Losing Weight During Perimenopause

Madre2

Hi everyone,
I recently joined MyFitnessPal and I already love it! What a great tool. I have found it very difficult to lose weight after 40 because of perimenopause. My metabolism has slowed to crawl. I am trying to curb calories while running, cycling, swimming and weight training. I'd love to hear more from women who are going through perimenopause, but have successfully lost weight or are trying to lose weight. Thanks!

circusmom

bump

themommie

yep that would be me, LOL. I am 47 and while it is harder to lose weight when you get older the key is the same as for everyone else, eating right and exercise. This is a wonderful group, stick with it and it will happen. I have been on here 112 days and I have lost 32lbs.

mobymarsh

hi i am going through the same as you i am trying to loose weight while going through this stressful time is very challenging but i have found this site does help it shows how you are not alone



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MzBug

It can be done! I have lost 30+ since the end of July. It may take a few weeks to find your "sweet spot" for calories though. Might even be much higher than you think!

Good Luck!

ricksgurl

Hello Madre,
I am new to this site (only started about a week ago) and new to dieting as well. I have just started pre-menopause and I'm struggling with some of the symptoms, mainly the hotflashes and now nitesweats -I can't give you much info on either but I'm a good listener and would gladly be a support person!! I gained over 50# in about a year due to Fibromyalgia meds (which have since been changed) - I am somewhat limited in my exercises because of the Fibro, but I can usually bicycle and use an Elliptical (?) and do some of the Wii Fit games. I'd also appreciate any ideas you'd like to share too. :flowerforyou:

cmw9696

I hear all of your pain! At 40, it has been a rough past year...Oct 2009 had a tubal ligation, April 2010 had a Hydro-Ablation. While those really are simple procedures, my hormones have not decided what they want to do! I truely feel I am in the early stages of peri-menopause. My body does not want to let go of the weight! I am eating right, and have picked up my exercise routine...maybe this time, I will have found the "sweet spot"?!? Either way, it has been stressful to say the least! I just keep plugging away. Something has to give!

Kminor67

I'm perimenopausal and I'm still losing. Your best bet is to follow the recommendations of this site to the letter. Exercise DOES help... A LOT. I've been here 75 days and lost 22 lbs so far. Keep at it... you'll do great. One of my biggest issues is sodium. Make sure you're drinking PLENTY of water (I average 10-12 cups a day). Add me and we can support each other.

suziblues2000

I hear you loud and clear! Same problem for me. I have lost 25 lbs but have been 'stuck' for SO LONG at the same weight now that I feel like I should just give up! But I wont.

I walk everyday for one hour on the treadmill and that takes about 400 calories. I'm thinking I need to do it for a lot longer to use up a lot more calories. I think my calorie limit is 1200. MFP keeps saying if I go on like I am I should lose "this much" weight in "this much" time, but it's not happening!

Menopause. blah. Plus I'm on medication that definitely puts the brakes on my metabolism.

GrammiBarb

I had problems a few years ago too. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I lived through all the changes in metabolism, hormones and plain old "stay out of my way, men just don't understand".
Hot flashes, or as my sister calls them, power surges, can make you want something to "help you feel better", but I found out that ice cream isn't the right answer. Keeping yourself healthy and active, makes it easier to live with the temporary, yet life changing time.

Barb :drinker: (Lots of water!!!)

cathyfigueroa

Suziblues
Did you say your calorie count a day is 1200? that's what mine is and I weigh 140 did I read this right

angeladike

hi i am 49 and agree with you totally. i am trying to lose and it is very hard compared to when i was in my 30s.

vette49

I am 49 and been going through this for years, I know I have to keep trying to get the weight off or continue to gain. I want give up and will get the weight off.

MrsTLP

I'm right with you too! I'm 48 and have been trying to lose weight on my own while going through menopause...without any success. I have new motivation since finding this site and support system. I have high hopes for you, me, and all of us here! We have to stick with it!

Madre2

OMG. That's amazing! You should be so proud of yourself!

Madre2

LOL. Right back atcha. :-)

Madre2

hi i am going through the same as you i am trying to loose weight while going through this stressful time is very challenging but i have found this site does help it shows how you are not alone



Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

Awesome. Thanks for the support. Wish I had found this site sooner!

Madre2

bump

LOL. Right back atcha!

Madre2

It can be done! I have lost 30+ since the end of July. It may take a few weeks to find your "sweet spot" for calories though. Might even be much higher than you think!

Good Luck!

THANK YOU!!

Madre2

Hello Madre,
I am new to this site (only started about a week ago) and new to dieting as well. I have just started pre-menopause and I'm struggling with some of the symptoms, mainly the hotflashes and now nitesweats -I can't give you much info on either but I'm a good listener and would gladly be a support person!! I gained over 50# in about a year due to Fibromyalgia meds (which have since been changed) - I am somewhat limited in my exercises because of the Fibro, but I can usually bicycle and use an Elliptical (?) and do some of the Wii Fit games. I'd also appreciate any ideas you'd like to share too. :flowerforyou:

One of my dearest friends is struggling with fibro, and I know how it zaps your energy. I've been advising her for years to try weight training, even if it is with light weights. Though I have gained weight over the past couple of years due to a desk job (turns out that sitting for hours can literally kill you), I know I am firmer and stronger than I'd be otherwise due to years of strength training. Try using light weights when your energy is up, and combine it with cardio when possible.

Madre2

I hear all of your pain! At 40, it has been a rough past year...Oct 2009 had a tubal ligation, April 2010 had a Hydro-Ablation. While those really are simple procedures, my hormones have not decided what they want to do! I truely feel I am in the early stages of peri-menopause. My body does not want to let go of the weight! I am eating right, and have picked up my exercise routine...maybe this time, I will have found the "sweet spot"?!? Either way, it has been stressful to say the least! I just keep plugging away. Something has to give!

Thank you! Your optimism and support are sure to help me along this journey!

Madre2

I'm perimenopausal and I'm still losing. Your best bet is to follow the recommendations of this site to the letter. Exercise DOES help... A LOT. I've been here 75 days and lost 22 lbs so far. Keep at it... you'll do great. One of my biggest issues is sodium. Make sure you're drinking PLENTY of water (I average 10-12 cups a day). Add me and we can support each other.

I'm so inspired by your progress. And I agree about following the plan to the letter. Already I'm making more of an effort to drink more water. Also, I too recently made the salt connection. I'm trying to force myself not to add more salt to my food.

Madre2

I had problems a few years ago too. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I lived through all the changes in metabolism, hormones and plain old "stay out of my way, men just don't understand".
Hot flashes, or as my sister calls them, power surges, can make you want something to "help you feel better", but I found out that ice cream isn't the right answer. Keeping yourself healthy and active, makes it easier to live with the temporary, yet life changing time.

Barb :drinker: (Lots of water!!!)

Thank you! I know intuitively that water is a good idea, but I had stopped drinking as much as I should.

mckval

Ugh. Same boat here, too: 48 and things just got way out of hand. But, because of this site, I am on a better track. Working out (6 days a week--what?!), eating right, and after about 9 weeks here, on a great trajectory.

Hang in there! I want to be nifty at 50!

And I read a card the other day..."Hot flashes are just your inner child playing with matches." HA HA HA!!!

Madre2

Suziblues
Did you say your calorie count a day is 1200? that's what mine is and I weigh 140 did I read this right

I'm supposed to stay under 1,400/day, but this site has me at about 1,250/day. Does that seem low for someone trying to be more active?

Madre2

I am 49 and been going through this for years, I know I have to keep trying to get the weight off or continue to gain. I want give up and will get the weight off.

Best of luck. We should help encourage each other!!

Madre2

Ugh. Same boat here, too: 48 and things just got way out of hand. But, because of this site, I am on a better track. Working out (6 days a week--what?!), eating right, and after about 9 weeks here, on a great trajectory.

Hang in there! I want to be nifty at 50!

And I read a card the other day..."Hot flashes are just your inner child playing with matches." HA HA HA!!!

You are too funny!! Thanks for your story. I'm inspired by your progress!

lizzie4015

Great Job only been here 2 days, this makes me want to stick to it!!

mckval

Suziblues
Did you say your calorie count a day is 1200? that's what mine is and I weigh 140 did I read this right

I'm supposed to stay under 1,400/day, but this site has me at about 1,250/day. Does that seem low for someone trying to be more active?

Mine also suggests the 1200. But, that is net calories. So, depending how many calories you burn, that allows you a bit more (good) food intake, I believe. I also do my best to "zig-zag" my diet. That seems to help.

IsMollyReallyHungry

Hello,

Yes it is as hard as hell. This site is awesome for support. I know for sure it was easier losing weight in my 20's, 30,s, and even after weight loss surgery.

But I am very determined to do it this time. As we hit 40 there is more of a chance of medical issues. So I will do whatever it takes to lose the rest of my weight!

Good luck to you and you can do this!

barbhale

I hear you loud and clear! Same problem for me. I have lost 25 lbs but have been 'stuck' for SO LONG at the same weight now that I feel like I should just give up! But I wont.

I walk everyday for one hour on the treadmill and that takes about 400 calories. I'm thinking I need to do it for a lot longer to use up a lot more calories. I think my calorie limit is 1200. MFP keeps saying if I go on like I am I should lose "this much" weight in "this much" time, but it's not happening!

Menopause. blah. Plus I'm on medication that definitely puts the brakes on my metabolism.

Hi. I'm 45, have been following the caloric intake of MFP for about a year and I've just gained weight! It's time for me to step it up, it seems. It is such a disappointment to meet calorie goals and see those enticing weight loss numbers on the "Complete Today's Entry" screen. I have been searching for motivating information and your comment about walking an hour a day made me think of this article: http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning-0?page=single

Good luck to you!