Any Menopause weight loss success stories?

I'm starting to have pre-menopausal systems, they started about a year ago and then stopped, then last week the hot flashes came back with a vengeance. It looks like I'm already doing what other women have done, working out and eating right and strength training. Hoping that's enough to keep my metabolism up so that I prepared when the real thing hits.

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...difficulty with "short arms" in the bathroom,...

Sadly, I know exactly what you mean here....thanks to you, I realized that I no longer have that problem! Now there's an interesting NSV for you! :-)

I came out the menopause at 39 - everything finished, and slowly but surely - consistantly put on weight, not because of the menopause- but because of what I ate. At 50 I got a wake up call about my weight, and started dieting Nov 12 and to date have lost 44 lbs.

Perhaps it was a combination of what you ate and menopause...

I love your story. I have been in the back row way to many times, or I just didn't get in the picture. I am waiting till I can feel comfortable standing in the front --- Thanks for sharing.

...difficulty with "short arms" in the bathroom,...

Sadly, I know exactly what you mean here....thanks to you, I realized that I no longer have that problem! Now there's an interesting NSV for you! :-)

OMG, I thought I was the only person that had this problem. :blushing:

bumping ~ read later

I weigh less now than I did ten years ago, before menopause hit. I work out 5 days a week for an hour, and log food everyday. I also take bio identical hormone replacement. I did tons of reach and they are actually quite safe.

I'm 55 and have been post menopausal several years. I gained about 70 pounds between 2001 and 2011, mostly from getting back into the habit of drinking Coca Cola. I lost about 13 pounds between my 2011 and 2013 check up (November to November). Spurred on by that success, I decided to quit drinking pop cold turkey. I allowed myself all the Zero I wanted the first week, but after that, I didn't want even the Zero. I had a dusty exercise bike in the garage, so I dusted it off and started out riding 15 minutes a day. I'm up to 50 6 x a week. I'm eating around 1500 calories a day, sometimes less. Maybe 1600ish on Saturdays.

I had lost 128 pounds the year I turned forty. I'm really pretty much just doing what I did then, except that my cardio was walking. I walked five miles a day back then, but my knees are shot. I know a lot of people look down on "spinning," but it's better than not exercising at all.

I was also fortunate in that I had some really good trainers for strength training, as I was a teacher the last time I lost weight. A very knowledgable coach agreed to show me and some other ladies how to lift. I bought my own weights when I quit teaching. I dragged those out and haven't missed a workout day (4 days, alternating upper and lower body) since November. It's like once I started doing what I know to do, my body just knew what to do. I will say that I lost the weight before on 1800 calories a day. Now, I'm at 1500, but as my son (a CPA/part time boot camp instructor) says, you just can't expect your body to be as efficient at 55 as it was at 40 (or certainly 25).

The thing for me is knowing this is a marathon, not a sprint. I want to be around a long time for my kids, grands and someday perhaps greats. (My oldest grand is only 9, so hopefully a long way down the road.) I tend to have longevity in my family. My grandparents and their siblings all lived to be at least mid-80's, and several great grandparents lived well into their 90's. My grandma was very disabled the last 5 years of her life, for no reason other than she gained 60 pounds after my mom died, and she was not a small woman then. She went from around 220 to around 280. Yes, she had issues. Her only child was murdered, and I admit I enabled her, because food was her only comfort. But if I'm gonna be around, I want to be as healthy as possible.

I digress. I realize it's a process, getting this weight off and maintaining it, but I agree with the poster who said strength training is important, but it's also important to find out what works for you and do it. For me, it's eat less; move more, including lots of cardio and strength training.

I was 60 last summer. I've actually found it easier to lose weight since menopause (4 years into it). I haven't really eliminated any food, though I try to eat less refined sugar and more protein and complex carbs. Despite having my hip replaced 6 1/2 weeks ago I try to stay active and have been going to physical therapy using a stationary bike, treadmill, etc. until I can get out walking again, which I am easing into now that the weather is improving. I now weigh less than I did when I graduated from high school in 1970, though it is definitely redistributed into slightly different locations! As of today I weigh 113 pounds (5'1") and while my initial goal weight was 115 I've decided to shoot for 110. Not killing myself to get there... only lost 1 pound in the last month, but still headed in the right direction. I feel and look better than I did at 30!

Say WHAT????!!!!!?????? 60?????!!!!!?????

No WAY...you look like you're 20-25 years old MAX! I'm so proud of you--WOW!

Thanks! I promise, I'm 60... born in 1952! I saw the Beatles twice! I was blessed with good genes. My mom lived to be 80 and even in declining health she looked 20 years younger. She had red hair, too, and only got one little streak of gray hair. I can't say the same! :glasses: