menopause and weight gain -- inevitable?

[Anonymous]

I don't know if I'm menopausal, but haven't had a period in years and have hot flashes all the time. I have always been extremely fit and still am: run several miles a couple times per week, lift, spin, yoga etc. But I'm here to tell you that unless you are VERY vigilant, it is so easy to gain weight and damn near impossible to lose. As active as I am, it comes down to this for me: a woman over the age of 45-50 really doesn't need very many calories. One main meal a day plus fruit and a couple light snacks is really all I can have or the weight will creep on -- and it all goes to the middle!

[Anonymous]

I'm fitter and thinner than I was pre-menopause, but I have more weight around my middle. I'm done worrying about it. I eat very, very well. I've cut out all sugar (except for special occasions), which is the biggest change. I went to an integrative med doc who tested me for food intolerances and found I couldn't eat wheat, milk or yeast, so I've cut all those out of my diet. I really do feel better, and my eczema, which has plagued me for almost 10 years, has practically disappeared. And I've lost weight, not a lot, but enough that I don't feel self-conscious about my big fat belly! I eat lots of smoothies, lots of fresh and frozen organic veggies, lean protein, grass-fed and organic, mostly, not a lot of carbs, nuts, seeds and cheese.

I made these dietary changes a year ago, and it took at least six months before I began to see real changes, so you have to be patient. It was very, very hard to get off of sugar. I'm sure I went into withdrawal, headaches, felt like crap all the time, but I feel much better now, and can tolerate a piece of cake or some sweets every once in a while with no ill effects.

[Anonymous]

I'm an already fluffy late 40s gal who lost close to 50 lbs a few years ago, and kept it off. Surgical menopause last summer, and now I'm still at the 50-lbs-lost mark I consider it a huge victory that I haven't gained anything.

But like a PP, I have had very little trouble with hot flashes or anything else. In fact, I consider it a godsend that I had the surgery. My hormones caused me nothing but trouble for years.

[Anonymous]

I have exercised my whole adult life so far and my weight fluctuated up and down 15 pounds all through perimenopause. When I crazy exercised, extreme diet, along with bad anxiety my weight would go down during peri-menopause. With the hormone changes (and the symptoms with it) are so exhausting it is difficult to keep an intense workout going. I have to admit once menopause came I started to feel a lot better (mentally, more sleep, etc.) and have changed my total outlook on exercise and other aspects of my life. Took all gym equipment out of my house. Now, I take long walks, enjoying nature and my thoughts. I've gotten away from worrying and just accepted the body changes/weight knowing that it will take time but the weight will come off. I am at the high end of normal weight, my other physical tests are all good, so it's just about being patient like other posts it takes time to get it off. Want to mention something a doctor told me and it was his belief that as the estrogen levels drop your body is trying to keep stability and fat has estrogen in it, hence, your body stores the fat trying to keep the estrogen levels where they were. I don't know but it makes some sense as to why all of a sudden you can't keep weight down. I have never had an issue with weight gain but I have the typical middle spread, so maybe he's on to something. Maybe we need a little more fat in that area for some reason. Our bodies sure do fight us to keep it on!