Anyone dealing with menopausal weight issues?

C

cab54

Cathlete
I am goin on 50 (in about 7 weeks) and I find that this time of life is SO hard to get and KEEP weight off. I run, I Cathe, I do pretty well with my eating. Right now doing clean eating 6 small meals a day. Very few slip ups and we're talking a BITE of somehting. I'm not a binge eater.

I was in terrific shape in my early 40's due to finding weight lifting (finding out cardio alone doesn't work) and keeping up my running, but as I progressed into my 40's, I found it increasingly hard to keep weight of. Suffice it to say, I gave up for awhile and did little exercise and put weight on. Now---it just doens't come off. I lose a little here, a little there. But, I mean---a pound a month is just not very motivating. I don't go by the scale very much either. I use clothing fit, and the mirror for feedback more. But, the clothes barely budge, and the mirror---well, I see more definition under the flab, but GEEZ! A few years ago, if I did the routine I'm doing now, I'd be ripped!

Anyone in this 'stage' of life? Any motivating comments? :+

I realize that our fat cells 'hold' onto themselves to make estrogen in menopause, and that most of this is around the midsection of our bodies, but his is all over and it'sjust too much. And yes, my thyroid checks out alright. I take in lots of soy. I drink tons of H2O--etc. etc. I don't get it.

I don't want to give up here. Have been working out HARD since about January, and have lost about 5# and see hardly any changes.
 
Hi Cab,

I'm 47 will be 48 in August and I'm experiencing the sam thing. I run do Cathe and spinning and try to eat a healthy way, but I'm stuck at 150lbs I'm 5'6" and last year at the same time I was 140lbs and was doing the same kind of workouts. So, I have no idea what to do in order to take the weight off. I do have my physical coming up and will ask my Dr. about it. If any of you ladies out there have some information that could help us please let us know.

Josie
 
Hi, Josie.


thanks for commiserating. I asked my doc last year at a check up, and he patted me on the shoulder and said "Just go out there and get young.' :-( Huh? I would have liked to have him try a Cathe workout with me, or even a Firm and see how 'young' he thinks I am. :p

Although, he is 53, and he rollerblades, plays shinny hockey (ice, and plays rugby, and runs.....so.....

I think if I had HIS hormones, I could get slim......;-)
 
I have a woman Dr. and she specializes in woman's care I had the test last year and she said that it came back normal, but after that I started to have some hot flashes and sleepless nights we will see what she will say after this visit. I will keep you posted.

Josie
 
Cab,
Wish I could give you some tips and motivating words. I have been going through this for 5 years and still haven't found what works at this new stage. Very frustrating. Going to join a check in at another side for Red Hatters (over 50) so maybe I will pick up some tips from other women going through this. Feel free to join in.
 
Marie--

Yes, I've been at this for about 6 years---that's when the changes started. And I think that was what started to get me kind of ---disgusted and disheartened about my body, And to feel kind of hopeless. Although I still hold out hope.

I run into peri-menopausal women all the time who claim to be having some of the problems we face, but not the weight gain---some are still so slender. I can't help feeling jealous when I see this--the way some gain like crazy no matter what they do, and some stay slim and fit, without moving a muscle and seemingly without changing their diet. ;(

But, on a more positive note, you've all made me feel slightly better not to be alone! :D

I am determined to stay fit and keep working out, because I'm convinced this makes me feel SO much better and have less symptoms---I can feel wehn I'm somewhere that I can't work out for a few days, I feel LOUSY) and I also can't IMAGINE what I'd look like if I didn't work out at all!:+ And, I like being this strong. It gives me a sense of power, and I then do not feel like my hormones have taken over completely.

I'm still able to do alot of things that my friends and sisters have given up on, or are too tired for, due to the strength gains in my body. That feels GREAT! :)
 
Sometimes, the Folicular Stimulating Horomone (FSH) Test that is used to determine whether you are peri-menopausal is not accurate. The reason for this is during menopause, your horomones are constantly flunctuating, which is one of the things that causes peri-menopausal symptoms. My doctor told me the best time to have the blood test done is the week before you're supposed to start you're cycle because FSH levels go up when you're body is preparing for your period. The higher the FSH level, the harder your body is trying to get your period to start.

A recommend a book called "The Power of Peri-Menopause" by Stephanie DeGraff-Bender. It is very comprehensive and unbiased. As you get closer to menopause, your body starts storing estrogen in your fat tissues, so in a lot of ways, your body is trying to keep what it needs. Also, I'm noticing I don't release water as well as I used to. Even if I drink a lot of water, I don't feel like I'm eliminating as much as I should.

As far as weight gain. I am 49 and gained about eight pounds when I was about 42. I started gaining flab around my back and abdomen where I had never had it before. I am still up eight pounds, but because of weight training, it's turned to muscle and I can live with that because I find it much more attractive...not to mention the health benefits. Knock on wood, the only aches and pains I have are self induced DOMS!

As a matter of fact, when I was talking to someone at work today about planning on retiring in about five years, I thought he was going to fall off his chair. He thought I looked ten to fifteen years younger. I really love when I get reactions like that.
 
Candi---I also feel very well and fit for my age (strong) and that part is nice. I noticed the weight start coming on at about the same age---42 or so. And much more around the middle than previously. And I had read that it was due to fat cells being needed by the body for hormone production, and the ones in the midsection are the best estrogen producers.

I just wish they'd back off a little bit. }( ;-)

I do pretty well nutritionally and give up alot of things I REALLY love, so I guess that's what makes the fact that I can't seem to lose so dang irritating. I often wonder how big I'd be if I didn't watch it at all and sat around all the time.:eek:

Anyway, I wouldn't give up working out for anything just because of the other benefits, but occasionally I get frustrated. I'd like to see more results. With night sweats and mood swings, it's hard enough, so I'd like my constant working out and clean eating to DO somehting. :7 Oh, well.....will keep on keeping on.....
 
I feel your pain. I have given up so much of what I used to eat and I often wonder, too, what would happen if I didn't work so hard at trying to keep healthy and fit. I guess I would wind up like a lot of my co-workers, thirty pounds overweight and taking blood pressure medicine.

I used to get frustrated more than I do now. I'm not so much giving up as coming to acceptance.

There has been a lot said about the South Beach Diet on this forum lately. I tried it for a few weeks and did really well on it. Lost a few pounds although I missed my oatmeal a lot. I did get sort of tired by then added yogurt after my workouts which helped me tremendously. At least I know there is now something I can turn to if I really feel I need to lose a few pounds and not gain it right back. My old standby Weight Watchers just does not work for me anymore.

Yup, just keep on keeping on and stay healthy. It's the best we can do.

:7
 
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