Menopause and Weight Gain

[BaconAndAvocado]

I’m perimenopausal, haven’t had a period since April 2022.
I’m not overweight (yet) but having listened to a couple of friends who experienced weight gain in menopause I know it’s a thing.
I’ve recently developed an extremely sweet tooth and could happily binge on chocolate, cakes, biscuits etc if I allowed myself.
I never used to be like this.

My question is can a woman put on weight automatically in menopause or does the menopause increase appetite so, potentially , you can control your weight gain/what you eat.

Bump

I don't know the answer to this
I think the sweet tooth is a deficiency

I have been wondering this as well. I want to keep my waist! Your metabolic rate and muscle mass both decrease, which generally mean you need fewer calories per day to function (unless you start weight training like a pro) which means unless you eat less, you’ll definitely put a bit of weight on. I think the hormones have something to do with it too but I’m not so clear on that side of things.
i do know a couple of really slim ladies in their 60s and they all do a lot of exercise & don’t eat too much. They all look great & really healthy so I’m hoping to be like them and just get some discipline!

I found menopause was good for half a stone rise, boobs got bigger and everything kind of ‘spread’ sideways.
This was despite running every week (I can run half marathon distance), I ride my horse 5/7 days a week and eating similar amounts to before.
I’d probably lose the half stone If I put my mind to it, but I enjoy my food and you’re a long time dead.

definitely happening here, despite me walking 10k steps 7 days a week

I enjoy my food and you’re a long time dead I agree 110% 😀

For me, at the time I weighed the same but the weight distribution shifted somehow. I have no idea how that happened

I had a band of fat around my middle, starting under ribs. Its now gone (thankfully), and I have a waist again, but that was hard work and I am still very mindful of what I eat and I do more exercise

Also I think I was a bit blind to it and didn't realise my size. When I look back at photos, I can see it now

I did dump bread

I don't think it's inevitable. I haven't put on weight and I can think of lots of women I know who must be peri or post menopausal who are still slim.

I've been peri for a while with no weight gain. However, my sleep has been poorer the last couple of months and I notice that I've been eating more when I'm more tired.

I'm post menopausal, skipped the peri bit as some treatment I had put me straight into menopause.

That was April 2020 and I still weigh the same.

No weight gain at all compared to my 20s but I know I've lost muscle in my upper arms (hello batwings) and a bit on my thighs. I've been on HRT for almost 15 years.

I'm 47 and put on ten pounds out of nowhere last year. I'm still a healthy BMI but closer to the top of the range than I would like. It all went on my belly, when I've always had quite a neat waist before now. Metabolism lowers, muscle mass reduces, hormones go crazy. I guess some change is inevitable but I'm now on a mission to lose as many of those extra pounds as possible.

I haven't had a period for 6 months and am 51. I have definitely gained weight and believe it's due to changes in metabolism and hormones. I watch what I eat and have cut down on alcohol - but still indulge when I want to. I exercise regularly and am not on any HRT. I gained a belly which I have never had before and began taking probiotics about a week ago which has visibly reduced it - I'm going to keep taking them!

i hit menopause just before my 50th birthday. im now 57..i was size 8 and eight and half stone all through my 20s 30s 40s then almost overnight my weight piled on despite not eating differently. Im constantly bloated. My weight is now 10st.. not massively overweight but im 5ft 4 and i feel the extra pounds.I did take HRT at the start and blamed it on that but even when i stopped i still felt bloated and like i was in someone else body!

Menopause reduces your calories requirements

And feeling stressed - so menopause- can affect what and how you eat

I have gained weight.Now at nearly 66 I am not worrying too much and confessthat I am at the moment eating some lemon meringue pie instead of having a healthy lunch! @dont copy me.

I put on some weight, probably no more than 7-10lbs. My eating didn't change but I was less active due to constant fatigue.

It's now six years since my last period. I found around a year ago that the extra weight just came off over a few months. I see it as my body resetting itself in a way.