Menopause and Weight Gain
rlsides
Posts: 8 Member
How do you combat the weight gain? I am so frustrated, nothing is working!
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Replies
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I workout daily, and watch what I eat. I haven't gained weight since menopause -it's more that my weight has 'shifted' - to my mid-section. I'm short - 5'2" - and have a very petite build. If I don't watch what I eat and exercise regularly, I start to get a build-up of fat around my mid-section now that I'm past menopause - and it is NOT attractive!5
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I feel your pain. I worked hard to lose the weight and the slightest slip costs me big time. My maintenance calories are about 1400. I think the biggest mistake I made was not weight lifting while losing. I would recommend doing that to build some muscle to raise up your BMR.3
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OMG This is me too! I tried my usual MFP and logging everything, and actually gained a pound! So I said the heck with it. But my middle is big and even though I am still working out regularly, things have changed. Even though my joints are still, I still exercise hard and regularly, but I think it's about my diet. My cholesterol has gone up too! Ideas on what works?2
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I increased the length of my walks and lowered my calories. At this point I'm trying to lose the ten pounds I've gained. It's frustrating but being fat was worse so I chose the lesser of two evils, lol.4
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If I could go back in time: I'd go low carb. Low carb lowers my appetite, which might help offset the 18 months of PMS like food cravings.2
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Nothing has worked for me. I only lose weight when I eat next to nothing, which isn't sustainable.
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »If I could go back in time: I'd go low carb. Low carb lowers my appetite, which might help offset the 18 months of PMS like food cravings.
I have been struggling so much with the hunger. I was never a "snack" person; I always just stuck to my usual three meals a day. Before, if I did have a snack between meals it was because I wanted to eat a treat not because if I didn't eat the hunger pains would become unbearable. Now I have to plan snacks every day and plan for my meals to be lower calorie to allow for those snacks.1 -
I have gained over 20 pounds in a year after successfully maintaining a weight loss for 3 years. Perimenopause decided to come full force with the night sweats, muscle and joint pain, etc. I can probably say that 5 pounds of it is muscle as I have been weight training for over a year now and my strength has grown quite a bit! Because I often feel bloated and my joints are always achy, I figure several more pounds in inflammation as I have a tendency to it, thanks to inflammatory bowel disease. However, that leaves about 10 pounds of accumulation that seems to have found its way to my thighs and hips with a little bit in the tummy. A year ago I did not have muffin top and now I do! I have consistently logged my food and exercise and have always eaten at maintenance or even below. However, I decided that I have been eating too many carbs and sugar consumption is way up (I discovered boba - not good for you but delicious!) ... so before I say screw it, I have kicked off a new eating plan TODAY in the hopes of losing 5 pounds by the end of the month or first week of December. If that doesn't work, then it is back to the doctor for new blood work to make sure it is nothing else impeding progress except for perimenopause.5
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Well, with my new eating plan of just reducing sugar (I am not worrying about the natural stuff in my fruit) as well as upping protein and ensuring I have a calorie deficit, I lost 4 pounds of inflammation weight in one week! I went from busting out of my jeans to being about to zip them up. I am on week two now and I am curious to see what is next. I will follow the same routine as last week and see what's what. In my thinking, I am pretty sure that sugar is a major culprit in keeping my inflammation up. I should hopefully soon get a physical and blood work done as I am curious to see if my inflammation markers are up.3
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I am struggling too. I was almost where I wanted to be 4 years ago & then about 6 months later the hormones took a massive dive. Got even worse about a year ago. Doesn't help that I crave all the wrong things & it's a constant mental battle too. Just giving in at the moment as having house stuff done & we have no kitchen at present.
Trying to sort out why I feel so yuk & also ways to motivate- as I feel like a hot sweaty lump of lard!2 -
Nope ... reducing sugar is not what helped me lose 4 pounds of inflammation ... it was finally having a period! Crap ...4
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rhtexasgal wrote: »Nope ... reducing sugar is not what helped me lose 4 pounds of inflammation ... it was finally having a period! Crap ...
Ah, I inexplicably gained 5lbs over the last 2 weeks, which was really annoying, and after not having had a period since July I came on yesterday. I had noticed that I hadn't had a hot flush for a while and I'd been sleeping better.
Hopefully I'll see a drop now over the next couple of days.
This whole process is very frustrating!0 -
Speaking as a person who has been there, done that per menopause weight gain, it IS a real thing! (My doctor agrees.) Once you start the menopause journey for real, sans periods, your estrogen levels, progesterone and testosterone levels as well, start dropping off dramatically and what used to work for weight loss or maintenance just doesn't anymore. My gyno mentioned to me that it's mostly the testosterone that keeps people thin more easily as it helps build muscle. (Why men get pudgy too as they age and lose "vitamin T"!)
I gained 30 pounds in places like my stomach I never had before over the two years once my periods stopped! I had NEVER had a weight problem either. If I gained a few pounds before, I'd just cut back the cals and go hiking more. But that stopped working during my "personal summers" (sweating!). What did I do?
I made some bold changes for my bones, my cholesterol and my heart. I finally ditched caffeine, cut the sodium way down to about 1,000 mg a day or less (eating whole foods), ditched the dairy (that's my own thing for stuffy sinuses and ears), and REALLY got moving in a big way while tracking all my calories honestly. Ditching the salt really brought down my appetite back to normal.
So....you've just got to hang in there and wait it out as you figure out your own "triggers" and resolve them for yourself. Everyone's journey is different. But there is a light at the end of that tunnel.
Now, at 58 (started my journey at 54), no HRT of any kind, I am only 5 pounds from my pre-menopause weight and I'm not looking back.
Hope that helps and feel free to contact me for any other info you might want.11 -
Talked to doctor about this yesterday. Apparently insulin resistance can be a thing at our age. I'm prediabetic, I'm guessing most of you aren't, but the insulin level still affects how we deposit weight. By cutting out sugar and simple carbs and eating only complex carbs (plus your allotment of proteins, fats, etc) it is supposed to cause your body to pump out less insulin so that you store less fat and can burn what you do have stored when you exercise. There are hidden sugars everywhere, if you start reading labels it's shocking. See if you have better results by eliminating them.6
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Speaking as a person who has been there, done that per menopause weight gain, it IS a real thing! (My doctor agrees.) Once you start the menopause journey for real, sans periods, your estrogen levels, progesterone and testosterone levels as well, start dropping off dramatically and what used to work for weight loss or maintenance just doesn't anymore. My gyno mentioned to me that it's mostly the testosterone that keeps people thin more easily as it helps build muscle. (Why men get pudgy too as they age and lose "vitamin T"!)
I gained 30 pounds in places like my stomach I never had before over the two years once my periods stopped! I had NEVER had a weight problem either. If I gained a few pounds before, I'd just cut back the cals and go hiking more. But that stopped working during my "personal summers" (sweating!). What did I do?
I made some bold changes for my bones, my cholesterol and my heart. I finally ditched caffeine, cut the sodium way down to about 1,000 mg a day or less (eating whole foods), ditched the dairy (that's my own thing for stuffy sinuses and ears), and REALLY got moving in a big way while tracking all my calories honestly. Ditching the salt really brought down my appetite back to normal.
So....you've just got to hang in there and wait it out as you figure out your own "triggers" and resolve them for yourself. Everyone's journey is different. But there is a light at the end of that tunnel.
Now, at 58 (started my journey at 54), no HRT of any kind, I am only 5 pounds from my pre-menopause weight and I'm not looking back.
Hope that helps and feel free to contact me for any other info you might want.
I think I agree with you, Bluejay. For the past couple of years, I’ve had trouble with weight gain, and last year was a mess w hot flashes and mood swings HOWEVER, now that I’m getting through it, things seem to be normalizing a bit. Starting to lose the weight and the hot flashes and mood swings are subsiding. I’m hopeful that it stays that way!1 -
OMG This is me too! I tried my usual MFP and logging everything, and actually gained a pound! So I said the heck with it. But my middle is big and even though I am still working out regularly, things have changed. Even though my joints are still, I still exercise hard and regularly, but I think it's about my diet. My cholesterol has gone up too! Ideas on what works?
My suggestion is to go back to tracking but weigh everything and be vigilant and patient! Our bodies don’t like change, so allow yours time to adjust. 🦋0 -
I recently read on a meno doctor's website that the average weight gain during the transition is 15 pounds.0
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^Oy - that is VERY depressing! Average weight gain is 15 lbs?! It is a struggle maintaining now that I'm menopausal. I have to be very conscious of what I eat. I still work out 6 days a week.1
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I gained weight when I turned 40 and lost it. Then, into my 50's, a little more than a year ago, my "Menopause 10" turned into the "Menopause 20". I toyed with the idea of meeting with a nutritionist, then decided I could be my own nutritionist.
I monkeyed with my diet for a while, lost the weight, and just celebrated the year anniversary of keeping it off.
Everyone is different - the only commonality is that it is NOT easy!!!5 -
I just began the low FODMAP diet before quarantine started. I've been on it for 6 weeks now and I've noticed some really great changes. My hunger has decreased significantly. My belly is a little flatter with decreased inflammation. Plus my struggling thyroid levels have corrected themselves.
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Hi ladies!
I’m new to the group and just restarted MFP. My post-menopausal journey definitely involved gaining more than a few pounds! I am now at my heaviest weight ever! It’s depressing and frustrating! Losing weight now is definitely harder than any other time in my life but I want to make this work!!
BTW If you wouldn’t mind adding me as a friend I would really appreciate the extra support!! 2 -
Menopause is rough! Feel free to add me I'm on every day 0
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Good morning, everyone. I'm new to the group, but have been an on again/off again MFP user for a long time. I'm usually not very social on here, but I'm to the point where I'm desperate for some camaraderie when it comes to menopause and weight gain.
I had a hysterectomy in 2016...my ovaries were left, but I'm pretty sure since they've been left to themselves they have gotten lazy.
I have gained about 25 pounds and I would like to lose it again. I have tried Keto, WW and quick fixes...nothing worked and some backfired. So, I'm back here hoping to find some inspiration.
I don't think I can blame it all on hormones because a sweet tooth I never really had before has shown up. I was always a salt craver for my splurges - now I "need" sweets. It doesn't help.
Anyway...I just wanted to say "hi" and to thank those of you who have made progress for the helpful hints and insights
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Sent you a FR. I’m also new to the group. I started perimenopausing at 35 and was done by 42. I’m 54 now and been on HRT since age 46 when bone density results came back with osteopenia. I gained 30 pounds when I was in the thick of it (no pun intended). Used MFP to get on track and maintained for the most part. But fat storage is an interesting thing. I used to have it all on my butt. Now it just goes to my stomach. My butt is a lot smaller!0
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FibroHiker wrote: »I just began the low FODMAP diet before quarantine started. I've been on it for 6 weeks now and I've noticed some really great changes. My hunger has decreased significantly. My belly is a little flatter with decreased inflammation. Plus my struggling thyroid levels have corrected themselves.
What is the FODMAP diet?0 -
I am now in this boat. I am technically peri, but I've been without a period for almost 9 months. In that time I gained 10 lbs, plus an extra 5 or so during the first part of quarantine. I was overweight before that, so now I'm teetering on the edge of obese. The early part of last year I saw some success with OMAD, but when it stopped working after about 10lbs I grew discouraged and my window slipped to 5/6 hours. I stopped any effort to count calories because I was planning to jump back into OMAD. I would love to join one of the weight loss threads in the community, but I feel embarassed by my slow loss. I feel like people assume that I'm just not trying. I'd love to find a loss group of menopausal women with similar rates of loss. Does this exist here or elsewhere? It's llike weight loss in the slow lane.3
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I'm going to start walking to and from work, unless there's a good old fashioned midwest thunderstorm going on. I'm hoping that will help take care of the lethargy I feel, and the pain in every joint, all while burning some extra calories. I know I mainly need to focus on diet, which is a work in progress. I know the foods to eat, but it's a matter of getting those foods to my mouth, before the "other" foods make it there. I'm pretty sure I was told all this would happen when I got older, but I had that younger mindset of "it won't happen to me"
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Having a horrible time with water weight retention. Will actually be up a lb on weigh-in day, then down 3 lbs the next, and up 1-2 lbs the following... So hard to track progress.....2
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Having a horrible time with water weight retention. Will actually be up a lb on weigh-in day, then down 3 lbs the next, and up 1-2 lbs the following... So hard to track progress.....
Oh so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with water retention
I am the same I go up and down. I never know when to weigh myself. I find drinking green tea helps some, mind you I have to put a smidge of stevia in it. I'm not a tea drinker, but I don't want to go on medication.
Hello to everyone, I'm new to this group i will be turning 44 in Sept. I've been an on again off again MFP user, I've gained 14-17 lbs (depending on the day) over the past 2 years which will not leave. Plus I had extra that was there before. Last year I worked back up to running a 5km which would always knock off the pounds. Alas it did nothing. I lost my drive for it. I've started walking (40mins first thing in morning) . Which has actually been nice, of course weather is helping too.
I just had my 2nd carpal tunnel surgery last week, so my plan is once my hand has healed I will add some light weight exercise.
Really glad to have found this group !
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