weigh in on menopause

JanLeb

That has crossed my mind, but where I am that is much easier said than done. I know way to many people that can't get a Dr. here and the only way they can get to see one is by going to a clinic or the ER.

I admit his bedside manner is aweful, but he does usually find out what is causing any symptoms I may have.

gatorginger

Well if your happy with him that is all that matters.

debgilbert1955

Summerlove, I just read your post from March. I too have wondered if menopause symptoms "end," specifically the difficulty in losing weight. Does anyone know for sure???

gatorginger

I think I may be at the end of menopause. I still get the occasional hot flash, usually when I'm upset. I haven't had night sweats in a while. I am wondering what happens when menopause is over. Does weight loss get easier? Since I started myfitnesspal, it hasn't been very difficult to lose the 14 pounds that I've lost so far. I wasn't able to do this before on WW or South Beach. I'm wondering if I'm losing weight because counting calories is more effective than those other diets or if I'm finally successful because I'm at the end of menopause.

Any theories? :blushing:

I think you successful due to mfp not because your at the end of menopause. I've been going through pre-menopause for at least a year now and once I started here the weight just fell off for me and I'm still only in pre-menopause so I think you lost weight from what your doing here on mfp

rjmatthews

Hello,

So, I have gained 15 pounds since February. I'm 46 and I am frustrated. I want to loose about 60 pounds before next July when my family is going on a cruise, but from reading all of these posts, I don't think this is going to be doable. Any suggestions for making it easier?

chacaruso

I understand completely. Started menopause at age 45 (8 years ago) and although my cycle stopped 3 years ago, I'm still experiencing hot flashes daily and the weight gain in the past 8 years has been unreal. I exercise and eat right, am a nutritionist by trade, and still can't fit the weight Just have to go for being healthy. I don't know if I'll ever be wearing those size 4 jeans again!

gatorginger

I am 51 and have had success with the weight coming off. The only truely different thing I have done since I started mfp is I eat more fruit and I eat yogurt twice a day. I don't know if that has any impact on it but I have read that eating yogurt helps burn the fat so if your not already doing that maybe give it a shot.

chacaruso

I've been in menopause or 8 years and the weight gain is unreal!!! I'm a nutritionist and have always exercised and even I put on weight that I couldn't have imagined. It's a struggle for sure. For me, I have to net 1000 calories a day so exercise is the key, smaller portions and definitely writing it down so you don't forget what you've eaten. That coupled with hot flashes and I'm about ready to scream!

gatorginger

Geez 8 years is a long time. I started out at 1000 but it was because I was used to skipping meals. I have recently increased my calories to 1700 due to the fact I keep losing at 1500. I stayed at 1500 for awhile though I think I was at a platau. I first increased to 1600 and still lost so now I'm trying 1700 to see what is gonna happen. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to lose because lots of people on here are struggling due to menopause.

nikname182

UGH! Eat nothing + exercise every day = gain weight, get hot flashes, and saggy skin! NICE! I'm so frustrated and just relieved to see I'm not the only one! (but really sorry that anyone else could be feeling the same way!).

And here we go again ... back to MyFitnessPal to ONCE AGAIN get serious, record everything I eat and drink, and record exercise. And I'll be GREAT at it for about two days, and then ... eh.

So tired of this cycle - help! I'm about ready to buy that pack of cigarettes that used to fulfill all that hand-to-mouth activity in those days when I weighed 125!

campdawson

I am 54 and have been completely menopausal since 2008 and know well the weight gain and symptoms that accompany that milestone. Before that time I had an occasional hot flash, but since then they have been incessant, especially ay night. I have fans strategically placed around my home to combat the flashes. Learning to live with this has been the biggest battle as I am not on any prescribed medication but have been taking Estroven for about two years now. I also have acupuncture treatments twice a month for the past year for my symptoms, which helps more mentally because the hot flashes continue but I have peace of mind. I have been exercising faithfully for the past 3 years and have only managed to maintain my weight, none lost. I have gained about 40 pounds with the onset of menopause and remain active to ward off anymore unwanted pounds. This is the first time I have kept a food diary and it is my hope that this type of accountability finally breaks the cycle of the bulge.

queenbea77

I'm 53 and am having serious hot flashes! OH my! I've been having them on and off for the past year or so and have missed TOM occasionally. It seems when I don't get TOM I'm having hot flashes and when I have TOM I don't get the hot flashes - is this what's happening to everyone else? I gained weight over the past 18 years - I can't blame it all on pre-menopause. I think a lot of it was just over eating and not realizing my metabolism was slowing down too. I've been with MFP for almost a month and have lost 2 lbs. Not as much as I'd hoped but at least it's something. I just can't picture gaining another 20+ lbs. over the next few years until I am through these hot flashes and in menopause. I've just gone down a size in my jeans and I don't want to have to dig out the larger ones again!

krishamisha

Hi everyone

its good reading all your stories and knowing that you're not alone in the menopause weight gain. My bouts of hot flushes come and go (weeks or months at a time) however I have learned that whilst I can't always loose weight when they come; I can at least not gain weight by tracking my calories. (when the flushes first started i twice gained 5 kilos in what seemed like a week).

Using MFP when they come is my weight gain prevention tool.

My tips are 1 Planning - plan you meals day or week before so you don't get caught out (at least until your mind switches over to your new lower calorie way of eating) and 2 Never give up. If you miss a day; a week or a month; don't worry still come back and start again.

I've been here for a year now; on and off; my progress is slow (because of that) but its still progress. I was slowed by a shoulder injury and i started exercising again and my knees hurt LOL. Low Impact for me then...

Starting to loose again so feeling optimistic :-)

ps - feel free to add me as a friend

queenbea77

Hi everyone

its good reading all your stories and knowing that you're not alone in the menopause weight gain. My bouts of hot flushes come and go (weeks or months at a time) however I have learned that whilst I can't always loose weight when they come; I can at least not gain weight by tracking my calories. (when the flushes first started i twice gained 5 kilos in what seemed like a week).

Using MFP when they come is my weight gain prevention tool.

My tips are 1 Planning - plan you meals day or week before so you don't get caught out (at least until your mind switches over to your new lower calorie way of eating) and 2 Never give up. If you miss a day; a week or a month; don't worry still come back and start again.

I've been here for a year now; on and off; my progress is slow (because of that) but its still progress. I was slowed by a shoulder injury and i started exercising again and my knees hurt LOL. Low Impact for me then...

Starting to loose again so feeling optimistic :-)

ps - feel free to add me as a friend

I couldn't agree more that a big part is the planning. I have hard boiled eggs, baby bel cheese & fruit at the office so I can grab them as a quick snack if I'm in a pinch. I think I read that it takes about a month to make something a habit and I wouldn't be surprised. I know when I talk to new people at the gym many of them say "just getting there is just as much of a battle as the workout". I know when I take time off it can be difficult to get back into the routine.

frugalafterfifty

Glad to find this group. I'm 52 and don't know whether it is the menopause or thyroid that is making me gain weight like crazy. I don't like medications or doctors so I'm trying to about this the all natural way first to see if I can get it under control with healthy eating and exercise. I did buy some natural things at the health food store I'm trying. If things don't work out in about 60 days I'll go to the doctor. (yuk)

I'm trying to eat well and track on MFP. Just also started doing Callanetics again and walking at lunch at work. Please feel free to friend me - it helps keep me on track too.

I try to pack my lunch so there is no incentive to buy. It's also cheaper.

Does anyone take coconut oil for any health benefits?

pattidutton

So glad I found this group!

I'm having the HARDEST time losing even the smallest amount of weight, even though I'm tracking my calories and exercising like a fiend (90 minutes of karate class 4 times a week - I'm a black belt).

Any suggestions?

gatorginger

Just read that sage helps with hot flashes. You can drink it as a tea, use it as a spice or for a stronger effect take it as a dietary supplement like a liquid herbal extral. I plan to give this a try