Just joined...menopause weight gain

health1971

Hi,


I started pre-menopause at age 33 and at 40 I had a hysterectomy, which through me into menopause immediately... I was miserable for a while and gained 20 lbs in two years and like you I was always skinny and never had to diet in my life... I started HRT about 9 months ago and is the best thing I did... I also started on MFP in September of 2013 and I have lost 13 lbs so far.. I hardly ever eat veggies I am also a picky eater but I bought a NutriBullet, which comes with a recipe book and I love it... I have more than my serving of veggies and fruits per day and I feel great... I run, walk, weight train, and I do the Jillian Michaels DVDs and even though the weight doesn't come off as fast as I would like it still come off and anyway slow is better and healthier... Hang in there my friend and shortly you will see progress and feel a lot better... Add me if you want :happy: ...


-Ivonne

Taking a step at a time to reach my goal always :flowerforyou: ...

kimberlyy61

Hi Hoganhe, I'm kimberlyy61. I just started back up today with myfitnesspal. I am also menopausal.....:happy: :grumble: :laugh: :grumble:
I'm 52 and I've been going through this for the last 4 years and my doctor said I'm 3/4 of the way through it!!!!! The hot flashes are unbearable!! I'm a phlebotomist (vampire) and have to wear a face shield, lab coat and gloves all day long, I tell ya, some days it was all I could do to not just strip down right there! LOL I chose not to do the HRT because my sister has had breast cancer and I didn't want to take the risks. Over the last four years I have put on 40 lbs and I'm only 5' 1/2" tall, so at 178 lbs. I'm considered obese! That word through me for a loop and scared me half to death. I'm determined now to get the weight off. My doctor has me on a low carbohydrate/high protein diet. I eating mainlyt meats and vegetables for the next 2 weeks and then once my body is through the craving stage for carbohydrates (may favorite thing in the world), I'll start adding a few more carbs. Right now my diet is 1100 calories; 45% is protein, 35% is fat and 20% is carbs. My doctor said the first week will be extremely tough but the second week will be a lot easier. Please add me and we can lose this weight together! We can also swap menopause stories! :laugh: Good luck! Kimberly

suziramsdell

I can totally relate to the quick weight gain and menopause. One suggestion I have for all of you is to get yourself to a naturopath or other provider who can do a metabolism test for you. It's fairly quick and easy, mine cost about $40. It will give you your resting metabolic rate. I started in with a personal trainer who got me onto MFP after a lot of whining on my part. I'm now 68, went through menopause quite some time ago, but have struggled ever since. On and off bio-identical hormones due to income fluctuations. FINALLY, I got my physical issues from numerous car accidents under control a couple of years ago, and was able to start going to the gym regularly. At first I wasn't on MFP but was definitely watching what I was eating closely. I got down to somewhere around 165 from a beginning weight of 188 before starting MFP. My trainer had me on 1900 calories a day, then I created my deficit with exercise. I just wasn't losing weight after this calorie increase. Plus I fluctuated a lot, 4-5 pounds. That is when I decided to go in for the metabolic testing, and was SHOCKED at my results. My resting metabolic rate is only 840 calories per day. In other words, if I do my regular non-exercise (sedentary) activities in a day, I will burn 840 calories. They told me they had only seen one other person with a rate so low. And this was after I had been training 2 days a week and doing cardio 5-6 days a week as well. Again, I was shocked. But it also made me realize I have to work with this number, not with the 1900 my trainer told me to use, and not whatever MFP tells me to use. It tells me that the 1200 calories a day "everyone" says is the number not to go below is a bunch of hooey. It is individual. You have to know what your individual body metabolic rate is. So if I don't exercise on any given day, I do not exceed 840 calories. Period. When I do exercise, I add back in what I have exercised if I want to maintain. However, I still want to lose some more weight as I have managed to work my way down to about 147, but I still have a ways to go. It is HARD to eat that little, but at this point, I have no idea how to increase my metabolic rate. I would have thought it would have happened through exercise and eating right. I just plug along every day. And even though the weight loss has gotten extremely slow, in a way that's OK right now because I like nice clothes and to have to change sizes very often is just way too expensive. So if I can lose a size a year, I'm good with that.

The other thing I did was to eliminate ALL GRAINS. That wasn't super difficult for me because I am gluten intolerant anyway and didn't eat a lot of grains before. I eat a modified Paleo plan. No grains at all. But I do eat dairy. And I keep the total carbs per day low (ideally under 75). I do not really miss the grains. There are so many ways around that. Lettuce wrap sandwiches and burgers, for starters. Most restaurants and even fast food places will do those for you. If I go to a wedding, sure I might take one bite of cake with a big hunk of frosting on it. But that does not happen very often. For me, it's all about consequences. Would I rather have a piece of cake or would I rather go home and look at myself in the mirror and say, not so bad. Good job for not having the cake! Getting rid of larger sizes, shopping for smaller sizes, that is my reward. Just having one size in my closet, instead of 4 or 5 sizes in my closet, that is my reward. How good I feel is my reward. My health is my reward. If I never lost another pound, I am OK with that. I hope that isn't going to be the case, but I'm OK with that now. After the decades of ups and downs in weight, finally figuring out how to maintain is a huge thing for me. Doctors always told me I was not eating enough, when inside, I knew my own body and requirements. I just had no real proof till I did the metabolic testing. I can't stress enough to all of you to just keep going. Don't worry about yesterday or even tomorrow, just about today. What am I going to do today? If I can eat right today and exercise today, then that's all I have to worry about. If you fall down one day, stop right there and do not think another thing about it. Just pick up and work your plan. Where we get all boggled down is in our thinking that we are bad, what the heck, might as well eat that cake because I sure blew it yesterday. What does it matter? No. STOP. A mistake is a mistake. It will not break you. You can just pick up where you left off and work your plan, and feel damn good about that! I hope my input helps at least one of you out there who has struggled and can't figure out why the weight just won't come off.

phyllb

I just started on this week also. I really wanted to loose my weight premenopausal but didn't make itf. Ah well. It is a lifetime struggle but I am still positive. I am trying to loose 1.5 lb per week which means about 1200 cal. I won't weigh myself right away since either me or my scale fluctuate a lot. This my first time trying to log eating and excercise electronically.
Way better than I thought it would be.
Anyway hoping for some new diet pals. Tried free hot 5 min program today. Great especially for remembering the right stretches
Phyllb

cheetahrocker88

I just turned 50 June 24th , I use to be real active and not have to worry about what I ate throughout the years my metabolism has slowed down and my activity level is close to nil. I am getting depressed with my weight gain, lack of motivation and not eating healthy. I am 5'4 and weigh 185.5 lbs I feel like I am in a deep- hole and can not figure out how to get out. I started counting my calories today and did a 30 min aerobic workout. I am so glad I read everyone's story on menopausal weight gain it gives me hope and educates me on how to eat right. Thank you!

jzlozier

Glad to have you join us. I am also 30 - 40 pounds over weight as well, and have been struggling to admit it. But it is a fact that I must address before it goes any further... Menopause has not been my friend, but I am an upbeat person who is committed to this goal so that I may enjoy my life even more. Look forward to supporting you with your goal.

aedreana

Aedreana here, hello! I went thru menopause at 53. I am now 61. No symptoms except suddenly I didn't have to buy tampons any more. However, within 3 years, my weight (which did not change) redistributed. I am a matronly blob. All the fat on my butt and hips shifted around to my waist and midriff. My formerly curvy hips are now straight. For the first time in my life, my narrow shoulders are wider than my hips. The very worst part is my once shapely butt is flat and saggy and falls in a multitude of wrinkles at the bottom just like wrinkled fabric. My skin has turned super-thin all over my body. And so to lose the midriff/waist fat, I dieted from 135 to 108. My upper arms developed deep corrugated wrinkles, my waist and midriff puckery seersucker wrinkles, my belly droopy wrinkles and even the skin right above my knees got wrinkly. I am 5' 3 1/2" and have never been pregnant. I gained some of the weight back and my upper arms are smooth again at 121 pounds.But I can't stand this fat pad on my midriff/waist. So I am planning to diet again, probably to somewhere in the 112 - 116 pound range. I am presently 36"-29"-34," thigh 19." I would never ever tamper with my body chemistry by taking any type of hormone! And I refuse to exercise; never have exercised and never will. Plastic surgery is my only hope--but I am living in rock-bottom-poverty, in need of a rock bottom instead of a wrinkled *kitten*!

richo59

Also 55 and menopausal. No period for 14 months. When can we say we are through menopause? I still have some minor mood swings and hot flashes come and go. I am convinced that exercise helps both. When the flashes get bad, I take sage tablets, but they are quite expensive and hard to get. I gradually put on weight, but decided to do something about it, before it got out of hand. I needed to lose 7kg (about 15lbs) and have lost about 5kg. It has taken me five months. I do exercise a lot. I try to burn 400-600 calories per session at the gym and do Jillian Michasel DVD occassionally. I can't believe how hard it is to lose the weight when you get older. I did WW about 18 years ago and lost 28lb.
Don't you love it when those sweet young girls tell you that they cut out sugar or carbs for a week and lost 3 kgs? Those were the days.
I am determined to lose the weight and get back into the smaller sizes again. I refuse to throw out my clothes because they are too small.
I purchased my first pair of skinny jeans 12 months ago, and wore them once. The next time I went to put them on, they were tight. Then within a month, I couldn't get them over my thighs. The sat in my cupboard until 2 weeks ago, when I was finally able to put them on and feel comfortable enough to go out in public.
I am glad that you have all posted on this board today. It has made my day to think I am not the only one having issues, and I appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Good luck ladies.

Sabine_Stroehm

Also 55 and menopausal. No period for 14 months. When can we say we are through menopause? I still have some minor mood swings and hot flashes come and go. I am convinced that exercise helps both. When the flashes get bad, I take sage tablets, but they are quite expensive and hard to get. I gradually put on weight, but decided to do something about it, before it got out of hand. I needed to lose 7kg (about 15lbs) and have lost about 5kg. It has taken me five months. I do exercise a lot. I try to burn 400-600 calories per session at the gym and do Jillian Michasel DVD occassionally. I can't believe how hard it is to lose the weight when you get older. I did WW about 18 years ago and lost 28lb.
Don't you love it when those sweet young girls tell you that they cut out sugar or carbs for a week and lost 3 kgs? Those were the days.
I am determined to lose the weight and get back into the smaller sizes again. I refuse to throw out my clothes because they are too small.
I purchased my first pair of skinny jeans 12 months ago, and wore them once. The next time I went to put them on, they were tight. Then within a month, I couldn't get them over my thighs. The sat in my cupboard until 2 weeks ago, when I was finally able to put them on and feel comfortable enough to go out in public.
I am glad that you have all posted on this board today. It has made my day to think I am not the only one having issues, and I appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Good luck ladies.

Usually12 months without a period means it's "over".
We have a group! Great ladies.Feel free to join us:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/523-near-or-post-menopausal-group

hearthwood

Welcome, most women gain weight during the menopause years. It's just the realization that you can't eat like you did in your 20's or 30's and get away with it, that's hard to accept. But reality hits and you make your move.

A calorie is a calorie whether it comes from carrots or cookies, protein, fat or carbs. Forget about all diets you've been on in the past and consider this a life style change. Meaning now you eat less and move more.

Be patient, you didn't gain 60 pounds overnight, it's going to take time to take it off. Stay within your calorie goal, you'll blow thru it on some days, but make certain that the majority of days you don't. Don't deprive yourself of any certain food, just know that if you have a Big Mac for lunch you're going to be eating very light for dinner. Rid yourself of the chips and other high calorie snack foods, and move to fruits and low fat yogurt for snacks, and or other healthier low calorie snacks. Two pieces of bread turn into one, a piece of cake is now a sliver, etc. No second helpings, make healthier choices when you can, and when you can't eat less if it.

Anyway Welcome, and Good luck to you. You can do this.

Sabine_Stroehm

Welcome, most women gain weight during the menopause years. It's just the realization that you can't eat like you did in your 20's or 30's and get away with it, that's hard to accept. But reality hits and you make your move.

A calorie is a calorie whether it comes from carrots or cookies, protein, fat or carbs. Forget about all diets you've been on in the past and consider this a life style change. Meaning now you eat less and move more.

Be patient, you didn't gain 60 pounds overnight, it's going to take time to take it off. Stay within your calorie goal, you'll blow thru it on some days, but make certain that the majority of days you don't. Don't deprive yourself of any certain food, just know that if you have a Big Mac for lunch you're going to be eating very light for dinner. Rid yourself of the chips and other high calorie snack foods, and move to fruits and low fat yogurt for snacks. Two pieces of bread turn into one, a piece of cake is now a sliver, etc. No second helpings, make healthier choices when you can, and when you can't eat less if it.

Anyway Welcome, and Good luck to you. You can do this.

Agreed. However many studies show menopausal women have insulin resistance, so taking note of your body's reaction to certain starchier foods, fast burning carbs etc. may help.

cheetahrocker88

Thank you for your words of encouragement, I am not giving up my weight loss has been slow for the month the scale barely moved but I read these posts and they help.

cheetahrocker88

I re read your post and thanks again it helps me. I been having trouble on weekends everything goes out the window. Do you have any tips?

brightresolve

Very helpful thread, not feeling so alone! I went from very active (running 25-30 miles a week) in my 40's, to not-as-active due to injury and post-menopausal in my 50's. Now 58, needless to say my weight was up about 25 pounds from my marathon-self!

I always did watch what I ate and struggle to keep the weight I wanted, and only when I was running high mileage could I really eat as much as I wanted without dire consequences ... I am a lifetime sugar-holic and emotional comfort eater.

So needless to say, menopause weight gain has been a bummer.

I LOVED the person above saying that her doctor recommended she feel sorry for herself for just a few moments about "no being able to eat whatever I want," and then -- GET ON WITH IT.

I can also add for me, that my days of only-running and having the robustness to run off an extra 500 calories a day are OVER. I may get to run a little, but only with great shoes, careful crosstraining, lots of stretching, and strength training on the side. So it's time to stop pouting about that too, and GET ON WITH IT ... walking, elliptical trainer, stretching whenever I think of it, and being grateful for what I can still do with this (still overweight) body.

Thanks everyone for the inspiration -- and to cheetahrocker88, weekends ARE tough. I get through mine by planning social workouts with friends - walks or walk/runs; by planning to do something special for my self that doesn't involve food, maybe a new book for my e-reader; by planning a special meal that DOES fit in my calorie plan and putting enough work into it that I don't want to eat extras and spoil my appetite; by planning in a soy chai at my favorite coffee shop; bu telling myself I'm sick of sacrificing what I want MOST to get what I want RIGHT NOW.

Good luck and keep up the good work!

triumpet

Hi, I put on 14lb in a year!! Definitely through the menopause now & have started the 4:3 diet, going well so far & my energy levels are on the rise, good luck with what ever you do.
Once your through all the menopause symtoms you will feel better!

cheetahrocker88

Thank you brightresolve such good advice, I like all of your ideas but walking with a friend sounds good it will get me to exercise on the weekends. Love all the posts on here like I have said before they help when I am going through it, I feel like I forget or don't want to remember how to eat and exercise properly.

cheetahrocker88

Love your post gives me hope that will feel better after menopause symptoms over! Thank you!

CryssieFit

Hello All!

@Soheilaj

How has the HRT worked out? I am also gaining about 1-2 lbs a week despite my doubling up on walking exercise and cutting calories back. Currently taking aloe vera juice and yogurt with probiotics to make sure my vitamins are getting the best chance to absorb and be useful. Nothing seems to help! Also got so desperate that I tried a couple of diet pills thinking my system just needed a boost (1 month on Zantrex 3 and 1 month on GCM Pro Garcinia). Neither diet nor exercise is working and I'm gaining more and more weight no matter what. I'm thinking of exploring HRT now.