Page 3 | to be fed up with how little I can eat now I’m menopausal?

menno · 2026-04-20T07:58:44+00:00

Since hitting menopause my metabolism seems to have just given up. I have to live on salads and protein twice a day to keep my weight stable. I do weight training 3–4 times a week and exercise regularly. I guess that helps otherwise I would gain weight. Last week I went out for a birthday dinner and also had afternoon tea and cake and I’ve put on 2kg. Now I have to go straight back to being super strict, like fish/meat and vegetables every night just to shift it again. Pre-menopause I could eat more without watching everything. If I did gain, it would drop easily. Now it is hard work. DH and teen DC put away huge amounts of food and I have to watch everything I am eating. AIBU to find this really depressing and restrictive?

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 20/04/2026 22:21

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:38

My worrying conclusion from this thread is that too many menopausal women are surviving on 1,200 calories for fear of gaining weight without worrying enough about the longer term risks of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that are more likely in under fueled women.

My nana was under 5ft and a size 6-8, barely ate dairy and ate a limited diet. She had osteoporosis. Probably due to diet and not much dairy. Died in 2013.

Original poster

menno · 20/04/2026 22:08

Delatron · 20/04/2026 21:46

For now!

Show quote history

Of course. I had it checked in the last few years and will again to keep an eye on it.

OP posts:

Fundays12 · 20/04/2026 22:02

menno · 20/04/2026 21:16

I have done over 14,000 steps today and a session with weights. How much more can I move with work, family and everything else?

Show quote history

I was doing 13k to 15k steps most days plus weight training 4 times a week and just got heavier and chunkier. I was actually the heaviest I had been in years

I also started noticing the only ladies losing weight in my womans weight training classes were also doing HIIT classes or cardio focused work outs elsewhere. I reduced my weight training classes to 2 a week and added HIIT classes instead and started losing weight. I am 45 and have realised purely weight in the gym fattens me up

Loomis · 20/04/2026 21:46

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:44

But these low value nutritionally - if you want to hit nutrient targets on slightly lower calories there isn’t space in diet for these sorts of food. But either way I was saying what I do…

Show quote history

I'm not aiming for low calories, I enjoy my food.

Delatron · 20/04/2026 21:46

menno · 20/04/2026 21:40

I have had my bone density checked twice and it is fine.

Show quote history

For now!

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:45

menno · 20/04/2026 21:40

I have had my bone density checked twice and it is fine.

Show quote history

Because as you said you are at the top end of BMI. The risk is at the lower end. Also muslce mass requires a different dexa and I’m not sure it’s done on nhs.

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:44

Loomis · 20/04/2026 19:28

No thanks, I like white bread and pasta 👍

Show quote history

But these low value nutritionally - if you want to hit nutrient targets on slightly lower calories there isn’t space in diet for these sorts of food. But either way I was saying what I do…

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:42

menno · 20/04/2026 21:41

Back to school for you.

Show quote history

Are you for real?

Original poster

menno · 20/04/2026 21:41

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:37

If you burn more calories than you consume it's not.possible to gain actual weight. Basic science

Show quote history

Back to school for you.

OP posts:

Original poster

menno · 20/04/2026 21:40

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:38

My worrying conclusion from this thread is that too many menopausal women are surviving on 1,200 calories for fear of gaining weight without worrying enough about the longer term risks of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that are more likely in under fueled women.

I have had my bone density checked twice and it is fine.

OP posts:

Delatron · 20/04/2026 21:40

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:38

My worrying conclusion from this thread is that too many menopausal women are surviving on 1,200 calories for fear of gaining weight without worrying enough about the longer term risks of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that are more likely in under fueled women.

Well exactly. This is always how these threads go. We’ve had a new low of someone eating 800 calories though!

MeridaBrave · 20/04/2026 21:38

My worrying conclusion from this thread is that too many menopausal women are surviving on 1,200 calories for fear of gaining weight without worrying enough about the longer term risks of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that are more likely in under fueled women.

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:37

menno · 20/04/2026 21:16

I have done over 14,000 steps today and a session with weights. How much more can I move with work, family and everything else?

Show quote history

If you burn more calories than you consume it's not.possible to gain actual weight. Basic science

Zempy · 20/04/2026 21:34

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:02

Move more

Show quote history

I’m disabled.

Original poster

menno · 20/04/2026 21:16

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:02

Move more

Show quote history

I have done over 14,000 steps today and a session with weights. How much more can I move with work, family and everything else?

OP posts:

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:02

menno · 20/04/2026 17:19

How do we stop the weight gain then? If I eat more my weight goes up. I am already in the overweight category.

Show quote history

Move more

Oldgoatinaboat · 20/04/2026 21:00

UniquePinkSwan · 20/04/2026 19:22

I haven’t put weight on but I never eat carbs or sugar. I’m eating 3 times a day as well.

What a miserable existence

ChampagneLassie · 20/04/2026 20:15

MrMucker · 20/04/2026 09:06

Yes it's depressing but you sound like you're making a good go of eating to maintain the weight you are happy with and to future proof yourself. You can still treat yourself, but in other things which suit you better nutritionally. You're doing all the right things.
What really IS depressing is the number of younger people (ie pre menopausal) who think you're eating this way as some sort of stealth brag, this is a theme that comes up here now and then.
"my parents will come out with us only to eat no more than half a potato and some salmon, abusive! Controlling! Judgy! I'm going no contact".
They know nothing!

Eat what you like (or don’t)! I think the problem is people who eat like small birds love to boast about it and make others feel guilty by constantly commenting on how much they’re eating. My parents couldn’t possible eat more than two meals a day and even and were contenually negging me about how much I was eating (I’m breastfeeding so probably eating many more calories than a normal adult, I’m also losing weight as I can’t seem to eat enough to keep pace with it, so last thing I need is someone trying to make me loose weight!

ThatWaryLimePeer · 20/04/2026 20:02

Darkspiderplant · 20/04/2026 09:08

Same here. I have to be so strict with what I eat, otherwise the pounds pile on. I track my calories religiously now. I had a spell where I was eating 1800 cals a day and doing 4 weight workouts a week and I didn’t lose any weight at all in 6 weeks. It is so depressing.

I am not surprised, 1800 calories sounds more like an amount for maintenance.

Delatron · 20/04/2026 19:53

BringBackCatsEyes · 20/04/2026 19:47

I was joking. PP said to eat 1.5 times body weight in protein.
If body weight was 60kg that would be 90kg of protein.

I know what she means obv!

Show quote history

I very quickly clarified what I meant!
1.5 grams per kg of body weight.

i just think I weight around 60kg so I need 1.5 times that in grams in protein.

BringBackCatsEyes · 20/04/2026 19:47

Frequency · 20/04/2026 18:03

It's really not hard to meet, just make sure each meal has a good quality protien source.

Greek yoghurt + whey protein powder or eggs for breakfast
Prawn/tuna/chicken salad for lunch
Protein shake after a workout
Chicken/turkey and veg for dinner + Greek yoghurt or Skyr and fruit for dessert

Show quote history

I was joking. PP said to eat 1.5 times body weight in protein.
If body weight was 60kg that would be 90kg of protein.

I know what she means obv!

popcornandpotatoes · 20/04/2026 19:43

bumptybum · 20/04/2026 19:33

Because some of us really like the way we look and wish to maintain that sort of body shape into our old age. Why is that looked down upon.

I don’t want to ‘ooof’ when I sit down or have to use my arms to help me up. I like being able to jump up onto a counter to change the lightbulbs. I also like being able to carry 20kg bags of dog food in from the delivery van.

i train hard in the gym and am strong. I also like to be able to choose clothes that I like rather than what fits me and hide bits I don’t like.

Show quote history

Yes being fit and strong is great, I love the gym. But that's not what this thread is about. And if maintaining the way you look leads to eating toddler sized amount of foods from menopause until death then I personally would reconsider my values.

Loomis · 20/04/2026 19:41

Frequency · 20/04/2026 19:40

I don't eat 1200 calories a day, I eat closer to 1600, but that is because I am in recovery from ED and find it hard to actually meet my calorie goals, which should be closer to 2200/2300 calories a day on heavy days and 1800 on rest/light days.

1200 is not enough to meet your nutritional requirements in terms of macro or micronutrients.

Show quote history

I agree and yet multiple people on this thread are claiming they cannot eat as much as 1200 calories, or even less.

Which I would argue has nothing to do with being healthy and everything to do with being thin.

Frequency · 20/04/2026 19:40

Loomis · 20/04/2026 19:36

Ok well, I have no desire to carry around 20kg bags of dog food, nor to jump up on the kitchen side to change a light bulb, but you do realise that the choice isn't eating 1200 calories a day consisting of chicken and beans, OR being morbidly obese and unable to move in one's old age, don't you.

Show quote history

I don't eat 1200 calories a day, I eat closer to 1600, but that is because I am in recovery from ED and find it hard to actually meet my calorie goals, which should be closer to 2200/2300 calories a day on heavy days and 1800 on rest/light days.

1200 is not enough to meet your nutritional requirements in terms of macro or micronutrients.

Loomis · 20/04/2026 19:37

menno · 20/04/2026 19:35

This thread is not about being thin. It is about how hard it is to lose weight or maintain when menopausal.

Show quote history

I beg to differ given the frankly disturbing amount of disordered eating and body dysmorphia dressed up as concern for health.