struggling to lose weight - peri-menopause or in the menopause?

[Scooterloo]

I've been struggling to lose weight for the first time ever in my life. Around this time after Easter i think I need to rein in my eating. I'm usually disciplined and it happens gradually.

Not this time. My weight is fluctuating, I've GAINED when assumed I'd lose it. Every week the scales say a different thing - today it looks like I'm back to my initial weight. I've been 5:2 for 6 weeks now and exercise regularly.

Chatting to somebody who is in the menopause and she was talking about weight issues when I twigged that this must be the reason. I'm 48 with irregular periods and aches and pains when I never used to have any and now this.

It is so demoralising. Anybody going through the same? Or have any ideas about what I can do?

[WillIEverBeASizeTen]

Yes..me! I have always lost weight quite easily and was horrified when, 3 years ago I went to WW,starved myself for a week, and lost...1/2 pound!!!

Never in my life has that happened. Something wasn't right so I researched it. And yes the menopause was/is to blame. Google it.. Loads of info about weight and meno. I also acquired a Michelin tyre around my middle..never before..it's all 'change' I'm afraid!

[Roseygold]

I gained weight as I went through the menopause and found it hard to shift so in the end I did loads of research and decided that I wanted to eat the healthiest way I could. So I went paleo and cut out all grains and dairy. Lost 2 stone last year and actually felt better than I ever had. Hot flushes went, aches and pains went and never felt hungry unless it was genuine real hunger. I also found that menopausal women suffer more from insulin resistance because of their hormones. This definitely applies to me and if I do have processed biscuits or cakes etc then I feel awful and get a terrible sugar high and then a crash. Never used to get it quite this bad. Anyway, for me this is what works. I also used to do Paul McKenna and that worked perfectly in that I only ate when hungry and stopped when full and have combined that with paleo and its working for me.

[AuntieStella]

I'm posting on the "lose a stone" thread, and am losing weight during the perimenopause.

I'm doing it on the 'eating less and moving more' approach, and have recently started using MFP (which I never thought I would, as I thought it would give food an undue importance IYSWIM, but actually it hasn't). That came after a thread I started about plateau-ing, and a I actually followed the advice.

Yes, I think it can be harder because fluctuations definitely occur and are no longer on a pattern you can understand.

I'm getting close to my target (and my BMI is now in the 'healthy' range and my waist just under the healthy measurement) and I really think it is just finding a way that suits you and keeping at it, despite apparent reversals.

[TotalConfucius]

It's a very different way of losing weight, but I am losing.
I've struggled with the same 2/3 stone all my life, it comes, I get fed up, it goes, it comes and on and on. 15 ago I'd have gone very low calorie and had it whipped.
7 years ago I went gym-mad and banished it.
Now neither of those methods have touched it this time.
I've found going LOW (not NO) carb, cutting out all crap and regular daily but different forms of exercise. So a rota of speed walking, Aqua class, climbing walks, swimming, cycling, speed walking.
Losing about 1.5lb a week and have lost a few inches round the middle so it's going to be a long job this time around, at age 48.

[TotalConfucius]

It's a very different way of losing weight, but I am losing.
I've struggled with the same 2/3 stone all my life, it comes, I get fed up, it goes, it comes and on and on. 15 ago I'd have gone very low calorie and had it whipped.
7 years ago I went gym-mad and banished it.
Now neither of those methods have touched it this time.
I've found going LOW (not NO) carb, cutting out all crap and regular daily but different forms of exercise. So a rota of speed walking, Aqua class, climbing walks, swimming, cycling, speed walking.
Losing about 1.5lb a week and have lost a few inches round the middle so it's going to be a long job this time around, at age 48.

[TotalConfucius]

Oops sorry, the app is playing tricks on me

[Eliza22]

I'm struggling massively.

All my life I've been active. Gym, yoga, running, walking (brisk - with a backpack on). If I wanted to lose weight, I cut down and off it came. Now, at nearly 54 everything has changed. It's terrible. My waistline has gone. I'm heavier than I have ever been in my adult life (apart from pregnancy). I walk for a good 2 hrs daily (quite briskly) with my golden retriever. My bones and joints are agony and I gave up the yoga. Don't have time for the gym (since the dog arrived) and I've ^no idea how to shift this weight). I'm usually around 10 st 7 and at 5ft 6" I'm around a size 12 -14. Now, I'm up to 11 st 8lbs. Nothing fits. I'm at despair mode.

Should add, started HRT and my stress levels are chronic and never ending.

[WillIEverBeASizeTen]

eliza I could have written your post! Apart from the aches and pains. I've never been this heavy in my entire life either. I can't shift weight like I used to.

I tried some clothes on in a shop today, that's it, no more. The sight was awful and depressed me further. I have one pair of jeans that fit, so I have to lose the weight..just need to find a way:(

[Eliza22]

WillI it's awful, isn't it? And now with summer approaching, I can't hide in winter coats! Thing is.... The stuff I'd usually do to get in shape, is right out. Pulled my back out doing some simple household chore so that's put a stop on certain exercises. I've always had a good appetite but can't "work it off" now. Also, had to stop running due to plantar fasciitis. Not fun. Hobbling about like an old woman....SO not like me.

I do hope this is a phase. Something you come out the other side of. I was 49/50/51/52 and felt I was "getting away with it". Apparently not.

[WillIEverBeASizeTen]

Crikey eliza..I was only saying yesterday "I love the hot weather but it means I can't wear a coat!" I was also 'getting away with it' at 51/52..

Fortunately I've no pain, just lazy. I hope you sort out your problems so you can at least still walk your dog.

2-3 years ago I went to weight watchers. I practically starved myself (by that I mean doing it properly) the first week. I got on the scales (expecting half a stone loss!) and was told half a pound loss!!! I was almost hysterical, the 'weigher' gave me a real old fashioned look and asked if I'd eaten a lot of bananas!

It didn't click until a few months ago that the reason was the menopause.

I've probably put on at least another stone since then. I'm going to look into low carbing, see how I fare with that...

I'll keep you posted😊

[KathyBeale]

I'm 42 and of the many, many awful menopause symptoms I'm having, I'm also gaining weight by the day. I eat really well, though I'm veggie so paleo and whatnot is out for me. I also run and walk a lot.

Does HRT help? Anyone know?

[roomonmybroom]

I have no idea what you can do, but am the same, have always been a size 12 without any effort, crept up to a 14 after my son, fine with me, as am 5'7" starrted menopause at 45, and in the past 2 years the weight has crept on without me changing my habits at all, now a size 16 is getting snug, but the weight is not all over, I have this massive tummy, it actually looks like I am pregnant, so embarrassing, after all those years with a lovely flat tummy I took fro granted.
I tried the 5:2 for 6 months, guess how much I lost? - 4 bloody pounds.
I hate they way I look but I cannot starve myself for the rest of my life, I eat healthy mainly, with the odd treat on the weekend, I do like a drink but only drink weekend now, and after a hard week in work no way am I jeffing giving up that.
I think I just need to accept that this is now how I look, but am unhappy about it, and have no idea what I can do.

[ouryve]

I'm having problems with both eating less and moving more.

I walk lots, but have joint problems (HMS) so the exercise I can do safely is limited.

As for eating, I'm just a pig in a way I never have been before. It's ridiculous. Low carbing just gives me gut cramps, so that's out.

The gut's appeared in the past 2 or 3 years. I've always been a bit of a brick, but I now have a tyre that actually gets in my way and I hate it. I'm 46 but catch sight of myself in the mirror and between my low muscle tone and gut I look like a woman a generation older.

[Eliza22]

Good grief! There's loads of us. It's so embarrassing when I see people VE not seen for a while. Obviously, they won't mention my weight gain but I KNOW they're thinking "what happened to Eliza?"

And to add insult to injury, I bought a lot of new clothes around 18 months ago, just before I was ill (and wound up in hospital) because my running was going so well and I was as fit as a flea. I will never get in them again.. Some 10's some 12's. I can't expect to fork out for another new wardrobe. And in the back of my mind, I have this "what if I lose it all again (fat chance)?

Anyone else rabidly hungry all the time?. I've no idea what's going on. Of course, DH has cut sugar from his tea/coffee and moved into G&T's instead of Prosecco.....he looks amazing and his kecks are falling off him

[WillIEverBeASizeTen]

I went to my GP a couple of weeks ago due to (mainly) low mood. I told her about the insatiable appetite (confirmed hormones) and horrendous weight gain which I'm unable to shift (confirmed hormones) .

So the consensus is, it seems, that the menopause is responsible. Now we know that, what do we do? I guess it's just hard slog isn't it?

My low mood compels my desire to stuff my face, not go for a run unfortunately.

I am definitely going to look at the low carb diet. Nothing hugely drastic, but to cut down sugar intake somewhat (a lot actually) and processed foods, which should naturally occur when cutting back on carbs.

[Waxlyrically]

Yes me too. I'm 47 and the weight is creeping on and has been for a few years now despite regular exercise (running, yoga & Pilates). I think it's natural body shape changes but on the other hand when I catch sight of myself in a mirror/shop window it does make me feel a bit low. That said I plan, to just carry on with a realistic happy medium, and, knowing it is hormones rather than lack of effort , makes it easier to accept for me. I wonder if it ends when things finally stop.

[buckingfrolicks]

Me too. Have always been overweight but in a shapely way. Now at 52 have this horrendous and ever expanding sort of "top tummy pregnancy bulge" that is there all bulging even when I pull my stomach in like an absolute bastard. I hate it. Of all the fatness I've had -double chin cancles back fat - this is the most depressing.

[Eliza22]

Bucking . Perhaps I ought to surround myself with fellow menopausal/weight gaining friends. Most folks I know are younger and slimmer or, same age but reed thin.

[ouryve]

I've heard rumours that the gut shifts again, when all the hormonal crap has subsided.

Currently just plain thankful for fatface and 2 year old M&S (they have nowt, this year). Skim and ignore is the only way to go.

[Stripyhoglets]

I am the same. Just at the absolute top of the healthy weight for my height - but it's slowly going up - and lots has landed on my gut. I look pregnant. Always been thin till 42 ish, medication increased my appetite massively and peri-menopause seems to be accumulating all the excess around my stomach. Am always hungry and no control over my appetite now.

[indigo88]

weight stable - weigh the same as I did 15 years ago and I'm now 53 but boobs getting bigger and bigger. Was 36e now 36k. It has really affected my confidence and no amount of weight loss will change my size. The menopause is a second adolescence.

However! Shit happens. I've got two arm, two legs and a brain that works. I'm sticking two fingers up at what society expects. So fighting back. I suspect this is when we can be in a position to make change happen.

[indigo88]

whoops! Seemed to have killed this thread.

[Goingtobeawesome]

I'm struggling too and convinced I'm peri menopausal. This is my second week of not eating anything with sugar in or having fizzy drinks. Friday and Saturday nights I'll have a treat. I found I wasn't that fussed..

I'm also eating more fish and salads and have managed to not comfort eat.

[indigo88]

my experience was 'perimeter a use' otherwise known as perimenopause (joy of auto correct) was difficult because of lack of consistency. Didn't know if I was PMT or menopause or both. Certainly sugar abstinence makes me feel better in the long run.