Any post menopause sister trying to loose wait? Nightmare! I feel like an alien!

[C0rcovado]

Menopause weight loss

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 16kg]

Hi C0rcovado and welcome to this amazing forum. I suggest you spend some time clicking about to find your way around. It's easier if you have a lap-top as there are several threads. Have a good read of the pinned post “Welcome Newbies” and follow every thread.

Here’s the link to the pinned posts,

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Here’s the link for the “Tour” of the forum. If you haven’t already taken it.

healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

I strongly suggest you read and contribute to the Daily Diary and participate in a Weekly Weigh in.

You will find there's loads of tips about better eating, from other members. Sharing your daily menu not only helps you stay committed, it can help other members too.

Good luck I hope to "see " you around.

[C0rcovado in reply to TheTabbyCat]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I’m add and have issues with schedules ana over committing but I really want to do my best for myself and share what I learn.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, C0rcovado

I was 58 and post menopause when I arrived here and it was this post that made the difference for me healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

I hope it can help you too

[C0rcovado in reply to moreless]

Thank you I’m checking it right now.

[Kickupbum 2st 7lbs in reply to moreless]

Thanks, moreless, that was an amazing post!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Kickupbum]

I couldn't agree more, Kickupbum.

[DebbieFleming 7lbs]

Yeah, coming right back at you ! I'm a few years older than you. I lost 1.5stone last year on a low-ish carb diet. I exercised as well. I need to address the half a stone I put on over a two week period during Christmas. Then get on with the rest of my weight loss goals.

[Kickupbum 2st 7lbs]

Hi C0rcovado, welcome. I'm also a few years older than you and have a few stone to go. I am losing (very slowly) by eating less refined carbs, exercising (which is losing inches and that is very motivating!) and just trying to make small changes that won't set me up to fail. Good luck. I am now out of obese and I will be very excited when I shrink out of overweight: just the anticipation gets me to eat less cream cakes! Be well

[Smithy999]

Hi, I've just started HRT last year, but have put 2 stone over the last 3 years while being peri menopausal and through the lockdowns.I'm finding it really hard to lose any weight, reducing my carbs does seem to be working but it's a very slow process, even with exercise included. This forum is great for motivation, getting meal ideas, and just general support. Good luck 😊

[diannetrussell]

Yep! Post menopausal weight gain is a big thing. Navigating my way through it with lots of research and discerning...

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to diannetrussell]

Hi, good to see you back

We hope you'll be joining us on all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weekly weigh in and the Daily Diary, the best places to give and receive advice, support and bucket loads of encouragement. They're all under Pinned Posts still, hope to see you around! x

[diannetrussell in reply to Lytham]

I'll see how I go, between starting a PhD, writing 2 books, prepping an international conference, setting up a research centre, running a business, working a job, and trying to get to the USA to my fiance! Ah yeah... there's more! I tend to be better at responding to people who call out for help...

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to diannetrussell]

Phew ! You're certainly busy but don't forget to look after yourself too! Good luck x

[diannetrussell]

Has anyone else noticed that menopausal weight gain seems to go hand in hand with hair loss? I'm really struggling with the hair loss... might have found some things that make a bit of a difference. I could not find a forum on Health Unlocked for hair loss - anyone know of one?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to diannetrussell]

Welcome back, diannetrussell

Have you had your thyroid function tested? Weight gain and hair loss are common symptoms. You could have a look at the Thyroid UK forum for more information healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

As a reminder, all of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l... and we hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially the weigh-in and daily diary.

Wishing you all the best for 2022

[diannetrussell in reply to moreless]

Yep, we're onto it with thyroid function, etc. I had polycystic ovary syndrome, so assumed it's a testosterone thing, and I do get some slowing of the loss by taking saw palmetto every day to block the beastly dihydrotestosterone. But I feel there's something more... looking into liver (I'm on 3 meds that could be problematic) and gut microbiome...

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to diannetrussell]

You do need to be optimally treated for thyroid disorders, just being in 'normal' range won't be enough. The members on the TUK forum are very knowledgeable and will be able to read your blood test results. Just make sure you're getting all the right tests. For a full thyroid evaluation, you'll need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. It's also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

[Nikon1972]

Hello C0rcovado,

I'm 49 and had my menopause at 42. I was on the mini pill at the time and didn't know it had happened. It's only when I came off the pill a year or so later and my periods never returned that I ended up talking to a doctor or two and they finally confirmed a couple of years ago after tests that yes, it had happened.

I can get good results losing weight by counting calories and exercising, but I find it is not sustainable when life isn't going great. I had lots of anxiety last year for various reasons, and earlier back when the pandemic started and during the first lockdown I broke my ankle, had to have surgery and was immobilised for a few weeks. I had anxiety again recently, and when coping with these various things I don't have the motivation to calorie count, it's hard enough to even get in the kitchen and cook!

I'm turning 50 this summer and would quite like to be a stone lighter, preferably a stone and a half. I was very nearly there last spring but when the anxiety kicked in I started putting on again and I'm nearly back where I was when I started trying to lose weight a year ago.

I don't have a lot to lose, but as you say it isn't as easy now as it was back in my youth. This year rather than counting calories and losing weight fast, I'd rather try to take a more gentler approach, focusing on eating good, fresh, 'real' food, and limiting rather than banning treats and processed food. I'm keeping a little more active at the moment (I was REALLY inactive for the last three months), am reducing my alcohol treats, and trying to get used to healthier portion sizes. I just hope and feel that in the long term, wanting to make lifelong sustainable changes, this is more realistic than intense 'dieting' or calorie counting.

Reading up about healthy cooking, and coming on this forum, also help. I like cooking magazines and they give me new ideas of things to try (I cook a very wide variety of things already, but hey, never hurts to change a few ingredients here or there to keep things interesting). Reading from other forum users helps me keep my thoughts focused and reminding me of what I would like to achieve.

I won't feel devastated if I haven't reached my full goal by my 50th birthday, but I hope to have progressed in ways I can sustain. If I've reached a healthier lifestyle generally and slowly getting towards my goal, I'll be happy.

I'll also set up a plan for next time anxiety kicks in, as that can last months, and having a few good healthy recipes under my belt for then, with more experience and confidence about what size portion helps keep the weight down, will be useful. I always tell my partner to plan ahead for mentally difficult time and have an emergency plan ready, so I'll put that in practice myself. Might actually cut out and copy and print inspiring recipes that aren't too time consuming and put them in a special folder, ready to use when not able to think properly.

I wish you the best on your journey.

🙂

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to Nikon1972]

Oh wow your post really resonates with me! We are the same age and I'm also 50 this summer. I think I had my menopause about 44/45 - completely masked by being on the pill - which I discovered when I came off at 47/48 and periods never returned. Slow but steady weight gain and a HUGE struggle to lose it has been the story ever since. I think being 50 this summer is going to be a useful goalpost for me to lose weight by and I don't want to put it off any more. How about you?

[Nikon1972 in reply to JiminyCricket]

Hi Jiminy, yes having this 'milestone' coming up is what I'm hoping will keep me determined. I just want to be careful that I don't overdo things as I believe that's partly what made me exhausted and anxious a year ago. The pandemic is also to blame as I'm become quite used to sitting on my sofa with my cats and partner, and prefer to it being out there in all weathers walking the dog. However, sadly one of my dogs died on New Year's day, and as the remaining dog is now alone I feel more obliged to take her out and keep her active as she's lost her garden playmate. Whereabout in your journey are you? What are your goals?

All the best for the New Year and a fabulous 50th birthday this summer!

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to Nikon1972]

Hello and welcome back, good to see you here!

We hope you'll be joining us on all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weekly weigh in and the Daily Diary, the best places to give and receive advice, support and bucket loads of encouragement.

Here's the link to Pinned Posts where you'll find them all, Good Luck and hope to see you around! x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...