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Menopause

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Why can't I lose weight

7 replies

Finsbury · 04/09/2017 09:15

Around my middle? I'm 56 (today). Used to be slim - 8 stone ish. Now probably 9 and a half. In the past if I felt a bit fat I would just cut out a few things, eat less, and be back to normal in a few weeks. Why is it so impossible since menopause? I do exercise and don't overeat really, but this spare tyre won't go away. Really dislike the shape of my body. It's quite depressing.Tell me your tips please Smile

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 04/09/2017 11:13

You won't like this but the only answer is to eat less of some foods.
I'm just under 8 st but tiny boned and this is the right weight for me- been this size all my life.
However, like you, I find the weight (rolls of fat, let's be honest) go round my waist and nowhere else just as soon as I look at a cake.

You've got to cut back on food. I eat very few carbs. I'm gluten intolerant which helps a bit although I do bake using GF flour etc.

My daily food consists mainly of lean protein, fruit, vegs and a tiny amount of carbs.

I've made small changes, for example, I don't eat sandwiches for lunch, I'll make the filling into a salad. Or have some soup but no bread with it. I have an egg or two every day for breakfast. 1 slice toast. For dinner it's always chicken, fish, lean meat, lentil based veggie dish, and 3-4 veg, then plain greek yoghurt and fruit. And that's it , all day. I don't snack on sweets, or buy cakes or biscuits, or crisps, and as I'm allergic to booze I don't drink that. Once a week we might have a pudding as a treat.

It might sound boring but tbh it's the only thing that works for me.
You also need to watch portion size. If I eat a pudding- like a fruit crumble- I eat it from a ramekin dish. A small portion.

Finsbury · 04/09/2017 13:10

I should give low carbing a go then. Do you think it is harder to lose weight after menopause ? Or is it just me Confused

OP posts:
olderandnowiser · 04/09/2017 20:12

Not just you, Finsbury! I too was always quite slim without really trying but I gained weight when the menopause hit. I also found that the fat 'sits' around my middle and is very difficult to shift. I lost some of it but frankly I got bored with having to eat so little, so now I compromise and try to eat healthily but if I want cake and chocolate sometimes, I have it.

PollyPerky · 04/09/2017 20:37

Metabolism changes in both men and women in middle age.
Women develop a more 'male' shape with a belly and no waist (if they don't work at keeping fat at bay.) This is due to loss of estrogen. It's also the reason that women's risk of heart disease increases post meno, in line with men's , because of more visceral fat around the internal organs.

HRT is supposed to offset this to an extent and make our lipids less likely to be 'bad ones' and may also help prevent diabetes type 2.

Finsbury · 05/09/2017 14:13

olderandnowiser it is boring isn't it. And I run properly about 3 times a week so feel like I deserve something nice. Do not like my new shape at all !

OP posts:
Tormundsbeard · 14/09/2017 14:31

would taking oestrogen improve my metabolism? I had a symptomless menopause after hysterectomy at 41, so never took HRT. Now I am 50, extra weight is getting harder and harder to lose...

Fax · 14/09/2017 14:36

It's not true for everyone though. My weight hasn't varied much since I was 18. I've been around 10.5 stone from 18 to 55. Post menopause I've dropped to below 10 stone. No change in shape either. I'm pear rather than apple shaped if that makes a difference?
I eat the same and have never dieted.

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