2 stone weight gain????

[NoToLandfill]

Please tell me this is avoidable. My GP just told me that was the average weight gain through menopause. I am so depressed at the thought of having no control over an extra 14 Kilos of weight. How on earth does it happen? What can I do? So upset

Sorry but even if your GP is right - meaning that's what they see in their patients- it's not the case. It's nonsense, basically.

My BMI is around 19, many years post meno, been on HRT for over 12 years.

You don't have to put on weight. And you can lose it.
Maybe try the weight loss forum here for ideas?

Many older women do put on weight but it’s not inevitable. I did put on a stone at 1 point in my late forties/early fifties. But it was definitely because I was snacking and eating far too much at that time. Now that I have stopped my bmi is back down to between 21 and 22. I eat out, have cake, chocolate, wine and takeaways but I watch portion size and don’t overdo it.

Thanks peeps. Good to hear it's not totally inevitable

I find it takes much longer to undo the effect of even a small indulgence, I might gain 2lb overnight if I have a meal out and then it takes two weeks to lose the 2lb. I essentially have to eat healthily 99.9% of the time and can't 'get away' with even as often as a weekly indulgence because the weight will slowly creep up.

Don't panic! I've actually lost 20lbs since I started HRT, I've been peri since my early 40's and wish I'd went for help sooner, but I had no idea my symptoms were hormonal. I've been on Femoston since last September and have just increased my dose xxx

I've never had to diet, watch my weight etc. So along with all the generally awful peri symptoms and feeling like my body and mind is falling apart at 45, I am feeling pretty shit. Oh and my cholesterol is high. So that's great too. Not.

I joined a gym and have lost weight. No way I'm giving in to menopause weight gain bollocks.

You'll have to get into the habit of watching what you eat etc OP.

Try not to think of it as a 'diet' but a review of your eating habits. If you have high cholesterol, it sounds as though that would be beneficial regardless of weight. Some people who are slim coast along unaware that their cholesterol is through the roof because they've never had to think about what they eat.
Healthy eating isn't just about weight - it's about the health of your heart and other vital organs - and improving your fitness and general appearance, healthy skin and hair and so on.
Try to look at what you eat not how much you eat - are there processed foods, refined carbs and sugar that you can cut out, while increasing your intake of fruit, veg and proteins? That might be all you need to do.

Maybe that's your body type @JinglingHellsBells
Not much help to those of us with different reactions to our hormones.

Ok, thanks again. I'm new to this board. Thanks for the advice

It's not inevitable. We used to think that metabolism slowed down at menopause but studies have shown that's not the case. What is the case, is that menopause makes you tired. Really tired. And tired people reach for carb-heavy, sugary foods for the energy boost, which leads to weight gain. If you can be aware of that and avoid increasing your calories, then weight gain can also be avoided.

@SmiledWtherisingsun It's most definitely not my body type 😀Genetically, I am an apple type. It's just a lot of careful eating, watching portion size, trying to exercise, and never letting myself put on more than 4-5 lbs before cutting back. Heart disease right across my maternal side so try really hard not to accumulate tummy fat. It's not easy!

Constant vigilance is needed now. I’m 51 and from the age of about 48, I have found that weight goes on very quickly and comes off more slowly than ever before in my life. I just make sure that I weigh myself regularly and knuckle down immediately if I see an increase which seems to be trying to set up camp. I chase the same 3 or 4 pounds off constantly. But it works. I weigh pretty much the same as I always have with a healthy BMI. No surrender!

Definitely not inevitable.
Same as a previous poster, a couple years post meno, BMI 19
As fit as a fiddle, never gone down HRT route. I weigh myself every morning if I do put on a pound or two I cut back for a couple of days.
I am very conscious about eating well and exercising a few times a week, however I love food, wine, cheese, crisps etc. Everything in moderation, dull but true

I certainly have, but I ended up on mirtazepine becuase my sleep was wrecked. I just ballooned after that. I was going through a lot of other stresses too so I can't blame just that. I think I just had too much going on at once, brain fog etc and my willpower went out of the window.

I've hauled myself together and given myself a stern talking to, and am now on fast 800 keto and managing to lose OK, I just need to keep it up.

Interesting AndSoFinally, that sounds about right. I'm about 4kg heavier post covid, lost it now gained it again. Maybe this is my 4kg yo-yo. Am upping the exercise and trying to be sensible.