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[Katherine]

Dear ladies,

I have lost a stone by reducing my calories intake by 500 a day but have found during the last couple of weeks this strategy is no longer working. I know I don't have water retention which is the usual culprit. It is so frustrating as I am already low on energy due to hormones in peri and I'm struggling to eat less, and it isn't even working anymore. I want to lose another stone. I don't want to have to go hungry every day and try and starve myself to lose the weight. Has anyone got any tips or advice that might help me? Any help would be gratefully received.

Katherine

[Mrspep1970]

I've lost nearly 2 stone in the last 10 months by intermittent fasting. I roughly did 16:8, I wasn't strict but I did cut out alcohol and stopped snacking late afternoon/early evening. I found I plateaued at 1 stone and I haven't budged from being 2lbs off of 2 stone lost for a while. Wine has snuck back in on the odd weekend but, as it sets off my reflux (another menopause gift 🙄), not very often.

[Katherine]

Hi ladies, thanks so much for your replies. I think I might have worked out the reason. When I started on hrt I put on 4 pounds very quick without any change in my diet. That was on 2 pumps gel. Then I went up to 3 pumps and recently for a week or so around my period I’ve increased to 4 pumps. So I think it’s the increase in gel causing water retention. Time will tell I guess. I will keep trying. Jaypo I’m with you on the cereal and fruit, one of my faves. Mrs pep well done on the fasting. I think I eat from around 9am to about 7pm so that’s not too bad is it?

[Mrspep1970]

Katherine, it's whatever works for you. I honestly didn't think I could do it and, I won't lie, it's not been easy. For me it was more about breaking bad habits.

I'm not on HRT yet, in the process of deciding what I may or may not need with my GP, so it could all go to pot if I start!!

[CLKD]

The body stops at a certain point in dieting.  For no apparent reason [Dr Mosleys 'clever guts diet' book].  So don't despair.  Get on with doing stuff, allowing yourself treats and U may find that you have reached an optimum for now. 

Is it water retention?  Have U measured your height against your waist measurement?  Alcohol will certainly pile on the pounds, DH finds that when he cuts it out completely: cider and red wine being his go-to: the weight loss is steady. 

[Katherine]

Katherine, it's whatever works for you. I honestly didn't think I could do it and, I won't lie, it's not been easy. For me it was more about breaking bad habits.

I'm not on HRT yet, in the process of deciding what I may or may not need with my GP, so it could all go to pot if I start!!

Mrs Pep, you’ve done so well, you I know how hard it is. I think hrt will help you. For me it’s made my sleep better, my energy and mood is much better than it was before hrt. So if anything it should benefit you. A few pounds of water retention is a very small price to pay for me and hopefully if I persevere I’ll lose more weight. X

[Katherine]

The body stops at a certain point in dieting.  For no apparent reason [Dr Mosleys 'clever guts diet' book].  So don't despair.  Get on with doing stuff, allowing yourself treats and U may find that you have reached an optimum for now. 

Is it water retention?  Have U measured your height against your waist measurement?  Alcohol will certainly pile on the pounds, DH finds that when he cuts it out completely: cider and red wine being his go-to: the weight loss is steady.

I don’t drink alcohol very often so that’s not an issue. I think it’s just the extra pump of gel that’s causing water retention. I’m not technically overweight I’m just inside the ok range but want to trim down and get to the weight I was a few years back. I’ve not actually measured my waist, I should do that, good idea! I have loads of clothes that I can’t get into anymore too and really want to wear them!

[Katherine]

Well I've lost a pound, thank goodness! It's really hard to lose weight when I'm tired, craving sweet foods and have a ton of things to do! Just found out I have raised cholesterol (3.6) and need to do more vigorous exercise than walking. It feels like a battle - Having low energy but expected to not eat things that will give me a boost and also exercise more, feels like a joke sometimes. Also I've noticed if I am out on the move all day or traveling I need to sleep the whole of the next day and it takes days to recover. Anyone else feel like this? I'm only 48!

[CLKD]

When did 3.6 be a raised level?  R U taking statins because those can raise blood sugar levels too.  No one told me that!

If U are using up your energy levels then expect to be extra tired or even sleeping the next day.  To recharge.  I'm the same, we went out one day last week: anxiety levels were raised slightly: by the time we returned home at 9.30 p.m. I was ready for bed!  So.  So. Tired. 

Instead of eating sweet foods: do make a. list of what to avoid and simply don't buy them : eat more nuts/raisens; dried fruits in moderation; more veg. - raw, stir fried, roasted.  I eat chocolate as a pudding ;-).

As for my apron which dropped years ago  ..... that was a loss of my natural elasticity i.e. oestrogen.

[Katherine]

She said my cholesterol should be under 2.5 and that they will test again in a years time. She even mentioned statins! I'm not taking them at the moment. I don't even eat much saturated fat! I guess I just don't do enough exercise to clear it from my blood. The only thing that gives me a real lift is sweet food. I'm going to go to the doctors as I feel like I shouldn't be this tired at my age. I do eat healthy foods everyday but rely on sweet boosts to make me work enough!

Sorry to hear you're the same CLKD. I never used to be like this so it must be hormones or iron levels. I do have heavy periods and might need to have 2 iron tabs instead of 1.

I know what you mean about oestrogen and elasticity. I look younger on HRT! And lashings of moisturiser!

[CLKD]

U may B lacking VitD.  A few years ago I was really tired: I would do 20 mins weeding in our garden then sit.  Absolutely still.  For several hours, unable to move.  Mum was the same even though we get out into the sunshine as much as possible.  We were both VitD low which showed on blood tests.  Appropriate tablets resolved the energy levels.

Heavy periods will cause extreme exhaustion too.

Slow release foods: bananas, a good oat-based porridge    , a friend swears on a packet of plain crisps with added salt.  Black chocolate is better than 'cadburys'.  However, I digress ;-).  MayB get some bloods done for low iron and VitD levels?

[Katherine]

I take a vit D spray under the tongue every day and get sunshine. Just had bloods which showed no concern apart from cholesterol. My iron was only 16 in 2021 so Im guessing I'm near the threshold of 10 now with the heavy periods. I will start taking 2 iron tabs per day and try and get more sun. I love my oats, every morning I have oats with live yogurt or milk and fruit and almond butter. A healthy dinner too. Just loads of carbing through the day to keep me going, that's the bit I need to sort out. I have salt when I crave it, definitely. Thanks for your help CLKD it's much appreciated. If you think of anything else let me know! I will make a doctors appointment to see if they can shed any light on it too.

[CLKD]

Why R U craving salt  ?  The body requires a certain amount of sodium, too less and the body gets cramps  . 

Before a period I would get really really thirsty ............ and I never drink from the tap but would do then. 

Ultra-ultra-processed foods: those items which have to be processed in order to be a) palatable and b) digestible are to be avoided!  Too much salt and various types of 'sugars' added for starters. 

[Katherine]

I mean sometimes I want salty food, usually a week before my period, I have a bag of crisps or something. Happens every month. I don't eat a lot of salt. I drink bottled water as it tastes much better than tap but I'm going to stop due to the plastic toxins going into the water. I would love to avoid sugar but if it takes a couple of cake bars and a couple of sweet coffees to get me thought the day then so be it for now. I suspect the issue isn't iron as I am ok for half the month. I think it's an oestrogen thing. Im going to increase to 4 pumps and see what happens.

[CLKD]

I can understand your need for salt B4 a bleed, same with me and thirst!


I don't think that any toxins get into bottled water from plastics.  I've drunk fizzy bottled for years as it's easy to carry with us when travelling; I don't like tap water, who knows what's put in that! 

As for increasing, do it gently!  All at once might be too much for the body to adjust to.  MayB every 3rd dose?  then wait to see what reaction you get. ;-)