Menopausal with autoimmune condition - need professional help to loose weight

[Lily7050]

I am in menopause and also have severe psoriasis. I do not want to try random diets and get headaches or brain fog as I need my brain to function property for my work. I would like to get professional help with weight loss to avoid damaging my health further. Do I need to consult two specialists - a dietician to get a diet plan and a trainer to design workout program suitable for menopausal women? Or is there a single specialist who could advise on both aspects?

What do you mean by 'in menopause'?

Menopause is reached when one hasn't had a period for a whole calendar year (or if you're under fifty, two whole years). After this point, you're post-menopause, and before this point, you're in perimenopause.

Perimenopause and even being post-menopause can cause brain fog, headaches too. Both can trigger autoimmune conditions too, along with digestive issues and inhibit weight loss.

Personally, I would start with a women's health specialist or even a GP who specialises in women's health (and menopause) to explore where you are within yourself. Many women's health specialists can also advise re. diet or work closely with a dietician/nutritionist).

When that is all in hand, find a PT who works with women, particularly those in their 40s and 50s as our training needs are different and it's weight and resistance training (and LISS) rather than cardio and HIIT that are most beneficial. If you're in London, Roar is a good place to start but it is expensive. Otherwise, somewhere like StrongHer (also in London) is cheaper.

Exactly as @highfidelity said but just be careful and do your research properly as many practitioners and GPs are setting by themselves up as 'Menopause specialists' and therefore charging more when they don't actually have any extra qualifications or skills.

Many thanks @highfidelity and @Onynx ! I am over fifty and have not had a period since June 2022. I have had autoimmune condition since I was 15 years old. I will research Roar and StrongHer.

Ahh, so you've got a month to go! Fingers crossed you make it over the line - a friend was a a few days shy of a period-free year when her period returned. She's been menstruating regularly ever since. She's rather bemused by this as previously, her cycle was always erratic.

Roar and StrongHer have slightly different approaches, but both will empower you to be able to train by yourself. For me, that was the end goal. However, they're a good starting point and can lead you to finding a PT or gym that will work for you.

Good luck with everything - you can do it!