How much weight have you put on/dress sizes gained in perimenopause?

[whimsygoth]

I am 43 and absolutely in peri with lots of symptoms and a recent diagnosis of adenomyosis. I was always a slim size 10 and even after my son 13 years ago I got into size 8-10 clothes. In recent years I have gained and gained and was a size 12 for about 5 years and now I am a size 14. I know that is not huge by any means but I feel my whole shape is now so much more bloated with a right gut. How much have you all put on? I was 8 and a half stone then 9 and a half for most of my size 12 years and now I am 11 stone. Ideally want to get down to 10.

Very similar to @deplorabellehere. Sedentary job since COVID and have to avoid practically all 'treat' food just to stay this fat. I am in my sixties now though.

Thank you so much for sharing this, it feels like you are describing my exact life right now. I’m 52 and my cycles have just become completely irregular over the last 2 or 3 cycles.

Right now, my period is late but my body is trapped in this horrific, permanent PMS loop. The breast tenderness, hot flushes, and severe bloating are miserable. I also have IBS, so my gut is completely distended, and seeing the scale jump up by 2kg has made me feel so anxious that I don't even want to eat.

My moods are flipping between rage and deep sadness for no reason. I’m a stay-at-home person with no friends nearby, so being isolated with these symptoms and my own panicking thoughts is so heavy.

Just reading that I’m not the only one going through this brings a bit of relief. How are you coping with the bloating and the anxiety?

There are ways to make your workouts at home more challenging even with lighter weights. A great example is adding explosive movements e.g. instead of doing squats with your dumbbells, you do jump squats as high as you can. Plyometric workouts aren't something to rush into as your joints need time to adjust, but if you build up sensibly they can be really effective for maintaining both power and bone density. A good PT should be able to put a programme together that's tailored to your fitness and the space/equipment you have, which gives you lots of challenge even at home (DM me if you'd be interested in becoming a virtual client of mine!)