51, menopause & weight loss

Hi there an welcome! I hear you on the belly fat! I'm 49 and found that the only thing that worked for me was significantly decreasing my calorie intake. I eat between 1,000 and 1,300 /day and the weight stays off. I also eat lots of protein and relatively low carbs. As for exercise, I love the arc trainer and I also do lots of ab work-outs and triceps work. It's a constant battle, but one that I'm not giving up on! Good luck and feel free to add me as a friend

Hi Long2bme,

Welcome! I know what you mean about the belly fat. I am 53 and have been menopausal for 10 years.

Persistence is the name of the game. I went into this on July 28th, the day I gave up sugar. On the 29th of July I started tracking my calories on my fitness pal. I've tracked my calories every day since that day and gone over my calories maybe 5-10 times. I walk 6-7 days a week for 30-100 minutes and do the same workout I was doing in the 80's and 90's- Jane Fonda's complete workout minus the aerobics (because I can't stand them). I'm 5'3", am down 24.5 pounds and have 5 to go. I don't binge anymore, those days had to end.

Back in the 70's, 80's and 90's I did weight watchers. They have become money-hungry sugar pushers and I've lost interest. I go to TOPS for face to face support with my loss, to be accountable and to have fun. You can friend me if you want, I'll support you. Good luck.

I am 62.
Biggest difference is logging everything I put in my mouth and eating less calories than I burn. Making better choices for how I get my calories, mostly from fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protien sources, low fat dairy, low carb.
You have to find what works for you. Experiment a little and find your success.
I have found that if I eat over 1600 calories, at my age I will start to gain.
Good luck, you can do this!

Hey everyone menopausal and, like me, post menopausal, I need some support too. I am 60 and 4'10" tall. I guess in some ways I don't have a lot of weight to lose, about 15 pounds is my goal. I now weigh 135 and started with MFP 40 days ago at 138.6. It seems so slow but I guess as long as the scale goes down it's all good. I have also lost about 1" in my waist, which is where like most women the extra weight seems to go. I also have the problem of my skin not being as "tight" as it used to be so there is always that bit of flab when I sit down...anyone else seem to have this issue? I am looking for a support system and all you ladies seem like just what I need. Feel free to friend me and I hope I can do the same.:flowerforyou:

I am 5'3'', 51 years old. Lost 165 pounds so far. I hear you about belly fat AND sugar. Would they be directly related? There might be a key there but I am not yet ready to quit on sugar. Would feel frustrated, would eventually binge and wouldn't be able to keep on losing weight. But at the same time, each time I eat sugar, I want some more. I am slowy getting more attuned to my body's reactions to nutrients and it is interesting to watch.

Since 18 months I have seen many changes occuring in my body, habits, cravings, etc. Some of them came quite naturally and they are all for the better so I am confident that with time (very long time since I plan to be on MFP for at least 3 more years), other healthy changes will naturally occur again. Step by step, one day at a time is my motto.

As for the belly fat, it seems I will never have this hourglass shape I longed for. I am more the fridge type, all square and not too much definition. Maybe doing weights and machines would help. This is something I have yet to try. One step at a time. For now, walking and swimming are my main activities but my goal being to live an active life and to have fun doing it, I will probably join a club later...

You must find what is working for you! Take your time and have fun!

49 here, and been in the throws of peri-menopause for 3 years now. Might even be in menopause, I can't tell anymore. :ohwell:

For me, incorporating testosterone replacement therapy has been a real eye opener. My doctor injects me every 6 weeks and that's all the hormone replacement therapy I need anymore. No more hot flashes, because your body converts the testosterone it doesn't need into estrogen. My muscular strength is coming back and I feel great mentally and physically. It has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride as far as water weight goes, but they say that settles down eventually. As such, I am focusing on eating what would be maintenance at my goal weight, and conservatively eating back exercise calories. I do cardio and cardio/strength equally (running/walking and kettlebells).

There has been no research that I know of that correlates belly fat with sugar or carbohydrates (which sugar is, btw). Your body needs carbs/protein/fat. I try really hard to meet my protein goals every day and find that it has helped me tremendously as far as staying satiated. I am eating slightly more than 1g per lb of lean body mass in protein. The carbs make sure I have the energy I need to exercise.

This is what I do to beat the hormone blues.

Hi there! I'm 54 and menopausal. I started MFP in Sept 2012, and have lost almost 60 lbs. I did it the usual way - ate less, moved more.

I've made very few changes to my diet, except to substitute a lot of my favourites with low-calorie, low-fat options. In other words, I eat what I like, but have mastered portion control.

Yeah, belly fat is an issue, but after 5 pregnancies, I've just embraced the fact that my tummy will never be taut again...and that's OK, because at our age, the purpose of all this should be all about good health and not just body image.

Another thing I've learned to accept is that I will not lose weight quickly like young people. I'm happy with a half pound loss every week, and some months, I even plateau like crazy. But this is a lifetime deal, so I try not to let it get to me, have patience, and try something new and different to break the plateau.

Friend me if you like.

Bump

I am 52 and 5'6" and would welcome any menopausal friends who are struggling - just send me a request this is a great topic, thanks for starting it :flowerforyou:

Hi, I am also in the same boat. I am 56, 5' 1" 'tall' and have been overweight through my adult life. I started at 212.8, with n idea of where I wanted to be. I am only 2 pounds away from my goal, but know I need to go down another 5 - 10 pounds to be happy.

I log everything, every day and try to limit my carbs most days to 90 or below. Some days are better than others carb count wise, but I have never gone over my calorie goal.

I started in March and am still a work in progress!! It was fun reading about you ladies and your success!! Please feel free to add me to your friend list is you would like!!

Im 47 and now officially menopausal. have had all the hot flushes and 6 weeks ago i had a mirena put in (for various reasons) now i have no flushes, which is awesome BUT i have put on over 3 kgs which isnt so good...all in the belly. the breast are a bit tender like before a period (can handle that).

I exersize... a lot. i havent changed that, and in fact have ramped up my cycling so probably are doing more. the diet is pretty much the same also.

Im often very hungry in the afternoons which is probably my danger zone.

Im not bothered about gaining the kilos as such, but the inches around the belly is very disturbing..... any ideas?
thanks

Hi all I'm 33 started perimenopause when I was 29 can't seem to lose this belly fat I eat right wkout crossfit kickbox any ideas?

Hi there. I'm 47 and started going through menopause at 42. I've been on MFP off and on for 3 years, and it helped me shed the weight that came on suddenly as my hormones altered. I had a few months off logging, but now back on to improve my nutrition, health and energy levels. I'd love some new friends at a similar life stage to me. Please friend me if you would like to :-)