Peri does not necessarily mean weight gain [Content warning added by MNHQ: mentions eating disorders]

[irisetta]

Precursor - I have always struggled with eating disorders. Anorexia, bulimia, a weird spitting one that psychiatrists still struggle to classify 20 years later, that's me. The thing that has absolutely saved me is exercise. Running (or jogging) a slow 5k 4-5 times a week, weight training 3 times a week, Pilates twice a week. At 44 I'm trimmer and fitter than I've ever been. I am still struggling with eating disorders though. And that's with 2 kids. Both ND (like me). I'm terrified of passing my disorder to them. They are bright, intelligent kids.

My AIBU -

AIBU - YES Peri DOES mean weight gain, unless you are a disordered nutter like yourself

NAIBU - You can actually not get fat when you hit perimenopause, without being all disordered and crazy, you weirdo

IBU - Yeah we all get fat in the end, deal with it

I'm like my mum petite with skinny arms and legs but could easily pass off as 9 months pregnant. I think your genes have a lot to do with it.

I rather suspect the lots of exercise + happy menopause combo is a chicken/egg situation. If their menopause is relatively easy, women are able to keep up their exercise regimes. They then put their lack of symptoms down to their fitness. Lots of us are forced by menopause symptoms to cut right back on exercise.

It's clearly worth continuing to do what we can, but the way we age is genetic as much as anything else. Underlying health problems tend to make themselves known around this time, too, as in my own case. I was as fit as fuck at 44. By 54, I needed a long rest after a one-mile walk. It's hard enough to come to terms with; we don't need other women implying we've got problems because we didn't try hard enough.

This is the best post.

Besides being ( dangerously) unhelpful to people with ED, do the “ oh but if you aren’t running and “jumping”(!?) with your family like Me it’s your own fault you don’t feel as great as I do” brigade not have any self-awareness of how twatty they sound to the very many people who can suffer from a wide range of quite debilitating menopausal symptoms.

I'm on the other side of meno in my mid 50's. I've never had to watch what I eat.. now I do. Any weight I gain goes to my stomach and I can literally see it moving to my hips So the weight distribution changes.

I do think to myself that at the end of my life, will one of my regrets be "I wish I'd been thinner?" I don't think so!

For me, the answer to that question will depend a lot on the cause of my impending death! I think it's pretty well known that most ill health and early death is linked to lifestyle choices - it's not just about how good we look in a swimsuit.

You’re not even in perimenopause OP, don’t be silly

You're on Mumsnet, every woman over 35 is in perimenopause.

If their menopause is relatively easy, women are able to keep up their exercise regimes. They then put their lack of symptoms down to their fitness. Lots of us are forced by menopause symptoms to cut right back on exercise.

I know I wouldn’t have the energy to exercise if I wasn’t on HRT. I’ve always been active, but not much of an exerciser. Suddenly I feel more able and motivated to do it. I also think I’m having a bit of an emotional breakthrough as I seem to be reconnecting to my child (pre puberty) self, and I think it’s all linked. So I think you are right - I am fortunate. I’m only 48 but I think I’ve been in perimenopause since my very early 40s (my DSis is younger than me and has had significant issues).