Near or post menopausal group

biggirl8862

Count me in! I'm 5'11" and 168 lbs now. It seems that no matter how much I exercise the scale keeps going in the wrong direction these days. I'm 49 and have been having hot flashes for some time now. I really feel like jumping in the freezer at least 10 times a day!! Only had my period twice this year, but the emotional swings, and weight gain is killing me. I just joined MFP last week. It really helps to keep the calories in check. I hope that I can bring the weight down to 145 again. :happy:

1960lisa

I'd love to join in this group too..... 51.... hot flushes for past 2-3 years but worse this past year.... occasional night sweat.... moody, depressed.....and can't seem to shift the weight.... even when i think I have been really good and I'm excited to weigh myself as I'm sure I will have lost something.... I stare in disbelief at a gain.... its as if my body just doesn't want any food in it at all anymore.... no matter what I eat or how little I just can't get the scale moving down.... this site is really getting me more motivated to persevere and I'm going to just have to up the exercise and I might even start trying to run (have read on another post about the C25K running program which I think is for me).

I have found it very helpful reading everyone's comments.... comforting to know we are all going through and sharing the same things.

Lisa

birches

I would love to join the group. I am 45 (5' 6.5", 175, target of 130, started at 210) diet and exercise with zero results. As in four months straight (exercise 6 days per week/swimming 1-1.5 hours per day)- no progress. I have tried a variety of diets to no avail: atkins, alternative day, and good old fashioned calorie counting - 1000/day.

I would love to find out things that work for woman in perimenopause because the old stuff does not. I read so much stuff on line that just conflicts. I read about estrogen dominance being the culprit as estrogen likes to store fat. Then I read just the opposite, that in perimenopause and menopause we lose estrogen and our bodies store additional fat to offset our loss of estrogen - I have no idea which is correct.

I consider myself a diet guinea pig. I take all sorts of vitamins D, E (fish and flax seed oils), C and multivitamin, minerals such as potassium, zinc, magnesium, chromium picolinate, cq10, I drink whey and soy protein shakes and take low dose aspirin. Kelp is irrelevant. B12 does help with energy. My friend says that Alli works - but have to have easy access to a toilet.

I have to say - magnesium is the only thing that has really made a noticeable difference - I used to suffer from migraines. I read in First Magazine that magnesium helps migraines - so, I started taking 400mg daily and it worked. No more migraines and fewer headaches, including after drinking too much red wine. *For ladies 60+, 600mg daily is the recommended dosage.

birches

Wow, good for you and thanks for the post. One of my friends said that I should go no lower than 1200 cals per day because my body goes into starvation mode. Now, I see another person that brought their cals down to 1200 and it worked. So thanks. I will try that now. She forwarded me the article below:

Hi Ladies,

The article said that 10-12 calories per pound of body weight should be
the average "diet" intake if you are doing cardio. (So, if you weight
175 lbs you should take in around 1750-2100 calories. However, the
article said that depending on how much you weigh - and how much you
need to lose- you could take that down to 8 calories per pound of body
weight (1400 for me at 175), but it suggested not going much lower than 1200 calories -
especially if you are exercising hard as it will put you into metabolic
slowdown as your body adjusts to what it views as starvation mode.

Anyway....I have never heard of intake based on calories per pound of
body weight. But it makes sense

kh0215

Hey there ladies! I am so glad I found this group! I am 34, had a total hysterectomy oopherectomy in 2008. (not a good year at all) was started on estrodial and have been taking it religiously since, but I was having a lot of breast pain. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks now working though the night sweats and hot flashes.

I have gained a ton of weight. I am as heavy now as I was when I delivered my twins. Talk about devastated. My husband is very supportive, however, he is a workout fanatic and I am a bookworm.

I have been on the weight swing for to long now, ready to find some motivation and friends- I live in central FL now and I want to be able to go to the beach without feeling like a beached whale.

I also have only half a thyroid due to precancerous cell growth removal, I produce enough hormone to be on the low end of normal. I am on Zoloft for depression, I would like to eventually come off of it too. But, one step at a time.:flowerforyou:

lizziebeth1028

Hey there ladies! I am so glad I found this group! I am 34, had a total hysterectomy oopherectomy in 2008. (not a good year at all) was started on estrodial and have been taking it religiously since, but I was having a lot of breast pain. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks now working though the night sweats and hot flashes.

I have gained a ton of weight. I am as heavy now as I was when I delivered my twins. Talk about devastated. My husband is very supportive, however, he is a workout fanatic and I am a bookworm.

I have been on the weight swing for to long now, ready to find some motivation and friends- I live in central FL now and I want to be able to go to the beach without feeling like a beached whale.

I also have only half a thyroid due to precancerous cell growth removal, I produce enough hormone to be on the low end of normal. I am on Zoloft for depression, I would like to eventually come off of it too. But, one step at a time.:flowerforyou:

Welcome kh0215! You are in the right place!! What a rough journey you've had! But things will get better! YOu have the right attitude, one foot in front of the other!! Best wishes!

1960lisa

Dear All, I've been trying to find some useful advice on this time of life. Since doctors weren't of much help, I tried the internet. I know, I know. There is a lot of nonsense on line, but there must be some credible information too. So far it hasn't been a gold mine, but here are a few tidbits I found.

Thanks annarouni for all this.... sounds like some useful information.... it is a frustrating time isn't it.... sooo much information out there and some of it works for some people but not others..... and some of it is propaganda by companies wanting to sell us menopause "cures" ..... very hard to cut to the chase..... but healthy food and lots of exercise has to be the best starting point doesn't it.

dogwhisperette - just loved your name because I have been watching the dog whisperer program lately.... my wonderful 13 yo airedale died recently and I miss her everyday .....we are going to get a puppy next year..... I hate being without a dog .... and part of the reason I am trying to get fitter is so that I can take a dog for runs every day..... also relate to the frustrating (but loveable) husband... i have 2 sons (18 & 20) so a very male household here too.

Its really interesting reading everyone's different (but same) experiences of menopause.... as well as weight issues..... I really feel this is the best place for me to be at this time to get myself fit and healthy.

I am 51 and had my last period at the beginning of the year (yeah) hopefully never to return..... having lots of hot flushes though and not sleeping very well.... I used to go to bed really early but now I am often sitting up past midnight (a good time to trawl through MFP).... also my metabolism seems to have ground to a halt and losing weight seems an impossibility.... I eat healthily (but my portions are too big - I'm working on that) ..... also have a terrible memory at times (hopefully not alzheimers - what was I saying?)..... I am intending starting university next year (its never too late is it?) to get my brain cells working again....

Have a good day everyone..... we WILL all get through this!

Lisa

daydream58

Please add me too! I'm 53... I know I don't exactly look it, but trust me when I say, I FEEL like it a lot of days... and I'm post menopausal thanks to cancer surgery last year, so I got the hot flashes rather suddenly as I had no real menopausal symptoms pryer to my surgery... but that still counts right? I'm still the right age and everything.

I don't have a before pic yet, I need to dig out one that hasn't been cut up some day (lol) but my profile pic is from last month so "during" about 20 lbs down which did take me about 3 months which is slower than someone half my age probably - but slowly and surely I believe I can do this and WE can do this too - just apply some stubborn to it and stick it out together I say!

We are stubborn enough to do this - or we wouldn't all be here, am I right?

xoxoxo for all my meno-sisters!
Deedee
Vancouver Island

Pinky67

Hi there everyone, I'm 32yrs old and 14yrs post-menopausal (I was 18 when I went through) I gained over 30-40kg (66-88lbs) I have tried SOOO hard over the years to lose weight, nothing worked for long. Until I found MFP, I have lost 18kg (40lbs) and I'm loving it! I think one of the main reasons we gain weight before/during/after the menopause is plain old emotional eating, hit that one on the head and the fight is half won!!! There are other reasons of course, like our fat been used as a place to try and produce hormones since our ovaries no longer can. That is not something we can change, we just need to fight even harder!!! Good luck to you all, we can do it :flowerforyou:

Dottie27

'Was wondering if other women who have been in menopause for at least a year, have experienced some symptoms related to estrogen being released from fat cells? Unfortunately, these same symptoms are those for something more serious, so things always need to get checked out. I had heard of the estrogen-fat cells-weight gain, but had not heard of weight loss affecting fat cells until my doctor mentioned it yesterday.

debs6

I am having technical problems tonight for some crazy reason and have managed to lose two posts that I have been almost ready to post.

I am thrilled to see so many people taking part in the Menopause thread - it is clear that there are many issues that we share as a group and others that are specific to smaller subsets of women amongst our numbers.

Dottie- I have been menopausal for well over two years now but don't think I am experiencing symptoms that you refer to but don't actually know what symptoms I am looking for. I am thinking if you are talking about oestrogen release from fat cells then you might be talking about spotting etc .......is that one of the symptoms you are referring to?

How is everyone's weight loss journey going at the moment. I came to a bit of a plateau for a few weeks and then decided to buy a heart rate monitor. The calorie count generated by this indicated to me that many of the activities listed with MPF tend to have over estimated calorie usage so I am taking more notice of my monitor than estimates from the website. Even my heart rate monitor is not fully accurate as I am weaning off beta blockers under the direction of my doctor - and this restricts the higher levels of my heart rate - to a level that it appears that I am not burning as many calories. The good news is that I am now losing again and have managed to lose 1.4 Kilos in the last ten or so days - which is about 3.6 lbs. It is good to be on the move again. I have started the C25k program which is a lovely gentle program to build you up slowly so that you become a runner. The last time I ran anything was when I was at school back in the early 70s- so this is a certainly a challenge- but one which I am enjoying. I have always loved walking - and I really think that I will enjoy running when I become more practised at it.

Tell us about what is working for you and what is not- we can all learn by sharing experiences

1960lisa

Dottie- I have been menopausal for well over two years now but don't think I am experiencing symptoms that you refer to but don't actually know what symptoms I am looking for. I am thinking if you are talking about oestrogen release from fat cells then you might be talking about spotting etc .......is that one of the symptoms you are referring to?

How is everyone's weight loss journey going at the moment. I came to a bit of a plateau for a few weeks and then decided to buy a heart rate monitor. The calorie count generated by this indicated to me that many of the activities listed with MPF tend to have over estimated calorie usage so I am taking more notice of my monitor than estimates from the website. Even my heart rate monitor is not fully accurate as I am weaning off beta blockers under the direction of my doctor - and this restricts the higher levels of my heart rate - to a level that it appears that I am not burning as many calories. The good news is that I am now losing again and have managed to lose 1.4 Kilos in the last ten or so days - which is about 3.6 lbs. It is good to be on the move again. I have started the C25k program which is a lovely gentle program to build you up slowly so that you become a runner. The last time I ran anything was when I was at school back in the early 70s- so this is a certainly a challenge- but one which I am enjoying. I have always loved walking - and I really think that I will enjoy running when I become more practised at it.

Tell us about what is working for you and what is not- we can all learn by sharing experiences

Debs - congratulations on your weight loss so far... we have much the same goal weight but you have worked very hard to get where you are now.... I have been on MFP for 3 weeks and am finding it very hard to get the weight loss started.... I'm about to get out of bed and weigh in so we'll see if there's any change but I fear not. I have been menopausal for past couple of years and am wondering if that's partly why its so hard to see any changes. I think I have been pretty good staying within my calories (except for a blow out the other night - dinner out with my H) and I have also started the C25K program - W1D3 today. I think your comments about the overestimating calories burned could be my problem. I have a heart rate monitor sitting in a box which I have never bothered to figure out...thought it seemed a bit complicated.... but I think I should get it out and see what I am really burning and hopefully it will make the changes I need. PS - love the picture of your dog - is it a westie? My girlfriend has 2 of them and I love them to bits.

Dottie - I'm not sure what symptoms you are referring to either?

Pinky - my you have had an early menopause haven't you.... I peeked at your profile and saw that you have a son..... you have had a lot to contend with..... and I can totally relate to the emotional eating patterns.... probably most of us here I would think.... good luck with your journey here.

Deedee - welcome...love your sign off to meno-sisters!

Well I have to get out of bed now.... its only morning her eon the other side of the world - off to weigh in (fingers crossed) and then walk (exercise) to the local organic markets to stock up on some lovely fresh food (and have my weekly treat of coffee and muffin).

Good luck to everyone in our struggles, Lisa

debs6

Lisa- yes my dog is a westie - and my wonderful companion for almost everything. He loves the c25k program and when we are just walking, which we do every day, he often tries to get me to run as well. I give in sometimes but generally want to preserve the rest days as my old bones definitely need the rest. I am about to start week four on Tuesday and as always I am apprehensive about the increased run times- although have managed them every other time - so hopefully the apprehension will be worse than the actual event.

I like you am an Aussie- although I am on the other side living about an hour south of Perth in Mandurah.My youngest sister lives in Sydney in Ultimo really central. Are you in the inner city or further out? This is a wonderful website - it keeps me honest and on task and you meet some fantastic people!!

Debbie

IOWAlapbanderette

I'm in...age 53, MENO hit me like a ton of bricks the day of my 50th birthday...

I have had mid section weight gain, I am a definite APPLE..lol I keep the hot flashes at bay with Estroven, started taking it just 1 week after the flashes started..and rarely have them..

jdos1

I'm post and I am having a helluva time! I had NEVER had weight issues and from peri to post (8years) I put on 50 lbs. I am now at the gym 4 days per week and I am walking every chance I get, daily. I am getting my 1200 calories per day and usually my net is less. I am stuck at 192 and just miserable. I found a compounding pharmacy that does the bio-identical hormones. I'd like to hear if that has worked for anyone with a similar story.

momcindy

I'm post-menopause. I'm 54 but was officially in menopause at 47. I feel I've lost a decade of my life (my 40's) due to the fatigue and perimenopause symptoms. I don't remember the last time I actually felt good. Uncontrollable weight gain has been an out of body experience for me and it seems no matter what I do, it just won't come off except in ounces at a time.

Just bumping up my introductory comment from last month. My main issue right now is this darn belly fat. I look pregnant but my white hair kind of gives everyone a clue that I'm not! I'm doing low carb to try to get rid of it because I've been diagnosed as being insulin resistant which is also called metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes.

fairygirl716

Good morning ladies. I'm 36 years old and had a total hysterectomy at the age of 33. I was over 200 at the time of my surgery and was on Estrace for about 1 1/2 years. When I finally had my ah ha moment...I was 235 lbs. I just wanted to pop in and give you ladies some hope. I'm 3 years post menapause and I've lost 96 lbs in 14 months. I still suffer from the hot flashes....but without all my insulation, I welcome them...as I'm very cold!

I eat sensibly, and exercise 5-7 days per week.

Recently, I hit a hard plateau and stopped losing weight. I decided to shake things up. I upped my calories to maintaince and stopped exercise for a planned 1 week. Today is the end of that week and I've lost .5 lbs. My point is that you can do this too. Taking control of your life is the only way you will be able to maintain. Strive to live healthy, not lose weight and you will have a lasting effect!

Good luck!

kgb6days

OMG - do I need this group! I'm 54, soon to be 55 and I am struggling to loose weight. I've been doing the 1200 cal/day, running 3 miles/week and having very little success! At my last MD appt my TSH was elevated, but she wanted to wait to put me on thyroid replacement until the next visit to see if it was still elevated. I'm sure that also affects my ability to lose weight. I totally get that I'll never look like I'm 30 again, but I just don't want to be overweight! I'm looking forward to getting to know you and share our experiences!

Dottie27

There is a lot of info. about weight GAIN and menopause, but I have found little info. about the affects on a woman's body after weight LOSS during menopause!

I have experienced some mild spotting after losing 32 lbs. My doctor thinks the spotting is related to weight loss and explained the estrogen-stored in fat cells-weight loss link. Of course, I will have some tests, because spotting after menopause can be a sign of something more serious. I never knew weight loss could affect menopausal women in this way. Has anyone else heard of it?

misstonico

Can I join too?

I had to have my thyroid removed a couple of years ago and it threw me into peri-menopause almost right away. I take birth control pills to help mitigate the worst of the side effects, but I still get crazy mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats. I also gained 30 lbs on top of the 25 lbs I gained after two kids. It's been hard to lose any weight, but with the help of my doctor and some lifestyle changes I dropped about 20 of those pounds. Now I'm working my butt off (literally) to lose the last 35 lbs.

Oh yeah, and I was 34 yrs old when my thyroid was removed so I had the double blow of dealing with peri-menopause while most of contemporaries were just starting their families. I really had no one who understood what I was dealing with.