Just joined...menopause weight gain

Just started back up again. I always battled weigh, not to the extreme I am now, but menopause has added to it. I take hormones and have for 2-3 years-didn't help my weight gain, sometimes wonder if it made it worse. Unfortunately my hot flashes were unbearable and I wouldn't consider going off of them.

Hate to say it, this isn't easy. I too love carbs-nothing like a warm piece of bread with butter or some nice crunchy crackers. I'm pretty picky so I force myself to eat things I wouldn't touch if I didn't want so badly to loose weight.

My biggest challenge is the weight comes off so slowly-I have been doing good eating gave up soda, cut way back on carbs and have mu sugar low and it still doesn't come of. Due to knee issues, I hadn't worked out in awhile and just started back limited as to what I can do.

My goal would be to drop 30-50lbs. Wish I had the answers-maybe we can find them together

Hi hoganhe, I just joined myself a few days ago. I'm also trying to get control of my body post-menopause! I've gained almost 40 lbs in the last 3 years. I've been on hrt for 1 1/2 years and trust me, it doesn't help with the weight! (Never been on meds in my life but the Change was brutal for me!!)

I feel so much better after exercising regularly for the past 6 months. I feel strong and flexible. I'm hoping to lose weight but staying in my calorie zone is really hard. I don't eat a lot of sugar, btw, but find that fruit alone sends the sugar quotient over the top. Oh wel, can't expect years of habits and desires to change overnight.

Wishing you the best with your plan!!

may I ask the age of those of you that hit menopause, if you don't mind sharing! I'm terrified of the big M and somehow convinced myself I am starting early.

Hi
I am 54 years post menopausal.I am on MFP from July this year.I am short 5'1" and I gained 30+ lbs after my hysterectomy.I never tried HRT After menopause, what I found is my interest towards carbs, sugar increased a loooot.

At present I am on 1200 cal diet.I am a vegetarian so it is little difficult to get good quality protein.

MFP set my weight loss at 0.7 lbs a week.So far I lost 15 lbs.

As you say weight loss is very very slow. Initially I used to compare with others,but after few days I realized the fact about my body and metabolism.
One of my friends who is 26, lost more than 35 lbs>(we both started the journey together) another friend who is 43 lost 25+lbs in the same period of time.

So no comparisons, and no experiments with increasing or decreasing the calories. Just stick on to the allotted calories and see the results.This is what I have learned here in the past 5+ months.

I am peri menopausal so no big weight gain but the slow and steady gain for the past few years which combined with being tired and feeling worn out was frustrating. I felt tired all the time, wake up tired, tired all day, go to bed tired. Every day complaining about being so tired, all day every day. Carbs made it worse, after eating a breakfast in a restaurant with bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast about two hours later I'd be over-tired and very cranky. It was horrible.

I wasn't thinking about exercising or changing my diet (I was too tired to think or starting an exercise routine and I knew I wouldn't stick with it.

However, one night I watched a documentary on Netflix called 'Fat, Sick and Tired' and it's helped me make changes to my life and my husbands too and now I feel great!

We started juicing the day after I watched the documentary and have never felt better! We thought we'd try it for 5 days and 'see how it goes' and that was 51/2 weeks ago. I feel so good. I'm not tired anymore! I've been doing a combination of juicing, eating and exercising and have lost 13 pounds and some inches. I'm loving the juicing, I'm happy to be putting such good fresh food into my body and I still enjoy my steaks etc for more protein and I make sure I get all the other things I need.

So, just a thought I wanted to share, I was wondering if a simple change in diet might help some of you as it did me.

I was so relieved to read all the comments on pre/post menopause weight struggles. I truly thought there was something wrong with me, I have gained about 30lbs over the last 6 years. I am 52; I went into menopause at 45 after a hysterectomy. I feel like I know everything I could know about diets. Low carb, juicing, high protein, points, small meals 6 times a day, no carbs after lunch.....and on, and on. I started MFP on the 2nd of December. I have faithfully tracked my calorie in-take and have only gone over the 1200 cal once. I have worked out at least 60 minutes per day everyday since the 2nd with a combination of cardio and weight training. I have always been someone who works out on a regular basis but it was more like 3 to 4 days a week, so I stepped that up. When I got on the scales on Monday I was expecting to drop at least 1 to 2 lbs. I could not believe it; either I weighed myself wrong when I started or I gained 2 pounds. Talk about wanting to throw the scale out the window. It put me in such a terrible mood I could hardly concentrate at work. I felt horrible. I did not let the results win though. I worked out for 90 minutes, stayed on the 1200 cal, and we will see where that goes. As far as HRT, I am on a patch (Miniville) otherwise the hot flashes would kill me, or I would kill someone. I am considering HGH, or something like a personal hormone replacement therapy. I am looking into some of the centers that offer the service. I here it is very expensive, and I do not know anyone personally that has gone through it, but I am pretty desperate to get rid of this weight.

HNY, all. Just wanted to say hi! :smooched: I'm 52, had some menopausal symptoms, and doc put me on meds that really increased appetite. So, now with new year, am trying again to lose weight. Co-workers are also on board, so we'll support each other.

WW is what I've always done, also lifetime. I know the diet well, so I can follow even when not going to meetings. That's why I'm glad that my office mates are working together on better eating. Also glad for a site like this, where we can get together and discuss our journey

Hi,

I just joined today and like everyone else, need some motivation (ok, pushing) to get the extra pounds off. I've been on a hormonal roller coaster and have relocated twice in the past three years with my husbands job. A lot of crazy hormones, stress from moving and not having a social network...before I knew it, 20 pounds were added. I've been struggling to exercise a lot...the crazy hormones are giving me daily migraines and heart palpitations. I decided that its time to take control....seize the day. I'd be happy to support others and chit chat about reaching our goals....and the dreaded menopause symptoms that we will all laugh at one day.

Here's to a successful and healthy 2014 to everyone!

Hi everyone,
I am 53 and am peri menopausal. Due to this, and also extreme family stress over the last 4-5 years, I have gained at least 30 lb. I went to a nutritionist this Fall, and she told me about this site. Like many of you I have done ww over the years, got my lifetime, but I learned how to cheat my points. Dumb, I know, because it defeats the purpose. So I am going back to counting calories, a la 1970s, and with the help of my nutritionist, it should work.

I am also taking a 10 week long intensive in mindfulness for stress relief. Between the hormone fluctuations and family issues, I am always looking for ways to cope better. I exercise fairly frequently (about 3 times per week) but more is always better for the body and mind, so I will try to exercise more as well.

Looking forward to losing my belly! I've already had 3 good days - my goal is 1400 calories per day - and I've done that. I'm also cutting out wine for the time being. That was becoming a bad habit.

Best wishes to all of us for 2014!

I am definitely jumping on this band wagon!!! I do not know what I am I think Peri menopausal. I am still getting a period at 55 years old. Buts its now every 3 months. When is this going to stop I started my period at 12 I am tired of it!!! LOL

I started peri-meno early. Started in the hot flashes, etc at 48. I've been doing HRT and it has made me feel much better mentally, and has helped me a great deal physically as well. I was advise asking about testosterone replacement therapy as well - we lose that too as we age, and having it replaced will assist you in keeping your lean body mass, which in turn helps keep your metabolism burning higher. I do all the replacements I can, but that is just me. And your results may vary. I never started out with much to lose: In fact, I got to my goal weight, started replacement therapy (along with kettlebell training and running) and gained 10 lbs. But I really can't complain about my results.

I used to run in my forties and that helped peri-menopause shift in metabolism..hurt knee and 50's brought about 50 pounds. I can't take HRT with breast cancer in my immediate family but I don't care about that...it would be short term anyway.

I found I had to workout much more than I thought and keep calories around 1200, sometimes more, sometimes less. I lost 50 since March mainly doing DVD's and sometimes walking/jogging during the warmer months. I know from my earlier years, muscle not only makes you look better, it helps you burn calories. I've been the same weight, working out and not and was able to maintain much better on higher calories when fit. I wouldn't do fad diets and believed (for me) that I had to eat what I normally would (minus the frequent desserts) but less. I've seen too many people put it back on when regular food was introduced again. It might work for some with a lot to lose or just a 10lb gain from a vacation or holidays but I couldn't change a lot with a family to feed and just wanting it to be a "lifestyle" vs a diet. Years ago, I added roasted vegetables to my pasta sauce and also had them in soup and stews, things I used to keep my kids eating them when eating veggies alone they were not as interested. There are a lot of lower cal pasta dishes online but you always have to balance.

As my doctor said, get angry for a few minutes about not being able to eat like before and then move on. She was right...I can still have good food, just have to work harder to balance it.

You can do this...take it one day at a time and don't get discouraged!

It's a roller coaster ride with the scale many times, but you have to go on how you look and clothes fit also.

You and me both sister! Just joined yesterday - turned 55 last week. Been having hot flashes for 5 years now, and gain weight just by looking at food. I have a "sit down" job and getting motivated to exercise is extremely rough. But I know I have to do it! I am sick of myself. I really feel motivated right now. I am hoping all the support on here will keep me motivated. Hopefully we can help each other!

Hello.... glad to see so many motivated women here! I got married last Sept, had my 50th birthday in October and am now going through menopause (6 months no period). I have gained about 12 pounds (afraid to get on the scale after I saw 10) since my wedding and it just keeps packing on. Lack of consistent exercise (once a week ain't enough!), mad sugar cravings and binge drinking (thanks holidays) have all contributed. As well as what I'm assuming is a whacked metabolism from menopause because I am in hot flash hell most days and nights.

I tried HRT (made me feel AWFUL) and have been trying natural remedies since then to curb the hot flashes and have found Maca root works (about a Tbsp. a day) but it has the unwanted side effect of bloat and water retention. I know this because I stopped taking it for 5 days when I forgot it on vacation and my bloat dissipated (3 lbs lost) however my hot flashes returned with a vengeance.

Which brings me here! My plan is to log everything, move every day except Sunday and stick to a ratio of 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat. This worked for me before - it's sort of a body for life plan. I don't know if it'll work now because I'm 10 years older than I was when it worked before, but what I'm doing now isn't working at all so it's worth a shot.

My entire wardrobe doesn't fit anymore and I am *this* close to buying bigger clothes as I sit here in my work pants with my gut spilling over (ouch). But I really REALLY don't want to do that.

Anyone that wants to, feel free to 'friend' me so we can go through this journey together! I would like to lose 15 pounds - maybe more, I'll see when I get there.

Thanks ladies! And good luck to all of you. We can do this!!!