What kind of exercise? I can't say I know much but others have sworn by interval training for any aerobic activity.
I know where you are coming from--I am 44 and I am having similar issues (although my diet is less than ideal) and have spoken to multiple other women my age who have noticed the same thing.
Try not to get too frustrated, you must be accomplishing something good for your health, even if the scale isn't showing it.

Your post could be mine. I'm 45 and in menopause. I had been logging for 40 days here and gained 2# then lost .5#. Very frustrating. I do findif I go too low on calories my body hangs on to the fat. I tried 900 calories and got nowhere. If I had done this in my 20's weight would of fallen off. I also now know 1400 or more can make me gain. I strive for 1200-1300. Like another poster said eating fruits and veggies helps over processed or fast food.

Be patient it all takes longer to accomplish now!

I'm 44 and am struggling through the same thing although I'm not menopausal. Yet. It feels like my metabolism has slowed down big time, my skin has loosened a bit and am struggling to lose 15 lbs. The only thing that I can do is exercise, do strength training exercises and eat right (which is my problem because I'm a foodie and love to socialize). Anyway, wishing everyone lots of luck.

I'm 48 and post menopausal (surgical) but even prior to that when I got into my 40's my metabolism really slowed down. I also began to gain weight on my tummy v. just my lower body. I've had to read quite a bit about menopause and blood sugar over the last few yrs and white flour/processed food and fried food is even worse post menopause. The high carb messes with estrogen, which in turn messes with fat storage. Quality is key.
Personally, I don't eat many more calories than you, I have to stay around 1200 a day to lose and that is slowly. I usually earn about 300-400 working out in a gym and I'm VERY specific about calculation. The my fitness pal default estimates for 30 minutes on the elliptical is about 375 or more. 30 minutes on the elliptical for a 5.2 137 lb 48 yr old woman is about 170. Big, big difference. I think the exercise calories in MFP are for people with much higher BMI. You are close to goal, don't use MFP counts and certainly don't eat that level of extra. I don't log daily movement as calories, I don't log walking back and forth to the gym (about 1.2 miles RT) I log actual exercise when I'm in a cardio zone. I'm only about 15-17 overweight, so my body is not "losing" strolling or doing housework, I have pump my heart to cardio levels. Out of the 300-400 calories I try to only eat 100 calories of it.

New research states there is not really eating too little unless actually eating under 1000 a day. Malnutrition can be at 2000 - 3000 a day with poor quality food. If eating very balanced, high quality food it is fine to be on the low end. White carb/fat ..no.
Poor choices in food now will not feed your collagen or elastin either (face/body toning) the days of fries except as a treat are pretty much over unless baked.

"Energy drinks" should be avoided at all costs. Beer is of course not great, but some have less sugar/sodium than "Energy Drinks" (a terrible gimmick)

Suggestion what works for me:

check real exercise calories that include age/height/weight and get accurate figures. With so little to lose and your age, I think your exercise calorie figures are way off and the actual burn is lower unless you are in cardio for many hours. you can google a better calorie estimator.

Try to have a cheat day for wings/beer etc once a week or even 2. Just no go for those days as real food during the week.

Limit the bread/sandwich. Subway is OK if NOT using those terrible dressings or the hot steak sandwich/hot saucy type meats. If you go to the sight you can build your own sandwich calories. Sure turkey is x calories add about 800 more if you use the creamy dressing, avocado spread or get cheese etc etc. You can create a 325 calorie sandwich into a 1000 + sandwich with all those extras and the cheese bread.
That being said, once a day. Try to forgo the chips if you can. If not, make it one of only 2-3 snack type things a day.

No energy drinks/soda. They are just terrible and a huge sodium/sugar. Better to eat a snicker bar, it has nutrition, even better-real food or coffee if you are seeking caffeine or a glass of juice.
Yes, sigh ...the hated increase veg. Put in smoothies with protein powder. I buy frozen kale or other greens and put half a cup in smoothie with frozen blueberries/strawberries and a scoop of protein powder. Buy salad packs with dressings and eat single portions so you don't have to think much about salad eating.
Take a multi vitamin.
Unless lactose intollerant, put some sort of probiotic in the diet like kefir or greek yogurt. Great for menopause swings in hormones and bones. Calcium has been shown to promote weight loss

You are on the lower end of lbs to lose, it makes it tough, menopause/peri menopause makes it harder but be grateful you only have a skip and a jump to go.

Lastly, getting older sucks. I'm trying to accept it myself with each little .5 lb eking off me

Jenn

Robin,

Wow, sotopelle...googling

Thanks!
Jenn

I am 45 and been going through memapause for 5 years,they say it can last for 10? Half way there!

My hot flashes and night sweats would come and go but it's been a real long time sense I have had any.How long? (who cares they are gone!) I still average about 2 cycles per year (very light).

I am taking no hormones or herbs.

I am just doing MFP, nutra bulleting green sludge and running.

I feel great but just sad that daughter is going off to FSU on the 20th.

Wow - I have so much to say after reading all of your posts, most of which I could have written myself. I too am 44 and am definitley in peri-menopause. I used to weigh between 115 - 120 for many years (5'3 1/2") and ate sensibly pretty healthy food but mostly just kept calorie count and stayed around 1200. I walked 3-5 times per week. Then 2 years ago I started gaining and yet nothing had changed in the way I ate or lived. I just started gaining weight and it is/was beyond frustrating. Along with a host of other symptoms (I have chronic migraine disease, connective tissue disease and fibromylagia) the high stress level, pain and lack of good quality sleep I know was not helping my weight. After much research and searching, I went to an integrative medical doctor who confirmed what I knew, that my hormones were drastically out of balance. I basically had no progesterone or testosterone, only estrogen. I have begun taking these hormones (bioidentical) along with supplementing DHEA, D3 and Fish oil. It has only been a few weeks so I will have to repost with a status update to let all know how it is going.
I firmly believe that most of your challenges are centered around hormone imbalance. Just make sure you search out a dr who treats with bio-identical hormones and not synthetic. Also, read one of Suzanne Somers books - she really knows a lot on the subject and can provide a lot of information and guidance.
One more thing - has anyone out there read the book - "Wheat Belly"? My integrative medicine doctor reccomended it and I am reading it, but thought I would see if anyone else had anything to offer up about it.
Also, I would suggest that most of us are getting too much sugar in our diet. Even if it is natural sugar, from fruits, it can still be too much for your body to handle at this stage of your life as it throws your blood glucose levels off.
Hang in there - the solution is out there, but it is NOT easy anymore
Heather :noway:

I think I finally found the right thread. The hormone imbalance has made me bloat and despite working out 5-6 days a week and eating healthy, I have been gaining weight.

I found that black cohosh and maca root do help with the hot flashes. My doc also suggest DIM which is a supplement made from spinach and broccoli.

I also found that for diet, eating higher amounts of fruit and veggies and lower amounts of sugar, breads/pastas, and even meat is helpful. I would look into the flexitarian or paleo diets.

If none of this works, then you might have a hormone problem like me. I took the hormone saliva test and found that my estrogen was really low, progesterone was too high and my pregnenolone was low (precursor to estrogen). So, I am now on supplements to attempt to balance. I am taking Wild Yam and a very low dose of pregnenolone.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you if you are having some challenges like me. If nothing is working, it probably is hormone problems and you can get tested to find out what is wrong.

I had been at a standstill with my weight for 2-3 years. Slowly gaining a few pounds here and there but mostly maintaining. I just turned 49 but still on birth control so hormones are hopefully still in check. Doctor is taking me off them next year when I turn 50 so who knows what might happen! lol

I finally broke my plateau by doing a Whole30 (www.whole30.com). Might be worth looking into. For 30 days you will eliminate, Grains, Dairy, Sugar, Alcohol, Processed foods.

At the end of 30 days you can start adding some of the foods back in.

Right now I try to keep my macro's at 55-60% fat, 20% carbs, 20% protein Healthy proteins, full fat dairy, Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts, olives, etc..)

I also agree with others that your calories are a bit low for all the exercise you are doing. I also believe that all the exercise might be stressing your system and you need to take more breaks (rest days)...

I can totally relate. I am 44 and have gained 25 pounds in the last year. I did not eat as well as I should/could but no diffrent than I have most of my life. I 100% beleive that hormones have played a huge role. I have been working with a wellness physician in my area that offers Sotopelle pellet injections. Basically you get these pellets made up of what you need. They are inserted under your skin in your hip. You are good to go for 3-4 months. The great thing is they are bioidential not synthetic. I am working with him to balance my hormones and beleive that with his help and improving my diet and starting an regualr exercise progrom I will win this battle. Pellets have been amazing for many many things. I am day 3 of myfitness pal. I half tried before but now I am committed.

There is no boubt that I need fewer carbs, surars and fat and more protiens!!!!

And it seems that exercise will have to be a must!!!! Working on that one.

Good luck ladies. We can do this.

I am on my 2nd pellet insert as well. I have 30lbs to lose and I am commited this time! I feel so much better with the hormone replacement.