Hi. I'm there w u! Been two years!

Bumping to follow! I'm only 47, but 3 years ago all the rules changed for my body!

And, I am small already (131 lbs), but would like to lose down to under 125. And "Eat More To Lose" means something entirely different to a small peri or post menopausal woman! I need to find what works now too!

Also, I will be soooo glad to say goodbye completely to TOM!!! Every month I hope. . . .

Bumping to follow. Had a partial hysto last May...put on13lbs..after...would like to learn more as I go on.

I wish I could but I'm not quite at menopause (at 46 I'm perimenopausal). BUT from my reading, a lot of time people start gaining more weight due to water weight gain (think hormonal changes at period and keep going) as well as being older and having less muscle/less activity. IF you still lift weights (progressive strength such as Stronglifts or NROLFW for example) then you should be able to keep losing weight at a normal pace, though in the beginning you'll be fighting some water weight gain. Weight lifting is the best thing a woman can do as she ages, both to keep her muscles and bones strong, but also to lose fat.

I would still go to TDEE and subtract 15% and see how it goes - if you are losing 1/2 lb a week or so then great (on avg over a month), if not, take away 100 calories and try that for a month. If you are losing too quickly (more than 1-2 lb a week), add more calories.

If you are already small and want to lose a small amount of weight, know that it's going to be VERY slow. You should probably be at a 10% deficit and realise that it may take months to lose the weight.

I'm almost 52 and have been post-menopausal for about 3 years. I'm finding it really difficult to lose weight like I used to when I was in my 20s and 30s. I'm hypothyroid, too, which could have some effect, but it's discouraging-- been doing cardio and weights regularly, eating well, staying under daily calories (except for 2 days) and haven't lost any weight in the nearly 4 weeks since I started. I know I will, I just can't expect it to happen as soon as I'd like.

At this point, I'm just pleased with the lifestyle and dietary changes I've made. If I want a piece of cake, I'll have it and track it, but I'm much more satisfied now with a healthier alternative. I'm focusing on strength just as much as weight, and that IS starting to show in my muscle tone.

Good luck, we PM ladies have to find the bright spot in these changes somewhere!

BackwoodsMom wrote: »

Wondering if there are any women in menopause EM2WL. I'm just having a tough time getting my calories figured out with my metabolism/hormone changes. It's just not like it used to be!!!! :-/

I mean no offense by this but I'd rather not hear from 20, 30, or 40 somethings telling me what I should be doing. I'm almost 55 and have been in menopause since September of last year. (That was my 1 year "anniversary.") I'd like to hear from people who have experienced the metabolism/hormone changes and what they have found to be successful.

Hi I'm 53 had a hyster at the age of 41. I can tell you the estradiol will help you stay balanced mentally and physically. I asked my doc last year if I could go off of it,,,he said I need it for my bones. Hormones play such a large part of our bodies. My husband likes me taking it,,, I'm not so growly. Lol Make sure you eat well, take care especially during your recovery. Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Take care

Along with the OP question, For those of you that are pre or in menopause and eating more to weigh less, have you found the right macro's to help you lose? I feel I have the right calorie range, but it I seems if I have a high carb day here and there, I gain BIG time and especially around the belly. This week I'm focusing on getting 20-30g of protein per meal along with veggies and fruit and seeing if that helps. I'm thinking I'm coming to to the realization that carbs are not my friend at this age. I have to admit to myself that I cannot eat like I did in y 20's and 30's and have to adjust. Besides working out - was looking for information on what worked for you too as far as nutrition.

I'm 51 and I have been Post Menopause for 4 years now and it's been a struggle to lose 35lb - I started out needing to lose 52 and have lost 17 so far. It can be done but you have to be very dedicated to doing it and willing to sweat, not just from hot flashes either, lol. It also takes patience. Our bodies go through all kinds of odd things during menopause - I mean really? I have to carry around tweezers now? I have found a couple of exercise programs and a nutrition program that is working for me and I would love to see you all succeed as well. Feel free to add me as a friend if you are serious and committed to losing weight and getting healthy.

Hey, girls! I am post menopausal as well. I agree, we all have different things going on and I'm in there with you! I do know that I have tried to go the low-cal route with tons of cardio and even lifting weights. I'd do the 2 pounds a week setting on here and look at the little phrase at the end of each day saying, 'if you eat this way every day, you'll weigh this by this date...." I'd get such a charge from that. I had it all figured out! Boy, was I wrong. My body hung on to my fat for dear life at 1200 calories. I really tried hard and was a good girl. I then felt myself getting really burnt out right about the time I started perimenopause then about 2 years ago went into menopause. After a little help with bioidentical hormones I could start to lose again, only to totally regain in the next few months. I had even won a gym contest during that time, but was only on 1080 calories a day (at least that's what my trainer wanted me to eat. I worked out super hard for at least 2 hours a day. I found myself sneaking cigarettes in the garage while I phoned my friend who had won the same fitness contest last year. (She was 20 years younger, by the way) I needed the 'energy' from the nicotine. I struggled and lost 18 pounds in 12 weeks, injuring myself along the way. I just want to say that I look back on this now and realize that it was then that I really messed up my body... ugh, it makes me sick how MEAN I was to myself. My body was starving. I kept pushing. It pushed back and at the end I ended up gaining all the weight back and then some in a matter of months. I'm now at 6 weeks after a total abdominal hysterectomy. I have to say there is a part of me that wants to just get this darn weight off because summer is coming! It's like a panic within me that I always get around this time of the year. I want to be skinny this summer. I want to not die in the heat. I don't want another fat summer. I want to look like her....I literally torture myself and defeat myself before I even begin. It's horrible how I talk to myself and I am really working on that. I like Eat More 2 Weigh Less because it is totally the opposite of what I've already tried. I like the idea that maybe I can EAT. I am horrified at the idea of gaining more weight. But then I read other people's success stories and it makes so much sense. I am trying to slow down my mind and just realize this process is a slow one, but if I do it correctly, it will be a permanent solution. I now realize that at 1200 calories, I really had no where to GO from there. I was already starving myself. I initially lost about 6 pounds right away after my surgery. I now realize that this wasn't fat loss. A lot of it was most likely water and I have been losing muscle tissue. I am looking forward to being able to lift weights again and will not EVER complain about it. I have had my exercise taken away and it has actually been a blessing because I realize now I should do it because I can and be grateful I am ABLE! I used to complain and whine that I 'had' to work out. I will never, ever complain again and if I do, kick me! Good luck to you all....if you got through all this, thanks for reading.