I am 56 and going through the menopause. I have put on over a stone over the past year and can't seem to lose this.

[Chris57]

I have tried cutting back on carbs, and the slimfast plan. I get a good amount of excercise having 2 large dogs, about an hour and a quarter mid week and 2-3 hours weekends. It is affecting my mood now as I feel fat even though I know I am not that bad. I don't want to go on HRT if possible.

[vandame]

I am 56 and going through the menopause. I have been on the Fast diet also known as the 5.2 diet for nearly 1 year, I have lost nearly 3 stone. I am currently in maintainence where I only restrict to 500 calories 1 day per week.

I start my 24 hours at midday and finish the following day at midday. I also use Myfitnesspal which is an application for PC, tablet, smart phone which totals your calorie intact which I have found is very useful.

It is not a diet as such but a change in habbits that you are looking for. You need it to be sustainable so I have reduced portion size rather than eliminated a particular food or drink.

You need to watch the drink calories, i.e it can be quite enlightening when you see the calories in say orange juice or tea with milk.

I have recently took part in the Derbyshire Workplace Challange and have increased my exersize over the last 2 months. It does not matter what the exercise is so long as you can do it on a reular basis.

Good luck on your journey.

[Chris57 in reply to vandame]

Thanks I will get the app. I have already given up drink mid week and trying more herbal teas. I don't drink sugary drinks or juices as try to do water to keep me full mid meal and replace the water lost due to hot flushes. Very frustrating being a woman at times.

[Penel]

Hi Chris

I'm on the other side of the menopause! I did go on HRT for a while to help me over the worst, without any ill effects. Have you tried supplements like Black Cohosh?

I had to give up eating anything with gluten in because of health problems, and have ended up on a low carb way of eating which is now permanent, and doesn't involve going hungry. I've gone down two dress sizes so far.

This site has been very useful to me.

authoritynutrition.com/12-b...

Hope you can find something that works for you.

[Windswept1]

nhs.uk/LiveWell/weight-loss...

I recommend the guidance here as a slow,steady & permanent weight loss and lifestyle change plan. I am 59 and many years past menopause, I avoided HRT but used over the counter supplements. I have lost weight steadily over several months following the NHS plan.

My tips are plan your meals, don't get too hungry, use smaller plates, buy small loaves of bread as slices are smaller.

If your dogs will run - mine won't, try the c25k running plan to up your exercise. I have to walk the dog as well as run without her!

Most importantly - don't feel bad about yourself, you are looking for a solution and if you lose a bit of weight you will feel soooo much better.

Good luck on your weight loss journey.

[Chris57 in reply to Windswept1]

Thanks for the reply. I am unable to do running as I had a hip replacement and not allowed to do this which is why I walk a lot. I have tried various supplements which had no effect but am trying my present one for 3 months before I decide. I will get there, it is just frustrating when you go from being able to lose weight easily to struggling to lose a pound. Thanks

[GoogleMe]

Other people have given you lots of useful things to think about. My suggestion is to make sure you have the right clothes. I found I needed a whole new set of tops - cotton shirts, cardigans that I could slip on and off easily - so that I was more comfortable. Oh and get measured for a supportive new bra - that alone can make you look and feel much better.

The mood thing may be there anyway and just latched onto weight. Be kind to yourself.

[Chris57 in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks I am trying to be.

[Carolecal]

You sound like you have a good amount of exercise built into your normal day, but I would still suggest you take a look at the NHS Couch to 5 K plan.There is a fantastic supportive and friendly forum too.

I started last July with no huge expectations and completed it 9 weeks later , though you can take as long as you need to and repeat weeks if necessary.

I now run three times a week and am loving it.Its great for toning up ...legs,bum, tum etc. but one of the main and quite unexpected sides of it for me was it's an amazing mood booster and worth doing for that alone.

I would thoroughly recommend you give it a try

[Chris57 in reply to Carolecal]

Thanks I can try the diet plan but not the running as not allowed due to a hip replacement.

[Carolecal in reply to Chris57]

That's a pity, but at least you are fitting in a good amount of walking with your dogs.

With the better weather coming would you be able to consider adding in cycling and maybe swimming or a pool-based exercise class ?

It is incredibly frustrating when you go from being able to lose weight quite easily to it being a real slow struggle to shed the pounds...especially when it goes on so rapidly.Like vandame and gingernut, I would recommend giving the 5:2 a go.

I've been on it just over a year ,it's brilliant!

[gingernut49]

I'm 64 and now fitter and healthier than I've ever been and I'm three stone lighter. I was a size 16 and now I'm a size 10 for the first time since I was a teenager. In August 2012 I watched an amazing BBC Horizon documentary with Dr Michael Mosley, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" vimeo.com/54089463 and initially took from it to eat from smaller plates, to try and get more exercise, and to stop eating anything after my evening meal.

This then became The 5:2 Diet when Kate Harrison brought out her book of the same name in November 2012 and Dr Mosley brought out his book The Fast Diet in the spring of 2013.

I've never tried any diet before that has worked so well - I lost half a stone a month - and, more importantly, the weight has stayed off since April last year by just fasting one day a week. My 500 calorie days start when I wake up in the morning and finish when I go to bed. It's not too hard as long as you distract yourself by going out walking. I use an app called MyFitnessPal which is great.

I felt so full of energy that in January 2013 I started the NHS Couch to 5K running podcasts and now I run three times a week. I also wear a Fitbit pedometer and aim at at least five miles every day - which I'm sure you already do.

[Chris57 in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks I will try the diets as just been doing my own low fat low carb. Unable to run though as had hip replacement. I now walk fast instead.

[GoogleMe in reply to Chris57]

Was this specific long term advice that you should not run? I ask because I only took up running because brisk walking was too hard on my body and lots of people do run after joint replacements. Two years later I still find running much gentler (I do only run off road to protect my joints, no pavement pounding - I don't always run any faster than I can walk it is mainly a different, looser, motion)

[Hidden]

im 56 moving towards end of menopause(monthlies dwindling) have gained 3 stones. im new here. so i will hopefully get my head straight and start losing-going to try cutting out some of my toast, already cut out my chocolate