52 year old in Menopause (please women only)

Copelandmom

Help. I seem to have no discipline with food anymore. i want to eat all the time and have hardly any energy.
I have a large family to care for and a job and I know I would feel better if I could get this weight off, but my hormones are
wreaking havoc. I don't want to go on hormone therapy. This is the first time I have had belly fat. Can anyone suggest help.

MilliDenney

Hi,

I know the feeling.

You did lose 6lbs, how long did that take you? What did you do then what you're not doing now, or what did you not do while losing but do now?

I noticed you're not doing the meals log, I was curious what your daily meal plan looks like. I have days like you described. Sometimes they lasted more like weeks. So I really know what that is like. Are you doing a particular diet, or how would your ideal meals look like?

Copelandmom

I started fitness pal in February and I go on and off. I try to only eat when hungry and stick with that for a week. Then I do something else for a week. I just have no patience and feel irritated.

TemikaThompson

I took a look at your diary and noticed that you haven't been logging. Maybe logging may help you to have more discipline. I know with me, I have to log the food ahead of time so that I won't overate especially when I have a busy life. It sounds like you are a hard worker that has a lot of responsibility. It also could be stress eating or eating because you are tired. Not really sure of the reason. It's kinda hard to tell without knwing the types of foods that you areeating on a normal basis. Also if you don't have energy, it could be the food choices that are not high in fiber. Hope this helps. I used to fell this same way when I was working a lot and not getting much sleep. I ate whatever because I didn't properly plan my meals. now I have 30 meals listed on my fridge that I chose from. I sit down each week and plan my meals for the week. This has really helped me.

kathystrauss1

I feel you! I'm 50 and have had weight issues on and off for my whole adult life but have never had a big belly till the last year or so. It's much slower going post menopause but just keep at it. It can be done. I'm not on hrt and I feel like the more weight I lose the less hormonal I feel. Good luck!

MilliDenney

Waiting to eat until you're hungry is NOT a good system.

If I would do that I would not eat until lunch time, but totally binge the rest of the day. Your bloodsugar will spike, or go down, and eating regularly will prevent that, which helps you to not give in.

Have you been doing that all the time, wait til you're hungry to eat??

Copelandmom

Thanks guys. I was posting regularly my meals. I work in a produce stand/ bakery and I am the baker. I am around food all the time and it is a temptation to eat baked goods. I do use food for energy because I feel weak a lot and shaky and that I need more food the get rid of that feeling. I want to drink pop 1/day and looooove chips which I know are horrible but I crave salt. My diet stinks right now but my tummy feels upset alot. Healthy food sounds icky and junk food sounds soothing. How twisted is that. I need to get myself eating healthier, get good sleep (I wake up with nights sweats and don't sleep too good lately from the menopause) blah, blah, blah. I miss the days of going to the store and being able to pick out a cute dress and put it on and not worry about it not fitting. I have 4 beautiful daughters who are super slim and I'm the fatty. It's time to get some discipline and change this. I need to reach down and get some gumption and look at this as for my health, then looks.

MilliDenney

Wow... Just.. WOW!!! You know exactly what's going wrong, and you also know exactly what you should and should NOT do!!!

As far as I can tell, you have all the right tools, you also have ALL the support of every MFP-er in the world. I just van not figure out what is keeping you from making the change from bad habits to good habits. Your taste buds?

I assume you have - at one point - made your daily meals plans? You have to start doing that as a first step. Make plans for 3 or 4 days. When you see it all written out, it should be easier to go by. Then go to a good supermarket or healthfood store and buy food for 3 or 4 days. Perhaps, prepare some meals. You can keep food for 3 or 4 days without a problem. Prepare lunch, snacks, dinner and perhaps breakfast.

DO SOMETHING to get yourself out of this vicious circle. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF!!!! DO IT!!!

(Sorry for shouting, don't really mean to...)

bcattoes

Exercise to eat more. I would never lose anything if I didn't get exercise calories.

Also, be sure to incorporate some type of resistance training (weights, body weight exercise, resistance bands) to prevent bone and muslce loss. This is the age when most women start lose both so it's important to work to preserve them. Be sure to eat a balanced diet including enough calcium, protein and vit D. Also, keep any eye on those sodium levels. Too much sodium is not good for bone density.

kelleybean1

I'm 53, 5'4.5" 147 lbs. I can empathize with what you are going through. The night sweats, brain fog and desire to graze even though I'm not hungry. The problem with this age is that we no longer have the muscle tone that we did when we were younger. That's why the calories are sticking now. Also, with a higher fat % comes more wacky-ness with hormones. The only real solution, IMO, is to build more muscle and decrease fat %. That will help to regulate hormones, and make the calorie burn easier. I'm guilty too of not logging 100% of the time, but I'm trying to get better. I have found that logging my daily plan in the morning helps me to stick to it. I really don't want to go in and change/add calories once I have the day planned out. Sooo, log everything, everyday and lift heavy weights! That's my plan anyway!

barbpol62

Hi Copeland Mom, I'm right there with ya'.

I've been dieting my whole life and it is definitely harder now. I've been tracking in MFP since June and haven't lost a pound. I take 4 one-hour spinning classes each week. I go up and down the same darn pound. One problem is that I like to eat and not the good stuff. I don't know what I'd weigh if I were around baked goods all day, like you. Another problem is that I've never enjoyed weight lifting, but I think it's crucial at our age. I'm going to give it another shot to do some kind of strength training. I want to give up, but I can't. I'm afraid if I stopped tracking, I would gain weight instead of staying the same.

3laine75

don't know how helpful this will be but try to stay away from low-fat options and get plenty of fat (within your cals) in your diet as not having enough dietary fat screws with your hormones.

melzie32

I am 39 and in menopause (surgical) myself. I was feeling the same way you are. Hot, cranky, tired. I do however take hormone replacement due to my age and still have some endometrosis. I find working out has really helped me. Even if its just going for a walk. I also take Vitamin D too. I find that makes a big difference in my energy level. Hope you don't give up and find something that works for you.

hockey7fan

I'm 50 and in menopause too. Protein, protein and more protein. It will keep you full longer and keep you from being hungry. I cut out a lot of the carbs and eat higher protein and am not afraid of fats like nuts and olive oil for cooking. I find that eating eggs for breakfast instead of a bagel really helps. Snacking on string cheese or peanut butter and apple instead of chips is good.

I have been known to salt my peanut butter on my apple if I'm craving salt. A little bit is better than eating a bag of chips in my opinion. I also will eat salted nuts as those help but make me fuller than chips do.

sexysissie

Get your Thyroid checked....

bcattoes

Get your Thyroid checked....

This too ^^ Although, honestly, if you are in menopause and your GYN hasn't already checked your thyroid I might start shopping around for a new GYN. It is pretty standard to check it in the same blood test with your estrogen levels.

Nachise

Wow. Unless you have high risk factors for cancer or heart disease, consider short term HRT at the lowest dose possible. I felt just as you did, and it was a lifesaver!

I have been working with a trainer on interval training, and the intensity of some of the exercises has really shocked the system, and my body composition is changing. I can see the top third of my six-pack, my arms are slimming, and I have a waistline again. If you can, go to your local Y, or a good gym, and make this investment in your health. I have to burn more calories than I eat in order to lose weight/and or inches, and the results are a great motivator. Lately, I've been losing more inches than weight. I consider that a fair trade-off. Don't let weight plateaus discourage you. For me, I worked too hard to get where I have to backslide.

I was told "If I keep doing what I'm doing, I'm going to keep getting what I'm getting." Change is not going to happen without my active participation. For me, that includes logging, using a food scale for my portions, and making wiser food choices. Easier said than done, but logging my food can help me make a decision on the spot. I have MFP on my desktop, iPhone, and iPad, so I have no excuse not to log. I log recipes, and enter new foods as soon as possible.

Good luck, Copeland Mom, and to the rest of the ladies in this thread. I am 62 years old, and I fully intend to be at my "fighting" weight by my 63rd birthday.

BobcatGirl110

I am 45 and going through early menopause now (haven't had a cycle since June) and have a couple suggestions....first please eat. Eat regularly....breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a couple snacks in between. Yes you have to choose your food well....you need low calorie foods with lean protein so you can eat regularly while fitting it into your daily calorie limit. I found I HAVE TO bring my food to work and not ever rely on food here. I bring bananas, greek yogurt, 90 calorie fiber one bars, and my lunch so I don't leave eating to "whatever is close by when I'm starved".

Second, I suggest exercise. Yes I am totally aware of how busy we are AND how if you are a busy mom and employee you are exhausted with a capital E. The exercise is a great way to relieve stress, give you "alone time" and lose the weight....all of which help with the irritation factor AND the losing weight factor.

Third, log.....log everything you eat and be honest down to the drinks. Log, log, log. You will learn sooooo much about how and why you eat if you log. It will help you.....I promise!

Don't give in....Don't give up......you can do this

rileamoyer

Ffriend me if you like. I will be glad to support you, I am on maintenance now for 2 years. Hormone crazy, don't want a replacement? Find a natural supplement to take for a little while. I am a big proponent of Vitamin E at bed time to help reduce night sweats. Keeping the diary and recording EVERY BITE is critical while losing the weight, exercise is too. Don't restrict your calories below recommended levels. Start with small steps. It took a year and half for me to reach my goal, averaging a pound a week. I did not change my diet much, started WEIGHING and MEASURING portions. Added more vegetables and fruit. I eat 5 to 6 times a day, snacks (to keep energy level) and small desserts (daily reward) were a must for me. Did small things e.g. if eating potatoes at a meal, cut out the bread. It takes time and work. Exercise, even if it is just adding extra walking (really important) and I use free weights and a bench at home when I don't make the gym. You can do it. Oh BTW, hormones at menopause caused me to thicken in the middle a lot, still have a bit left, it is the last to go!! - Nature I guess. Good luck.

sydneyplainjane

If you don't want to go the HRT route (I decided not to), try a multivitamin made especially for women. For a while, I was taking the prenatal vitamins from my Whole Food store (yes, even though I'm in my 50's!), but recently changed to one that is for women going through menopause. It's made a big difference in how I feel. So, if you have any kind of health food store in your area, it's definitely worth trying.

Also, as others have said, add some regular exercise. I started a walking program a few weeks ago, and while I haven't lost any weight yet, I feel myself toning and slimming. I am confident that the pounds will start to come off as a continue AND watch my calories.

Good luck!!

deksgrl

If you are shaky and weak, then you are probably not eating enough.

carrieo888

The cravings for baked goods and chips are an indicator that your body isn't getting enough healthy fats. Snack on some almonds, olives, avocados/guacamole throughout the day to curb the want-to-binge. Also make sure you have some high-protein snacks (chicken strips, greek yogurt...) on hand to curb the carb cravings.

lorieric5037

You can do this! I've been in menopause for 4 years and sometimes feel like you do. You can add me as a friend if you'd like...us 50-somethings and over need to stick together for support!:flowerforyou:

mem50

Have you had you sugars checked lately? I was feeling pretty much the same way and found out I am diabetic. New "diet" and medication has done wonders for me.

Non hormonal supplements are available so perhaps question your doctor about those also.

lessofme43

May I recommend altmednetwork.net as a website that offers many natural solutions to hormonal issues. I purchase a progesterone cream from here that has greatly reduced my hot flashes, night sweats, sleepless nights, etc. There are home test kits you can purchase and send in to find out what exactly your hormonal issues are. Most helpful in understanding hormonal issues is the book I ordered from this site "hormone balance made simple" by dr. John lee. Just letting you know what has helped me. I've actually not used my cream recently because my annoying symptoms have subsided substantially. All the best to you!

Copelandmom

Thanks ladies. I appreciate the help sooo much. I have a better perspective today. I don't know if it would be right to say I am officialy in menopause. I am 52 and getting my period every 2 weeks (and it is extremely heavy). This has been happening for 6 months. I am getting the night sweats and moody, and feel worn out. I have been trying to take iron for the blood loss and feel better if I do. Two years ago I cut out all white flour, sugar, went low fat and lost 20 lbs. in 10 weeks. I felt incredible. I keep telling myself I need to do this again. I actually make 90% of our food and it is on the healthy side, but I love my chips and sweets. I definitely eat past
full and feel the need to nibble when I'm not hungry which I attribute to stress/hormones. I have to get it together I have 6 children and my youngest is 10 i want to be healthy for them and my husband and live a long healthy life. My discipline is weak. I think I will take it one day at a time and eat healthier and exercise. For some reason I felt that I shouldn't have to watch what I eat or have to exercise to keep my weight down because in the past I haven't had to really worry so much but in the last couple of years I have gotten increasingly bigger.

MilliDenney

You bet! Friends request sent!

Fuzzipeg

as some one else said. have your thyroid looked into. I have just noticed your addition. Please have a full set of blood tests done. There is probably nothing wrong but something might need tweeking.

I have problems with salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin and is a plants way of combating moulds and mildew, The toxic effects can creep up on you and is not widely considered as a problem by the medics. It can contribute to the issues you mention. If you have a diet rich in herbs, spices, fruits like pineapple, tomato purée, vanilla, all the tasty things this could be part of the answer.

Please feel free to come back to me

all the very best

bcattoes

Thanks ladies. I appreciate the help sooo much. I have a better perspective today. I don't know if it would be right to say I am officialy in menopause. I am 52 and getting my period every 2 weeks (and it is extremely heavy). This has been happening for 6 months. I am getting the night sweats and moody, and feel worn out. I have been trying to take iron for the blood loss and feel better if I do. Two years ago I cut out all white flour, sugar, went low fat and lost 20 lbs. in 10 weeks. I felt incredible. I keep telling myself I need to do this again. I actually make 90% of our food and it is on the healthy side, but I love my chips and sweets. I definitely eat past
full and feel the need to nibble when I'm not hungry which I attribute to stress/hormones. I have to get it together I have 6 children and my youngest is 10 i want to be healthy for them and my husband and live a long healthy life. My discipline is weak. I think I will take it one day at a time and eat healthier and exercise. For some reason I felt that I shouldn't have to watch what I eat or have to exercise to keep my weight down because in the past I haven't had to really worry so much but in the last couple of years I have gotten increasingly bigger.

This sounds more like perimenopause than menopause. Your doctor should be able to tell you what stage with a simple blood test, which can also check thyroid and iron levels. I would recommend trying to eat foods high in iron instead of taking a supplement unless directed to do so by your doctor. Too much iron can also cause problems. If you haven't already, you should discuss all your symptoms with your doctor.

I would also suggest not trying to go low fat and low carb if chips are your weakness. Just cut back on them, but still allow a treat now and then. Trying to eliminate favorite foods can sometimes lead to bingeing. You want to find a diet that healthy, but also sustainable long term.

Nachise

Thanks ladies. I appreciate the help sooo much. I have a better perspective today. I don't know if it would be right to say I am officialy in menopause. I am 52 and getting my period every 2 weeks (and it is extremely heavy). This has been happening for 6 months. I am getting the night sweats and moody, and feel worn out. I have been trying to take iron for the blood loss and feel better if I do. Two years ago I cut out all white flour, sugar, went low fat and lost 20 lbs. in 10 weeks. I felt incredible. I keep telling myself I need to do this again. I actually make 90% of our food and it is on the healthy side, but I love my chips and sweets. I definitely eat past
full and feel the need to nibble when I'm not hungry which I attribute to stress/hormones. I have to get it together I have 6 children and my youngest is 10 i want to be healthy for them and my husband and live a long healthy life. My discipline is weak. I think I will take it one day at a time and eat healthier and exercise. For some reason I felt that I shouldn't have to watch what I eat or have to exercise to keep my weight down because in the past I haven't had to really worry so much but in the last couple of years I have gotten increasingly bigger.

You sound like you are on the same track I was on regarding menopause. I swore I was gong to be the world's oldest perimenopausal patient.

I had many of your same symptoms, but mine were exacerbated by an overactive parathyroid gland. If your labs indicate that you have high calcium levels and low Vitamin D, get your parathyroid hormone levels checked. The functions of the parathyroid are completely separate and different from the thyroid gland, and can cause many of the same symptoms you describe. Been there. Got that. Had surgery. Total lifechanger.