Have really vacillated over whether to post on this thread. Apologies if I rub anyone up the wrong way, I honestly don't mean too.
Like many here, I was always the small one too. I was also the best dressed as well. Then along came an early menopause and I didn't recognise the person I was. I was in my late 30s when I realised I was perimenopausal. The first few years were horrendous, particularly how its effects took their toll on me psychologically - I no longer had idea of who I was or sense of self - this was the most frightening part of perimenopause. Am now 47 and three years post menopause.
The thing is, you can do something about these things. Yes, your body shape changes and you gain weight, but you don't have to accept it. Initially, I piled on almost 15 kilos in six months, and despite HIIT and spinning four times a week and changing my diet, I didn't lose weight. In fact I gained weight. But, I refused to be defeated and persevered.
Perimenopause affects the digestive system and gut. What worked was radically overhauling my diet - no sugar, no alcohol. Not that I drank much anyway, but the latter interfered with HRT anyway. I also took up resistance and weight training focusing on deadlifting and other compound movements. I built muscle which burnt body fact, and while I didn't lose all the weight, because muscle is more dense than fat, I look leaner than I did before menopause. I refused to throw out my old clothes and am glad I did because they all fit me once more. Best of all, my waist is back - like many on here, I'm an hourglass and losing my waist was one of the hardest things to come to terms with, and the desire to reclaim it was a huge motivation.
You can change things, but it's much harder. However, it can be done. But at the same time I appreciate it's a struggle and a huge amount of effort that not everyone can be bothered with.
Solidarity with you all. And to those contemplating HRT, do it, particularly if you're under 50.