belly fat since menopause

bborley
bborley Posts: 19 Member
edited November 26 in Getting Started
I have always struggled with my weight but I never really had belly fat until menopause. I have gained 25 pounds and now am well into my 200's. I plan on weighing myself tomorrow morning and I will post it. Each week I am going to add a new and healthy habit to start losing weight and feeling better. This week my goal is to drink 8 glasses of water each day. If anyone wants to join me please do!
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Replies

  • bonnyamanda
    bonnyamanda Posts: 4 Member
    Hi , good luck, like you weight came on due to menopause and of course eating to much of the wrong suff, yes drinking water really helps and great for skin.
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    Thank you. I am determined to start making healthy choices.
  • galprincess
    galprincess Posts: 683 Member
    I'm not at menopause age but I gained weight due to ivf pregnancy etc and belly fat is stubborn, feel free to add me you can lose it.
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    Here it is, my weight today is 221.6 I will let you know at the end of the day if I was able to drink 64 oz of water today!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    The best habit you can focus on is eating at a calorie defecit and following a progressive resistance programme

    Good luck
  • prettygirlstorm1
    prettygirlstorm1 Posts: 721 Member
    so i can blame this weight gain on menopause!!! lol I feel you I have belly fat too but attributed it to my bad eating choices!! I would love to join you. I will send you a friend request!
  • AppleGypsy
    AppleGypsy Posts: 17 Member
    Menopause nearly killed me with this weight! It's not why I am fat but its not helping, and it's so much harder to lose now. I would love to have any of you all as friends!
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    I did well with my water intake yesterday 8 glasses. The only thing is that I had to go to the bathroom alot LOL! I know that eating fewer calories and exercise is the ultimate goal, but I also believe that I can achieve this by working one heathy habit at a time! I would love to have you be on this journey with me!
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    Changing one thing at a time is a really smart way to go about losing the weight. The calorie deficit will be the most effective, but sometimes you can even chip away at that by dropping things out of your day. My belly fat right now is largely due to my snack intake. When I pay more attention to the mindless snacking, I realize how many extra calories I'm getting that I don't want (or need). And then the belly gets soft. I'm in for paying attention to one thing this week. I'll work on my snacks. I didn't send a friend request because I don't post on my wall. In fact, I don't ever go there, so I appear as a bad friend :blush:
  • norcogrrl
    norcogrrl Posts: 129 Member
    My waistline has fattied up this year . . . from 30" to 37"! My weight went up 23lbs. I only gained an inch on my hips and bust. I gained nothing on my calves, and a 1/4" on my thighs.

    I'm 42 and perimenopausal. I'm also now insulin resistant. I've received a stern "talking to" from my physician. He put me on an aggressive, low carb, elimination diet on the 28th of October that I adhered to starting on the 29th. I've had a couple of blips, but I've lost 1.5" off my waist in just under three weeks. :) The changes he made to my diet upset me at first, but it seems to be working. I've adapted well.
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    I am rooting for you girlwithcurls2 and how awesome norcogrrl on your inches lost! I want this group to be all about giving each of us support and celebrate our achievements!
  • 217happy1
    217happy1 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello All

    I started with one goal and completed it. To give up soda drinks. First went the fountain drink. Than Coke in a can. Last but not least root beer. I'm now soda free and drink a lot of water. My doctor told me to read the Wheat Belly Diet because I've carried the weight there since menopause. I'm doing this for my health because I'm 64 now and want to be healthy and have a long life since I retired.
  • rreneesmith32
    rreneesmith32 Posts: 19 Member
    I was thrown into menopause at age 29 from chemo and since then my belly fat is terriable blah... Good luck
  • nevertoooldtodoit
    nevertoooldtodoit Posts: 45 Member
    I too am hitting menopause and it is definitely helping my poor eating choices to catch up with me. It has also slowed me down a bit when it comes to working out.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Progressive lifting programme ladies

    Strong curves
    New rules of lifting for women

    Alongside calorie control for fat loss and you'll get your waist back
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    Did well with my water intake yesterday. I did exercise already this morning.
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    217happy, I am also doing this to be more healthy.
  • ScorpionQwean
    ScorpionQwean Posts: 1,013 Member
    edited November 2015
    I just turned 50 and my cycle has been on time, on the day for 18 months... this never happened to me in all my prior years.. doctor said it can happen when menopause will begin and I think it is (although I still get it)... but it seems like overnight, I gained all this belly fat... I do eat healthy but not working out ... nothing really has changed for me (eating wise) and am shocked my jeans are so tight and have cushion around my middle.

    I am starting a personal training routine Thurs 3x/week so I will let you know the results. I just want to cry with this sudden change!!! :'(
  • ScorpionQwean
    ScorpionQwean Posts: 1,013 Member
    edited November 2015
    I also notice a "goiter" on my neck.. need to get thyroid checked. Loved my 40's... I hope I love my 50's too! :/
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!

    I think if it helps you stick to a defecit then cutting carbs is fine advice. Otherwise I've yet to see any robust information that says it's required .. it's just the current fad
  • ScorpionQwean
    ScorpionQwean Posts: 1,013 Member
    Yes, I agree with you Sabine - my brother who is a Director for a home-delivery based healthy eating company in FL, said to stay away from Carbs, which turns into sugar, which then turns into Fat... He also has been working out for 30 years and said to always do weight / resistance training and very little cardio. He's 53 and his body looks like a 35 year old. Deliverlean.com for anyone in the FL area.. I wish I was :( But thanks for the Link....
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited November 2015
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!

    I think if it helps you stick to a defecit then cutting carbs is fine advice. Otherwise I've yet to see any robust information that says it's required .. it's just the current fad

    I don't think I said "required", but it's been the recommendation from several well known doctors since the '90s. I guess that could be considered a fad.
    As I've said, several studies have suggested insulin resistance is common in menopause (and insulin resistance and the menopot seem to go hand in hand). High cortisol is common in menopause (which everyone experiences somewhat "individually"). Both suggest a lowering of refined carbs. I'm not saying "go low carb", merely suggesting high fiber, nutrient dense carbs. Which, by the way: higher fiber is also often a recommendation.
    Gosh, if someone comes looking for advice, why not suggest what studies, doctors, books suggest?
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!

    I think if it helps you stick to a defecit then cutting carbs is fine advice. Otherwise I've yet to see any robust information that says it's required .. it's just the current fad

    I don't think I said "required", but it's been the recommendation from several well known doctors since the '90s. I guess that could be considered a fad.
    As I've said, several studies have suggested insulin resistance is common in menopause (and insulin resistance and the menopot seem to go hand in hand). High cortisol is common in menopause (which everyone experiences somewhat "individually"). Both suggest a lowering of refined carbs. I'm not saying "go low carb", merely suggesting high fiber, nutrient dense carbs. Which, by the way: higher fiber is also often a recommendation.
    Gosh, if someone comes looking for advice, why not suggest what studies, doctors, books suggest?

    Doctors and governments advise eating less, eating nutritionally balanced diet and moving more

    On this forum insulin resistance is often thrown out there as causative rather than associative and the inflation of the numbers quoted are outstanding

    I don't have anything positive to say about most "well known doctors" who are well known through their media and marketing so why would I buy Into their advice . As soon as something is packaged and sold it makes me wary
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited November 2015
    .
  • footstepspj
    footstepspj Posts: 7 Member
    I have the same belly pooch issue. I'm not menopausal and haven't had kids, but I lost 110 pounds and now I have extra skin and a pooch in my belly. It's just so stubborn!! Everything else went away but the pooch. Frustrating !! :'(

    Feel free to add me - anyone!

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited November 2015
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!

    I think if it helps you stick to a defecit then cutting carbs is fine advice. Otherwise I've yet to see any robust information that says it's required .. it's just the current fad

    I don't think I said "required", but it's been the recommendation from several well known doctors since the '90s. I guess that could be considered a fad.
    As I've said, several studies have suggested insulin resistance is common in menopause (and insulin resistance and the menopot seem to go hand in hand). High cortisol is common in menopause (which everyone experiences somewhat "individually"). Both suggest a lowering of refined carbs. I'm not saying "go low carb", merely suggesting high fiber, nutrient dense carbs. Which, by the way: higher fiber is also often a recommendation.
    Gosh, if someone comes looking for advice, why not suggest what studies, doctors, books suggest?

    Doctors and governments advise eating less, eating nutritionally balanced diet and moving more

    On this forum insulin resistance is often thrown out there as causative rather than associative and the inflation of the numbers quoted are outstanding

    I don't have anything positive to say about most "well known doctors" who are well known through their media and marketing so why would I buy Into their advice . As soon as something is packaged and sold it makes me wary
    Note that I carefully juxtaposed menopause and insulin resistance. I did not explicate a causative relationship. (there's also a **relationship** between hot flashes and insulin resistance.)

    Last time we had this conversation I posted pubmed links to articles about insulin resistance and menopause. About cortisol and belly fat. And references to gynecologists. Not folks selling diets. Not Dr. Oz and the like.

    My point was simple: many intelligent people have studied or treated women in menopause recommend a reduction in heavily refined carbs (and an increase in vegetables). Do it or don't. No skin off my nose.

    I won't bother to repeat myself here.

    Cheers to the OP, and good luck finding what works for you in YOUR menopause.
  • bborley
    bborley Posts: 19 Member
    I am happy to see so many positive comments. It is helping me decide which heathy habit I will pick for my week 2 challenge. My water intake is on target, which I have noticed fills me up. I did exercise again this morning. How much cardio vs weight training is a good mix? I love my carbs, so that could be a difficult challenge.

    l
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    bborley wrote: »
    I am happy to see so many positive comments. It is helping me decide which heathy habit I will pick for my week 2 challenge. My water intake is on target, which I have noticed fills me up. I did exercise again this morning. How much cardio vs weight training is a good mix? I love my carbs, so that could be a difficult challenge.

    l

    The carb thing is a matter of personal choice not a requirement. If you like low carbing and find it helps you stick to your calorie defecit then it may be a worthwhile personal challenge. You will find for satiety that the more nutritionally dense carbohydrates will be better. A good challenge may be ensuring you eat 5-8 portions of different colourful vegetables per day

    Weight training I would suggest building up to 3x a week, cardio 2x 20 minute sessions is adequate for cardiovascular health
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Definitely do some weight training, Pilates, or something. It does help.

    Also, consider joining us here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    I also believe cutting back refined carbs at this time helps (and I'm not alone in my beliefs if you google a bit).

    Good luck!

    I think if it helps you stick to a defecit then cutting carbs is fine advice. Otherwise I've yet to see any robust information that says it's required .. it's just the current fad

    I don't think I said "required", but it's been the recommendation from several well known doctors since the '90s. I guess that could be considered a fad.
    As I've said, several studies have suggested insulin resistance is common in menopause (and insulin resistance and the menopot seem to go hand in hand). High cortisol is common in menopause (which everyone experiences somewhat "individually"). Both suggest a lowering of refined carbs. I'm not saying "go low carb", merely suggesting high fiber, nutrient dense carbs. Which, by the way: higher fiber is also often a recommendation.
    Gosh, if someone comes looking for advice, why not suggest what studies, doctors, books suggest?

    Doctors and governments advise eating less, eating nutritionally balanced diet and moving more

    On this forum insulin resistance is often thrown out there as causative rather than associative and the inflation of the numbers quoted are outstanding

    I don't have anything positive to say about most "well known doctors" who are well known through their media and marketing so why would I buy Into their advice . As soon as something is packaged and sold it makes me wary
    Note that I carefully juxtaposed menopause and insulin resistance. I did not explicate a causative relationship. (there's also a **relationship** between hot flashes and insulin resistance.)

    Last time we had this conversation I posted pubmed links to articles about insulin resistance and menopause. About cortisol and belly fat. And references to gynecologists. Not folks selling diets. Not Dr. Oz and the like.

    My point was simple: many intelligent people have studied or treated women in menopause recommend a reduction in heavily refined carbs (and an increase in vegetables). Do it or don't. No skin off my nose.

    I won't bother to repeat myself here.

    Cheers to the OP, and good luck finding what works for you in YOUR menopause.

    Perhaps you would link that post here as I've had a quick look and can't find it
This discussion has been closed.

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