Any menopausal fatties out there?

[LewisCarroll]

I have been slim all my life and then the menopause hit me and my waistline.

I really don't know how much I weigh, I last weighed myself a while back and I was 11 stone. I need to lose around two stone to get back to being me. I will be brave and weigh myself later on.

Motivation is going to be a massive problem for me so I hope that there are other menopausal fatties out there to keep me company.

I've always been slim...up until a year ago when the perimenopause symptoms kicked in. I've put on about 2st in a year and its all around my middle.
I don't even eat that much!

Thanks for the tip Riddle I will try ibuprofen, I don't know when the period is coming so won't be able to do the day before but I could do it as soon as I start. Like you recently I've had to change plans as I couldn't leave the house and I have been thinking I should be finding a way to deal with it rather than just accepting its one of those things we have to put up with.

I had the 'band' of fat and did not really know where it had come from. I think I noticed it about 6 years ago - always had a little belly and then looked down at my body one day and thought 'where has my belly gone?'
I was peri then and had been for a while I suspect. I was 11st 2 around that time.

Don't know what happened - I think I had a stressful period at home and at work, so dropped a stone without realising it. I am now 9st 13 - have not even tried, but I think another stressful time at work happened (it nearly broke me)

I have not had a period for more than two years, still get the night sweats and fizzy legs; also no HRT here.

I just think about what I am eating, as I don't want to go back to before

But my bloody bones ache; knees, hips and I actually feel worn out

Glad to hear I’m not alone, but sorry because it dies suck. I’m going to start tomorrow with the 16:8 my friend was raving about it today.

Just need to change a few long established habits.

@Bringonspring I have decided to try 16:8. Started this morning.

I spent the weekend eating everything in sight but today I have got my head into gear. My starting weight is 10st 12 3/4lbs.

I have been calorie counting for about 3 months because this is me too.

Sadly, I only seem to need to eat about 1400 calories to maintain, and so have to eat less than that to lose. It is nothing! I am not sure I can / want to live like this for the rest of my days. So depressing. I am upping my exercise to see if that gives me some wiggle room on the calories, but I already run 5k Mon - Fri and I am quite active between. I might try weights.

It never used to be this hard to keep the lbs off.

One thing that does seem to help me is having my main meal at lunchtime and skipping dinner / eating something very small. It does not fit in with the rest of the family lifestyle though so might be a nonstarter in the long run.

Same here with the square arse hoppity! My bum was always a bit on the flat side, but now it also seems to blend up into my life preserver waist. The first time I spotted it in a changing room, I was traumatised. I'm kind of used to it now, but I still hate it (obviously to the point of paralysis, since I can't bloody be bothered doing anything about it)

I was slim until my mid 30s, very overweight until my mid 40s and then I shifted six stones and now, at 52, am lighter than I've been since I was a teenager.

However ..... due to the big M, it is very hard work at present to keep my weight in check. A minor transgression and my system is very unforgiving: all goes on around my middle. I have to keep an eye on absolutely everything that goes in my mouth.

I'm determined to do it which is why I'm joining the thread.

Good luck to everyone else who's finding it tough. Hugs.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

The Big M, I like that.

16:8 and don't eat dinner. The weight has slowly started to shift but I have a long way to go. I was possibly too teeny at my lightest. 50kg at 5'3" left me ribby and with a seemingly big head...so my dream goal is possibly more like 57-60kg as I think my face will look dreadful if I was very slim again. But that still means a good 15kg to lose. A combo of thyroid and me upside has left me dumpy and matronly.

Nicelegs how did you shift 6stone if I may ask?

Yes! 54 - 14st 4 not on HRT

I don't know if it's purely the menopause that is piling the weight on, I think the copious amount of cake I shove in my gob might have something to do with it. I seemed to develop a sweet tooth around 42 when I entered the Peri stage.

I shifted 5 stone at 49 and it is creeping back. Started a diet back in Feb this year, I was very strict and stuck to it, just like I did when I shifted the 5st. I did not lose a single pound in three weeks. Went back to eating rubbish and haven't gained a single pound either - I was beginning to think my scales were broken (I have been really active so that might be a factor) Although the scales are not moving the spare tyre is getting bigger by the day.

Ready to try again.

I'm going to join you as well. I'm postmenopausal now & positively plump, which I never was before. I just wish I didn't love food & wine so much. Sigh.

Hi poopy, I did it through Weight Watchers: I know it's not popular with some people but .... worked for me. I'm still a member and I still weigh in every week. My starting weight was just under 15 stones and my current weight is just under 9 stones — before and after pics attached. I was 39 in the before pic and 50 in the after

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace COR!!!! you look amazing! Well done! Whatever works as long as it is n't desperately unhealthy and WW is pretty balanced I think. Good on you for sticking at it. Did you have periods where the weight just plateaued?

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace - wow, get you! Nothing wrong with Weight Watchers, far better than some batshit celeb diet regime.

I just walked 4 miles home from work and then ate a salad. Here we go.....

Although I am not menopausal yet (late thirties), I have experienced persistent stealthy weight gain once I hit 35. And it is very difficult to shift. I now low carb and do weights which is the only thing that has had any effect. From what I understand, people steadily begin to lose muscle after the age of thirty. This process accelerates with age. So even if the scales don’t change, the muscle is slowly being replaced with fat tissue over the years. Thus, exercise after 30 should concentrate on building or at least maintaining muscle mass. This will help with keeping metabolic rate decent, staving off osteoporosis etc. Good luck everyone!

44, perimenopausal and struggling like so many of you.

Gained almost three stone in two years, and can't remember the last time I had a waist - three years ago it was 25 inches. I've always weighed around 8 stone and now, well over 10. For the first time in my life I can't bear to look at myself when I'm naked and have totally lost interest in my appearance and clothes.

Took HRT for a bit but it made me gain more weight, so stopped. Started exercising like crazy but it didn't help. If anything, it made my body more stressed. Calorie-counting didn't help either. I like 16:8 and often stick to that window of eating. When I do, I do find it easier to stick to meals and no snacking.

I've got to the point where I can't bear the thought of steadily increasing in size year on year, because despite my best efforts to diet and exercise, I'm not winning the war. Have recently decided to invest some money in myself and found a trainer who specialises in weight training to reduce body fat. Very little cardio involved at all. Will also be seeing a nutritionist too.

I'm feeling more hopeful than I've done for a while and am excited to see what the Autumn brings.

I'm relieved to find this thread. I'm 12st 10 - nearly 3 stone heavier than at 12 weeks pregnant with ds1.

I've lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks on the 16:8 and am finding it surprisingly easy.

I'm doing light weights and the odd bit of running but really miss my toned curves

Wow to the before and after shots-good for you!

Ok first day done and broadly ok! I am going to weigh myself but I’ve also got a pair of shorts I’m eyeing up for the summer which will be a good bench mark for me!

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

Wow! Amazing

Evening all

Well I have managed to get through the day without over indulging and I've not eaten any chocolate. This is a massive achievement for me

My head hurts and I'm tired so it's going to be an early night for me.

Everyone ok?

I'm not weighing myself for the next 6 weeks. Threw away the scales years ago and only weigh myself if at my mum's or at the doctors. Next scales sighting will be middle of July. I'll just be braving the mirror before then.

I need to join in! 54 here, 5 ft 3 and must be around 12 stone! Weight has gradually crept in over the last year, tho i’ve always been a bit overweight. Lost 3 stone a few years ago on low carb/ intermittent fasting but somehow just went back to old bad habits. Will weigh tomorrow - eek !

Hurrah - I've found my people!

49 and peri-menopausal. I was one of those lucky ones who could generally eat what I like - however, now I've put on a stone in the last 18 months.......

My problem:

• I have no willpower
• I adore sugary stuff
• I find myself getting proper hangry when I'm even a little bit hungry
• I hate the feeling of starving myself. I then obsess about food
• I actually don't like exercise
• I dream of getting back into my dresses and jeans
• Each time I lose a pound or two, I treat myself, and promptly put it on again
• I love going out and eating good food and having a glass of vino at least 2-3 times a week

I fear I am a lost cause