Menopause

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Replies

  • Amyirene74
    Amyirene74 Posts: 63 Member
    The thing is I actually eat less now than I used to. I used to eat about 3000 calories a day. I originally cut back to 2500 calories but continued to gain weight. Then I went down to 2000, and then 1500 and still gaining. My metabolism is shot. I did lose weight about 18 months ago but I used the HCG diet. I lost 26 lbs and then gained back 50 lbs. I wonder if that diet in combo with the menopause cauded my metabolism to crash. I have had my thyroid checked out and its fine.

    Honestly ...yes. Definitely you have done yourself no favor with VLCD ( very low calorie diet). THAT is very metabolism damaging.

    Please do some research on metabolism repair.

    Leigh Peele is a source
    www.eatmore2weighless.com is another

    Thank you
  • Amyirene74
    Amyirene74 Posts: 63 Member
    As of this morning I am down 3 lbs. I really hope it keeps coming off. I tend to lose 2-3 lbs and gain back 5. This morning for breakfast I changed what I normally have. Instead of regular creamer, I used sugar free creamer and cut the calories down to 80 from 144. I also added in a slice of whole wheat toast with a little bit of margarine and a 1/2 cup of apple sauce. For lunch I am going to have some of the leftover pork roast and a veggie. Last night we did eat out but I just had a 6 inch sub from Subway and since I was still hungry I ate a can of greenbeans. I figured that was better than chips. Thank you to everyone for the advice. I am working on making some food changes and will start using my treadmill when the kids go back to school on Thursday.
  • bethanyreeddilullo
    bethanyreeddilullo Posts: 6 Member
    I didn't read the entire thread but if you haven't already discussed this with your doctor, I suggest starting there. It might be menopausal things but it also could be something else. I found as I went into perimenopause my body did all sorts of crazy stuff .. thyroid, diabetes, etc. So start with doctor to rule anything else out and keep being mindful of what you eat. I'm nowhere near where I want to be in weight but feel better since I cut back on red meats (I was eating meat 9 out of 10 times and have cut that back to about 4 out of 10 times) and processed food including fast food. Please try not to get discouraged -- easy to say but hard to do I know. This is why I've joined MFP to make it easier for me to track what I'm doing ---
  • terristrong
    terristrong Posts: 4 Member
    I'm 55 and have been post menopausal for 4 years. Haven't gained any since I went thru, however i was already overweight.
    In October I had a health scare and I decoded to lose weight and feel better. How? By strict portion control and exercise. When I first started it was all I could do to walk 10 minutes, now i walk a minimum of 30 minutes a day and most days do 45 minutes on an exercise bike.
    Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes.
    You also might want to look at how much you are eating. Strange as it sounds you HAVE to eat to lose weight, otherwise you body goes into starvation mode and saves everything you eat as fat.
    Good luck.
  • terristrong
    terristrong Posts: 4 Member
    Measure everything. I have found that my "little bit" can actually be twice what a serving really is.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I'm 43 (soon to be 44) and had a hysterectomy 3.5 years ago due to complications from infertility meds. I've been in perimenopause for just about two years now -- coincidentally, the same amount of time I've been on MFP and have gotten into the best shape of my life.

    IMO, menopause is just an excuse for *some* people. Yes, hormonal changes will do wacky things to your appetite and the shape of your body. Yes, as we get older we process things differently. But no one needs to be a victim of Mother Nature if they want to set a goal and have the determination to achieve it.

    I eat whatever I want, as long as it fits into my macros and I get the right nutrients. I get up at 4:00AM every day to workout before heading into the office, make sure that I drink lots of water, eat smaller portions more often throughout the day, and I've been successfully maintaining for about a year now.

    And yes, I still eat full-fat dairy, the occasional cheeseburger and fries, and pizza at least once a week.

    Menopause may be a new "chapter" in your life, but it is by no means the end of the story.

    Good for you - but you do know that hormones do different things to different people? Nobody said they have to be "victims" of mother nature - the OP did ask for advise, not a holier than though "I do it perfectly" rant...
    OP, I am in the same boat at 44 - perimenopousal for the last year.....
    Some of the things that works for me is - Heavy lifting - not light weights and ten million reps - as heavy as you can - it's good for your bones too...
    Regular exercise - not just walking - althoug you have to start somewhere - over the last year I ran, did Stronglifts, kettlebell stuff, Chalean X treme and is currently doing P90X..
    I've upped my protein/carb/fat ration to 40/30/30 - make sure the fats are good fats and fruit veggies and whole wheat carbs...
    I take a mutliviamin - menoquil - that took care of the hot flushes at night and it looks like it might keep the irregular stuff in tune a little...
    And I eat on the 60/20 principle - 80 % clean, but allow myself a bit of coffee, red wine or whatever - I still live!
    I still pick weight up easily, but look better since starting weights...And I always had a tiny waist, but all my "Christmas fluff" is on my tummy....Not much to do about that....
    Good luck....
  • eidc
    eidc Posts: 79 Member
    Don't know if anyone has mentioned any books in this thread but Christine Northrup M.D. has written a couple of good books on women's issues she takes a more holistic approach. And a Canadian authour and nutritionist Natasha Turner is also excellent can't remember the name of her book...that's menopause for ya!! I do take HRT but at low doses it's not the magic pill for weight loss still have to work hard at that the # one thing that has helped me has been walking and lifting light weights! I feel waaaay better than I did when I started in September. And by the way I have a great gyne who follows me very closely and I researched HRT and tried more natural HRT but didn't do a thing...so for now this is working
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    As of this morning I am down 3 lbs. I really hope it keeps coming off. I tend to lose 2-3 lbs and gain back 5. This morning for breakfast I changed what I normally have. Instead of regular creamer, I used sugar free creamer and cut the calories down to 80 from 144. I also added in a slice of whole wheat toast with a little bit of margarine and a 1/2 cup of apple sauce. For lunch I am going to have some of the leftover pork roast and a veggie. Last night we did eat out but I just had a 6 inch sub from Subway and since I was still hungry I ate a can of greenbeans. I figured that was better than chips. Thank you to everyone for the advice. I am working on making some food changes and will start using my treadmill when the kids go back to school on Thursday.

    I dropped the creamer all together and replaced it with protein whey, the reccomended protein on here is way low. Is the treadmill hidden so the kids can't use it? Why not start using it now? Go for a walk with them or play ball outside. The reason we gain weight as we become older is not really hormonal it is our laziness and bad eating.
  • buzzumjen
    buzzumjen Posts: 2
    read
  • IrishHarpy1
    IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member

    Good for you - but you do know that hormones do different things to different people? Nobody said they have to be "victims" of mother nature - the OP did ask for advise, not a holier than though "I do it perfectly" rant...

    I never said I did it "perfectly" -- I was merely pointing out that someone *can* work against nature and still find success. Kindly don't attribute words to me that I never stated, and don't accuse people of "ranting" when telling their own story.

    OP, you're making a great start by cutting back little by little... small changes can add up to big results!
  • Amyirene74
    Amyirene74 Posts: 63 Member
    I didn't read the entire thread but if you haven't already discussed this with your doctor, I suggest starting there. It might be menopausal things but it also could be something else. I found as I went into perimenopause my body did all sorts of crazy stuff .. thyroid, diabetes, etc. So start with doctor to rule anything else out and keep being mindful of what you eat. I'm nowhere near where I want to be in weight but feel better since I cut back on red meats (I was eating meat 9 out of 10 times and have cut that back to about 4 out of 10 times) and processed food including fast food. Please try not to get discouraged -- easy to say but hard to do I know. This is why I've joined MFP to make it easier for me to track what I'm doing ---

    I have been to the doctor. She said to monitor my food and walk 30 mins a day. I haven't started walking yet but will be starting on Thursday when the kids go back to school. I had the stomach flu and then the kids have been on break.
  • Amyirene74
    Amyirene74 Posts: 63 Member
    As of this morning I am down 3 lbs. I really hope it keeps coming off. I tend to lose 2-3 lbs and gain back 5. This morning for breakfast I changed what I normally have. Instead of regular creamer, I used sugar free creamer and cut the calories down to 80 from 144. I also added in a slice of whole wheat toast with a little bit of margarine and a 1/2 cup of apple sauce. For lunch I am going to have some of the leftover pork roast and a veggie. Last night we did eat out but I just had a 6 inch sub from Subway and since I was still hungry I ate a can of greenbeans. I figured that was better than chips. Thank you to everyone for the advice. I am working on making some food changes and will start using my treadmill when the kids go back to school on Thursday.

    I dropped the creamer all together and replaced it with protein whey, the reccomended protein on here is way low. Is the treadmill hidden so the kids can't use it? Why not start using it now? Go for a walk with them or play ball outside. The reason we gain weight as we become older is not really hormonal it is our laziness and bad eating.

    I can't drink the coffee without the creamer. Its too strong tasting for me otherwise. The treadmill is in the family room. Its the only place I can put it. If I get on it when the little ones are around they try to climb on it with me. School starts again soon though. Outside isn't an option. Its super cold outside and agravates my asthma. I live in Iowa. During the warmer months I do get outside and walk with the kids. Its just a very slow pace with them.
  • Amyirene74
    Amyirene74 Posts: 63 Member
    As for protein..how can I get enough without eating alot of meat? We are on a slim budget and meat is super expensive.
  • veggieluver2
    veggieluver2 Posts: 70 Member
    I don't think menopause is the issue.

    I'm 49 , eat 2200 to maintain. A modest cut from that to lose.

    I agree. I'm almost 49. I don't log every bite I eat, but I'm guessing I hit close to 2000 cals a day. I'm fighting menopause the whole way. My aunt and others tell me I'm going to gain and can't keep it off. Well, I'm going to prove them all wrong.

    I eat very well, I exercise at least 6 days a week -- cardio and weights (not lightweight) I left heavy weights for my size, and it feels great! I'm 5' 0" and around 110.

    I'll be in the gym first thing in the a.m. while others are sleeping off their hangovers and food indulgences. :happy:
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