menopause - advice please

janeyforbes
janeyforbes Posts: 1 Member
edited January 31 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 37 and after a couple of years of suspecting, my Dr confirmed yesterday that I am doing the menopause (as my husband puts it!).
Long story short, since my sisters wedding last July I have managed, despite watching what I eat and going to the gym regularly (since Jan) to put on over a stone.
Does anyone have any experience of peri-menopause hindering weight loss?
Thanks,
Jane

Replies

  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    I'm 37 and after a couple of years of suspecting, my Dr confirmed yesterday that I am doing the menopause (as my husband puts it!).
    Long story short, since my sisters wedding last July I have managed, despite watching what I eat and going to the gym regularly (since Jan) to put on over a stone.
    Does anyone have any experience of peri-menopause hindering weight loss?
    Thanks,
    Jane

    I've been having hot flashes and irregular periods for five years. I've also gained a lot of weight during that time, but it's more laziness than hormones, for me.

    Fat makes perimenopause worse, because fat increases estrogen production.
  • Buddhasmiracle
    Buddhasmiracle Posts: 925 Member
    I am postmenopausal since I was 40. I recommend that with your next gyn appt (not regular MD) you ensure that all your questions are answered concerning the hormonal changes and their implications for your body (think of it as reverse puberty). A book I found very enlightening, "Younger Next Year," describes t he aging process for both men and women, and the importance of strength training. You can't reverse the natural aging process but you can minimize its effect with good foods to fuel your body and exercise, including alot of weight bearing exercise. Strength training is important not only in terms of minimizing the effect of hormonal changes on the composition of your body (you want to increase muscle mass), but also to retain "healthy" bones.

    I see alot of posts by older women bemoaning the effects of a "slow metabolism,' due to menopause; and comparing themselves to younger women. No doubt about the effect of hormonal changes, but I also think years of "dieting" and not fueling one's body with good food is a significant contributor.

    My ticker doesn't show the whole story of my weight loss and fitness. I've lost 22 lbs (I reset the ticker every 15) I joined here last year, did the 1200 calorie, failed miserably as I always have, quit, returned this past spring, and got my body used to consuming many more calories. I'm 4'11", consume and typically consume around 1700 cals daily, and have the energy to, among other activities, cycle daily 20-30 miles.

    Embrace this time of your life and enjoy!
  • ncmedic201
    ncmedic201 Posts: 540 Member
    I'm 43 and peri. I've found that good eating and exercise makes a tremendous difference. I've lost 11 lbs since 5/31/13. I've also found that good fluid intake is really helping my skin and hair. I don't worry about it as much on days I eat lots of fruits and veggies but on days I don't, I try to increase my water consumption.

    As the above poster mentioned, weight training is important for healthy bones. I'm just starting on that journey. There are lots of women here our age who have done an amazing job with lifting. They eat well but also don't sacrifice what they like. The key is balance and moderation.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Metabolism slow down with age is too minimal to be a factor. The reason we gain as we age is usually because we are less active, spend more time sitting, lose muscle which is a bigger calorie burner at rest and get sloppy with our eating. There is absolutely no reason to blame weight gain on menopause or aging. Get active, eat right and weight will come off just like it does for any other age group.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories