gained weight and still gaining
- In 2000 I began menopause, which has been a bad experience. I had every symptom that describes menopause. In 2000 I weighed 110 lbs, 2010 I weigh 148 lbs. At 5'2", that is a lot a weight for me. I have tried supplements, exercise and diet with no success. I also tried to get help from my doctor with no success or answers, so I have suffered for 10 years, and as of today I am still looking for help to stop the weight gain although some of the menopause symptoms have subsided. I will continue to search for answers.
- —Guest Alexandria
Yes, but...
- When my feet started complaining, I put myself on a very strict diet and exercise routine and lost the 70 pounds. That was about 10 years ago, and my weight has been pretty constant at 120 pounds since then (I'm 5'-4"). IMHO, its important to get enough protein, and exercise pretty intensely (running, weights). Even so, portion control is also essential. It just doesn't take that many calories to keep some of us going. :-)
- —lolirs
Frustrated
- I have gained 60lbs in the last 2 years. The first time I noticed my stomach bloat like a bowling ball and my upper thighs swell overnight (literally overnight) I went to the ER-sent home with a kidney infection-no bacteria in the urine-because they could find nothing else wrong. A few months later they found multi ovarian cysts and thought this could have caused this rapid weight gain but they were removed and I still cannot loose an ounce. I am currently on a low fat no sugar vegan diet meaning all I eat are fruits, veggies, & 1 cup of beans a day and an occasional cup of brown pasta maybe 3 times a week-that's it. I also exercise 4x a week to the point I am drenched with sweat-pretty boring diet. Recently I was given a prescription progesterone & that almost put me in a psychiatric hospital due to mental side effects not to mention physical. I have given up on docs all that have advised me that I need to stop eating & start exercising. Well, listen up docs your advise has not worked.
- —islandsuze
It's the METABOLISM
- It's so obvious that menopause causes changes in metabolism that make it harder to lose, or even maintain, weight. My weight was steady as a rock for TWENTY YEARS, until I reached menopause. I gained 5 pounds the first year into menopause, and another 5 pounds over the next 2 or 3 years. NOTHING ELSE CHANGED. It is so much harder to peel off 4 or 5 pounds now, just by cutting back on portions or ramping up the exercise as I once could do. My weight is now stable at this post-meno level, which makes the loss of these extra pounds even more difficult. I haven't found a successful strategy for me. Not yet, anyway.
- —Guest centerfield
Oh yes I did!
- I always had a fast metabolism and even after having three children, I still could eat whatever I wanted. I weighed 56 kg until I started gaining weight just before the age of 40. I had a complete hysterectomy at 48. Since the age of 40 I gained 20 kg and I am now 54 years old. My problem is that because of spinal problems, my doctor told me the only exercise I may do is in the swimming pool - walking in the water, lifting legs slowly and breast stroke later on. I am now doing 5 laps a day, four to five times a week - if weather permits. The problem is that that is not enough exercise to loose the extra weight. I love fruit and veggies and cut down on carbs and fat. I am allergic to wheat and gluten and noticed that milk and yogurt bloats me, as a lot of other things do. My metabolism has been very slow for the last ten or so years and I have to take an aloe product daily to help it along. What else can I do to lose some weight? Can somebody help?
- —AnnetteTr
Weight Gain during menopause
- I exercise on a regular basis so for the past 3 years I decided to up the intensity and train twice a day. That has worked for me. I have in fact lost weight and am in better shape than in my 20's.
- —Guest Denise Marriner
No weight gain
- Estrogen does not fall at menopause as stated here. Progesterone does fall almost to zero. You have to balance estrogen out with progesterone which can be easily done using natural progesterone cream. Dr. John Lee was the pioneer in discovering that progesterone diminishes quickly after childbirth causing post partum depression..it also starts to fall at age 35 and so peri menopause starts at 35 years of age. Without balancing estrogen out with progesterone we suffer hot flashes and weight gain and all manner of troubles. I had little problem with menopause at age 50 due to using progesterone cream. I avoided estrogen dominance...a term created by Dr. John Lee. He has passed away now but his legacy continues.
- —Guest Kathy
Working it off
- I don't care for dieting. My idea of dieting is not to eat any dessert-type food (this includes donuts) or junk food (chips, etc.)until after dinner, if I have room. I do reserve one day of the week, usually a Sat. or Sun., for eating whatever I want. I'm a person who prefers to work it off. When I got desperate and was working on a 3rd roll around my middle at age 45 I had to do something. I joined a gym and from the first day knew that this was what would work for me. I tried every class they offered (classes were included with membership) and used the treadmill for warming up. I started 6 days/wk. to make going a habit but now I go 3 days/wk. and walk for miles with a friend that I met in class there. I do Body Pump Mon. and Fri. and a Total Body Conditioning class on Wed. It takes time and a willingness to do what you need to do. There had been days I didn't want to go but I did. Now I'm happier and fitter than I have ever been. I'm 49 and going strong.
- —tccramer2
10 years and counting
- I started having all the symptoms in a BIG WAY just weeks before my 50th birthday. I'll be 60 in May and still having them. I got a severe migraine for 7 days and gained 10lbs in 5days when a doc put me on the lowest dose of estrogen available. I stopped it after 5 days... and the weight never went away. I've added on about another 5-8lbs and seem to be stabilized. I just wish the hot flashes would stop. I don't enjoy summer now but we're saving a lot of $ on heating for the winter since I, and I alone, accept FULL responsibility for global warming! What a dirty trick the Creator played on us....men get colder in their 50s and women get hot...which would be ok except that we don't want to be cuddled while flashing...so my poor hubby has to wear layers in the house and I'm half naked to stay cool when it's 63F on the thermostat! Will it ever end? I would love to feel cold again!
- —Guest blissfulbeader
Weight gain during menopause
- I entered sudden menopause due to a complete hysterectomy. For me, the key to maintaining a healthy weight was to ensure I was eating protein, fiber and healthy fat at each meal. I didn't eliminate carbs but I did reduce my intake.
- —Guest Debbie
YOu dont have to gain weight !!
- I realized I had put on 15 pounds without noticing. I am 50 years old and had to make some dietary changes or I would be heading for trouble. I dropped all processed foods, added fresh fruits and veggies, dropped dairy, and added in foods like hummus dips and chickpeas in salads, and berries on frozen soy desserts with nuts. Idropped 17 pounds and was NEVER hungry.!! Hint, wine increases appetite, so if you do like to imbibe from time to time, have a little nibble on some crudites with some hummus dip. It is outstanding, healthy and very filling. You will feel amazing making some changes. You have no choice if you want to remain healthy and vibrant. I also started to walk about 20-30 minutes around my home. Adding exercise gave me lots of energy that was actually waning for me. I also added MACA root powder, and my hot flashes stopped within 1 week. I hope this info helped. Its always up to you and only you to take control of your health. ENjoy it!!
- —Guest Annette
Weight gain druing meopause
- Strength training, cardio with interval training, and mixing up my work outs has been the most effective way to loose weight, increase my strength, and improve my overall wellness. I work with a trainer 1x a week to check on my progress and try new workouts. Additionally I work out 5 times a week combining strength training and cardio. I also am carefull to choose healthy foods and include a variety of the food groups. I started small, just changed from white flour to whole grain and wheat products, and no sugar. I have since gotten pretty creative with recipes and ordering out. Of course, there is an occasional splurge, but I make certain I choose this wisely too. I don't just grab and eat anymore. I think about it and decide if what I am choosing is what I really want and what it means in terms of the time I have invested in creating the new me! I have found that my confidence is greatly increased in all areas of my life and I actually am competitive at 53.
- —Guest Carla Breinlich
No weight gain
- I went through menopause at 37..did not gain weight, but still tried to lose more, finally 4 years ago I hit upon a magic streak if you will..healthy diet & regular exercise..went from a size 14 to a size 8-6..feel like a million bucks, in the best shape of my life at 53!
- —anais43
I've been there/done that
- After 30 lbs crept up on me, I began walking after dinner. It was hard at first, but as time went on, it got easier and I got stronger. I have lost 20 lbs since I began and I am proud to say that I have completed a half marathon last May at the age of 48. I am now training to complete my second half marathon this May and hopefully lose the additional 10 lbs. The last 10 lbs are the hardest and my body isn't responding to weight loss as before, but I am determined not to give up. I urge all other women my age to do the same, and prove to the world that menopause is no longer a BAD WORD. I have set a goal that at 50 years of age, I will complete my 1st full marathon and prove to the world that our bodies can be just as fit at 50, as they were at 20. Women age as fine wine, the older, the better.
- —elianada
gain weight during menopause
- No, I didn't gain weight during or after Menopause. I controlled side effects with herbs and sailed through. I do train 2 to 4 hours a day cycling, hiking, running, weight training and etc. I am 67 years old now and weigh varies from 143 to 145 lbs and body fat ranges from 18 to 20%.
- —Guest crow
