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.

Me! Trying to shift a stubborn half stone that my body is determined to hang on to. My metabolism has ground to a halt and I can only eat a fraction of what I used to without piling it on.

Can I join as well please ? I am 39 and perimenopausal - I seem to be gaining weight for no reason and my waist has significantly thickened.

I was slim all through until my early 29s when due to various health issues and medicines I gained a lot of weight. I was never obese but Inching there until on my 30th birthday I decided I had enough - lost 2 stone and got to a healthy BMI and maintained it for 8 years.
Now in the last 3 months am struggling. I do 16:8 but seem to be constantly hungry.

I weighed in this morning at 59.3 kgs which is the heaviest I have been in 7 years :( I go the gym 3-4 a week and have upped working with weights.

As I am short, every extra gym shows and I hate how I feel and am struggling to find. Way to break through.

If you are peri menopause at 39, look into hrt, it protects your bones....

Really enjoying reading the words of you inspirational menopausal ladies! I'm another who has pretty much eaten what I like all my life and not really bothered about my weight. After all, I can always get it off again if it starts to build up... Not now, though, it will not shift! Having a lovely husband who cooks for me (and gets offended if I don't eat it all) hasn't helped.

Not complaining, I'm 59 and have had very few problems with the menopause overall. But I really do want to get rid of some weight and finishing work (again, I know, lucky me) and leaving my desk job means I can do more exercise and get control of the cooking a bit more. So going to start with healthier eating and more walking/yoga/cross trainer. Starting tomorrow, it's birthday treat day today

On a positive note, although it does seem hard to lose weight when we get older, my friends who have retired have lost weight and become much fitter through lifestyle changes, so I'm trying to be optimistic. Mega-impressed with those of you who are going to the gym before work, I've never been able to do that!

Me! I could do with losing a stone that's gradually crept on since I had to stop running. I still gym and swim and do kettlebells. I'd quite happily not eat an evening meal but for the moment (two years till uni) that's when DD needs feeding so I like to sit down with her, though I make myself less, e.g. no carbs. I think cutting weekday breakfasts might be the way to go, I did 16:8 for a while. I structure my morning work around drinks though and black tea or coffee or herbal just isn't the same!

I’m another one - 44 - losing weight fairly successfully with 5:2 (lowish carb, keeping an eye on calories) and much more exercise but finding it utterly impossible to lose the tummy fat. When I’ve lost weight before it has been the first to go - now it’s just sitting there like a bloody inflatable ring.

I’m two weeks into the Newcastle/blood sugar diet (800 calories a day, low carb) which is apparently good for abdo fat ... I’m half heartedly doing some weights too.

Can I join too. I'm 45 and only just realised I could have been in perimenopause for a few years as my periods are 21 days apart and I had my first missed period recently. The last time I was able to have an effect on my weight\shape was 3 years ago when stopping sugar for 2 months gave me a flat stomach. Tried it last year and no effect. Same with running although I hate running and never keep it up.

I do pilates and will add weights. I'd live to walk more but live in a busy, urban area and I only enjoy walking in quiet green spaces.

I weigh 11 . 12 and have been that for ages. I'd be happy to be 11. Going to try 16 8 fasting.

@ComeBackBarack due to my age and a few health complications I have been referred to a menopausal clinic before they start HRT - am waiting for an appointment to come through now :)

I have pretty horrendous brain fogs and difficulty sleeping at night so hoping to get some help soon ish.

Haven't read the full thread yet but will catch up soon. :)

Stepped on the scale this morning and I have lost 2.5kg so far on the calorie counting.

Will not celebrate with chocolate. Will not celebrate with chocolate...

7.5kg to go!

Staying focused.

Amazing jointhedots. I really want to see the scales move just for motivation. I’m only on day 3 though

I did walk past the Waitrose bakery without buying anything today. I love the smell of fresh hot bread!!

Hi MFs,

Good start to the day. I've had a couple of hard boiled eggs and a plum for breakfast. I'm going out for a coffee at lunch time but have another couple of eggs that I can gave at my desk. And I've got some fruit if I get peckish in the afternoon.

Dinner is .... well, I may go out. If I do though it'll be a healthy choice: chicken or fish and salad/vegetables. If I say in, I'll have something similar

I'm on a mission now to get myself to bodybuilding competition weight. It should take me around a month or with the help and support of you lot

Look forward to hearing about your day

I bought some scales which arrived yesterday, never owned a pair in my life before.

Used to complete in a sport in my 20s that required me to be a minimum weight of 45kgs. I used to have to carry extra weights to get to the minimum ... and I thought I was fat.

Using MFP for calorie counting and so far sticking to under 1000 a day.

Eve that made me smile, you must have been tiny. I remember all through my 20s if the scales went up to 8 1/2 stone that was it I was officially fat and turned down invitations until I lost a half stone.

Meanwhile, weighed 9 st 9 lbs this morning, really pleased, tummy less massive. Goal is 9 st. Got that horrible anxious feeling hanging over me, a slight dread. Never used to get feelings like that. Forcing myself onto cross trainer for a half hour to try and lift mood.

Food will be 300 gr mushrooms and two eggs for lunch, dinner will be sardine fillets, roast peppers, Swiss chard and sugar snap peas.

Well done on your loss JoinTheDots and Happy Birthday Pywife2.

I've found my people! 54 and periods stopped last year - I don't miss them, I can even cope with hot flushes, but so identifying with those describing the new roll of fat around their waist. It's not so much the weight gain - it's the way it goes on. Never dieted in my life, but just this week decided to try cutting out carbs to see if that makes a difference. I start the day with a bowl of porridge which can see me through until 2pm (I work over lunch three days a week) with no hunger pangs, but no carbs after that. Hoping this will do the trick - or at least stop me gaining any more! The final straw for me was trying on a couple of favourite summer dresses that I've had for years and finding they were a bit tight. I try not to obsess too much about actual weight, more about what I look like and whether I can fit into my clothes. Watching this thread closely.

I am having an accidental good day - had lunch out with clients yesterday and the whole lot of us have been struck with food poisoning.

Havent had anything except water since morning.

That's one way to do it Autumn! Hope you feel better soon though.

Is anyone else here on femiston conti?

I'm just coming to the end of my first 4 weeks and I feel really bloated. Hoping it goes again when I get back on the first 2 weeks.

I was warned I might have a period for the first time in 10 years . No sign yet.

Get well soon autumn. Good to see you here (waves)

Please may I join you?
In my 30s I was 10.5 stone, 11 stone in my 40s and now 50s I've gone to 12 stone, gulp. I'm 5'9"
I've been on HRT for 4 years, it's sorted out my hot flushes but my fat is redistributed. I've got chunky arms but the worst is these awful pads above my hips and lower back fat.

A few years ago I could cut my calories for a fortnight and drop 5llbs.
Now I cut calories and the scales stay the same.
I do plenty of weight baring exercise, I had a DEXA last year after a broken arm and it was low. I also swim which is good for my mood.

Sorry for the essay, I know I should be grateful that I'm fit and reasonably strong but I really don't like my menopausal body.
My slim menopausal friends seem to live on a very reduced diet and it wouldn't be sustainable for me.

May I join too? I'm 50 and until a few years ago I was a size 8-10. Now I'm, ahem, a size 16😲. I don't recognize myself in the mirror and I'm not this person in my head! I want my body back and this thread is giving me the confidence to start making changes.

How is everyone's day going?

I'm just about to have a late dinner - Chicken and mango curry, rice and salad - SW style.

Had a late lunch and loved it, I was stuffed until about half an hour ago - Cauliflower steak pizza and salad - the cauli wouldn't cut into steaks so ended up steaming it then into an oven dish with the toppings on it. I'll definitely make that one again, it tasted better than it sounded.

Breakfast was scrambled egg on toast.

Feeling good, I have high hopes this time around.

Runun- I completely hear you with the hip and back fat!!!! Hate it

hi @kick ! :waves back: thanks for getting me on this thread .

Am back to normal now - thankfully it was over quickly!

I have only had almost a box full of grapes and one slice of toast today and loads of water .

Thank god it's melon season! The one thing that my brain will accept over chocolate is melon.

I'm starting my day with 2 glasses of water rather than coffee or tea. Now seems like a good time off year to make that a habit. I need to l plan the 16:8 a bit more. I'm crap at missing breakfast so would need to eat something decent around 11am. But no facilities at work so it would have to be something I take in with me ready prepared. Ooh, maybe overnight Oats would work. If I'm busy I typically skip lunch and snack at 11 and 3 instead. I could skip breakfast and eat at 11, 3 and 6. 30pm. That's what I am going to try.

People who do 16:8 - is that every day?