over them I give up, I'm looking into upping my protein to see if that helps with the ravenous cravings I've been getting and to try and be a bit kinder to myself.
My joints hurt and its a real effort to move and go out for walks, although I always feel better for actually doing it, anyone else?
Anyone take any supplements/ vitamins that have helped?
Sorry I'm going on without any actual purpose , Good luck everyone we can do this

One recommendation is to get your iron levels checked. I was dangerously anemic during peri and it didn’t help my activity levels at all!

Also add thyroid check. Joint stiffness, discomfort were among my first symtoms, and it's easily treated.

Seconding Springlering's stretching/yoga suggestion, too: Helped me even before my hypothyroidism was resolved.

And Vitamin D levels. Mine was crazy low and caused both joint and muscle pain. I was getting regular sunshine at the time (southern US, light skin, time outdoors most days, poor sunscreen usage).

I have lost weight both in peri-menopause (quite a lot of weight) and in menopause (~15 lbs gained over the 10 years in-between and 10 lbs extra). I wouldn't say either was harder than weight lost earlier in life, but this last time was the easiest due to MFP and the great advice on these forums.