I am curious, how do you know if you have a fatty liver? What does the doc check - bloodwork? Thanks!

The weight gain, if not a medical issue, is probably Perimenopaus kicking in. I have gained about 30 pounds took off 20 then 20 back on then down 10 then and now 20 more have JUMPED on ! I am on HRT. They are good for all the other symptoms.

If we ever win the lottery first thing I am would do is to hire a personal dietician and chef. I am figuring out now that I need to be one with my diet and exercise.:flowerforyou:

I too gained continually in peri-menopause and afterward. I lost it eating low carb and high fat -- Atkins diet, keto etc., over the past year and a half. It works, but I can't go back to eating higher carbs or I will gain it all back. I can maintain on a Paleo type diet, with a bit higher carb from fruits and starchy veggies. I am 57, but feel 10 years younger now!

Chiming in to add I'm keeping most of it at bay (for now) eating lower and slower carb. I eat mostly south beach style. Basically meaning I do eat legumes and some (a few) whole grains.

I do believe, strongly, that it helps me to eat lower and slower carb (much as women with PCOS often do).

I have never had a problem losing weight until the last 5 years. I had success in the past with Weight Watchers and kept it off for years. Menopause threw me for a loop! I tried to lose weight and would lose 2 lbs, only to gain it back and then some the following week. I finally started to increase my protein (I drink Premier Protein drinks for breakfast and lunch) and decrease my carbs, particularly SUGAR. That has helped. I also started doing more cardio and some weight training/yoga/Pilates. I absolutely LOVE Pilates! I've gone from 185.6 at my all time high, down to 168 now---with another 15-20 lbs to go. (I'm 5'7"). Progress is slow, but the scale is heading in the right direction. I try to set small goals for myself--for example, I would like to lose 8lbs by Christmas. Biting off small chunks seems to be a more viable goal for me. I wanted to be at goal by the New Year, but a set back on a girls trip to Vegas put that out of reach. It was fun....and worth it! Keep pushing along---you will be successful if you keep trying.

Wow - I have experienced much of the same - weight gain started in my late 40s that just would not stop/come off no matter what I did. I spoke with a personal trainer and he told me - that cardio can increase the output of cortisone which is a stress hormone that makes you hang onto weight. He suggested weight training for bone and muscle structure 2-3 x week and yoga 3 x week or other mindfulness meditation to lower stress cortisone. He also told me to not eat at a reduced calorie level every day of the week but that in order to keep your body burning fat, you need to mix it up with maintenance level eating 1-2 days a week (every 3rd or 4th day - not 2 days in a row). I've made an effort to lower my stress levels combined with 1200-1300 calories per day 5 days a week and 1800 calories a day 2 days a week and I've lost 10lbs this past 5 weeks. Menopause is around the corner for me. Good luck - maybe this strategy will work for some of you too. It's only been a little over a month for me so I don't know if it's a long term strategy but so far so good!

tmbg1 wrote: »

I've packed on 40 pounds and despite my best efforts, cannot seem to shake it.... I am going to the obgyn next month to get some tests.... It is so frustrating!!

Good luck! Ask doc about insulin resistance. VERY COMMON in menopause.

59 years old, and same story as many have cited... Harder and harder to lose, rebound to even higher weight. Had full lab work up done, thyroid OK, cortisol OK, not insulin resistant or pre diabetes. Vit D very low, cholesterol high (already knew). Started on vit D and estrogen gel. Hope to see some results from diet and exercise over the next month. Doc feels I will, fingers crossed!

There is some great advise here!! I am one of the people that did not gain a lot of weight as I went into menopause (very early, at about 42) but instead had the weight I did carry migrate to the most bizarre spots on my body - back fat at the bra line anyone? My goal getting back onto MFP is to mainly get myself in better shape and hopefully lose a few pounds. Has anyone had decent success with lifting? I just started Stronglifts 5x5, so hoping....

If you are open to a suggestion I have one or two. First - talk with an Register Dietitian not a nutritionist. A nutritionist in most states in not regulated or does not have to pass specific test that establish they know what they are instructing people to do. That protects us as consumers of health information. A R,D has a four year degree, has to pass specific test to establish they know what they are talking about and they have to take ongoing training to establish they are continuing to learn about new research and strategies to help us gain our health. Okay now after saying that... my thought ( I am a clinical social worker and I have worked on in and out-patient eating disorder programs) is that by slowing your metabolism down to 850 calories you have put your body into starvation mode. (below 1000 calories which is the basic caloric intake a body needs to function) once a body is in starvation mode the body slows its metabolism making it harder to lose wgt the metabolism is slowing in order to burn calories and to make the body survive. When a person starts to eat at higher level - the metabolism continues to be slowed - not burning calories - not losing wgt. That will remain until the body has consistent caloric intake. Menopausal women have a tougher time because our metabolism has slowed and we have to alter that by good nutrition and exercise. Lynda652017's information is similar to what we gave out to patients. Stress causes us to hold on to fat because the cortisol is increased. Cortisol supports the fight or flight =-keep the fat so that we use the energy units to protect ourselves, Not sleeping well - disrupted sleep or short on hours produces the cortisol. If you are sleeping 8 hours and not feeling rested then there is a possibility you have sleep apnea. Great studies on this -(Stanford aesthetes is the most cited). Just by getting good sleep we can lose weight! Again Lynda's info about stress management. Feels good and stops the cortisol imbalance the body needs the sleep to produce Serotonin that we need for balanced mood. Vitamin D is needed to support the Serotonin that supports the balance of the cortisol. Mix reviews in studies re: when to take Vit D, before bed or in the AM. I take it at night because it supports Serotonin production. Long winded - and... that's what I do when I get concerned for people's Health. Pubmed.gov has good info. Talk to a dietitian at this point your insurance - even medicaid insurance - would probably pay for the dietitian referral and an endocrinoligist