For women who are in menopause

sbwood888
sbwood888 Posts: 953 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
Almost 2 yrs ago, I had a total hysterectomy at 47 years old. Of course, immediate surgical menopause. Was put on daily Premarin. I was already overweight. I did not change my diet for the worse, but have still gained 50 pounds. Have started a weight loss plan and am worried about all of the info I am reading that says that women in menopause have a very hard time losing weight, even when doing everything right. Can you please tell me your experience. Do you find that you can lose weight after going into menopause, or do you find that no matter what you do the weight does not come off?

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    There seem to be two types: those who find it more challenging, and those who don't. I'm maintaining, barely!
    Much of the research I've read points to insulin resistance in menopause.

    Join us here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/506-near-or-post-menopausal-group

    Have you explored alternatives to premarin? There are several estrogen options. Perhaps a different one would help balance you better? Good luck!
  • tar2323
    tar2323 Posts: 141 Member
    I'm post menopause (55 years old) and am on hormone tablets for cancer treatment which basically puts you into a permanant 'menopause state'. Despite this, I've lost 57lbs since March, the last 2/3 months more or less maintaining. It is a bit harder, but for me, nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be going by what other people will lead you to believe, even with the hormone drugs.
  • suzilla53
    suzilla53 Posts: 65 Member
    I'm 63,long past menopause. I've lost 62 lbs in the last10 months.I actually think it's easier than when I dieted pre menopause, you don't have those highs and lows due to hormones, just sort of cruise along at the same level of that makes sense.my weight loss has pretty much gone exactly like MFP projected. I am very careful with my logging and I use a food scale.I wish I had started this journey when I was as young as you! PS it's great fitting into normal size clothes, there are some really cute styles out there. Do it now!!!! The community will help you.
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    I can't tell, because I have the Mirena in. Will be 49 soon, and truthfully am more worried about, um, sex drive dropping, and bone loss and dementia, than weight gain, which seems a more controllable thing. Eat less than you are now, work out more than you are now, see what happens.

    Good luck to you - in the Success board there's an older ladies thread, they would probably have good advice for you.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I lost all of my weight (30 lbs m/l) during perimenopause. I'm not going to lie, it was tough. But IDK how not having ovaries would affect it. The hardest part for me was the hormonal nonsense.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,622 Member
    I crash-landed in menopause at 44 y/o because of chemotherapy. I've been hypothyroid since age 45. At 59-60, I lost 60+ pounds in 10-11 months using MFP, 2 pounds a week at first but intentionally slowing my loss rate (for health-preservation reasons) as I got closer to goal. I'm now maintaining at age 61 in the 120s (pounds) at 5'5".

    Once I committed to logging food and accurate & consistently, sticking with a reasonable calorie goal the overwhelming majority of the time, and experimented with my eating timing/composition to get good nutrition and be as satiated as possible at my calorie goal, I personally found it fairly simple to lose weight.

    It wasn't easy every single minute - because food is good, and I like it - but I was surprised by how do-able it was.

    I, too, wish I'd done it decades ago. All my health markers have improved (are solidly in the normal range now), and I feel great compared to when I was carrying all that extra weight.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,749 Member
    I'm 60 now. I lost 45 pounds 6 years ago and have mostly kept it off; (up and down 5 or so pounds every year or two thanks to vacations where I overindulge.) I am on meds for low thyroid, but that's it.
  • beaglady
    beaglady Posts: 1,362 Member
    It's possible. I'm 58 and have been tracking on MFP since July, with the goal of a pound a week. I'm down at least 25 pounds, maybe more, since I didn't weigh myself or start tracking for a couple weeks after I cut back on eating. I could probably lose faster if I was stricter, but if this is to be a lifestyle change, then it can't suck. Food is too much a part of my social life and I can cut back, but don't want to give it up.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I lost 148 lbs beginning at age 59. Took me 2.5 years. You have to eat less than you burn. CICO.
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