Weight gain - help!

[CeciliaMars]

I am 47 and have a Mirena coil and estrogen patches. I feel like I’m literally piling on weight! I have a band of hard fat around my belly that I’ve never had before, and I’m now a size 16 after years of being a 12-14. I know I need to eat more protein, exercise more… I don’t really drink any more. Does anyone have any tips or words of wisdom? Thank you!

If you know you need to exercise more and change your diet - it’s worth making changes in these areas and it will make a difference if you stick to it.

So… you could start off by going for a brisk walk before dinner. Tonight!

And what do you have planned for dinner?

I’m currently on holiday with very little control over the food - hating myself in a swimsuit! Planning the changes I’m going to make when I get back. Greek yogurt for breakfast, protein and veges for lunch and dinner. If I walk to work and back it will take an hour a day… thank you for your answer!

Oh come on - of course you have control over what you eat.

all inclusive? LOADS of salad option and fruit and protein.

Restaurants? Just select mindfully

self catering? As above

Low carb up the protein
Hrt?
slow thyroid? common in women over 40

Neither - husband has fallen off a wall and can’t walk, I can’t drive the car and the only food at the local shop is crap, so please be kind.

The only way to get it under control is to realise that you can no longer eat what you fancy. An eating plan, sans cake, crisps etc… I find I no longer have any margin for “goodies” but I’m filling up on actual good food. It’s not easy, but that & exercise are the answer!

I hear you, though! I’m trying on holiday clothes today, and I’m not happy… There’s a big belly that I’ve never had before. And a week or two off the bread or sauce ain’t gonna fix it. It’s time to bring out the big guns! A lifestyle change it is, slowly but surely…

Thank you, yes I know you’re right. I can no longer keep eating as before and expect to stay the same. It’s depressing isn’t it!

BTW, try not to worry on hols. Eat as well as you can, but make a plan when you get home.

The mirina coil gave me what I described as “wearing a blow up rubber ring of fat round my waist”. Had it removed after 3 months and the fat ring deflated back to normal.

Don’t put yourself under pressure on holiday! Start changing your diet once you get back. Also, apparently weight lifting is important for us at our age, to help metabolism and increase bone strength. It’s probably worth looking into.

But eating things like fresh salads, Greek yoghurt with berries etc is a pleasure and not a punishment

I’m so…. Trainers on an a thirty minute brisk walk

tonight - load up of beautiful salads, protein and finish off with free yoghurt and berries. Delicious

So what have you been eating? Are you stuck in the Airbnb for rest of holiday and restricted to the one local shop?

i wish I could! I’m stuck in a small Spanish apartment, unable to drive and buying crap from the local shop as I can’t drive and my husband has hurt himself. I was just looking for a bit of support and advice for when I hopefully make it home on a few days! I know there’s no magic bullet, but any advice appreciated.

You can do this and make a tiny change today. It will make you feel like you’ve at least started.