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[catherine284]

Is it normal to gain weight after the menopause? I'm 59 and have gone through the menopause without too many problems but, all of a sudden, I'm putting on weight without eating any more than normal.  I've always been small, about 51kg but it's been creeping up steadily for the past 12 months and I'm now 56.5.  I know that I'm not overweight but none of my clothes fit me and the extra 10lbs which is around my middle is making me miserable

[Dana]

It is common to gain weight, but it's not necessarily due to menopause or HRT. Basically as you age you do need to modify what you eat.

I gained a fair bit of weight over a period of about 3-4 years and I couldn't lose it no matter what I did. I thought I was doing all the right things - eating a very healthy diet, no processed food and very little sugar, but nothing worked. So of course I blamed everything (menopause, HRT, metabolism) except myself and what I was shoving in my gob.

I joined Weight Watchers last Christmas, became more aware of correct portion sizes and what I was mindlessly having between meals, and I've lost 20 pounds. So it obviously was what I was shoving in my gob.

This is what worked for me, but it might not work for you. However, I'm sure if you compared what you are eating to what you are supposed to eat, or maybe whether or not you are doing enough exercise, you might just find it is diet and exercise related.

[Hurdity]

As Dana says - metabolism slow down as you age, including reduced muscle tone/mass - even with the same food and exercise. Most of us have to eat less (and/or change our diet to eat different foods) and exercise more after menopause just to stay the same weight. I eat way less than I have done in the past including almost no sugar (except fruit) and almost no carb-rich foods like pasta bread spuds rice - this is to keep my weight stable!

The weight gain round the middle is normal and due to fat redistribution as a result of an increase in the ratio of testosterone to oestrogen (even though both hormones are reduced) - leading also to apple shape rather than pear-shape. keeping weight down helps with this but it is not usually possible to regain the small waist of our youth. I am the same weight now as I was when much younger and pre-menopause but all the excess few pounds are round the middle - and if I lost all of this - I would be like a scragbag elsewhere!

As Dana also say - more exercise is needed to keep muscle tone strong and this along with good posture, helps you keep it pulled in rather than the ugly pot-belly look that can develop with poor posture and lack of exercise. It's amazing what a difference this can make!

Also if you have other symptoms such as fatigue and feeling cold along with possibly constipation - could be a thyroid problem. Unfortunately though many women suffer with deteriorating thyroid function as they age - but with blood levels still within normal untreatable range. if you do have any of these other symptoms then do go to the doc who will hopefully order a blood test. If you are not fatigued then it is unlikely to be that though.

Hurdity x