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[Artmouse]

Hello Ladies,

I'm trying to lose weight and it's going incredibly slow, if at all, even though I've cut my calories and am logging everything I eat - and I mean everything! 

Have got knee and back issues so my exercise is limited, though I do try and walk as much as I'm able.   This is a good part of why I need to lose the weight!

I'm thinking about stopping HRT as have always wondered if that has put the weight on and kept it there. 
I'm on Estrogel 2 pumps a day and Utrogestan 14 days a month.

I went on it originally a couple of years ago as the lack of sleep was wrecking my life.  HRT has helped a bit with this but still have some problems with it.

What do you ladies think about HRT and weight gain - anyone lost weight coming off it or gained weight being on it? 

Thanks,
Artmouse
 

[Butterfly22]

I feel like it's more to do with age and metabolism to be honest. I've been on so many hrt over 20 yrs and my weight has stayed pretty much the same but when I turned 40 I could tell I could not eat how I use to as would go straight to my waist/hips ect.
I do feel some may have made me feel a little more hungry but not sure if that's may be in my head.
I can't do much so walking is my only way but I do try and do a Pilates class once a week too.
Could you try something like this xx

[Artmouse]

Butterfly22 -  maybe it is metabolism, sigh....so depressing as I'm trying to lose weight to improve my health.  It feels like the only way is to eat even less.  I do a bit of Pilates for my back but need to do more I guess.

Now I'm wondering if it's my underactive thyroid but I'm on medication for that, aaarrrggghhh!

[Jari]

Hi Artmouse. I’m trying to lose weight too.
We’re all different with how hrt affects us, but for me, the hrt I was on (gel) seemed to increase my appetite massively. I put on a stone in 2 months.
Since coming off hrt, I’ve lost some of that, but also our metabolism of course slows through menopause, so we must eat smaller portions now, if we want to lose weight. I’m trying.
I read that 80% of weight reduction is through reduced diet and 20% is from exercise, but exercise is really important for bone health etc too.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps as it keeps us hydrated and we won’t mistake hunger for thirst, if we drink plenty. I’m trying to drink 1 1/2 - 2 litres a day and I feel better for it.
X

[Kathleen]

Hello Artmouse

My weight has been constant whether I am on HRT or not so unfortunately I can't help you there. However I think one of my whole food, plant based diet sites mentioned that this way of eating increases metabolism so is useful for  weight loss. Don't quote me on it lol as I might have got that wrong but you may want to do some research on the subject.

Wishing you well.

K.

[Artmouse]

Thanks Jari and Kathleen, I will research the plant based eating. When I think of how easy it was to lose weight in my 20's/30's!  Now it's like I just have to look at the wrong food and my body conserves the weight!

[weathergirl]

I always retained water on HRT. Did not matter the dose. I know others who have had the same experience.   Everyone seems to have a different experience on it and a lot depends on whether you're at the right level(s) for your body. 

[Hurdity]

Artmouse - you say you have an underactive thyroid and are finding it difficult to lose weight - could it be that your medication needs increasing a little? Do you have return of other hypothyroid symptoms eg fatigue, feeling cold etc?

re weight loss diet and exercise. The right type of exercise ( toning, strengthening, body conditioning workouts etc) build muscle which weighs more for a given mass (volume really) than fat does so you may weigh more but replace fat with muscle. The more muscle you have the greater your resting metabolism so the more food you can eat without gaining weight and the more calories you burn at rest.

So - that's the first thing - even with back issues try to find a regime that involves working and strengthening all your muscle groups. Pilates is good but you need to do something perhaps more intense or have a regular daily workout maybe?

Secondly what is your diet like? You do not need to count calories in order to lose weight. I never do. You just need to know what sort of foods to eat, and when to eat.

Can you talk us through a typical day (honestly) including snacks and drinks?

I have lost and gained weight for much of my life especially since finishing having children - irrespective of HRT. In fact I put on most weight during peri-mnenopauase when I didn't realise my metabolism had slowed. Remember as we age we need to exercise more and eat less just to stay the same.

I also have a rule never to buy bigger clothes - that is the best weight-loss strategy and my tip of the day  . When my waistbands/trousers start getting difficult to do up - I know it's time to ease off. Now is that time! I need to lose about 4-5 pounds. My weight only varies by about half a stone but I can never keep it at the lowest amount that I reach!! Also keep a note of weight and measurements every so often just to keep myself in check!

Main thing is to cut almost all added sugar and pure carb foods especially refined ones and eat less fat, more lean protein and tons of fruit and veg. Also to stop eating when you're full. Eat a good breakfast. Don't eat after 6 pm or try the 8 hours window eating diet (eat everything - well most - within an 8 hour time slot - there are lots of different things to do....

Can you tell I've thought about this a lot?! I am one who has to keep her eyes on the ball always in order not to get fat!!!

Hurdity x

[Tinkerbell]

I have lost weight since starting systemic and local HRT, i had awful VA that meant i was in extreme discomfort with any form of exercise but now that is sorted i have been able to exercise again.

[Tinkerbell]

I don't count calories, i have always failed when i did that in the past,  and nothing is banned. I am careful Monday to Friday and break out the treats at the weekend.

[Artmouse]

Thanks all. 

I don't think it's my diet as I follow all the well known recommendations mentioned, and eat 1400 or fewer calories a day.  I can't eat before 6pm as I work full time and a possible exercise regime is not straightforward as have torn cartilege in my knee as well as the lower back pain  

I have quite a bit of weight to lose and find that counting calories keeps me accountable.  It is coming off, just very very slowly. 

Thyroid level is fine - just thought that maybe, if you are hypothyroid, things might be slower overall even if you are on correct thyroxine dose.  Grasping at straws I guess!

I was just wondering if stopping HRT would help and if anyone had found that.

[onion relish]

I'm overweight. I'd love to lose weight not only for my health but to make it easier to drag my leg about (my right one doesn't work properly and is only good to keep me standing).

I was given Oestrogel and was expecting Utrogestan but was given Provera instead. To take every day. I brought it home and knew I was heading for trouble when I read that it's also used as a treatment for anorexics to make them hungry.

I'm now miserable, constantly angry and desperately trying not to eat every second of the day. I've never been like this before apart from a brief time I took amitrityline.

I'm waiting to see the gynae to see if I can come off it.

Good luck to all trying to lose weight.

[Foxylady]

I've been consciously losing weight since before starting HRT as I had read somewhere you can reduce peri symptoms by 75% by losing weight. As some of you might know as I've mentioned it on other threads I've been doing the 5:2 diet and lost almost 3 stone (3lbs to go!), my next plan is to up my exercise as I haven't increased it (do pilates & a walk once a week), work full time so find it difficult to fit it in but also was having breathlessness, but that seems to have improved. I was started on a different AD yest (to help with insomnia) but was advised it can increase your appetite so although I have started taking it I am anxious about that as I am still overweight and don't want to go bach the way. I've been on Provera for 3 months but it didn't affect me like it has done you onion relish so maybe the AD won't either, watch this space!! x

[Artmouse]

onion relish, that does sound miserable, hope you get off it soon!  It's really hard losing weight when you have other physical difficulties.

Foxy lady, wow, that's impressive!  Is the fast diet easy to follow?  Thought about it but wonder about dealing with being hungry when it's a stressful day at work (sounds a bit wimpy doesn't it!)

[onion relish]

Thanks Foxylady and Artmouse.

I must admit I do like hearing happy tales of weight loss. I've heard of the 5:2 a few times. I think I'll look in to it.

My mum was in her 50s when I was in my teens and I remember her doing something similar. She'd eat healthily and keep a low calorie intake Monday to Friday and eat whatever she wanted on Saturday and Sunday. She was quite successful losing weight though she'd keep a tight rein and never put more than 9-10lbs when she wasn't watching it.

Good luck to all the ladies trying to lose a few (or more!) pounds.