It's a known fact that eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise is important for our heart health, eliminating depression and anxiety, strengthening our bones, helping us reduce our weight and cholesterol.

Have you gained weight during perimenopause? Are you exercising? Do you eat well? Share with us your experiences regarding weight, diet and fitness and how it's helped the menopause process.

Hey Jools! Are you out there?

On the old message boards, you had shared with us how you had lost all your weight. I thought it was really a great way of viewing how much and how often to eat. Can you share that with us again?

I have lost about 35 pounds over the past couple of years - by a combination of exercise, paying attention to what I'm eating, and basically not snacking.

I found one of the best tools to help me was a little notebook that I carried around with me. I wrote down EVERYTHING that I put in my mouth, and totalling up food group servings at the end of the day - I tried to make sure it came out to 6 or more servings of veggies and fruits, 2 or less servings of breads/grains, 2 glasses of soymilk, 8 or more glasses of water, and 4 small portions of protein. And I allowed myself one treat per day - a glass of wine, a piece of cake, or whatever else I fancied.

I promised myself that I would not beat myself up when I had a day where I seemed to eat all day!

I also have joined a gym, and I do a half hour of cardio exercise every day - either at the gym, a brisk walk, or something similar. I do light weights too, a couple of times a week. I found that Covert Bailey's book Fit or Fat helped me a lot. the staff at the gym were very helpful and encouraging. I was worried about joining the gym because I was rather fat, and I thought I might look ridiculous surrounded by all those nubile hard bodies, but I found that most of the clientelle at my gym are just ordinary folks trying to stay healthy.

I feel a lot better, physically, and I also feel a lot better about myself.

Now, of course, I worry about putting it back on! Can't win...

Wanda posted this message in another area.

"I have been taking Premarin 1.25MG for almost a year now and have gained about 15 pounds.....along with that has come fagtige and vagnial dryness. Is there something that I can do to get my old self back, without starving myself to death?"

Wanda....Hi!!I'm just curious are you also taking progesterone (provera) with that???I had a lot of trouble with premarin and provera in all areas....weight, insomnia, irritability, etc.Premarin did not agree with me at all even with the provera....maybe a different form of HRT would help.I know that may not be much help....but....like I said the premarin was not for me.  Maybe someone else can add to what I just said.One other thing....the weight gain that I experienced was mainly water!!(((Hugs)))

Exercise is the answer: daily exercise and for me it is cleaning horse stalls. When I used to belong to a gym, I'd do aerobics every day and weights every other day. I also played squash. Now I get all those benefits from cleaning stalls. What a workout!!!!!!

Willingly Jean!! Although it sounds as if you've done really well anyway...but this is a good method of keeping the weight off.Basically, you have a scale of 0 - 5. At 0, you are starving hungry (must eat now or DIE!!), and at 5 you are so stuffed you can't move and feel ill. You don't eat anything until you reach 2 - which is having a  GOOD appetite (more than just peckish). You stop eating when you reach 3, which is just comfortable (no more hunger pangs). Your tummy should not feel distended or uncomfortable, and nor should you feel still empty. You must take at least 20 minutes to eat your food - this is good, because you really appreciate every mouthful of food, and feel very satisfied when you've finished (as opposed to wolfing it down and hardly tasting it). Also, the food gets less appetising - I actually get bored with the taste of something!In theroy, you can eat anything and still lose weight, as long as you're at scale 2 hunger when you start, and stop at 3. But it is wise to eat sensibly, and I quite quickly got into the habit of doing this (after a childlike period of sitting down to a doughnut and banana for dinner - and still losing the pounds! Huge novelty, but clearly not good for me!!) The pojnt is though that you don't ever feel deprived or suddenly get the urge to scoff loads of empty calories. I will have a small piece of cake, but I have it after the salad, when I get to just under scale 3!So far it's worked fine for me, and I have stayed the same weight for some time now. I can eat anything, and actually, if you watch how 'ordinary' people eat (people who don't have weight problems) this is exactly how they eat. Years ago, at a Country Fete, I watched in horror as a (slim) friend tossed a pot of garlic mushrooms in the dustbin. 'Don't you LIKE them?' I squeeked. 'Yes,' replied my friend. 'But I've had enough. I might have some more later.' This was alien to me...if there was some left in the pot, I had to eat them!!! Not now, though!!Hope this very long post is what you wanted! (Not the length, but the contents!)

I was discussing dieting yesterday with a co-worker and the Adkins, Suzanne Sommers, and Zone diet came up.  I have tried the Adkins diet and found that it didn't work for me.  My metabolism must be extremely slow.  Has anyone tried any of these and had success?  If so, what is it that I'm missing!

I've begun to lose the 20 lbs. I've put on in the past couple of years also.  My aunt introduced me to Radiant Health, and it's great!  They have a website if anyone is interested.  I don't want to "promote" here, but did want to share.  I feel so much better, and I'm looking better to boot!  I've found that feeling good about my appearance helps battle those depressions that hit out of the blue.  It's wunnerful.  As I've said before, we're all different and some things work and some things don't.  Good luck to all!

Wanda,Me too!  I'm on 1.25 premarin, I takeprovera every 3 months for 5 days.  I'vegained about 12 lbs and cannot get it off.I am also on High Blood Pressure Pills.diuretic, provacal, thyroid.. and would  love to get off all of them!!  Includingthe weight.

I'm 53, and don't have a period unless it's after taking provera.  

I'm so dry on premarin.  I go to the doctornext week for my yearly check up, and Iwould love to find out some alternatives.  I want ME back!

My husband is 55, and he's lost his libido, and nothing is wrong with him, the doctor says he is very healthy.  *sigh* So, I guess whether be man or woman we get to go through the ole change.  I'd love remedies..

Oh yeah.. another thing, I ordered Revival this morning, then read on one of the boards here that Revival should not be taken with low thyroid stuff.  Is this true!?

Thanks,Margie

I have been having hot flashes now for about 6 months.  I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago, but still have one ovary.  I am 46 years old.  I have never had a weight problem, other then a few pounds here and there and have been able to lose it pretty easily.  

Recently, about two weeks ago I began Revival soy protein for the hot flashes and insomnia.  It has helped me tremendously. I rarely have a hot flash and have slept great the last 4 nights.  

My problem?  I have started gaining weight.  I have probably put on about 5 lbs in the past two months with 2 of those in the last few weeks!  I have been very careful with my diet, I keep a food journal, and keep my calorie count down and try to eat sensibily.  I also exercise regligiously.  I walk every day at least 3 miles, and work out with weights 3 days a week.  I am a waitress and work on my feet  all day, so I get plenty of exercise.  I have been doing this routine for about 4 years, so I can't understand why I am all of a sudden gaining weight?  I think the soy is an energy provider and good for you, but could it be making me retain fluid?  Could my thyroid be acting up?  Someone please give me some suggestions, I am extremely depressed.  I am very weight conscience and do not want to gain any more.  I want to lose about 7 lbs!  Thanks for any advice!

MaryEllen, it wouldn't hurt to have your thyroid checked. Thyroid problems aren't uncommon at this time of life. However, it's more likely the weight gain is due to the hormonal fluctuations than anything else. Most women gain some weight during peri and postmenopause, whether they're using hormones or not.

I'm glad to hear you're doing so well with the Revival. When I started using it in June of '98, I was on a low carb diet at the same time and managed to lose 24 pounds. It sounds like you're doing all the right things.

hi all - i'm 48 yrs old and i hve gained about 30 lbs over the last 2 yrs.. i have always been 115 lbs -- i was running about 25 miles a week and then slammed right into menopause--- it has totally chngd my appearance and my metabolism and everything---my md had me on HRT -felt awful--got fatter and fatter- i finally started using progesterone cream 4 months ago and thot the lbs would fall off me -- but this is not happening.  i am feeling much better. i am now an avid cyclist (road) and hope that this will make some chngs.. anyone else have this type of thing happen to them?  any great solutions?? please share with me -- thanks so much -- what a great site this is!!   thank you !!!  kate

Hi Kate - welcome to the site! I'm glad that the progesterone cream works for you - I use it too and I love it!

I'm really into sports too - not cycling, but I play competitive badminton several times a week and work out at a gym almost daily. I'm 45, and a small person too. I've been in peri for a few years, and having  infrequent periods now. I've never been on HRT, but I take soy, Progesterone cream and an assortment of vitamins and minerals, and flax meal. I feel great right now.

Even though I'm really active, I gradually porked on about 40 pounds over the past few years. Before that I never had to worry about what I ate. It was really a shock to me! But about 2 years ago, I decided that enough was enough, and I really started paying attention to what I was putting in my mouth. I found that writing down EVERYTHING that I ate was really useful - I was surprised at how often and how much I was snacking!!!

Without really dieting - just being aware and trying not to snack - I managed to lose 25 pounds over about a year and a half. But the rest just wouldn't go away. So I resorted to a calorie-restricted diet - I used a diabetic diet, even though I'm not diabetic - with 1600 calories, a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day, and at least 45 minutes of cardio per day.

I lost another 15 pounds over 6 months. But a few pounds (3 or 4) have snuck back on over the past few months, even though my activity level is still high. I have feeling it's going to be a chronic problem for me. Sigh.

I really don't think that the progesterone will take the weight off - I think only eating less carbohydrates, fats, and snack foods will do that!

Keep posting kate - nice to meet you!

hi jean-- thanks for the post- i appreciate the info -- i have a ? about this fat --everything i've read indicates that estrogen causes us to gain weight and is stored in fat-- i feel i was in an estrogen-dominant state-had all the symptoms, and by using the progestrone cream-this is going to "balance " hormones for me-wouldn't it make sense to then drop weight that was gained due to this estrogen?  i really feel my eating habit didnt chnge much over this time-- perhaps some, but not 30# much!!  : )  i hope to see some chnges by increased activity and better snack control -- i'll remaining optimistic !! thanks again to you!!  kate

Hi Kate, and all my meno buddiesits me GG  :)Post is where I'm at.  I just turned 53OMG have I put the weight on as well in the last 2 years about 25-30.  I don't take HRT, but just started progeserone cream this month.  My hot flashes have lessoned.  I hadn't thought about it helping with the weight, but it does make sense, to bad it doesn't seem to work that way.  I'm a speed walker, or should say use to be.  Have had to slow it down due to FM and Osteoarthritis.  But thats ok, I just have to find my energy and do it.   There are days I just don't have any.  I feel so drained sometimes.  I'm taking vitamins, supplements, New Phase and now the cream.  I love food, I love the crunch and eye appeal, taste, for me its a pleasure.  I love to cook as well, being Italian its in my blood.  I've learned to eat healthy, and I know not to snack... but I'm human and I do endulge from time to time.  Only I can fix me, and I will.  I'm going to be realistic, and not so hard on myself.  Afterall we are meant to eat, not starve.  I haven't walked in a week, due to the high temps in Calif this last week, even though I do my walking early in the am, I have learned my body heats up very fast and I get so hot, almost to passing out.  This morning was in the 60's so thats perfect.  Will tie up the tennies tomorrow morning and take a step at a time.  It'll happen, Kate and others that are having a heck of a time with your weight.  I like to do the 80/20 approach, eat sensible 80%  of the time, and then take time off the other 20% of the time.  Think we need to just relax and eat smart, and watch what happens.   Anyway thats my mission,  so go to your destiny ladies lets walk this journey together.GG    :biggrin:  

First, background:  I was thin until my 1st child--gained and didn't lose much--did the same with my 2nd.  But I was overweight--don't think obese--but close.  Then I went into premature meno at about 34--started packing on the pounds.  And another 20 or so after a hysterectomy at 42.  I got up to 244lbs.--not pleasant.  I was and am on Estrace--but I started on Weight Watchers and did GIGS (Getting Into Good Shape---a group with Power Surge on AOL that were using a book called Better than Ever, An Exercise Program for Women over 40) and I lost 105 lbs. to goal--and 10 more after that for "insurance"!  So you can lose weight and maintain after Menopause--it just has to be worked at now---not like when we were young and just had to "think about it" I'm afraid.  But it can be done!!!  Dearest and Piano Mary can attest to me doing that--they've seen my before and after pics!  If this "couch potato" can do it--y'all can too!  Zelma

Since beginning perimenopause 4 years ago, I've put on 8-10 pounds (depending on the day) without changing my lifestyle.  I exercise 30 mins 4 days a week and weight train, I watch my diet and am very careful with fats and sugar.  My metabolism has just slowed down the last few years and I'm trying my darndest to keep the weight off.  I'm only 5'2", and currently weigh 115, but being small every pound gained shows immediately and it all seems to be settling below my waist.  Recently I read that if you cut out only 75 calories a day you'll lose weight over a long period of time.  I've eliminated the roll/bread I like to have at lunch with my Lean Cuisine meals, and I've spread my lunch out so I have my fruit as an afternoon snack instead of eating it at lunch and then having a snack too.  I'm continuing my exercise routine and not increasing it, if I did any more than I do now I'd get sick of it and it's hard to maintain during the winter.  I'm active enough in the summer doing yard work.  My goal is not necessarily to lose a lot of weight, but to maintain where I am.  I WILL NOT GO OVER 120!

hey, Liz...you sound a lot like me..but I sure would love to weigh what you do!! Anyway, I noticed the weight settling at my middle also.

I do exercise...I just decided to cut back because teaching 10 to 14 classes a week was not keeping my weight in check anymore. I am going to keep exercising, but I am going to change it and do less. I want to do more with weights, too. I know my body needs the change.

Good luck with your struggle..sure do know what it is like.  

I'm wondering if anyone out there has experienced weight gain from taking estratest hs? I had a surgical hysterectomy1 1/2 years ago, was put on estratest hs at the time. I did not gain significant weight gain however, I had to carefullywatch what I ate and increase exercise. Last month I stopped using it completely thinking I would rather just trynot using any  type of oral hormone. Since then I have noticed "more of a middle" on my body and i'm wondering if stopping the estrogen  could be causing this. (especially since I no longer have ovaries) Can anyone help me or share their experience? thankyou

Susielee,

I don't know about that but perhaps someone on the Estrogen and Hormone Replacement Theraphy section could help you!

Zelma

I have gained weight and I don't overeat and I exercise every day. I walk my dog for 45 minutes most mornings and do aerobic exercises 3-4 times weekly, plus I lift weights about 3-4 times a week and I STILL gained weight. I have read that gaining weight during menopaurse can happen in spite of eating healthily and exercising. What I would like to know is -- will the weight come off on its own when I'm no longer in perimenopause?

Seed, I don't know if it will just come off! You say you eat healthy. What kind of things do you eat? Sometimes there is something we eat that's adding lbs. and we don't really realize it!!! Zlema

I'm wondering that too, Seed. I truly hope that I don't have to be this hard on myself diet-wise when I get even older. I feel like I have given up everything! It seems to me that after living this long, we should be able to indulge in a little guilty pleasure without having 2 pounds come on the next day, doesn't it? Even being fastidious about our health and diet and exercise seems to only keep us where we are--weight-wise. I was a size 6 who has gone up to a size 14, also. I have noticed that stressful feelings have very much to do these days with whether I gain or lose. If I can help myself to feel calmer and more relaxed, whatever I have to do to get that way---yoga, deep breathing exercises, warm baths, letting things in life be less all-consuming......I can find that all my efforts will show up on the scale---albeit slowly and gradually. Are you under any stress lately---I mean besides the usual perimenopausal stuff?

I couldn't figure out how I could be gaining weight with being an aerobic instructor and teaching as many as 12 classes a week, but I was. I normally eat low fat and fairly healthy and I couldn't even maintain. I didn't believe it, but I had to go back to WW. It isn't just the WW, it is eating high fiber whole grain carbs and keeping away from the other carbs that helped. I do have them, but it is limited to special occasions because complete denial doesn't work. A lot has to do with mindset too. I found I am feeling good now and I am doing so much better with weight issues. That is what I say now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? Just taking advantage of the good feeling that I have now. I am post menopausal now and maybe my attitude and feelings have changed since peri is over. Dearest always says it does get better. I believe it and that is what is keeping me going. Grace