I’m on week 4 of the C25K and loving it so far. I am 50 yrs old and started HRT a few months ago. Much to my dismay I gained weight around my tummy and backside in what seemed like the blink of an eye!!! Normally when I watch my diet the weight comes off again. No such luck now! So I decided to take matters into my own hands and started running. I am managing ok and seem to be gradually improving my fitness levels (I never thought I would be able to run for 5 minutes lol)
I wanted to ask if anyone has experienced positive results from running during menopause and if it works to shift those stubborn pounds ? I am also keeping an eye on the calories and eating healthily most days
I started running the year after my 'menopause year' because menopause effected a small but useful and surprising improvement in my health of decades.
I do find regular running helps with weight control - more than you'd expect from simple calories burned (not many in my case). But I am not battling against drug side effects.
As you say, you have taken matters into your own hands and that feeling is tremendously beneficial and helps advance all other goals. If you have energy to spare it might be worth adding in some strength and flexibility activity (there's an NHS podcast programme, and our lovely Rignold has fun stuff going on) - some tone under the extra blubber feels way better. Enjoy the programme!
I am 49, not yet on HRT and have experienced modest weight loss (about half a stone) but more noticeable is the change in body dimensions as I have toned up.
Don't expect too much too quickly. It wasn't until the longer runs three times a week later in the programme that I started to notice a difference.
You are doing all the right things so persist and you will see the benefits.
Morning Mo98! Your post really struck a chord with me. I’m 2 months off my 50th birthday and probably heading into menopause but the only symptom for me has been a shocking expansion of my waistline this year. Half hearted dieting has had little effect so I decided I needed to do something I’ve never tried before - running! I’m a week behind you on the programme so will watch your progress with interest. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve done so far but haven’t quite formed a routine with it yet. Work gets in the way Tues-Thurs so I scrabble around trying to fit 3 runs into 4 or 5 days. Well done you! Keep us posted! 🏃♀️👏
Thanks for your reply! I have never really had to worry too much about my weight until now and previously walking plus a bit of cycling and a ‘fairly’ healthy diet did the trick! But something definitely changed around this age and I just felt I needed to be doing something differently to enable me to feel better in myself.
I definitely am feeling like I have made some progress. My exercise tracker tells me my resting heart rate is down already and my daughter says she has noticed I look a bit slimmer but not much change on the dreaded scales!! But I am determined to keep at it, I have a lovely park nearby and that’s where I go for my runs. I have a very busy job so usually go out early in the morning or just before dark
I’m not quite sure how I will manage week 5 but am finding this forum fantastic for inspiration.. if others can do it then I am determined too!!!
My vice is wine so if I can cut that down while upping the exercise I’m hoping that will tip the balance! As the days get lighter a might even manage a run before work! 😉🏃♀️🥂
I'm currently going through the menopause but not allowed HRT. Ironically, I have found that on my running days my hot flushes are far less frequent than on my non running days. As regards weight, if I combine my running with not eating all the things I want to eat but shouldn't then I maintain where I want to be, but when I get the balance between calories in and calories burnt wrong then I notice the pounds creeping on.
Good luck though, it sounds like you are doing the right things.
I’m 53 and have definitely piled menopause weight on. I only took HRT for three months so it is definitely middle age spread rather than drug induced weight. It’s all around my tummy and hips. I’m on week 5. As well as running for fitness I too want to lose weight. My son gets married in June and I want to be slimmer for that and buy myself a fabulous dress to wear for the wedding. I call it ‘operation wedbod.’ So far, not much difference in the scales, but I can now feel more of my hip bones than I could before so something is changing. I’m hoping that now I’m starting longer runs, I will be making friends with the scales. Good luck! I’m sure we will all get the results we crave if we stick to it. How can it not make a difference?
Remember that while your running you will be converting fat to muscle, and muscle is denser than fat, so initially while you may not see a difference on the scales you'll notice changes to your body shape that are also worth celebrating.
You can lose the stubborn pounds sure thing, but you have to watch those calories. Not necessarily counting em but keeping a hawk eye on the eats and drinks, as well as exercising
I gave up the booze as hanging out the velux window in winter is not a good look 😃. After packing in the alcohol I never had another hot flush! Result 😃. Makes slimming all the more easier 💪👍😃🏃♀️
Once I had lost a lot, I still had saddlebags but I was told another six pounds loss would see them gone, so I persisted. By now I was running and walking more so it seemed quick, thankfully
It’s all worth doing of course as you’ll feel and look much better. You want to be healthy and mobile 😃
Sounds like it has worked for you! I like a balance and I enjoy the odd night out as well without going too wild on the food and drink if I can help it! I guess its all about keeping it in perspective. We will get there! 😀🤔
Hi, I'm 51 and perimenopausal and have put on weight. When I was younger and a few pounds had crept on I found it much easier to shift them and fairly quickly. Not so now.
I've more or less cut out refined sugar, apart from on special occasions and have cut out one portion of carbs and have stopped eating after around 7pm (evening nibbling is one of my vices!). I'm also trying to discipline myself to drink more good old plain tap water - I'm getting quite dehydrated with hot flushes and I tend to sleep better when I've kept properly hydrated throughout the day.
I exercise 6 days out of 7 each week. I'm on Week 6 of the C25K, swim twice a week, kettlebells once a week and try to fit in a cople of other strength and flexibility sessions throuhout the week. I've been on this regime since New Year, lost about 9lbs and definitely seeing a change in shape and how I feel.
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