I just need to vent a little. I feel SOOOOO FAT!!! I've gained about 10 pounds in the last year. I bought a treadmill in February and was using it on a regular basis for about three months. I started feeling better and my stomach felt smaller. Then I kind of lost interest. Now everything I see seems to go in my mouth. What is wrong with me? I look like a blimp right now. It all just seems SO HARD. The losing weight-thing.

Whe else feels like me?

Can I join in on your vent. I feel the same way. The pounds will not go away no matter what I do. I need to lose about 25 pounds. My body aches and my feet hurt all the time. My blood pressure is too high. I have gained 30 pounds in the last two years and no amount of dieting or exercising have any effect on them. I walk three to five miles a day.

My body is retaining fluid too. One day I will weigh a "normal" weight and the next day I will have gained 8 pounds! What's up with that? I had recent blood work and everything is normal except for my blood pressure.

MaryB26

i'll join in on this...
i feel fat --- no kidding, i feel fat...i'm pinching at least an inch right now! why can't i stop the hand to mouth syndrome??????

I have a suggestion for those trying to lose weight. Why don't you try a low carb diet....that will surely do the trick. Works like a charm for most.

I gained 35 pounds in ONE YEAR!!!! You wanna talk about feeling FAT, OMG!! I was growing out of my clothes on a monthly basis!!! It was insane, and could I stop eating??? NO NO NO!!

Turned out it was the Prometrium I was taking doing this to me. I had to stop it cuz of liver function issues, and WAALAA, my enormous appetite just disappeared like magic! And I wasn't so darned exhausted all the time! So I started exercising too!

In 5 weeks I have dropped 16 pounds!! I feel so much better. Amazing!!

So I sure know how it feels to be fat and have no ability or will to get it together. And I tried, believe me....I just COULD NOT do it.

If you are not supplementing any hormones, all you can do it hope when your hormones balance out naturally you will be able to get back on track. I am sure that does happen eventually.

Good luck!!

Oh and remember people still love you no matter how you feel about yourself!

Congratulations on your weight loss, Floater! You make me feel like trying again.......

Kar - I've been doing the lo carb for about 6 weeks now and nothing is budging, in fact I am gaining - a small amt each day but it's added up to about 6 lbs since starting. So I am having some bloodwork done for cortisol levels, adrenals, diabetes etc etc. Something metabolic methinks is preventing me from losing.

Oh, I can relate alright! I have gained about 10 pounds in the past year, and most is in the tummy and leg area, and I have more cellulite than I have ever had for the weight I am at.

When I got married 10 years ago I weighed about the same, but I looked better, the fat I had was evenly distributed all over. I am on the treadmill 4-5 times a week, watch what I eat, but I swear that this tummy bulge thing popped up in the last couple of months. Something changed hormonally couple months ago (went from heavy 21-24 day cycles now to light 35-37 day cycles) and the tummy seemed to grow overnight. I am really glad not to have such frequent, heavy periods, but if I knew the trade-off would be this new distribution of fat, I think I'd choose the heavy periods!

I am adjusting my wardrobe, tho- no more shorts or shorter skirts in public, love the tunic type tops. Hubby is sad, but I told him I will still wear little cute things for him at home, alone, cause I don't need everyone else seeing my jiggle

Sigh....

Floater,

Congrats on the weight loss!

I'm curious,. are you still using the estrogel? Are you balancing it with any type of progesterone? Like you, I noticed a drop in my appetite once I quit taking the P but I'm back to using the estrogel so I'm afraid not to take something.

Carol, yes I am still on the estrogel. I know I have to use P, and I am going to use a trandermal P gel. I can't use the Prometrium anymore. I have not started it as yet. I have a cold, and will wait until I am healthy again before I start the P. Then the decision will be to use it daily, or cycle it monthly, or bi monthly. I guess it will depend on how I feel on it. If I start to get all bloated and HUNGRY I will not use it daily, I will cycle it in.

I had high CHO, high blood glucose, high liver enzymes....not a check up at all. But my blood pressure is awesome!!

I am on a very low dose HRT...called Femhrt...strength about one-eighth of a typical birth control pill, according to my gyn. SInce early Feb. I have lost 32 pounds. This was after I was convinced that due to taking the hrt and my age, that I could not lose the pounds. Many of the posts I am reading here could have been written by me. No matter what i did, I did not drop a pound.
Well...turns out...and I am just keeping it honest here, folks, I was greatly underestimating how much I was eating every day...many more calories than one would think. And, as we do get older, our metabolisms slow down and we require less calories to just maintain our current weight. That has to drop another 20-30% to lose any weight. Another essenstial piece of the puzzle is EXERCISE...and I mean doing something daily, not just a leisurely walk a few times a week. My treadmill and I have become best buds, and I do some light weight training also 3 times a week.

I know many will not want to hear or agree with my opinion...but I am convinced almost all of us can lose the pounds...it just takes HARD work and determination. I am a perfect example...last summer, even though I walked daily, didn't lose a pound. Well, needless to say, I was not getting the cardio work out required to burn off many calories and I also did not change my eating habits. Yet, I kept blaming it on hormones and age. NOw, 32 pounds lighter, I must eat those words!

Good luck...YOU CAN DO IT!

Thanks Diluvlabs, I think the keyword here is "almost everyone". For myself, I have awesome workouts 5-6x a week. I'm dripping with sweat within 15-20 minutes of my workouts and I keep going for 45-60 minutes depending on the workout. I run with cardio coach on the treadmill, climb the big step with Firm and lift weights with Cathe... my workouts are good. My eating is 90% clean. I eat no breads, pastas or fast foods, no white potatoes, butters or creams. Very few sweets or candies. My biggest eating issue is eating too many apples. I track my food on either paper counting points or in fitday or sparks tracking my macro nutrients. I am a very fit fat woman.

I don't think it's necessarily menopause but I do think it may be the hormones. Many meds cause weight gain and I know once I stop taking the estragel, my weight drops, and like Floater, it dropped when I stopped taking the P, but I'm not sure it's worth it to stop taking E. I also think perhaps it's my thyroid as it's the typical 25# that doesn't go up nor down in spite of all my efforts and thyroid problems run in my family plus I have the fatigue unless I'm taking E, then E seems to give me the energy.

So while I agree that exercise and good eating are am important first step, it's not always the only answer. I'm saying this not because I don't like what you said but to encourage those who are doing exercise and good eating to look at other avenues as well. It could very well be some other issues going on.



Let me know what you think of the transdermal P. I've tried Prochieve and didn't like it at all. I'm now using Progest and don't much care for it either.

Dear 'divulabs'
Am in complete agreement with you,dear.
Although it can be difficult I do try to have a little of everything.My portion sizes are much smaller than when I was younger.Having said that I will always enjoy a nice piece of cake or something sweet occasionally.
The exercises I most enjoy are Yoga and walking.
I really don't believe that Diets actually work as one puts the weight quickly back on again.It is more of a change in lifestyle.

So here's to staying fairly slim and trim

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Joyceveronica,
You are absolutely right. It is a lifestyle change that one must be willing to incorporate. That is why so many so callled diet plans fail in the long run, such as Jenny craig, nutrisystem, etc...once you stop eating their very limited choices, the weight comes back on because one hasn't learned to make their own choices in the real world.

And, yes, like you...I do allow myself treats...all in moderation and portion control!

I feel SO much better after dropping the weight...many symptoms that I tried to blame on peri were actually related to my weight!

Hugs,
Di

I can surely relate about everything I see I eat. I have gained about 12 pounds over the past year and though I still barely fit in Misses size clothes I am and feel fat. I was never into exercise so that was not a solution for me. After trying every diet and diet loss supplement I have found the only thing that works for me is Nutrisystem. I can drop 6 lbs. in a week on that without getting off the couch. So what I do is eat part time real food and the other half time Nutrisystem. It's been working out OK for me and when I really want to drop the weight I do the diet full time to the book! Now they have frozen foods and desserts that are way better than the former food.

I figured it up and I have gained about 35lbs over 5 years and I HATE it. Last time I weighed this I was 8 months pregnant!!
I have tried low carb, took diet pills, and not 1 freaking pound gone!! I walk during spring/summer months.

I am convinced the only way I will lose weight is if I have my jaw wired shut!!

Last week I gained 4 pds in 4 days. I wasn't shoveling it in either, just the normal stuff for me. I don't know why this happened and I'm terrifed this might continue. I have very high insulin, 17 last time it was checked. It seems no matter what I eat it goes straight to fat, I don't need more fat! Someone please tell me it's just water weight or that it will go away. It hasn't yet and my back is feeling the strain.

I must admit I live a very stressful life and it makes it very hard to do the low carb thing. Seems like I need the carbs for the serotonin. As if life isn't stressful enough now we have to add the stress of always watching what is going in our mouths. Gosh I hate being fat!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many ladies here complaining of weight gain are on HRT ?? or BHRT ?

Not me I am on nothing!!

When I started taking hrt I did not gain weight...it just stayed the same...too heavy!

But now I have lost 35 pounds, while STILL ON the hrt...it can be done!

I do believe unbalanced hormones affect the way we gain or lose. For those of us who are taking bios, it's a constant battle trying to get a balance. I've been trying for 2 years. I suspect most of the posters on this site who aren't taking anything probably aren't balanced either. (Fried, do you feel balanced?) Someone mentioned FemHRT, This is a combo pill with estrogen & progesterone, similar to BC pills that give a correct ratio of both. Perhaps this is a better route than trying to tweak the bios. I know when I was on BC pills, I had no weight problems at all. I also know several women who are taking synthetics who haven't gained from them and I believe synthetics are a one pill combo too.

Of course I don't think it's fair to talk about unbalanced hormones and weight gain without recognizing those who find they have lost without trying and can't gain. While they may not complain as loud as we do it's just as difficult for them. So... I think a good question would be.. how do our hormones affect our metabolism? And then it may not just be the sex hormones but our less talked about hormones like thyroid, cortisol etc...

All we can do is the best we can do. I may not be fitting in a size 6 but I know I'm fit and I'm strong so while not giving up, I am learning to be content.



A google search on meds that cause weight gain came back with this.

Madelyn H. Fernstrom, PhD, director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, agrees. Even if a medication causes weight gain, "an extra 10 pounds may be worth the trade-off of what that medication is doing for your overall health," she says.

Common Offenders That Can Cause Weight Gain

While no one knows exactly how many prescription drugs can cause weight gain, experts estimate the list includes more than 50 common medications.

Steroids such as prednisone, older antidepressants such as Elavil and Tofranil, and second-generation antipsychotics like Zyprexa are the biggest -- and most recognized -- promoters of weight gain, Fernstrom says.

Some other common offenders, says Fernstrom, include the antidepressants Paxil and Zoloft, the antiseizure medication Depakote, diabetes drugs like Diabeta and Diabinese, and the high blood pressure drugs Cardura and Inderal. Heartburn drugs like Nexium and Prevacid may also cause drug-induced weight gain.

Fernstrom tells WebMD that the medication-associated weight gain can be modest -- or as much as 30 pounds over several months.

I'd like to blame it on hormones, or a decreased metabolism. I just like donuts

Ahhh wish I could eat donuts... or pizza. Of all the gluten packed items I miss the most, it's pizza.

heres a recipe for gluten free pizza dough .. no reason to skip it entirely !!!

http://www.grouprecipes.com/1456/gluten-fr...izza-crust.html


heres antoher one from emeril

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-heal...free-pizza.html

Here's something to google PGX; I am taking it. I will let you know how it is going too. So far, I have noticed the fibre makes for well lotsa bowel movements.

Anyways, let me know what you think!

Suzanne

Oh Lord.......I already have to stay close to the bathroom with my stomach/anxiety issues. Keep me posted on how it works for you, though.

I eat no donuts, and neither I like them, Leanne, no pizza, pasta once in a blue moon, with just olive oil and home made tomato sauce, a very small portion; i eat potatoes once a months, 2-3 small red; I eat barely any bread, no cereals of any kind, no sugar, no sweets, and no junk or fried food!!!
I eat green salad with non-starchy veggies and either chicken or fish, or shrimp every day for lunch, and overall, a very clean and healthy, 1 small fruit daily, and not a pound loss!!!!!!!!!!!
I swim more than a mile 3-4 times a week, I do elliptical, I walk, not a pound loss!

I do know it is from hormones, first I have lost big time, now it is gain time, and I feel there is also water retention, not all the weight is fat.
I know it is not super low calories, but if you workout 45 minutes every day, then you want to eat something...
It is a battle and for now, I just decided to take it easy, not much I can do, if and when hormones settle, I hope I would shed some of it.
Cheers

Oh thank you Ira! Not that I want you to struggle too but it's such a comfort to have a kindred spirit. Someone who eats clean, works out seriously, yet not taken seriously because the scale doesn't move. Like you, I'm content to wait knowing I'm doing my part. And just imagine.. what if we did give up and give in... what would we look like then? That thought is what gets me into my gym each morning.

Didgens, Thanks for the recipes, I appreciate it. I even have all the ingredients.. now to determine if I'm worth all the effort.

I understand what you mean, one smart doctor told me: your body knows better, there is a reason your gain weight now, as it is your major source of estrogen. Give it some time, once the demand for estrogen drops, when your body settles for lower level of hormones, the weight will come off.... well. I trust the first part, not soo sure about the second one, LOL. But he was very convincing, he mentioned that having more mass on my bones means less osteoporosis, better skin, etc. and overall, said, my desire to lose weight was more vanity than necessity, I wish most doctors be that supportive, LOL.

I believe eating clean and yummy food and working out, has more positive effect on our health, than eating poor and being cough potato, right?

So, I am telling myself, you are a fit fat person, and I just deal with it. I do my best, and this is what makes me feel and look better.

I too think, imagine what would you look like if you ate ice cream, donuts, pizza, and cookies, candies, chips, etc. so I am content to know I am doing my part also.

I see the glass 1/2 full when it comes to my weight and size, last thing I need to be obsessed now, is that I am not as slim, as I used to be.

I watched Oprah today, boy, if this women with all her money and power, personal trainers, cooks, hormones and medications at her services, can't keep it off, then why I have to beat myself up, LOL.

Keep up keeping up, Carol, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel.