Weight gain during perimenopause Options

[angel3]

I know that weight gain can be part of perimenopause. I have noticed that women I know who had never had children do not seem to gain any excess weight during their perimenopause years.   Is there any scientific information on this?  

[virgomom]

Hhhhmmmm.   I don't have any scientific information, but my sister who adopted her children has put on more perimenopausal weight than I have.  I would be interested to know though, if this is generally true.  

[Grace]

I am curious too! At first I thought it had something to do with the skin being stretched from childbirth, but that theory is shot.

I am going to do some more people watching. I will have to decide first who had the tummy tucks and who didn't.

Grace

[yooperber]

Have any of you experienced food cravings? I am craving foods similar to what I craved during pregnacy (which I am not!) It's maddeding because they will last for days until I finally give into them. I feel so weak and frustrated, giving in, but then again I wonder if I am lacking something in my daily diet that is causing the cravings. Any thoughts?

[Grace]

I always felt that perimenopause is like PMSing all the time. The same cravings, etc. But since estrogen is getting less, it is possible to have the same cravings as pregnancy. My biggest craving is carbs! Craved them when pregnant too.

Of course it is best to eat as healthy as possible. It does help with the symptoms of perimenopause. Sugar seems to be the biggest enemy.

Good luck.

Grace

[darling]

grace, I can relate to the sugar cravings. I do know that when i tried revival soy that i lost weight and have kept it off in addition to ending nite sweats. the more superfood supplementation i take like lots of veggies and fruits etc that i lose the desire towards sweets. Interesting how our bodies change when we change wht we put into it. Is sugar really the worst for meno? I want to learn all i can. love Darling

[Seed]

I never had kids and I have gained weight with perimenopause. My co-worker also gained about 15 lbs. and she never had kids, so I don't think that it's necessarily true that women who never had kids don't gain weight during perimenopause.

[carolannk1]

I am getting very upset since ive finally gone into perimenopause. I am 55 years young and it seems that as hard as i try i cant lose a pound. every week i seem to gain 1 or 2 lbs. then i lose it during the week. at work I do good with eating right and drinking lots of water.when the weekend comes then i sometimes go off the track. im hoping that once i get into menopause that my system will get back to normal, if there is such a thing as normal? does anyone know about losing the weight after menopause. i do exercise but i guess not as much as i should. i have had 3 children and never really had to worry about my weight. i need to lose about 15 lbs. but 1 seems to be too hard to lose. i wish you all well on your weight loses. hope that someone may have some answers for me. have a good week!!

[rmg]

I've never had children....a bit heavier than i'd like at 50...however it is more challenging to lose weight now that I'm older. But then, I was underweight right until I turned 35 or so.

[Grace]

Carolann...HI! I have the same thing with weekends. I seem to have little control over the food then. I do well all week and even can lose 3 lbs...then comes the weekend......... I find that the less I stress over the weight, the better I do. Focusing on health and fitness seems to be better. The more fiber rich foods I eat the better along with veggies and fruit and lean protein. It even helps with the cravings if I keep eating that way. I am finally getting back to exercising regularly after being out for so long after foot surgeries. The time off seems to have paid off. Up until last August I was teaching exercise classes almost every day, tried to watch what I ate and gained weight. I have lost weight since the surgeries even with cutting back on the exercise and changing my eating habits. I now eat more nuts, more protein, and drink more green tea. I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but the gaining stopped. Sometimes changing things around helps whether it is exercising and/or eating. I have read that eating nuts, fiber rich foods, and dietary calcium, as well as, getting soy in your diet are all things that can help with weight loss or at least stop the gaining. I am still experimenting but things seem to be looking up. So...change things around, mix it up and see what you come up with. Don't deprive yourself and make sure you are eating enough! Grace

[carolannk1]

HELP!!! I NEED TO LOSE THIS ADDED WEIGHT THAT I SEEM TO BE GAINING. EVERYDAY I TRY TO EAT GOOD ANDWHEN I COME HOME TO EXERCISE AND I STILL CANT LOSE AN OUNCE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF PROGESTERONE CREAM ADDS LBS.?? THIS IS THE MOST DISTRESSING THING TO ME. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP LOSE WEIGHT DURING THIS TIME. AFTER I REACH MENOPAUSE WILL MY BODY GET BACK IN SINC AND MY METABOLISM GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK? DOES ANYONE KNOW THESE ANSWERS. I SURE WOULD LIKE SOME GOOD ADVICE. THANKS

[zjsurfer]

Originally posted by carolannk1 HELP!!! I NEED TO LOSE THIS ADDED WEIGHT THAT I SEEM TO BE GAINING. EVERYDAY I TRY TO EAT GOOD ANDWHEN I COME HOME TO EXERCISE AND I STILL CANT LOSE AN OUNCE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF PROGESTERONE CREAM ADDS LBS.?? THIS IS THE MOST DISTRESSING THING TO ME. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP LOSE WEIGHT DURING THIS TIME. AFTER I REACH MENOPAUSE WILL MY BODY GET BACK IN SINC AND MY METABOLISM GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK? DOES ANYONE KNOW THESE ANSWERS. I SURE WOULD LIKE SOME GOOD ADVICE. THANKS

Weight Watchers and Exercise really helped me! I lost 100+ to goal. I do struggle to stay right at goal (and had to put my goal at the highest for my height), but as of the last time I weighed myself, I just need to lose about 4 lbs to be in my goal range again. Zelma

[michmadre]

I have been reading your posts and I am in the same boat. I am 44 and gaining, even though I work out and try to eat right. I am in perimenopause and when I hit 35 my body started getting fatter, regardless of what I did. It is mostly around my stomach, and I have a small bone build, which is very frustrating. My ankles, wrists, and legs look fine but my belly looks like I am 4 months pregnant! and it is getting worse! I just had to vent-it is 430 am and stressed. Somedays I can handle it and somedays, like when I can't button my pants,I can't! Linda:mad:

[AimeeDecorates]

I've read that stress hormones cause weight to deposit around the stomach. Also that lower estrogen levels cause stomach weight gain, because fat around the stomach can more easily produce (convert really) estrogen. But I don't know how to get rid of stress! At least you eat right and exercise. I gained 12 pounds in the first 6 years of peri (I'm still in peri), then I lost 12 pounds the first quarter of this year and still can't believe I did it. I just started eating healthier and lots of fiber, stuff like that. However, I gained a pound over the last two weeks, so I want to nip it in the bud as Barney on The Andy Griffith Show would say.

[CSugarGrove]

I've lost about 35 or 40 pounds (haven't weighed myself because I can't face the scales, but I took in my dress slacks four inches and I've gone down four jean sizes). When I was younger, I had a flat stomach right away when I lost weight. But now, at age 53 and two years post meno, I'm losing weight in my legs, upper body, arms, and everywhere but on my abdomen where I have this disgusting fat roll that I can't get rid of. I've tried some sit-ups, but it just stays there, wiggling like jello. I'd like to rip it off with my hands. (Just kidding)

[CSugarGrove]

Since this is the subject of this board, I'd like to add that I've noticed many of my friends who are approaching meno have suddenly gained weight. One friend in particular is now 46 or 47 and she runs every day (or used to) but she seems heavier and has told me she's having meno symptoms. I, myself, gained about 30 pounds when I entered peri. I remember wondering why I had gained so much weight so quickly, because I thought that I was being careful about what I ate. I think the weight gain has something to do with your body trying to conserve fat because fat produces a low level of estrogen. I thought that when I lost 35 pounds this spring, I'd maybe have horrific meno symptoms. But other than the usual hot flashes, nothing really changed. So if you want to lose weight after meno, and are wondering if you can or what will happen, I'm here to tell you that yes, you can lose weight and nothing happens as far as really bad symptoms returning. Plus, I sleep better because it's not so hard to get comfortable, and I'm not so heavy on my feet with all-over body aches like before.

[freakofnature]

I'm 46 and don't have children and in the past 12-18 months have gained weight. I'm heavier now than I've ever been in my life! At 122 lbs. I know I'm not going to get a whole lot of sympathy, but it's a new sensation for me! I can't get into half my slacks and skirts that fit ok a year ago. And it's all in my stomach (from the rib cage down), my hips and tush. Of course, my bra size remains the same - teeny tiny. I'm stumped on how to go about losing it since I've never had to diet before.

[zjsurfer]

Liz,

Are you quite petite? If so, then 122 lbs may be to you what 150 lbs is to someone taller! Weight Watchers worked for me (I lost 105 to goal and was a leader for about 3 years) and I'm fixin' to rejoined to get back off some that has returned! This last year has been stressful and I haven't been as good as before - so I need to lose about 15-20 lbs again. I heard on the news this last week that WW is the only one out there truely researched based - so here we go again! At least it isn't 100 lbs this time!!!

Zelma

[chriscarol]

Personally, I would include more fruits and vegetables if I wanted to lose weight.
Also, complex carbs can fill you up. Plus, start an exercise program. I have to
resume free weights. I was quite skinny at one point in peri, but my thyroid was
hyper. Now, I'd like like to maintain the weight of 122lbs, at 5'6"

[chriscarol]

Personally, I would include more fruits and vegetables if I wanted to lose weight.
Also, complex carbs can fill you up. Plus, start an exercise program. I have to
resume free weights. I was quite skinny at one point in peri, but my thyroid was
hyper. Now, I'd like like to maintain the weight of 122lbs, at 5'6"

[AimeeDecorates]

Personally, I would include more fruits and vegetables if I wanted to lose weight.
Also, complex carbs can fill you up.  Plus, start an exercise program.  I have to
resume free weights.  I was quite skinny at one point in peri, but my thyroid was
hyper.  Now, I'd like like to maintain the weight of 122lbs, at 5'6"

122 lbs. at 5'6" IS thin. I weigh 120 lbs. at 5'3" and look thin (but I do "sort of serious" weight lifting, and muscle weighs more than fat and takes up less room on the body).

Regarding the fruits and vegetables, yes, they do fill you up! Almost too much, in my opinion. I had a large orange and apple for breakfast (I'm a big believer in just fruit in the a.m.--learned that from Dr. Taub on a PBS show), and I'm still not hungry and it is 3:00 p.m. And fruit is just so cleansing. It really helps my skin.

But I actually hate fruit, oddly enough. Maybe that's why it keeps me so full for so long--I feel like barfing.

But I do like berries. But they don't keep me full like an orange or apple.

My girlfriend refuses to eat any fruit or vegetables (except what's on a pizza or drowned in cheese sauce) and I can't believe the weight she has gained in peri. She weighs at least 200 pounds. The thing is, she was a slender young person. I don't think you have any choice but to change your eating habits as you age, or you will definitely get heavy. (Not to say that there are not other reasons for gaining weight, of course.)

[zjsurfer]

122 lbs. at 5'6" IS thin. I weigh 120 lbs. at 5'3" and look thin (but I do "sort of serious" weight lifting, and muscle weighs more than fat and takes up less room on the body).

120 lbs at 5'3" is in the normal range. When I was a Weight Watchers leader, the goal range for 5'3" was 113 - 141. (I remember so well because I am 5'2 1/2" - WW counts that as 5'3"!) Just be careful about getting below 113 - it can be as unhealthy to be too thin as too heavy - maybe more so. I agree 122 lbs. at 5'6" is very thin. 124-155 is the normal range for 5'6" - I just looked it up!

Zelma

[Kleeo]

I'm 5'6" and I weigh 125 lbs. I have a PHOBIA about gaining weight. Probably why it's so tough for me to quit smoking. I've never really considered myself too thin, though many people (family & friends) tell me I could use a few xtra pounds. My Mom is my biggest fan - she constantly tells me how good I look! (God love Mothers!). I wear a perfect size 6 (5 in juniors) and I have for years now. The only thing I've noticed since peri is that I don't gain, I just SAG! Nothing is where it should be anymore: Breasts heading south, thighs looking like someone has wrinkled them in a dryer, and the skin under my chin is loose. Not to mention the fine lines that are NOT so fine anymore around my eyes. *sigh* This is depressing. I'm going to eat some chocolate now.
Aimee, your quote about wanting to barf after eating fruit cracked me up! I sometimes have to GAG down fresh fruit...and not nearly as often as I should. Kudos to you for doing it every morning! My hat's off to you. I wish I had that willpower!
HUGS!

[chriscarol]

I love fruit! Nature's fast food. I have to make it a point to eat more
vegetables. I love to walk, but should pick up the free weights again, as the
arms are starting to sag. In early peri, it seems I always ached when lifting,
which could have either been the hyperthyroidism or the sex hormone
fluctuations. Nevertheless, free weights are on on my resolution list.

I also gain in the gut! I''m a bit of a fat phobe, Kleeo. At 112, with the
hyperthyroidism I was WAY too gaunt.

[chriscarol]

122 at 5'6" I'm comfortable at. I have small wrists.

[chriscarol]

Kleeo,
After nursing two babies my small breasts have resembled fried eggs for
years. I guess I've adapted.

[Kleeo]

LOL LOL Chriscarol! The fried eggs just gave me a hoot of a laugh! My daughter said once that when I bend over, my breasts look like two of those 'skinny clorox bottles' tipped upside down!! I told her they NEVER did until SHE entered my body!! All of the exercising in the world hasn't helped them 'get back up there'. So, I guess I won't complain.........much. According to the last mammo they are cancer free.......WHAT more can a gal ask for?!!!
HUGS!
P.S. I too have small wrists...and thin ankles. And since entering peri I ALWAYS seem to look gaunt. Think it's the lack of sleep and always being anxious. Thank GOD for makeup!

[chriscarol]

Yup, thank God the fried eggs are healthy. I have 2 friends, one had a double
mastectomy, the other a lumpectomy, which had spread to her lymph nodes.

Hey, that's why they make slightly padded bras, along with the make-up, Kleeo.

I love your Shultz quotes. Actually, Shultz modeled Charlie Brown on his own
anxious temperment.

[chriscarol]

Yup, thank God the fried eggs are healthy. I have 2 friends, one had a double
mastectomy, the other a lumpectomy, which had spread to her lymph nodes.

Hey, that's why they make slightly padded bras, along with the make-up, Kleeo.

I love your Shultz quotes. Actually, Shultz modeled Charlie Brown on his own
anxious temperment.

[chriscarol]

Sorry about the duplicate. Also, it appears that I have to let the cursor go all the way across the post space or it's choppy. Kind of like my hormones.

Happy New Year!