Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Menopause And Weight Gain

Now, I don't normally get too personal on here but folks I am going to take a chance and share some of my journey through menopause and especially to start, menopause and weight gain. UGH! Can I just say that without eating extra, my body has decided, because of my hormones to pack on some weight.

gaining weight, menopause, hormones



It is my fault. I should have got serious and really cut my calories when it started but hey I was just looking to survive what was happening to me. The ups the downs, the hot flashes, the sadness I was feeling. If you have been there, you know. Well, after my physical a couple of months ago, I was told I was now officially in menopause at the age of 49. I know it may seem early but if I remmeber correctly it was about that age for my mom.

For now, I have to say I feel I am coming out of the wilderness. My moods have stabilized, my hot flashes for now are gone but will probably come back, but this weight gain! I have to do something about this. I am not happy and I know it is not healthy so I am vowing to tackle it. I mean I had a baby in my 40s and lost all the weight and more but now it is all back baby.

So I am going to share my journey, what I am trying and what is and isn't working. I am hoping this accountability will maybe help me to stay on track but also to maybe help someone else as I am the first of my girlfriends, that are my age to go through menopause.

This week I have started to really monitor my diet. I had thought of Weight Watchers but I am trying to lose weight frugally and am trying something that I used in the past that worked well for me. Loseit.com is a program that you choose a goal, for me 20 pounds, how much you want to lose per week and then helps you track your food and calories as you try and stay in the allotment they have given you. I like it because it helps you to see really how fattening and caloric certain things are. Just cooking my egg and not using butter saves you a lot of calories.

I am down almost a half a pound this week and that is nothing, but to see the tiny decrease in my graph already encourages me. I think the biggest thing mentally about menopause and gaining weight, is not beating myself up mentally over this. It happens to every woman and there is no shame in this. My husband still feels the same, I am the same person, I have done nothing wrong, it is what it is. But for my health and the fact that I have an eight year old, I CHOOSE to work harder. So join me or comment and let me know what has helped you cause I can use all the good advice I can get.

I want to also vlog this for my Youtube channel, but I have had a family member who is very ill this week and the worry that has been on my heart is so heavy I just can't yet. But, I am trying to keep busy and keep my mind busy as I feel so helpless and this is a good outlet for me and a safe space I can keep busy at. That and taking care of my family.

So let me know what you think about my sharing this. Perhaps no one is interested but I know I have been searching online for info since this journey and stage began. Thanks friends for being here!!
Elaine

9 comments:

  1. It's a definite problem, they warned me that after a certain age it can be 10 pounds a year, and I have been A Woman Of A Certain Age for lo these many years. I feel like I keep gaining and losing that same 10 pounds. I have no wisdom -- avoiding grains and carbs helps for me -- but I will be interested to see what you learn. :) Good luck, and welcome to 'the club.'

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  2. I'm right there with you on the weight gain. I am at my heaviest that I have ever been and went up a whole clothing size. I'm eating less than I did before and I still gained weight. I am praying that once the weather warms up and the ice melts I can get out and start walking again. Before menopause and a hysterectomy, that is how I lost weight.

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  3. I wish when I went through it at 52 that I had someone like you to share about it. Yes, I had severe mood swings (meds helped that), hot flashes (sticking your head in the freezer helps, temporarily, oh yes I did!). My mother died the day I started my last cycle and it was a doozy, add to that the emotional devastation (even though she was old) was too much. So take care of yourself, Elaine, and if you need help in any way, be sure to get it - take care of yourself first so you can take care of your loved ones.
    Mary

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  4. Thank you for posting this. I can completely relate. I started gaining menopausal weight but didn't really think much of it. I had pretty much weighed the same (135 pounds) my entire adult life. Very quickly I gained 5 pounds, then 10 pounds. Before I knew it, it is now 20 pounds. I think my biggest mistake was not doing something about it when it was only 5 pounds. From what I have read, menopausal weight gain is different from other weight gain and is extremely hard to lose. While I don't seem to be gaining any more weight I'm really struggling to lose it. I am fairly active and work out hard twice a week and walk a great deal. I think I eat well for the most part. I have lost a bit here and there but it seems to come right back if I'm not extremely vigilant. I am now coming out of menopause and have my fingers crossed I will start to lose. I'm looking forward to reading further comments with suggestions! Thanks, again, for being so honest!

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  5. I'm really interested in seeing how you do and I think you're going about it the right way. My son is a dietitian and he said that 1/2 pound to 1 pound weight loss a week is a good goal. Losing it slowly is a better way to keeping it off overall.

    For me, menopause was manageable. I hated the fuzzy brain feeling more than anything. The hot flashes were frequent but to combat them I would get up and run on the treadmill when they hit. That was a huge help. I also started walking/running a mile each night on the treadmill. Plus I tweaked my diet, added more smoothies and fruit and less junk food. I'm happy to say that menopause is about over for me - I still get the occasional hot flash, and I came thru it just 2 pounds over my normal weight.

    Navigating menopause is doable, but it takes discipline and a little extra work. Either that or I am just damn lucky. :-)

    Good luck on your goals!

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  6. I have to say for me it was awful. My emotions were all over the place. I had so many hot flashes I stayed soaked to the bone. I gained about 20 lbs that to this day have a little trouble keeping off. But you see I don't work out regularly and cook the same as I always have so I don't do anything to help keep the weight off. I will say your body weight shifts and you feel bigger even if you don't gain a pound. It will level off after awhile and you be alright and I know you will do well.
    Dolly

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  7. Good luck Elaine. I had a total hysterectomy at 40 that put me straight into full blown menopause. My hardest symptom were the hot flashes. I am finally better now.
    I will say a prayer for you and your family. Mine is going through a rough patch too.
    xo Kris

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  8. I had horrible moods swings, night sweats and hot flashes in my late 40's, no fun! Not so much the weight gain. I have used Fatsecrets.com, free, for food tracking. Does a great job of showing your protein/fat/carb intake, etc. I found when I did mostly protein the weight came off easily. Hang in there. I love my estrogen!

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  9. I'm not sure if I'm heading into this realm or not, but I suspect the beginnings are upon me. I've always been very sensitive to hormonal changes, through my periods and being pregnant, but I've been an unbearable b**** lately and I have no reason for it! No other symptoms other than being unable to get rid of excess weight. Last year, I found it easy to shed a few pounds whenever I wanted, and now, no matter how hard I try, the scale won't budge. I'm unsure of what I should do about this... I have no one to really turn to for advice. Appreciate the post, thank you!

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