Any Menopause weight loss success stories?

becky10rp

LOVING this thread!

I'm almost 48 and going through perimenopause - I've lost almost 30 lbs.

I have to credit a lot of my success to lifting weights - I've exercised for years but always avoided lifting weights - MFP always hyped it, so I figured 'OK - I'll do it'!

I feel better AND look better than I did in my 20's - AND have a lot more energy!

I log daily; I work out 6 times a week, an hour a day; weights 3 times a week/30 minute sessions.

I've gotten to the point that I really enjoy my workouts - I consider it 'ME' time; and I'm worth an hour a day (at least.......)! I rotate between my elliptical, bike, and treadmill.

Power on, ladies!! We may get older, but we also get BETTER!

Wanting2BSkinny

Bump

heatherenzed

Bump

christinacarlyn

I have been trying. To lose 12lns. For 3 months and have only lost 2 lbs. I am 49 and have gone. Through menopause. I work out 5 - 6 days a week. I have been staying under my calorie count. I am very frustrated. Any suggestions?

judylutz

I am 52 and my doctor is shocked I haven't shown any signs of menopause. I keep my hormones level with nutrition and weight loss has been easy (when I don't cheat.) Gone from size 16 to 6 with nutrition -

paprad

tagging

mjegg

Thank you for posting this information. It explains so much!

dogluvr3

I have posted on this topic so many times it makes me nauseated. I've been fighting menopausal weight gain for two years. It just keeps coming.

Unlike many here, I have been in excellent shape my whole life. I started weight training at age 19, before it got to be mainstream for women to do it, and have never stopped. Over the years I've added running, yoga, Pilates, biking, kickboxing, boot camp...if it's fitness related, I've done it.

I was in the absolute best shape of my life at 48 when BAM. I had a period from hell that lasted two and a half months, nonstop. Horrible. The very next month I started to gain weight. Then more. Then more. The harder I fought it with cutting back calories and exercising more, the more weight I gained.

I've always been fit. Always been muscular and small. In the past two years I've gone from 110 (my usual weight) and a size 0 to 130 and a size 6. Fighting it every step of the way. There is NOTHING I haven't tried. And the sad thing is, my whole lifestyle was the healthiest it could be to begin with. Adding weights in the gym did nothing. I watched helplessly as my muscles disappeared and it "seemed" that cellulite and fat took their place.

I am now flabby, four inches bigger in the waist, three inches bigger in the bust, hips, and thighs, despite a clean diet and regular workouts.

I've been put on thyroid meds with no effect. I finally resorted to bioidentical hormone replacement a month ago. So far all I've noticed is sore breasts and even larger rear and thighs than I've ever had (never were my problem areas before).

So....yeah. Exercise and clean eating does NOT work for everyone in menopause. If you check out my profile, you'll see my "BEFORE" pictures. LOL

snowflake954

bump

mollywhippet

I'm 58 and have lost just over 100 pounds in about a year. I stick to my 1200 calorie plan and do not eat back my exercise calories. I work out about an hour six days a week plus walking with the dogs. My diet is low salt, low fat and low enjoyment. I no longer eat fried foods and don't eat much bread. When I do I make my own without salt. I do occasionally eat ice cream and chocolate for treats. I eat a lot of chicken breast and sweet potatoes. But I really enjoy how I feel at this smaller size, so I don't mind the limited food choices. Only 55 more pounds to go.

AbigailWins

Paleo

AbigailWins

I am 52 and my doctor is shocked I haven't shown any signs of menopause. I keep my hormones level with nutrition and weight loss has been easy (when I don't cheat.) Gone from size 16 to 6 with nutrition -

It certainly could be what you eat and it could also be genetic. Awesome that you lost weight like that it gives me hope.

SkimFlatWhite68

This is a good thread, and even though it started over a year ago, has some good information in it, so thank you to all the contributors. Unfortunately it's something that all of us have to go through at some stage or other.

I'm 45 and just back from the doctor this morning who has taken a heap of blood for tests and her number 1 suspicion is that I've started menopause. Bummer.

My plan of attack is to keep a 1600 calorie daily average over the week and keep an eye on my macros. Also going gluten free as I have other issues to address. Lets hope that helps with the waistline.

As far as the sleeplessness and hot flushes are concerned... I hope they pass quickly!! I'm sick of feeling exhausted and carrying a small towel in my bag all the time.

ckp0818

BUMP

dtjay7

I am just starting this path towards health. I have been so unhappy with all the weight that I have gained in the few years since menopause. I took antidepressants and that actually made it worse. They were horrible for me. Reading all of the posts in this thread really is encouraging. Thank you everyone for sharing your progress.

dontjudge1

I am reading all the comments and am so glad I am not in this struggle alone. I have fought my weight my entire life. Lost and gained, and repeated again. But I had finally got a grip on it, lost 150 pounds, felt great, ate good and clean, and devoted to exercise. Then about three years ago the weight started coming back on- for no reason other than menopause. I have gained around 25 pounds (mostly in the belly area) and have tried every way to try and start my metabolism into kicking in again but nothing has worked. Still exercising 5 times a week, lifting weights with alternating days of aerobic. I'm changing my exercise programs periodically so my body does not become used to one routine. Not on any meds so can't blame it on that. I am just miserable and am probably over obsessed with the fact I feel horrible with the added pounds. It's constantly on my mind and one can't help but be reminded of it when you look in the mirror and also have to buy larger clothes (which I was determined not to do ever again) Especially coming from working so hard to get the weight off in the first place. This truly is an awful, helpless and depressing feeling. I'm determined to get through this phase in life a winner. If anyone has any suggestions or advice as to how they broke through this, please share.

smacna

I am gaining weight and I need to lose at 30 lbs by July. I am going through menopause. My goal is to stick to 1200 calories daily and exercise at least 4-5 times a week for 60 minutes. Besides losing weight for me, my son is getting married in July and this is motivating me to start today! My stomach is growing along with my thighs and I need to take charge. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks for this wonderful forum. Jeanne:flowerforyou:

smacna

Hang in there!

lizziebeth1028

Any Menopause weight loss success stories? How'd you do it?

It's harder, but it's not impossible. Many women have success with weight loss, weight maintenance and physical fitness during peri and post menopause. The key is staying within a healthy caloric deficit CONSISTENTLY!

Calorie deficit - log everything consistently and accurately
Eat reasonably healthy - AVOID fad 'diets' or diets that tell you to give up an entire food group
Protein - make sure you're getting enough
Strength training - weights that challenge your muscles or body weight training
Exercise - strength & cardio
And I can't emphasize it enough - CONSISTENTCY.

beaches61

I have been here since Jan. 14 and I have lost a pound a week consistently and I am 52 and post menopausal.

My calorie goal was around 1350 to start with, now 1290 as I have lost weight. I stick to that goal and I exercise about 5 days a week, cardio and some light weight. I do run walking and I just started going back to aerobic classes, also do some elliptical and some light weights. I want to do more heavy weights.

I don't usually eat back all my exercise calories.

I pretty much eat what I want, haven't ruled out any foods entirely, but I eat reasonably healthy.

I think consistency is really important.

Alison423

I wish I had a success story, but mine mirror many of yours who are struggling. I have never had trouble losing weight in the past. For those who say it is "calories in, calories out" that is absolutely correct, in theory. However, we each have a different experience during and after menopause. I am post menopausal--have been for over a year. I have tried bio identical HRT because there is a history of uterine cancer in my family and I am estrogen dominant. I stopped all hormones when I had a follow up with my MD and my hormones were off the chart (except testosterone, which was very low). She said I was post menopausal, but again, I wasn't. Some women continue to produce hormones which causes the levels and the symptoms to fluctuate. The only symptoms I have had are night sweats and irritability/anxiety. I have NEVER had a hot flash. I have done a ton of research online, via reputable medical sites. I am waiting now for my doctor to order lab work for me to have my thyroid tested. Many women our age have night sweats, and attribute those to menopause. Night sweats without hot flashes typically point to hypothyroid. I wish there was more research being done in this area! Hypothyroidism is very common in menopausal women. Be sure to have the T3 and T4 tested, not just your TSH!

I enjoyed reading the stories on this thread and they give me hope. I have been on a pretty good exercise routine (running, strength training, running up 6 flights of stairs during the work day) and a healthy eating plan and have only lost 7lbs since January. I guess it could be worse, I could have GAINED 7lbs. So, keep up the good work and I will post more as I have more information.

teacherflame

I'm 49 and am in the midst of menopause. I've lost a total of 86 pounds so far. After years of eating crap and not getting enough exercise, I've cut out fast food, eat hardly any processed foods, and eliminated pop (soda) and cow's milk entirely. Additionally, I began my exercise with TaeBo then moved to Insanity. After shoulder surgery (my stupidity, not Insanity's), I began doing Beachbody's Combat series. Now I do a mixture of Combat and Insanity about four times a week. Whenever weather permits (usually 5-6 days a week), I walk my dog for 40 minutes (2.5 miles). I honestly feel better than I have since my early 30's!

harlanJEN

Yo.

Strength Training. Quality vs. Quantity in terms of intensity : MRT & HIIT vs. steady state cardio. Strength Training. Did I mention that ?

Aim for the "Trifecta" : Protein, Complex Carbs & Healthy Fats.

Plenty of Sleep. Water. Consistency. Realistic expectations. Such as: doesn't happen overnight.; may always have some pockets of fat on hips/lower abs for example. Sometimes just gotta CHILL and let things ride out. Aim for health, aim for improving lifestyle habits and the rest will come. Body Composition trumps scale weight. Body comp = leaner, stronger, smaller.

Get After it !


http://www.getwithitforlife.com/change-world/

HoverKitteh

For months I couldn't lose weight. I'd lose a couple of pounds, I'd gain it back. Restricting calories, exercising like a fiend--nothing worked.

Until my sister introduced me to something that worked for her, Dr. Ian Smith's "Shred."

I'm on week six, day one and I'm down 17 pounds. As soon as I finish this sixth week, I will begin again at week 2 until I hit my goal.

I never feel deprived and even though I tweaked my back and haven't been able to work out for a couple of weeks, I'm still losing weight. There's a ton of support from fellow Shredders on Facebook, and Dr. Smith checks in on both--so you never feel that you're at it alone or go without important questions answered.

I just turned 55 and this is the first time in four years that I have been able to easily lose weight and I no longer feel like I am the only person in creation that can't lose with normal diet and exercise.

Check it out.

smilebhappy

bump to read later

LKM54

what is your caloric intake?

kwantlen2051

I'm 56, 5'2" and was slim all my life except when I hit menopause. I gained 25-27 lbs in 5 years. And I wasn't feeling good. My son signed me up on MFP. I started in September 2013 and now almost at my goal weight - with moderate exercise and being mindful of what I eat. I keep to within my calorie limit daily. I used to think that after menopause that's it - the fat stays, but now I believe it's all about accountability. You can do anything if you put your mind to it! Good luck on your journey!

newpalfan

My weight gain of the past 2 1/2 years was directly related to menopause. I have lost the weight by watching my carb intake. My reward at the end of a day is a piece of Darryl Lea red licorice. Snacks are almonds or carrots and celery. I exercise on the Nordic Track and try to walk as much as I can while at work.

frostyfenton

Bump to read later.

Sabine_Stroehm

My weight gain of the past 2 1/2 years was directly related to menopause. I have lost the weight by watching my carb intake. My reward at the end of a day is a piece of Darryl Lea red licorice. Snacks are almonds or carrots and celery. I exercise on the Nordic Track and try to walk as much as I can while at work.

I find that I have to be very mindful of the type of carbs I eat.