Sheesh....I wish Armadillo were still on this site; she could always explain things in a way I understood.

Okay that aside - - I have been doing the low carb/low sugar plan. Is my metabolism SO screwed up in meno that nothing is going to take this weight off?? My weight has been creeping up even on the low carb/sugar! I'll feel like I lost a little but then I will get on the scale or put on some clothing and I'll see a) I've gained a pound or clothing is still tight.

What gives ladies??

Yes, Marrin....Armadillo was pretty good at this stuff!

AND, Yes, meno wreaks havoc on our metabolism!!

2 questions... Have you been maintaining the low sugar/ low carb way of eating for any length of time? Sometimes it takes weeks to turn your metabolism around AND are you sure the foods you're eating are low sugar/ low carb?? I'm not trying to talk down to you, but some think that because a bowl of white rice has few calories it can't be fattening. If it's white, the chances are it metabolizes as sugar in your system. Bread, rice, white flour, tortilla's.... all sugar!

Cutting out options has helped me. If it's not a fruit, vegetable, or lean protein (fish or chicken breast) I try to avoid it.

Leanne - I've been doing like you do.....I cut out the options. Maybe you're right - perhaps it's not been long enough (about 2-1/2 weeks). I also workout but not heavily. I do walking/treadmill/light jogging every other day and then my balance ball on the days I don't do the other stuff.

Marrin... it sounds like you're doing everything right. Just keep it up.... it took me almost 4 weeks to start losing weight. VERY discouraging!! but after week 4 I started lose about 4lbs a week. I'm down 12lbs so far. HANG IN THERE!!! I think you're rounding a bend!!

XOXOXOXOX

It is so frustrating I could just scream!! I am peri for the last 4yrs and I swear I have gained 10-15 and being shorter to start with does not help!! ALL BELLY

I read that having a period each month burns 300 calories...well heck not having one but 1 or 3 times a year is NOT helping!!

Okay, I feel better knowing it took you almost 4 weeks! I wonder what happens at that point? Why don't the pounds start to come off within the first couple of weeks? I'm just going to keep at it

I stay away from the scales completely. I used to weigh myself every week but forget it; it's way too frustrating and on those weeks when I didn't lose what I expected I'd eat all day. I just go by how my clothes fit and that is as accurate as the scales. You can't gain more than a couple of pounds before slacks feel tight. After I got through meno I've been able to keep my weight down with slow jogging for an hour a day and eating the right stuff six days a week. The other day is my "cheat" day and I can have anything I want that's usually off limits. If I don't have a cheat day, I can't go forever without the bad stuff, so I allow myself to enjoy it the one day. It has worked so far, but forget the scales!

When your body gets use to processing a certain amount of calories a day, and then you drop your caloric intake, it kind of goes into limbo wondering if your in some sort of crisis. It hangs on to every calorie, burning few, until it catches on that you're not in starvation mode. When it figures it out, your body will start to use the calories you're taking in and it will burn fat for energy.

Unfortunately, the younger you are the faster the body recognizes change like this. That's why an 18 year old can lose 5bs over a weekend, and us over 40er's take more time

Also... in the beginning if you drop your caloric intake by a drastic amount, it takes even longer to start losing. But no worries... it DOES catch on!!

I totally agree CSug!! The only caveat that I would add is if we're talking about someone who has a lot of weight to lose. If someone is facing a 100lb weight loss I think a scale would be helpful.

Well, you'll beat me over the head with my Fat Pants.....but I get on that scale every single *******' morning. Bad Bad Marie! However, the clothes aren't even showing any improvement - so that's why I freak somewhat about this.

Makes sense Leanne......... thanks!

My sister-in-law is going through the same thing. She is eating healthy like she's supposed to, tried working out at Curves for a while, but nothing is taking the weight off. She isn't huge but could stand to drop a few lbs. She's getting really frustrated. If anybody can come up with something that will help these ladies, do tell!

I was just on a low-carb forum (specifically in the Schwarzbein section) and apparently in the early going of this type of low-carb, it is not unusual to NOT lose or to even gain in the beginning. The Schwarzbeiners feel that this is because the body is trying to get healthy first. So I'll give it a few more weeks.

I am fat and I'm sick of it ! I've read and even heard on the Today Show this week that going through peri/meno and trying to lose weight is difficult. I still refuse to believe this or give in to these added pounds. My mother who is 5'5" and weighed less than a 100 pounds when she married gained a lot of weight during peri/meno. She is now in her 60's and have lost a lot of the weight, but still has some to go. Please tell me that I don't have to be 60 years young to shed these pounds?!

I am going through the same, working out every day, well mon-fri. and still can't get the first few lbs off... i am still gaining, it seems like 1-2 lbs a week... its driving me crazy...GeeGeeD

Well, I am here to tell you that one CAN lose weight during peri...I am living proof. I am 49 years old and on HRT...Always used my age and the fact that I am taking hormones to excuse myself from not losing weight and even for gaining.

Started a weight loss challenge at the school I teach at on Feb.2 and thus far I have lost 23 pounds. NOt bad for a 49 year old lady, who is only 5"2" tall! How have I done this? By watching my diet VERY carefully...you would be amazed at how most of us underestimate the number of calories we are ingesting each day! ONce I started reading those food labels carefully, I was shocked at how much I ate, and how much of it was poor nutritional choices. A body getting "good fuel" is going to burn calories much more efficiently than one taking in "bad fuel". Does that make any sense?

I also started exercising faithfully on my treadmill, 5 or 6 days a week..yep good ole walking. COuld not go very fast or far at first, but have worked up to 3.25 to 3.5 miles each time. For me anyway, it takes BOTH eating well and exerise to lose the weight...I think that is the key as we get older. PLus as I see the pounds dropping and my clothes getting larger, I am motivated to keep going....SO, i don't care what your age or circumstance, YOU can lose weight...you just have to work hard at it and find something to motivate you to do it!

I can't tell you how much better I feel...how much more energy I have...and how much better I am sleeping at night.
Well, that's my story and it's true...I know some will still have "excuses" to not losing the weight...believe me, I've used every one!!!
Good luck, everyone with your journey!

diluvlabs ...

You're doing great! Would you please share what type of foods you eat and how many calories you have each day? I am 50 and 5' "tall" so our stats are really similar.

Also, how many miles or how long (minutes) do you walk on the treadmill each day?

I'm walking 30 minutes at about the speed you're at.

Thanks for any info and congrats on finding an eating plan/exercise that's working well for you!

Punkin,
I will send you a PM with all the gory details!

Hugs,
Di

Come on Di......share with the class

I wanna know too ..please