Help me lose menopause weight!

[Zofloramummy]

I’m 49 and have been in perimenopause for 4 years now and my periods are very infrequent.

l have put nearly 2 stone on, it is all around my stomach. I haven’t changed what I eat or my activity levels but having been slim for most of my life I am now a size 16.

I am limited in what I can do in terms of exercise as I have pins and plates in my ankle and don’t have full mobility.

I was thinking of trying the 800 diet, what have other people tried?

I can’t walk long distances (ankle problem) but I’m looking at buying a static bike for cardio.
What about using a rowing machine . Done correctly it will give you a cardio work out but with resistance
The elliptical machine is also good. Using different machines that aren't going to hurt your ankle is going to keep you interested.
Also if you can walk, I would suggest nordic poles to help to take a lot of pressure from your ankle. My friend used these while she was waiting for an ankle replacement and afterwards to recover. She liked it so much she is now part of a nordic walking group.

Be careful with calcium supplements. The medical thinking on those is changing, and there is new research (with Prof Tim Spector former rheumatologist ) advising against them. There is some evidence that they can cause hardening of the arteries. As long as you get around 700mcg calcium a day from food, you don't need supplements.

I’ve made a start today, I have bought a large Stanley style water cup for work as I never drink enough. For lunch I’ve had half a prepared salad bowl with half a tub of low fat cottage cheese. Tea has been a tray bake of vegetables (red onion, garlic, courgette, red pepper, cherry tomatoes) with salmon, olive oil, lemon juice and black olives. I have half left for tomorrow.

Surprisingly I’m not too hungry (probably all the water!), I feel quite positive for making a start.

You are suffering from middle-aged spread (as am I). Try replacing a tablespoon of carbs with a tablespoonful of veg/salad at every meal. Drink more water, and even a couple of minutes more of gentle exercise a day will help.

That sounds delicious, particularly the veggie tray bake (I do similar except its on a BBQ skewer done under the grill).

Don't cut out carbs completely though - they are an important food group.

I’m in exactly the same boat, age 49 perimenopausal, periods all over the place, used to be a size 8/10 but my weight is creeping up and I’ve put on a stone in the past year. I also have fibromyalgia which means I’m constantly in pain and constantly exhausted so exercising is so difficult. Any stress can make things worse so I’m worried about dieting. I’m on day 2 of cutting out processed foods and sugar so far so good, drinking loads of water, I’ve gone to the toilet today too as I’ve been I constipated which is a new thing for me as I’ve always been an everyday regular person. Oh I’m also vegetarian which makes getting enough protein a bit more challenging,

I found, as well as putting on weight, flour hard to digest going into perimenpause. I now buy bags of nuts and mix them in a box so there's an interesting mix of ones I like. I can then have a small pot of them for breakfast instead of toast/sweet cereal. For lunch I'll try to have a small omelette/soups/ jacket potato/yesterday's leftovers. Evening meal is a meat and veg homecooked option with no bread/pastry only small amount of rice/pasta. Lots of herbs, spices, chillis for flavour.
An occasional kitkat but no big puddings.

So far I’ve lost 3 pounds (it’ll be water!) but I’ve massively upped my water intake and cut down to 1300/1400 calories a day.
I feel fine, I’m not particularly hungry and I’m quite enjoying eating a lot of veg and salad.
I tried a protein shake for breakfast today as I never eat before midday and thought it might help kick start my metabolism a bit earlier.

Sounds good OP. Now the weather is getting better we all need less 'comfort food'; it's easier to have salads when you're not cold.
I've lost a bit of weight recently but, being perimenopausal, my skin isn't as taught so it's not as obvious as when I was younger. It's still good to reduce the invisible fat around organs (that's what I'm reminding myself anyhow!).

Just a quick update, I’ve now lost 9 pounds! I’m quite happy with how it’s going, it will take me some time to get down to my target (need to lose 2 stone). But I’m out of obese and into overweight on my BMI.

That's brilliant progress!

Seconded! This must be one hell of a boost 😀

Brilliant progress. Keep going OP

Fasting! I’m post menopausal and fast 20/24, no sugar and no refined carbohydrates. I’ve lost weight and all my aches, pains and stiffness has gone.

Thank everyone!