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.

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

Thank you for the kind comments. I'm menopausal, you know — and they've really put a smile on my face

@poopypants Yes, the weight loss did plateau but that was kind of the plan. I started at WW when I was around 44 and lost around three stones in the first year: steady weight loss of around a pound a week. I then spent the best part of four years losing another stone and a half. I went to WW every week and lost a pound, gained a pound but slowly, slowly it came off. During this time I'd engaged the help of my absolutely amazing trainer and braved the gym to do some lifting (which I'd heard was good for the bone density prior to the Big M). At 49, I was a nice size 12 and around 10 1/2 stones but I have a naturally androgynous type skeleton and I wanted to make the best of what I had. So I set myself a target to hit 9 stones before I was 50 in March 2017 and made it in the nick of time

That's about where I am now but ..... I'm looking to do a bodybuilding competition in the future so I'll have to shred another half stone during the run up to the competition but ..... that's a future goal.

I honestly do feel so much better than I did at 39 and I'm sure it's helping with the symptoms of the menopause, which are fortunately very mild in my case.

Wishing you all well. It can be really shit for us women at this time of life so we need to stick together, chat and offer encouragement and help.

PS You can see from the pics where I get my user name from

[runningtogetskinny]

Well done @NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace ! Weighed 10st 1 pound today, ate no crap and ran 7 miles off road tonight. I have to wear a 24 hour blood pressure monitor tomorrow, getting it fitted at 11.30 so no doubt that'll add to my menopausal joy! Rejoined the gym so going at 6.30 before work

[Bringonspring]

Well done all! I just sorted my wardrobe also so have in mind some outfits I’d like to fit into again!

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

Evening all.

@nicelegs great photos. And I love the white dress. You look lovely.

Bringonspring that's a good idea. I have a bag of clothes for my future slim self to wear. I suspect that might never happen but I can dream

I weighed myself this morning and I was 11 4. That's post-holiday weight so I'm hoping a couple will come off very quickly. 11 2 is the top of my normal BMI range so first target is to get back under that.

I've had a successful day apart from a minor chocolate binge after a run.

Good luck everyone

[LewisCarroll]

Morning

Day two for me today. Fingers crossed for a successful day on the diet front.

I've got a huge headache from lack of sugar and Diet Coke. Yesterday was my first day Diet Coke free in years. I usually have two cans a day. I'm attempting to drink more water but it just doesn't hit the spot.

[Bringonspring]

I should give up Pepsi max. I use to just have one a day but have gone up to two! I will try and just have one!

Day 2 for me, I actually experience the pangs of hunger when I woke up this morning. It occurred to me that it has been a very long tine since I felt this because of constant snacking. I never eat when hungry-quite shocking when I think of it really.

[LewisCarroll]

@Bringonspring I woke up hungry too, it's not a feeling that I am familiar with. I usually graze all day so I never feel hungry.

[fessmess]

Me too. I have a weird pudgy back and a more rounded stomach. When I think about how much I used to eat compared to now I could cry. Tbh I don't get as hungry but I still eat out of habit. Yoga and Pilates help me.

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

@KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse Thank you so much. I'm gonna fess up about the dress. I bought it for £3 from my favorite local charity shop (supports a local hospice). It still had the tags on so someone had clearly bought it and had a change of heart. I think a lot of people do that ..... which is how I acquire most of my stuff

I'm going to try and keep this thread going. It exactly suits my circumstances and I think it will be really helpful to me. Hope I can offer some tips and tricks to you guys too

So, onto the day. I was unwell last week; mystery virus sort of thing. I do feel better this week but my body is exhausted; I feel completely drained I'm at the gym tonight with my trainer; hopefully he'll bear that in mind and ease me back in gently.

Didn't fancy any breakfast so just had an apple this morning. Stopped by Aldi and picked up some more apples and nectarines for the office. I've brought a homemade chilli and veg for lunch and I'll have a banana half an hour before training.

Have a good day everyone. Let's keep this going, share tips and tricks and help each other out. I'm just realising how much the menopause can affect women. My symptoms are mercifully mild but still enough to throw me out of kilter now and again.

Speak soon.

[Humphriescushion]

Been lurking on this thread and finally come out of denial and got on the scales! Weight has been creeping up and i could not fit a pair of trousers on yesterday - could not get past my thighs!
So back on slimming world and upping my excercise. I am also aiming to eat more friut and veg since i rarely eat much.

I have also realised I am turning into a horrible person, think i spend too much time on my own and have too much time to dwell on perceived slights. So I am trying not to worry and turn spiteful thoughts off and give myself a talking too. Take friends at face value and not worry that they prefer other people etc etc.

trying to mosturise my flaky body so at least the fat looks better.

Good luck everyone, this thread has been a kick in right direction and is good to see i am not alone.

[LewisCarroll]

Thing is I hate any form of exercise.

I do have a mini trampoline in the loft but I fear my menopausal fanjo might piss itself

[AuntieMarys]

lewiscarroll

[Manumanadoodoodadoo]

Hi lewis yr post could've been mine! I'm 11 3 and could do with losing 2 st. Also not on hrt because of the risks. Im an emotional eater so eat when I'm fed up and seem to be hungry at bedtime when its the worse time to eat for weight gain! Walking is meant to be great for weight loss and now it's better weather should be easier. Can't believe I'm this big! I feel so frumpy but we gotta do this lewis before we become humungous and can't move so well from the extra weight on our joints. I'm going to exercise at home today. It's not one day it's day one!

[GenuineKlatchianPottery]

I’m doing 18/6 after seeing it mentioned a few times on here. I’ve been unconsciously doing it for most of my life anyway . Except the last year, where I’ve basically eaten anything that wasn’t nailed down (and even then I’d probably gnaw around the nail). In the last year I’ve given up smoking and cut down my coffee to 2 cups a day, I’ve also changed from the full fat coke to Coke Zero.
Weighed myself this morning and I’ve lost 4lb. I’m starving though, going to have some granola and yogurt in an hour.
Tea is vegetable burger and celeriac wedges with spinach salad.

[Riddleofthesands]

I’ve lost 4 lbs too , no breakfast, lunch is 2 scrambled eggs and one piece of seeded bread, dinner is a huge pile of green veg and a fillet of fish or chicken breast. My appetite has adjusted to this. No sweet tooth but I cannot have crisps in the house or I eat them all. Still having two glasses of wine with dinner. Wasted calories I know.

[LewisCarroll]

@Riddleofthesands
@GenuineKlatchianPottery

Well done both of you. 4lbs each is so good. Really pleased for you.

My first weigh day will be on Monday.

[ToEarlyForDecorations]

Kindred spirits all.

I'm perimenopausal. Just waiting for the first year without a period to complete.
I'm very heavy. I'm so big I'm just about stop-and-stare fat. (Super morbidly obese - blood pressure meds - you know the drill.)
However, as it's my birthday tomorrow I've got a few days grace before I properly pick up the cudgels of my diet.

However, I AM interested in losing weight. So, as I said at the beginning of my post - kindred spirits all.
(I used to run 10kms before work - what happened ? Um, life I guess)

[Bringonspring]

Welcome to the newbies. Day 2 is going well. There are cupcakes in the office and I have ignored them!

Toearly-happy birthday! We’ll expect an update of your diet on the 6th then

[Iambuffy]

Oh God, yeah. 46 nearly 47. Been in peri for 6 years. Utterly, utterly grim.

I'm simply not prepared to starve myself though. No food at all til dinner and running a billion miles a week? Fuck that.

I need to lose 2 stone. In fact 1 would be good.

Struggling atm with hip bursitis (from dancing for 6 hours in 4 inch wedge heels....I know....I know....)
so gym has stopped but started some gentle yoga again.

I just to feel better, you know? I'm totally find with never being a size 8 again!

[poopypants]

Manumanadoodoodadoo HRT may not be for everyone but please, don't resist based on 'risk factors' that may well be outdated. The big panic a few years ago was based on flawed data. The recent, proper, comprehensive research has shown a very, VERY small increase in some risks and a DECREASE in other risks.

If you start HRT before you're 60 it does not increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
HRT does not affect your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
HRT TABLETS (but not patches or gels) slightly raise the risk of stroke. However, it is important to remember that the risk of stroke in women under 60 is very low.
HRT REDUCES the risks of Osteoporosis.

Overall, 22/1000 women will get breast cancer. HRT increases this to a possible 27/1000. You need to see this against other risks that women happily fly in the face of - a glass of wine a day will result in the same increase as HRT. Being overweight will increase the chances 4x more than HRT. Even on HRT, you are 979/1000 NOT to get breast cancer. The increase risk is tiny and it is ridiculous to suffer in life based on that tiny increase yet happy bounce along carrying extra kgs and drink alcohol!

Additionally, whilst Oestrogen only HRT does increase your risk of womb cancer, the combined Oestrogen and preogesterone (and I believe progesterone is ALWAYS prescribed now) does not increase the risk.

Don't take HRT of you don't want to but please, don't suffer needlessly based on discredited data.

[Riddleofthesands]

Thank you poopypants I found your post very helpful. I am not on HRT, but if my symptoms get much worse I would seriously consider it. I tend to avoid the GP and ride things out but you are quite right there is a point when it becomes a case of suffering needlessly.

[ShitStrategy]

I'm pre-menopausal, does that count? Really really need to lose weight but a) I get such limited losses even why I really go for it diet wise, and b) I can't stop bloody eating great bingeworthy amounts of food lately.

I need to lose weight for my liver and my spine.

[notfromworcester]

@ShitStrategy me too. It's so much effort to shift even half a stone I inevitably lose the will to carry on.

I'm really determined this time as Ive no desire to replace my whole wardrobe and everything's tight.

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

Totally agree with poopypants about HRT. There's a sentence I never thought I'd type

It's particularly true if you have an early menopause where the added risks of osteoporosis outweigh the risks of taking it. Speaking of which I'm going for a bone scan tomorrow. Not sure I want to know really.

I was 11 1.8 this morning but I think I overdid the fasting yesterday because I've barely stopped eating today. It's nice to get back under the magic 11 2 though.

I'm aiming to get back in the 10s by the weekend.

[WeeWeed]

@poopypants - very interesting, thank you. I decided to try out herbal stuff before going down the HRT route and I am so glad I did. I haven't had a hot flush or low mood since. I wouldn't hesitate to take HRT if that were to change. I still occasionally wake in the morning with a sort of dread but can talk myself out of that in a few minutes. Waking during the night is sometimes an issue but it doesn't seem to affect my day as much as it used to. I think the sleep I am getting in general is a better quality.

Day 1, yesterday, was tough but I weighed myself this morning and I was 2lbs down - very happy with that

Day 2 was pretty easy, I even skipped lunch as I was too busy.