Does your shape change with the menopause?

[Pepperypig]

I've always been pear shaped with big hips and a relatively small waist. I am peri-menopausal and I notice that I am really thickening around the middle and my boobs are bigger. My hips now seem less of an issue. I'm trying to diet and exercise but it's slow going. Anyone else experiencing this?

Also peri... I'm a similar shape to you, but have put on so much weight over the past few years that I'm not sure if it's just that or impending menopause that's behind my thickening waistline!
Boobs remain modest, alas.

Yep, thickening round the middle, but a bit lower than if I got a bit chubby when younger. Its hard to get rid of as well, sorry to say.

Boobs, well I have been re-born with Dolly Parton's. Before anyone tells me it is because I have allowed myself to get fat, I weigh under 9 stone. Its just distributed differently around my body.

I watch what I eat and walk for miles every day. I just feel better in myself if I get out exercising and it helps with mental wellbeing too.

Me! I have got decidedly thicker around the middle and it's very disheartening. Tops that were once loose, cling around my middle and make me feel fat and frumpy :( I don't know what to do! As I'm not willing to exist on diet food for the rest of my life.

Yep, thicker around the midriff and Dolly Parton has landed - and I exercise. Quite hard to shift weight like I used to.
Menopause is such fun

Haven't noticed any change myself.

Same here. Without changing weight or exercise regime I’ve suddenly acquired a vast muffin top. Used to be halfway between hourglass and pear 😟

Yes, definitely. I read somewhere that you should reduce your calorie intake by 20% at this lifestage just to stay the same weight. Didn't read it in time, though! I have gained about 20lb doing nothing different. Lost my waist and gone up 2 cup sizes.

Makes sense because calorie requirements do reduce post menopause.

Weight gain around the middle
Always been a slim size 10
Now I’m such a barrel shape nothing fits or seems flattering ...and I’ve gone from virtual flat chested to B/C cups oh how I’d love my old ones back ha ha
I’ve been through menopause but take HRT I’m 49

Yep, big apple belly and droopy tits. I agree with others who said it's the weight distribution that changes, as well as the weight gain.

Boobs got bigger. Look more pregnant now than I did either time I was actually pregnant. Eat much less than I used to.

How depressing! Well, I shall just have to resign myself to being a chubby older lady! My mum still constantly diets in her 70's and I really don't get why. She's not at all overweight by the way. I watch what I eat to a degree, but I just can't be doing with strict calorie counting.

Yep sorry ladies, bigger boobs, thicker waist, less hair. Oh joy

I have to say men are not immune to any of this.

Yes!

I used to think my mum blamed a lot on the menopause. Now I know she wasn’t fibbing

Oh God how depressing - I know it's very sad but I've bought this fat freezing belt - I put it in the freezer and wear it for an hour every night - it seems to make me pee more, which can only be a good thing (I know, I'm deluded - another sign of menopause!).

Oh and thinner eyebrows and eyelashes - and who knew that the down below area can have baldy patches!

Fat tummy, lardy thighs and ham hock arms. Oh and my inner thighs/ over my knees look like the Dali melting picture. All the chub that was in my face has gone this year however and I now look old and haggard. 20 pounds whooshed on and will not shift.

I would get your thyroid checked with thinning eyebrows.

Could explain the weight gain too.

I’m post and have put on so much weight. I bloody hate it! (To be fair two and half stones were giving up smoking related). It’s all on my stomach and hips. And after menopause it’s so hard to lose weight..

stayathomegardene don't think it's that - already been tested. Hey ho just need to eat a lot less and move a lot more.

I've lost weight recently (always exercised and been fit), and I have definitely been changing shape over the last few years - I'm menopausal. I've never been able to lose weight off my boobs, but they have gradually been shrinking, even before my weight loss. Waist has thickened in proportion to boobs, and hips have got bigger. At this weight in the past I'd have been 40-29-35. I'm now 38-30-36. It's actually easier to find clothes to fit, so no complaints here.

I've turned into a little fat thing. I was wearing big pants the other day and saw myself in the mirror. I looked like one of the Roly Polys. Not quite Mo, but getting there.

ChristmasFluff you're probably more in proportion. I used to have trouble getting dresses to fit because I was flat chested and had big hips - don't have that issue now!

I'm just coming out the other side of the menopause (I hope , night sweats have subsided to a gentle tsunami) , I have always been very slim and toned but I now have this horrible dimply layer of fat round my middle.

At least I'm not alone girls - I used to hate having big hips but I would take them over a big stomach any day. My previous shape is now in fashion and I'm slowly losing it- I'm turning in to my mum who has always been an apple shape.