Menopausal, HRT, unexplained weight gain, calorie deficit. Could this work ?

[bigyellowbin]

I've tried everything also but now believe that I cannot shift a single pound of weight if I eat above 1000 calories per day.
Possibly coupled with intermittent fasting.
I'm 5'7, 14 stone and broad. Never above 12'11 at my heaviest. The belly is now an overhang.
I'm past trying to understand the whys. This is what has happened . Exercise in the form of walking is more for my head than anything.
Has anyone done this ? Successful?
AIBU to think that this could be the answer?

It's really hard. I'm 51 and have been through the mill a bit with this.

What I find works is the following. Low carb and no sugar. I only break this at the weekend.

Weights. If you don't have a gym buy some handweights and use a YouTube channel like Pahla, it's focussed on weights for our specific needs.

No more high aerobics stuff, walking is great I still stick to my swimming but lower pace.

Hrt, absolutely helps. In fact it was this that resolved my joint ache.

I'm sure others have other tips.

Oh and yes I don't eat until noon. Doesn't work for everyone but definitely does for me.

I don't drink anything but water after 9.30 in the week. Definitely helps with the bloat.

I don’t really understand what you’re asking but calorie deficit diets are unsustainable in the long run.

I’d suggest looking at some info around extended fasting and eating less processed food. There are several doctors online with excellent content and a few are specifically targeted at menopausal women.

You're almost certainly eating more calories than you think. Weigh your food, don't forget to include calories in drinks (for example, a pint of semi-skimmed milk is 250 kcal), and log everything you eat, including random bites of stuff. It'll be eye-opening!

If that fails then there's something wrong with your metabolism (thyroid?) and you need a GP appt for blood tests.

The body stores oestrogen in belly fat which is why the spare tyre is so persistent.

We also start losing muscle to fat at this stage. Rather than focusing on losing weight, I’d suggest eating a high fibre, high protein and high nutrient diet and do some weight bearing exercise to build muscle and protect bone density.

All the things we’ve been conditioned to value about our bodies lead to terrible outcomes. We need to stop starving ourselves and treat our bodies well.

Following with interest. Really struggling with it these days. 51 years old and need to lose 25lbs.

I'm not menopausal and only 35 but I'm 5ft9 and only maintain if I eat 1200 to 1300 calories a day. I have no idea why. I'm not miscounting, I've dieted for years and Im very fit. I eat clean, lots of soups and salads. Low carb works really well for me, I find no carb and keto unsustainable past a week or 2. If you cut out bread and rice you might notice a difference. I'm afraid I don't have any answers beyond keep at it and slowly you will lose weight.

I'm in the same place, I've cut to 1200 per day sometimes under, increased protein, low carbs, cut wine and yet the belly is still getting bigger.

It's been 6 months if literally clothes getting tighter my entire body shape has changed in this time. I now look very dumpy as I'm on 5,2

I've never been this heavy in my life, and I feel it's like a runaway train of belly fat!

So I need to get my arse to the gym as low calorie alone just isn't going to work.

I've lifted for over 9 years in my past, tones life so I'm going to have to pop my big girl leggings on and head back to my weights.

Finding motivation is so so hard.

But I feel your pain.