Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Oracle22 on September 09, 2014, 03:41:48 PM
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HI I am late to the Menopause, and frankly quite frustrated as I am unable to lose weight. I work out with a personal trainer 4 times a week and maybe lose a pound here and there but I can not shed the pounds I need to. I think at best, I am keeping any potential weight gain at bay. Anyone else facing a similar challenge.
IN the past I have managed to lose weight reasonably easy, keeping it off has been the problem. I am not a drinker and on average take in about 1500 calories a day sometimes less. Occasionally more on those naughty days which are few and far between. Would welcome any suggestions. :'(
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Hi and welcome Oracle22
Yes, it's frustrating. Most of us struggle to even maintain a decent weight - never mind loosing weight. I think being a little more 'plumped up' is kinder on the face - less winkles!!
DG x
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Thanks Dancinggirl - appreciate your reply
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Hello, good to see you. Dancing girl is right and I was saying this to my husband. I have lost half a stone in the last three months and I didn't need to. I am having blood tests to check my thyroid levels.
Anyway my weight loss is not what you want to hear about. But it has aged me and I am getting a turkey neck that I didn't have before and my cheeks are hollowed. I saw a photo of me last week that my husband took on a day out and I had suddenly aged.I looked better when I was a bit rounder.
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What works for me is to restrict carbohydrates after 6pm so no potatoes, rice, bread and so on. This keeps my weight off better than any diet plan as I can stick with it. Anything naughty I have earlier in the day but I only eat sensible meals - no large portions. I love cakes and these still feature in my diet just not after 6 and not every day! >:(
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Works for me too, but I have to make it not after seven in the evening and I only have a piece of toast in the morning about nine, so it's a mini fast until lunch time. Helps keep the weight off.
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Me too generally.
Small bit of toast in the morning. Nothing till lunch then soup or a small sandwich. Then nothing till dinner, then try to have a small portion.
A glass of wine is a treat as is a couple of squares of chocolate or a few crisps...never a full packet.
I think my stomach has shrunk because I have been doing this for so long I'm no longer hungry between meals. I eat loads of veg at dinner and always fruit. I rarely have red meat and eat mostly chicken and fish.
I still struggle to keep the weight off but fail to see how much less I can eat.
It sucks to be honest ::)
Honeyb
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Many thanks to all the Ladies that have replied to this topic. It is reassuring to know that I am not the only one with this problem. What I have taken from these replies is watch portion sizes, stick to Poultry/Fish and Veg, watch Carbs and only a few cheats very occasionally. Do not eat after 6pm/7pm. Well it certainly gives me something to work with. Once again thanks. Good Luck with the Blood Test Babyjane.
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I used to be around body builders that dieted to extremes for shows. When their weight loss came to a sticking point they always had a feast day where they ate significantly more. What amazed me was the were always able to get their body fat percentage right down despite pumping their bodies full of hormones/ steroids. The lesson I learnt from this was if we eat around the same number of calories daily our bodies get too used to it, therefore we need to trick our bodies so they dont know what is coming next. I have read lots of book on IF intermittent fasting and there is science behind it, bodybuilders have been doing this long before it became fashionable.
C
You are right to eat clean foods as toxins can make us fatter. One of the worst culprits is artificial sugar in any form. Our bodies also need fat to lose fat but in the form of olive oils, nuts etc.
Clean and lean by james duigan is a good read
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Hi Oracle22
I feel very frustrated about my weight too. I'm only 5' 1" & now weigh 9st 10lb ! I haven't been this weight since i was pregnant & just can't seem to shift it. Only in March this year I weighed 8st 3lb. It started to creep up since May 14 as my periods stopped then. My stomach & waist just seem to be thickening by the week. I'm now on day 11 of HRT Prempak-C & my doctor warned me to watch my weight!! He said there would be a liklihood of me putting even more weight on. My husband owns our local gym & i've always worked out at least 2 times a week, but felt very tired, stressed etc in the last few months so not bothered going & staying in & drinking more wine! I've now started to go back once a week to ease myself back into it. My husband is a bodybuilder & says that there's no excuse....if I do core strength exercising & enough cardio then it should all be kept at bay!! Well lets see. I'm 53 & he's 54 & he's never really dealt with women working out at this age yet so i'm challenging him as I think if it were that easy then every menopausal woman would be doing it!
I will keep you informed. I'm having 4 alcohol free days per week to see if that helps too.
If anyone has any other suggestions i would welcome them.
Keep you posted & good luck. x
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Hi julie
The fact you say you have been stessed does it coincude with putting on weight?
If so stress can make us fat due to flight /fight mechanism our bodoes produce more cortisol which settles as fat round the middle.
Also when we do aerobic activity for over 35/40mins this puts stress on our bodies and the dreaded cortisol is released again.
Short intense bursts may be more beneficial. HIT training etc and if stress is a factor to counter act it relaxation is vital eg yoga pilates meditation etc.
I have read quite a lot about this lately.
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I am interested in your post Linsey44 as I have been quite stressed for a few months leading up to and including our daughter's wedding. My adrenaline levels were high and I was rushing round. I am only just beginning to come back down and am having a thyroid blood test next week.
Contrary to what you said in your post I have lost half a stone and it has gone from my middle. I did wonder if my menopause weight is starting to go away. Does that happen as you get more post menopausal?
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I dont really know babyjane, i had been peri meno for a few years without realising it, then it was confirmed around 2011/ 2012. Had hyster in 2013,then ovaries our 2014 and my weight has been stable through out.
I am 5'6" and tend to sit around 9st 10lbs but like everyone I would love to be a few pounds lighter.
If I were you read up on stress and weight gain and stress when exercising and also how fasting helps with this. Its an eye opener!
I have read
clean and Lean by james duigan
Fasting book by nutritionist amanda hamilton
Fasting by dr mosely and mimi spencer
Anti cancer - a new way of life by dr david schreiber
These all consider effect of stress on our bodies.
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Been reading these posts with interest.i struggle to lose weight. I will be 54 next month and been on hrt for a few years. I am 5ft 5 and weigh the heaviest at 12 stone 7. I know I do not exercise enough but eat healthy. My doctor reduced my estradot from 50 to 25 recently, not only find my symptoms return with a vengeance but I put on half a stone in weight. I went back and said I could not cope so went back on estradot 50. In one week with no change to diet I have lost the half stone......hormones have a lot to answer for. I have tried the 5 2 diet, my husband lost quite a but if weight on it but it find nothing for me.
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Hi libralady
Yes definitely do more exercise - I am struggling to keep the weight increase at bay - I am not actually overweight but could do with being half a stone lighter. I have stopped one of my exercise classes - the intense muscle toning one (body conditioning) as the leader has stopped doing it where I live and I have really noticed the difference.
You need to build more muscle as you get older as this burns more calories at rest, so you can eat more without putting on weight and metabolism slows as we age. Also eating healthily is briiliant but think about how much fat/sugar you eat?
I eat almost no cheese, skim milk, almost fat free yogurt, no fatty meat, not much meat at all, very little butter on bread, rarely eat fried foods, hardly any butter - if any on bread etc - and this is a permanent change. Hardly any cakes/biscuits/puddings nor refined sugar. I do this so that I can have my glass of sherry or wine and at least keep the same! I do allow myself treats though and I am not fanatical about it - but always aware of what I am eating. However I am 5ft 1 so any extra weight is noticeable and I will not let myself become a fat old woman! When my jeans start to get tight I then have a few weeks of cutting back! It's a pain though isn't it?!
I am on Estradot 50 as well - age 61.
Hurdity x
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I would be thrilled to weigh 9st something - haven't been that for years.
Menopause coupled with hypothyroidism put paid to me being slim. It is a constant battle to maintain the weight I am now :(
I was one of those people who thought that underactive thyroid was just an excuse for people being overweight, but have certainly discovered that it isn't.
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Melbury i feel for you not being happy with your weight there is nothing worse than not being comfortable in our own skin.
Although i am now more stable there have been massive fluctuations over the years. weight trained up to around the age of 24 and was a lean 8st 7lbs, had a baby got post natal depression, marriage broke up and went down to 7 1/2 stone. Few years later had depo vera injections and weight rocketed to 11st almost overnight. When i stopped all contraception around 10 yrs ago my weight settled out at what i am now.
My husband says i am lucky to eat what i do and remain constant as food and wine features heavily in our lifestyle BUT when he goes offshore i tend to restrict myself and its a shame that your own weight issues are outwith your control. I really do appreciate how difficult it must be for you as i have had problems in the past.
Linsey x
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Melbury I have been hypothyroid for many years due to hereditary auto immune disease. I have to say that if your thyroid levels are properly controlled and regularly monitored then the weight gain is not something that you have to have as a matter of course.
I used to be monitored by my GP but was never really well. I asked to see an endocrinologist who put me onto combination thyroid replacement and checks my bloods 6 monthly since I have been menopausal. Since he has looked after me I have come down from 11 st 2lb to 10st 2 lb and recently to 9st 10lb. Underactive thyroid does not mean you have to be stuck with overweight if it is properly controlled.
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Melbury I have been hypothyroid for many years due to hereditary auto immune disease. I have to say that if your thyroid levels are properly controlled and regularly monitored then the weight gain is not something that you have to have as a matter of course.
I used to be monitored by my GP but was never really well. I asked to see an endocrinologist who put me onto combination thyroid replacement and checks my bloods 6 monthly since I have been menopausal. Since he has looked after me I have come down from 11 st 2lb to 10st 2 lb and recently to 9st 10lb. Underactive thyroid does not mean you have to be stuck with overweight if it is properly controlled.
It sounds like you have a really good endocrinologist babyjane.
When I saw one he was only interested in the TSH reading - completely disregarded FT4 and FT3 (which most people say are the important measurements) - and also said that even if people manage to lose a bit, they never get back to their pre-hypo weight
>:(
I have been doing the 5:2 diet for the past two years and have only managed to lose about 6lbs, but will persevere.
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Melbury i feel for you not being happy with your weight there is nothing worse than not being comfortable in our own skin.
Although i am now more stable there have been massive fluctuations over the years. weight trained up to around the age of 24 and was a lean 8st 7lbs, had a baby got post natal depression, marriage broke up and went down to 7 1/2 stone. Few years later had depo vera injections and weight rocketed to 11st almost overnight. When i stopped all contraception around 10 yrs ago my weight settled out at what i am now.
My husband says i am lucky to eat what i do and remain constant as food and wine features heavily in our lifestyle BUT when he goes offshore i tend to restrict myself and its a shame that your own weight issues are outwith your control. I really do appreciate how difficult it must be for you as i have had problems in the past.
Linsey x
Thanks Linsey - I think it is great that you are able to maintain such a good weight.
It is a constant battle and perhaps I dwell on it too much :(
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I do Melbury, I am very fortunate as he has written papers on the T4/T3 issue and identified a sub group of about 15% of patients who do not convert T4 to T3 properly and I am one of them. Once he started treating me with the combination replacement therapy my levels stabilised and I lost the weight and my hair grew back.
The TSH is not a true indicator of your levels and the NHS reference range goes up to 10 I think unless I am mistaken, as I have a friend whose doctor tells her she is within the normal range and her TSH is 7.5 >:(
My chap gets agitated if mine starts heading towards 3!!!
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Probably all that any of us can do is eat as healthily as possible, exercise as much as our bodies allow.
At least we care about how we look/ feel, its when we just give up on ourselves the problems will start.
Dont give up any weight loss is better than none
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HI All, I have also heard about Feast days Linsey44. It has something to do with the LEPTIN hormone, which is the hormone that is to do with our appetite. .
I am working out with weights more as well as cardio. Weight training increases your metabolic rate and maintains that increase for up to 48 hours after your workout' Cardio only does this for up to a couple hours after a workout. So I have a Weight/Cardio programme in play at the moment.
Is anybody finding "cutting carbs" difficult. Everywhere you go, food is dominated by carbs. I am planning my meals more now and taking prepared food wherever I can as "Food on the Go" in shops seems to contains either, pasta, bread, noodles etc. Preparing my own food does give me more control over the calories and types of food I eat.
I am trying to get a decent protein breakfast but finding it difficult as I do not like Eggs. Anyone else found a solution.
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HI Honeybun, Your post on how little you eat was interesting as I was eating sometime below 1200 calories a day. I was told by a PT that my body can go into starvation mode if you eat too few calories and therefore you can put on weight. Eating three meals a day and not snacking seems to be a good way to go. Also I too have cut down on Red Meat and stick with mostly Chicken and Fish. But I do enjoy a Steak every once in a while. Good Luck.
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I do agree Oracle22
I think there is a danger of obsessing over what we eat. Eating is meant to be enjoyable and if we are feeling guilty for enjoying the occasional slice of cake or fish and chips - well this is simply silly.
Small meals often is the mantra that we tend to sing on this site.
Reduce sugar and too much fat - but don't forget that dairy is the best way to get your calcium and we need those essential omega oils. Without a certain amount of fat in our diet the body can't absorb certain vitamins. As for carbs - well, since I bought a bread maker I've actually reduced the amount of bread I eat - probably by half. I make a lovely seeded bread that's half and half white and wholemeal - I make a small loaf & I know it's got lots of goodness in it - I allow myself two slices a day and these are smaller than a bought loaf. I do love potatoes so I have simply reduced the portions. I refuse to give up all the things I enjoy eating.
1200 calories a day is possibly not enough intake(unless you are very petit) if you are still doing the right amount of exercise to support your heart and bones. Fad diets can be dangerous and at our age we need to keep our bodies ticking over in an even way to reduce all kinds of meno symptoms and digestion issues. When I do loose weight I often become ill and feel very lethargic - for me it's the compromise of carrying a few extra pounds to feel good.
I don't allow scales in the house. If clothes I wore 5-10 years ago still fit then that's ok - its they get tight then I know I need to watch how much I'm eating.
BTW- I'm between a size 12-14 depending on the brand of clothing - in my dancing days I was a size 10. The main reason I have to go up a size is because the weight now sits around my upper hips and tummy since I came off HRT!!! Again I think it is silly to talk about dress sizes as these vary so greatly between brands. I hate wearing anything too tight so often buy the 14 and take it in where I need to. DG x
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Hi oracle
For breakfast I sometimes have
natural organic yoghurt, greek has more protein than other other types with some almonds or walnuts with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. You can toast nuts /seeds.
Or ryvita with philadelphia cream cheese topped with cherry tomatoes and some thick cut ham.
Smoked salmon for a treat or kippers if you like them.
Not easy when we take our morning slice of toast away!!
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hrt has been a Godsend in many ways, but it has made it more of a challenge to lose weight.
I start off fine, but as soon as I hit the progesterone phase, I puff up like marshmallow man.
I console myself with the thought that it's only water retention and not actual fat, because as soon as I have a bleed, I deflate like a balloon! ::)
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I put on nearly a stone in the first month of HRT and I cannot shift it! When I had gallbladder problems a couple of years ago, it affected my liver so I cut out alcohol and carbs and ate really healthily. I lost weight just like that! Of course, some of it gradually crept back so along with the HRT weight gain, I thought I'd follow the same diet as when I had the gallbladder problem and I'd lose it. Nothing. Zilch. Does not matter what I eat or don't eat, I can't lose anything! I've a review with my GP on Monday and I'm coming off the HRT. I'll find another way to regulate my cycle.
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have you thought about trying yoga , its very good . and deffo helps . with the terrible pains ;)its worth a try , you just need too stick at it :)it can allso be very relaxing .