I can't stand this extra weight any longer!! I think my metabolism has died, I eat pretty good or so I think. I have gained prolly 30lbs in the last 5 years. I am so sick of it. I am not tall so that is just another kick in the teeth with weight gain!!

I need to wire my jaw shut. I have no ambition to exercise like I used too. I do walk weather permitting but now my feet hurt so that isn't helping. I just don't know what to do.....I wanna cry!

I will cry with you!!!!I am right there with yuh!!I am short as well. My sister in law weighs the same as me, but it looks better on her because she is quite a bit taller than me!!!I wish there was a way to gain inches height wise!!HAHA.

I have gained almost 30lbs in 3 years, since my hysterectomy. I could eat a tad bit better than what I do, but?I feel if I just had some extra energy hiding somewhere?????I would be okay, and want to exercise.

I have all these ideas in my head, and I can't seem to get anywhere. I am either exhausted to the point I just want to fall flat on my face where I stand, or my back hurts???ARGH, can we win????I am going to be 32 in 9 days, and I never imagined this is the way I would feel!!!

About 5 years ago, I lost 62lbs with the weight watchers program. I kept it off for 2 years & then I had a hysterectomy. I got off track & just kept slipping. I remember I felt better before having the surgery & I had more energy. I have kept 30lbs of it off, but always wish I could get the other 30 back off. But with no energy & a back ache it almost seems impossible!

I started keeping track of my points with weight watchers again, I threw away my scale today & I'm going for a walk this evening. I weigh myself on the scale constantly & it's depressing. I no it's not healthy, so I just trashed it!!

Anywhoo, sorry for rambling..Just no that you aren't alone!!It's a constant struggle for me as well
Amber

It is just so frustrating!! I never had to worry before I was always thin....and that makes it even harder!! Grrrrr!

I hadn't been thin since I was 7 years old LOL!!I think I jumped right over thin!!I had to work my tooshie off to lose those 62lbs!I am left sitting here, wondering how a person lets their self get this way?I feel like it just snuck up on me?
It really does ****!!
Amber

Yes it was very sneaky for me too...prolly 5-6lbs over 5yrs. NO denying it NOW!!!!!! WHAM BAM

Fried,

Have you thought about writing down every single bite of food you eat for a couple of weeks? You might be surprised how much you are eating without realizing it. I know I can be terrible for grabbing a bite here and a bite there, and alone none of it is a big deal...but when added up over the day....YIKES!! SURPRISE!! It is EASY to consume an extra 1000 calories in day....REAL easy!!

I am another who gained 30 pounds, but I did it in ONE year!!! Imagine that! I was growing out of my clothes on a monthly basis! I managed to get 15 pounds of it off, with exercise and following the weight watchers plan. Then I got sick with the flu, about a month ago now...and I have not gotten myself back on track. For some reason being sick just knocked the motivation right out of me. Either that or starting on a Progesterone Cream?? So I am going to cycle the P cream and see if that helps some.

There is no question that at this time in life gaining weight is WAY TOO easy!! and losing it REALLY HARD! We have to be focused and committed, or it just will NOT work. And it is so flippin hard to find that motivation and keep it going.

The worst part of the menopause weight gain is that you don't even have to eat the food to get it!!!!! I feel like it should have been something I earned not a given I've often wondered what life would have been like for weight to have never been an issue with me. Seems like my whole life revolved around it. Now at my age I still can't let it go. It's 80 some degrees out and my arms have gotten so flabby I wont even wear sleeveless!!
Dee

I've been struggling with weight gain since my 40s. I weighed 135 in 1990, and now am at 172. I'm now 56. I am post-meno. Ugh!

I would kill to be back at 135. I'm only 5'4" tall. I do work out 3-4 times a week. My doctor says I need to work out 5 times a week to lose weight. That's an hour a day. Walking 30 minute a day will only help you maintain your current weight.

I also kept track of everything I ate for a week, and saw how little I needed to eat to hit 1500 calories, which is all a woman my age needs in a day. So, I'm working on it. I do water aerobics, as they are much kinder to your joints, and you get both cardio and resistence workout. There are also mostly middle aged people there, so I don't feel so out of place. No hardbodies in the water, including the instructor!

Has anyone tried the new series of exercise DVDs called "Slim in Six?" I like the idea of being able to do exercises at home, in private. I bravely face the gym, knowing I don't look that great. But, there are very few women my age at the gym. Most are much younger. Where are all the middle-aged women! I like the step aerobics classes, but too many have very complicated routines to them, and the loud music and instructor shouting is too much sometimes. I like to be able to control the volume of my exercise instructor!

WriterMom

Yes the dreaded write down what you eat.....I just cringe when I hear that. I guess I really am that lazy or I don't want to know

I know I should try it at least. I just need to move more!! Sitting at my desk for the last 19 yrs hasn't helped a bit!!

I haven't tried the Slim in Six, will have to look that up!I do like the Walk Away The Pounds by Leslie Sansone. She has all sorts of videos!It is walking in place, side steps, leg lifts & kicks, arm movements. I broke my dvd out this morning & did the 3 mile 'walk' & I was sweating!You get the walking & the other movements for toning other parts of your body as well.

I know what you mean about how little it takes to eat to reach the recommended calories!I am sitting here looking at my sheet of what I have eaten & what I will eat for dinner. I exercised so I earned more points, but it still seems like it's not enough!Guess I will go for a walk outside when it gets cooler to earn some MORE points so I can have a good snack tonight HAHA. I find myself saying 'IM ALREADY OUT OF POINTS???'ARGH!

I am 5'4" as well and I am at around 165lbs?I hide all of my fat in the front areas. I have always struggled with weight, if I don't do the right things this is the result I get!!I know it is healthy to do all of the right things, but it really must be a pain to not see the numbers go down?

You probably just don't want to know!! lol!!

Sitting at a desk, or lounging on the couch after work. All bad for us, but feel so good!!! I am so off the diet plan right now, and having a really really difficult time getting motivated again. It all feels like too much. I know I know...it is a "lifestyle change". But OMG it is so easy and so comforting to fall back into old habits! I am doing it.....I KNOW am I doing it....do I stop myself??? So far, NO!! I am NOT The Biggest Loser!! Damn!!

Ok, tomorrow!! I will start again tomorrow!! Anybody what to start (AGAIN!) with me?? I really need a buddy who is going thru this, struggling with it...who want to talk about it. PM me if you are the one!!!

The rest of you...I wish you the BEST of luck accomplishing your goals...it is a tough battle!!

HAH! This is almost the hardest part. The weight. I NEVER thought I would be fat. Ever.
And somehow...it happened. Yes, it did. I bend over and feel like I have a 'fanny pack'
turned to the front. My legs are huge and well~ I just think I look like a paperweight.
When the weight first started to 'pack on' I remember goin up the stairs and felt like
someone was behind me. Guess what? It was ME!!! My arse and my hips.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still able to fit into last year's capris (barely) but geesh.
It is so uncomfortable, on so many levels. Not to mention, being POST menopausal,
there is this saggin thing goin on cuz the elastin is diminishing. (bye bye estrogen,
hello a whole new body image)

I suppose it is the metabolism thing. Even tho we don't eat more, for some reason
we're not burnin up the calories. Sooooo...we just pork out. And feel like cryin cuz
we're too tired to even think of what it will take to get ourselves back into some kinda
shape. I don't have a mirror in my room. And my favorite department store, I swear,
has 'fat' mirrors, ya know?

Sigh.


I don't have any answers to this malady. But I am trying to move more now that
summer is here. Doing outside stuff; trimmin and weedin. . .killin me; but I'm doin it.


Haven't lost even a wee pound my body won't give it up! (I need to drop at least 20)

hugs to all ~ Floater, Fried, WMom, GCToday and dlt ~ we have to find, beyond the extra poundage,
all that is still pretty about us...and embrace those attributes, yes?

Hi Yetta:

Did this all happen after Menopause? are you taking HRT - and finally how old are you? Because I don't want to be surprised - so far its easy for me to lose weight - I just watch what I eat - but you say that you can't lose even though you watch what you eat - have you tried Apple cider vinegar? it works

Best

Lara Falcon

I'd have to say, the pounds started to ooch on a little at a time over the span of 5 years.
BUT the past 2 years, it seemed to get worse, I think, because the aging process added
to a loss of muscle mass and tone which gives the illusion (hahahah) of being chunkier
than I am. I have never had to diet in my life --17 years ago, upon finding out I was pregnant
with my first (and only child), I weighed 105 pounds. I never went down the HRT path.

Aaaaaaand so, my advice to ANYONE who is entering their 50's: Just use the decade wisely;
Enjoy your food in moderation; exercise and stay in shape. Keep your body toned.

I neglected to do this and I am payin for it now at age 60. (mygod that is still so hard to
say outloud). But for you LaraF...I'll own up to it!


*sneaks off to (reluctantly) poke around in the 60+ thread I just noticed*

larafalcon-
I'm interested on what you do with the apple cider vinegar? Do you add it to food or put in a drink?
Robin

Yetta:

You are a funny woman - a sense of humor is extremely important in life - far more than being skinny LOL - but regarding you being "fat" - I can't imagine that since you said that you were 105 when you had your first child at 43 - I am now 126 pounds and I am 4' 11 inches - but I don't look fat - I think it must be my bones because I have been taking the pill since 48 and I also drink a lot of milk and I exercise - I wear size 4-6 sometimes 8 - but your warning scared me - so I will extra careful with my Tiramisu binges LOL

Love you

Lara

Actually, the needin to loose 20 is just my way of luring myself into a positive, can-do mood.
I would accept 118-120 as an okay weight for my small frame at 61 inches tall.

I honestly tried to convince myself recently that I was really just too short, ya know? Cuz when
I plugged in a taller height to the 'ideal weight'/BMI configurer, my current weight was ok.

Ain't it funny...all the lil games we can play in order to fool ourselves. Stay tuned...one
pound at a time.


(And you are SO right! Humor is priceless.)

So Yetta:

judging from the above post you are not really "fat" - I figured that to be the case because if you were 103 17 years ago I would be very surprised if you were 135 now - also if you look good in the face then don't worry about your weight because you might start look (oh the horror) 60 !!!!
which I'm sure you don't look now - people always take me as early 30s because I am not "skinny" so I don't understand the preoccupation of women with losing weight to look like teenagers -

Best

Lara

Hi Robin:

Last year I took 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar once a day and lost about 7-9 lbs - you can take it with plain water or in vegetable juice - and you can split up the amount - you can google this - lots of info on it and it works

Best

lara falcon

Hi Writermom,
I have used have Slim in Six, it is good program if you like tapes and shouting instructior, i got bored and irritated with it. But it also comes with a diet plan, as all programs do. I am not huge fan of the instructor, she gets on my nerves too quickly, and if you not avid exerciser with weights and 56, I believe this program is a bit too advanced for you.
I stopped working out with Slim in Six, as it is too much impact on my joints, so I swim laps, walk, do elleptical, and do weights on my own at home, at my own pace watching movie of my choice, LOL.

I think they have exercise tapes for beginners also, google Beach Body, but they also sell supplements, fat burners, it is big business, not like I don't want to lose weight, but I know losing 40 pounds now will make me look 15 years older, LOL.

I believe the diet is the key for weight loss, exercise is just additinal bonuse to keep muscles from turning into mush, but at this point of life, I find it harder and harder to do streneous exercise, as I pay the prices days and even weeks after.

I mostly concerned about my back, easy to get herniated or ruptured disk as we age and bones become brittle, and last thing I neeed now is back problems, so i swim a mile under 40 minutes, I think water aerobics is also great, and walking is one great exercise.
I have a huge collection of different tapes/DVDs, that I used for years prior to perimenopause, LOL.
I do 2 wieght lifting sessions a week, IF I am not hurting all over, LOL. My gym has lots of classes for middle aged women: sculpting, yoga, spinning, etc. I never attended one, I just do my laps/elliptical or walk on treadmill, but I hear ladies complaining of pulled muscles, pains, aches, back issues from the classes, so it is enough to keep me out, LOL. I know it is because instructors are in their 20s and they are cluless about aging body mechanics. We don't have resilent and fast recovering body anymore, so I do what my body can handle.
I have good deal of muscles from swimming and weights, but good deal of fat on a top also, LOL.
I know it is all about food, you need to really count each morsel, and mainly watch starches and sugars. If you stick to low carb diet, you can be well fed and satisfied on 1500-1600 calories. Even though, no garauntee that if you stick to diet and exercise plan, you will lose all the weight, I think my body refuses to let it go, LOL.
Good think, it keeps my facial skin supple.
Best,
I.

I agree with Lara, beauty is not measured in pounds espcedially at older age. I remember myself at 130 pounds in my late 30s, it did not look good. Next time I lost lots of weight was mid 40s, looked older instantly, yikes.

I believe there is a reason women gain weight at perimenopause and beyond, not only it makes estrogen, and keeps bones stronger, it also makes us look younger, LOL. Just eat good healthy food and exercise for your health, not looks.
I get compliments on my skin and ppl say I look younger, and I am good 30 pounds over my ideal weight for my frame and my age. But I see ladies at the gym working out like maniacs and dieting like crazy only to be size 2-4, in their early 50s, looking 15 years older, LOL. it is either dry masculine look with no subcutenous fat, or hanging sagy skin with no muscles underneath.
I don't think 50 yo will ever look as good at she did in her teen years, not even in her 20s or 30s, even if her weight is low, and it is really not a pretty sight.
It is just my opinion, for now, I decided to put weight loss agenda on hold, I just want to feel good and be happy.

Hi Ira:

Yes we are certainly on the same page on this topic - and exercise depletes estrogen in our bodies - there has research been done that even 2 hrs of exercise per week lowers estrogen levels in the blood - can you believe that - what is 2 hrs per week - 30 minutes of walking or running for 4 days - and these ladies I am sure do much more than that - but if it pleases them and they are happy so be it - live and let live

Best

Lara

Hi again LaraF (and you too, Iradan)
Well, it's like this: I totally agree with all you've said!
I'm the first one to say it's important to be lookin for
all the beauty within and without. It's not that I am
lookin like a crone or anything. Havin a 16 year old
keeps me youngish, ya know? (I've not yet considered
using his college $ for any plastic surgery or anything;
"beautiful" at any price just ain't my thang.)

BUT, dear Lara, bein 138 lbs. is just too much-for moi;
I don't feel good-my clothes don't fit well and in my
eyes well, it's just not my cuppa tea. Geeze, I'm starting
to sound whiney--but honestly, it's just how it is right
now. I'm workin on it. I've never been 'thin' --always
kinda just 'right' and am aimin for that. Maybe my
"just right" needs *cough* adjusted some, eh?

And Iradan, loved what you said . . .
"for now, I decided to put weight loss agenda on hold,
I just want to feel good and be happy. "

Somewhere in the middle, methinks, is where I
need to be.

You all are so generous with your input!
(and I must say, not in an "offputting" way! )

Hmmmm,
I wonder sometimes why I feel worse when I workout every day, after a week or two of this regimen, my body is screaming at me. But it certainly helps with libido, I guess, exercise boosts testosterone.
But I have read that it takes daily 2-4 hours of streneous exercise to deplete estrogen, mainly due to our body doing what it seems logical to support at a time: too much exercise combined with low weight= no ovulation.
But it only applies to hard core athletes. I am happy with everyone's ideas of beaty and health.
But I won't give up my swimming sessions, no way, this is my safe heaven.
Cheers,
I.

Dear yetta,
I am from the same cathegory, been just right, never too slim, but never fat either, since the perimenopause, I am losing and gaining, not good, yo-yo dieting will wreck one's health.
I think we need to rethink what is the priorities in life at this point, extra pounds can be issue for some, while others struggle to keep weight on. You see, few years back I was losing a pound a day due to inability to eat, yes, I was skinny and wore size 6, but I was unhealthy mess thinking I have terminal illness.
Now I appreciate ability to eat and all the weight lost came back with vengeance.
be happy and healthy, enjoy your life, and perhaps, buy new clothes that fits better. I know, my body is in different shape now, so I have to adjust my style also.
I always think, it could be much worse, and don't compare myself with 25 yo.