Things were so much easier when I was young

sidr415

I didn’t have a weight problem, I spent the majority of my life being slim. Even after having three kids, I maintained my size 4 figure. The kids grew up, moved out. Like all kids they still need their mom at times. My work life became very stressful, my hours would go up and then they would go down. I struggled with endometriosis, which turn to cancer. All that happened right around the time I started menopause and Covid began. My body was so confused, it didn’t know which way was up. I wanted to lose weight so many times, but I’ve always found an excuse why I haven’t. I’m exhausted, I’m too stressed, I can’t focus, etc. I stepped on the scale today and 176.6 pounds. At nine months pregnant, I never weighed close to that. I need to change and I need to get healthy again.

kjt363

Menopause is the 'great equalizer'! We get to a certain age and everything we knew about taking care of our bodies no longer works. Skip a couple meals? Drop a few pounds! Workout hard for a few days, drop a few pounds. Now our bodies are hanging onto, and ADDING, pounds like we are heading into hibernation! I totally get get. At 62 I, too, am struggling with what the scale revealed recently. I've been a long time MFP user, so I am going back to basics. For 6 weeks (just a random number, no reason) I am going to work hard reducing breads and added sugars, and logging every morsel I eat. In addition I will plan at least 30 minutes of movement every day (for me yoga, strength training, and cardio: rowing, biking, jogging) and I will walk 20-30 mins every single day in addition to my daily movement goal. I started today. I encourage you to come up with your own similar plan and start today!

Fatima15fqtima

you and your Body have been through so much.. instead of criticizing yourself, be proud. I’m pretty sure you’ll get the extra kilos off with this app. But trust me when i tell you that your weight is completely normal for someone who has been through so much. I’m proud of you and i believe in you. But dont lose weight too fast because considering the stress you’re having it would be too much. Set a goal and lose weight slowly ;) other tips: walk every day for at least 60min, count calories, do Pilates or participate in sport activities/ clubs, talk with professionals. Good luck

jenjohn95

First of all, I hope the cancer is in your rearview mirror! Second, I understand your frustration and it sounds like you've been experiencing the same thing I have: insufficient mental space! Though I haven't had to deal with cancer as you have, there have been times in my life (including now) when there was too much else happening for me to have the mental energy to deal with my weight. In the past, when various stressors let up, it was like the clouds parted and I was able to focus on myself again. I'm hoping for that again for myself and for you, too! Oh, I meant to add that I am perimenopausal and have also been dismayed to see what's happening to my body. I even started Cross Fit last September and have still put on belly fat!

John772016

You've made it through your worst & congratulations!

I don't honestly know if you want to hear this from me or not, but I'll post it, just because it may twig with you and help. I hope a few other experienced MFP members will see your post as well.

You started you post with "I didn't have a weight problem."
"My body was so confused, it didn’t know which way was up. I wanted to lose weight so many times, but I’ve always found an excuse why I haven’t. I’m exhausted, I’m too stressed, I can’t focus, etc."

I lost weight when I told myself, no excuses, at all.

I decided I wasn't a victim locked in my obese body.
I could not do everything the internet told me I needed to do.
I did what I could do.

I cut my calories to a sustainable level to lose weight without wrecking me.
I walked. None of my Dr's would approve any other exercise, so I walked, sometimes a lot.

I ignored fads. I reduced my Carbs but didn't do really low Carb.
I lost 110lbs. It took approx. 15 months.
My Dr.s no longer restrict any exercise. My Dr's no longer don't restrict anything.

You're not a victim of your body that needs a 'special' something to move towards your goal.
You do not need to buy anything to make your goal obtainable.