09-28-2022 07:03
09-28-2022 07:03
Hi Folks,
My name is Yvonne and I am 53. I am presently going through perimenopause and what a shock it was to almost instantly gain 20 pounds over a couple of months! I wasn't particularly happy with my weight prior to that ( 5'2" and 150 but I'm curvy and sports/ exercise kept things in check). Now, most of my clothes had to be replaced, I feel the extra weight every day and my regular routine wasn't working at ALL! My Fitbit motivates me to move ( have to get all those circles completed...lol) but the weight is not going away. We eat very healthy ( have our own veggie/ berry garden) and I'm very active ( run or elliptical in the morning, walk later to get the rest of my steps peppered with kayaking/ hiking/ snowshoeing/ skiing/ etc as the opportunity arises. I've lost 5 pounds since I got my Fitbit 9 months ago. If there are any peri-menopause or menopausal ladies out there who could share their tips, please let me know. I've given up everything except red wine...that's a no fly zone for me. hahahahaha So, other advise welcome!
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03-24-2023 14:01
03-24-2023 14:01
Great thread. This story could be mine for the past 10 years. I finally saw a doctor who checked my thyroid and hormones. I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago. I had zero hormones in my body.I recently started BHRT pellets. They’ve increased my energy level significantly but water weight gain has been difficult. With a 500 calorie deficit daily now for two weeks - I still haven’t lost weight but I’m hopeful. Have your hormones checked!!
03-24-2023 16:06
03-24-2023 16:06
03-25-2023 08:39
03-25-2023 08:39
Chiming in late here. I'm 49 and in peri as well. Interesting times! Track your food. My doc told me to reduce my carb intake (all carbs) to 25 percent of my daily caloric intake. It's tough! But definitely a good thing to aim for. Point is, fill up on the good stuff--fruits, veg and probably you need more protein. Start weight training. When you build muscle it burns more calories even at rest. And we lose muscle mass as we age. I hear ya on the no fly zone, but track it with your food. You will see where the carbs come from! Sorry...that's a hard truth for us wine lovers. I was a regular drinker but gave it up. I felt so good--slept better, fewer heart palpitations & less anxiety--I didn't want to go back. Anyway, it made a big difference for me. Maybe give it a try. But definitely increase your weight training and protein intake. Check out Melissa Neill on YouTube. Weight loss for women 40-plus. She is in her 50s and looks amazing. Good luck!
03-25-2023 18:29
03-25-2023 18:29
03-26-2023 12:03
03-26-2023 12:03
Thank you, I need it! lol!
04-03-2023 07:24
04-03-2023 07:24
Hi! Firmly in menopause with all the weight-related frustrations here - have about 80lbs to lose, but extra demands on my time. (Too young to retire). The Spring weather has inspired me, so looking forward to a bit of progress!
04-05-2023 14:15
04-05-2023 14:15
01-29-2024 08:35
01-29-2024 08:35
Well, it's been a while and I thought I would update. My new fitbit is now running into trouble so I'm trying to get that sorted. Advice - stay away from the Charge 5! Nothing but issues for loads of us.
The weight is still an issue and it's still creeping up. I'm eating more plant based, smaller meals and more frequently. I even cut down on the wine. I'm doing weight lifting for 30 min and then a run/walk for 30. That's weekends and days I'm not working ( retired principal now subbing). On work days, I will do walks, treadmill uphill challenges, elliptical or a short weight lifting session. I haven't missed a day of some form of exercise since Jan. 1. I walk to my chores ( post office, meetings, grocery store) to get even more exercise. To say I'm frustrated is accurate. None of my clothes fit and I'm losing interest in social activities because I don't feel like myself anymore.
I'm going to try a cortisol manager to see if that helps even though I don't feel unduly stressed. Has anyone tried that? Grasping at straws at this point.
01-29-2024 12:04
01-29-2024 12:04
You are probably doing great. But if you really are hellbent on losing fat, you need to get really strict about sugar and carbs. Increase your weights, switch your cardio to 20 min of HIIT (unless you are already doing HIIT), and most important, focus on your food. Cut out all alcohol for a month and see what happens. Then up your protein intake. The idea is to build muscle, which burns fat. It is hard and might not be worth it! Lol. But that's what we need to do to lose weight at this stage. Good luck xo
01-30-2024 12:22
01-30-2024 12:22
02-20-2024 04:56
02-20-2024 04:56
I am 54 and going through the same menopause struggles, I have just started 8/16 fasting diet and have been doing it for 3 weeks and lost 3 lb. I will keep you posted on how it goes, but my heart rate has come down and my skin seems brighter as well, fingers crossed it continues as I am going to a wedding in 5 weeks and need to get some weight off.
02-20-2024 05:11
02-20-2024 05:11
03-18-2024 05:48
03-18-2024 05:48
This is me too!! I've always been fairly slim 5'5" and 130lbs and fit, but now at 50, I'm suddenly up around 148!! And very little changes to my lifestyle. It's so frustrating, but I think I'm going to agree with the idea that we now have to track EVERYTHING we put into our mouths. There are a lot of hidden calories in the day - a bite of this, or sip of that. I think that is the problem for me at least. I sneak food off my kid's plate that he doesn't eat - like a couple fries, etc. LOL. time to stop that.
03-18-2024 08:20
03-18-2024 08:20
03-18-2024 08:59
03-18-2024 08:59
I agree I think it is better to focus on what brings us joy in our lives than weight loss goals that may be unreasonable. I read recently that to maintain his physique, Tom Cruise, who is in his fifties and very active even when not filming something, *never eats more than 1200 calories a day* and doesn't touch carbs.
This is very low for an active man. So, yes it can be done. But will it make you happy? It takes a lot of focus and sacrifice and discipline. I have known college and Olympic athletes over the years and have seen how they maintain their bodies. It is a full time job even for the young. They do not eat what normal people eat, and they work out for minimum 2 hrs a day. And they were young!
I am guessing we all have more important things to worry about than staying action-hero ripped and shredded. It sounds like you are doing a lot of walking now and that alone is so healthy. Kudos! 🎉
Have an amazing time on your Camino trip! Don't forget to enjoy a glass of wine and maybe some cheese! xo
03-18-2024 09:06
03-18-2024 09:06