Menopause weight gain

[Anonymous]

When does this happen? How much weight? Was anyone successful in NOT gaining weight? If so what did you do?

[Anonymous]

I’ve always had a very flat stomach. If I gain weight, it shows in my breasts, butt, and thighs.

But now, I have a very definite softening in my belly. It is still strong, but feels a bit cushiony. And my breasts have shrunk a bit, which I didn’t expect — and don’t mind a bit, because 3+ years of nursing did a number on them!

Those have really been the only changes in my body. My weight hasn’t changed and my diet (vegetarian; little fruit and heavy on greens) has not changed.

My primary exercises are walking 4-5 miles/day and a home yoga practice. Occasionally I will take a Barre3 class. Prior to this past year, I was doing Barre3 several times each week, intermingled with weightlifting and some HIIT.

[Anonymous]

It often starts in perimenopause. You want to do strength training and shorter tabata/HIIT workouts to combat it.

I recommend this book if you want to do a deep dive!

Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091JVW6QR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9CV40HCVB2YRKHP6P5K6

[Anonymous]

When I hit 40 I ate a little less, then I hit 45 ate a little less each day exercise has stayed the same 30-60 min walk everyday and or exercise bike 2x a week. Eating a little less is much easier than adding more exercise a doctor told me that before and they are right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always had a very flat stomach. If I gain weight, it shows in my breasts, butt, and thighs.

But now, I have a very definite softening in my belly. It is still strong, but feels a bit cushiony. And my breasts have shrunk a bit, which I didn’t expect — and don’t mind a bit, because 3+ years of nursing did a number on them!

Those have really been the only changes in my body. My weight hasn’t changed and my diet (vegetarian; little fruit and heavy on greens) has not changed.

My primary exercises are walking 4-5 miles/day and a home yoga practice. Occasionally I will take a Barre3 class. Prior to this past year, I was doing Barre3 several times each week, intermingled with weightlifting and some HIIT.

Are you in menopause?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always had a very flat stomach. If I gain weight, it shows in my breasts, butt, and thighs.

But now, I have a very definite softening in my belly. It is still strong, but feels a bit cushiony. And my breasts have shrunk a bit, which I didn’t expect — and don’t mind a bit, because 3+ years of nursing did a number on them!

Those have really been the only changes in my body. My weight hasn’t changed and my diet (vegetarian; little fruit and heavy on greens) has not changed.

My primary exercises are walking 4-5 miles/day and a home yoga practice. Occasionally I will take a Barre3 class. Prior to this past year, I was doing Barre3 several times each week, intermingled with weightlifting and some HIIT.

Are you in menopause?

Yes

[Anonymous]

I'm entering menopause (54) and my weight has been pretty constant throughout my life. I eat healthfully and try to exercise (running, elliptical, swimming or walking) every day. However, in the past year I started getting awful hot flashes and my eating habits got worse (more sugar, junk food), so I put on 6-7 lbs. Trying to lose it now and it's definitely tougher than when I was young! I'm much more conscious of carbs, calories, high-sugar fruits. But in the end, I'm still at what is considered a healthy weight, so not too concerned. I've just had to be more intentional about eating healthfully, getting enough sleep (sleep deprivation extinguishes any will power I have!), and daily moderate exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It often starts in perimenopause. You want to do strength training and shorter tabata/HIIT workouts to combat it.

I recommend this book if you want to do a deep dive!

Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091JVW6QR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9CV40HCVB2YRKHP6P5K6

I've started reading this book and it's FASCINATING. I'm only 44 and in the very early stages of peri-menopause and already thinking about how to change up my workouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When does this happen? How much weight? Was anyone successful in NOT gaining weight? If so what did you do?

For me it started pretty much immediately after starting actual menopause (not perimenopause). My appetite went through the roof -- I was hungry ALL. THE. TIME. I tried to keep to my usual way of eating, I was still getting the same level of activity, but I was constantly hungry. About a year later I started intermittent fasting and lost the 15 lbs. I had gained, it worked for me for nearly two years. But my appetite got the best of me after two years of following IF very strictly, and during my eating window I was ravenous and eating too much. Regained the weight. Sigh.

Off the top of my head I can think of three women my same age who didn't gain weight after menopause....but all three have long-standing eating disorders.

[Anonymous]

I got it too - and I'm a fitness instructor who teaches the hardest classes at the gym. I am tired of being hungry to maintain a low weight. I eat healthfully and have a few lumps and a tummy. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got it too - and I'm a fitness instructor who teaches the hardest classes at the gym. I am tired of being hungry to maintain a low weight. I eat healthfully and have a few lumps and a tummy. Oh well.

I'll take my slightly lumpy midsection any day over obsessing about my weight day and night (my previous M.O.)

[Anonymous]

Starting lifting and cut cardio down. I am extremely toned now and down 20 pounds. Muscle is key! Muscle is life.

[Anonymous]

Don't overlook the role that sleep plays in menopausal weight gain. Seek answers as soon as you cannot get a good night's sleep. This is key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got it too - and I'm a fitness instructor who teaches the hardest classes at the gym. I am tired of being hungry to maintain a low weight. I eat healthfully and have a few lumps and a tummy. Oh well.

I'll take my slightly lumpy midsection any day over obsessing about my weight day and night (my previous M.O.)

True, but there is also a wide range between giving in completely to your appetite or lack of desire to stay healthy vs. obsessing night and day. I want to stay functionally mobile for as long as I need this body! For me that means staying at a normal BMI and lifting weights, along with stretching and strengthening my core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got it too - and I'm a fitness instructor who teaches the hardest classes at the gym. I am tired of being hungry to maintain a low weight. I eat healthfully and have a few lumps and a tummy. Oh well.

I'll take my slightly lumpy midsection any day over obsessing about my weight day and night (my previous M.O.)

True, but there is also a wide range between giving in completely to your appetite or lack of desire to stay healthy vs. obsessing night and day. I want to stay functionally mobile for as long as I need this body! For me that means staying at a normal BMI and lifting weights, along with stretching and strengthening my core.

DP, but she said "slightly lumpy" not "8 months pregnant with triplets." To me, slightly lumpy is the middle ground. That doesn't in any way preclude mobility. Some people, especially as they age, would need to restrict their diets more than is healthy in order to be slim.