I’m 53 and trying to lose weight. It’s not moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I instantly gained 15 lbs when I hit menopause. I’m watching what I eat and I exercise, but I’m not willing to starve myself or increase my workouts. As long as my lab work is OK during my annual physicals and I feel well, I think 50-something women just have to accept their new normal.

You can, but I certainly won't. We call that circling the drain. It's how the end starts.

I agree!
-53 nearing menopause who will not accept a 15 lb gain. I put on 5 after a surgery (comfort eating, no exercise). Once I was cleared, I cleaned up my diet, resume activities and exercise and dropped those 5 in 2 months.

The key thing is that you said you’re NEARING menopause. Just wait a few months until you’re post menopause. It’s a whole new ballgame. Unless I starve myself or take up marathon running, this weight won’t budge. I’m not willing to do either, so I’ll be pudgy - which is better for me and those around me than being hungry and crabby.

My MIL is also one of those borderline anorexic ladies with osteoporosis who is obsessed with food yet refuses to eat. Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures and I’m going to eat healthy food in moderation but never diet.

I don't diet, I eat clean with sone treats thrown in. I will give up the sweets if need be, but I won't allow the pounds to pack on. I have been increasing my activity and started new, sustainable physical hobbies. I hike, play tennis, walk daily, etc, etc. I didn't exercise in any form until 40, so my joints are pristine. I'm pretty sure I won't gain too much post menopause. I hike with several women over 65 and they aren't fat and many have defined waists still. The common thread is activity and lots of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

Well, it's a shitty eating disorder if it keeps you at a healthy weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

and eating more food than you need so that you're consistently overweight and/or gaining isn't disordered? Did you know that every 5 extra pounds puts 25 pounds of strain on your joints? For people with back or knee issues, that 5-15 pounds could be the difference between being hobbled with pain and being pain free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

and eating more food than you need so that you're consistently overweight and/or gaining isn't disordered? Did you know that every 5 extra pounds puts 25 pounds of strain on your joints? For people with back or knee issues, that 5-15 pounds could be the difference between being hobbled with pain and being pain free.

Well said-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I instantly gained 15 lbs when I hit menopause. I’m watching what I eat and I exercise, but I’m not willing to starve myself or increase my workouts. As long as my lab work is OK during my annual physicals and I feel well, I think 50-something women just have to accept their new normal.

You can, but I certainly won't. We call that circling the drain. It's how the end starts.

I agree!
-53 nearing menopause who will not accept a 15 lb gain. I put on 5 after a surgery (comfort eating, no exercise). Once I was cleared, I cleaned up my diet, resume activities and exercise and dropped those 5 in 2 months.

The key thing is that you said you’re NEARING menopause. Just wait a few months until you’re post menopause. It’s a whole new ballgame. Unless I starve myself or take up marathon running, this weight won’t budge. I’m not willing to do either, so I’ll be pudgy - which is better for me and those around me than being hungry and crabby.

My MIL is also one of those borderline anorexic ladies with osteoporosis who is obsessed with food yet refuses to eat. Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures and I’m going to eat healthy food in moderation but never diet.

+1. I also said I wouldn't be like the other post-menopausal women I know and gain weight. Just like before I had kids I was never going to let them watch TV. Ha!

When I started menopause, not only was I gaining weight on the same exercise and activity level, and eating the same amounts and foods, my appetite went off the charts. It's been a constant battle that has exhausted me after over 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

The eating disorder here is the refusal to acknowledge being way out of energy balance is unhealthy. Humans never had access to this much energy in conveniently wrapped form in all of human history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

and eating more food than you need so that you're consistently overweight and/or gaining isn't disordered? Did you know that every 5 extra pounds puts 25 pounds of strain on your joints? For people with back or knee issues, that 5-15 pounds could be the difference between being hobbled with pain and being pain free.

I wouldn't believe you at 50 lbs but 10-15 which is what OP is describing is not going to hobble you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

and eating more food than you need so that you're consistently overweight and/or gaining isn't disordered? Did you know that every 5 extra pounds puts 25 pounds of strain on your joints? For people with back or knee issues, that 5-15 pounds could be the difference between being hobbled with pain and being pain free.

I wouldn't believe you at 50 lbs but 10-15 which is what OP is describing is not going to hobble you. [/quot
If you have joint issues it could. I have osteoarthritis of the spine due to a pars fracture in childhood which was never caught. I found out about it when I pinched a nerve and got an xray. The orthopedist told me that losing 5 lbs, along with PT and building/strengthening my core would help lower my pain and prevent further strain on my spine. I went from 145 to 139 in 6 weeks and my pain hasn't returned. For me, it's worth keeping my weight in the mid range of bmi. I'm 5'7. This is not an eating disorder...this is a quality of life issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to be in a caloric deficit. You absolutely will lose weight then.

This. People act like this is not a fact of life. But it is. And I'm not saying this in a mean way. I'm saying there is some source of calories that you are accidentally not accounting for. But you will be helped more by stepping up the weight training than by diet alone. Join a gym and watch the magic happen!

I agree With this to an extent. Except that when people say this, they are missing the incredibly important fact that some people's bodies are NOT burning calories efficiently, if at all. That's the piece of the puzzle that people are missing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am 5’5 and 130 currently. My usual is 115-120. I have tiny bones so I’m really noticing the extra weight. I am at a calorie deficit. I am also walking 14000 steps a day to see if I can get things moving. I’ve never had trouble maintaining my weight. Welcome to my 50s haha.

You are at a healthy weight. I really think some of you have eating disorders that need to be treated by a mental health professional.

Eat healthy, keep exercising and forget about the rest. I have serious doubts that 10-15 extra lbs is making you feel that much worse.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel unconfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

Like I said, eating disorder.

NP. How is PP’s comment indicative of an eating disorder

This part.

It is not an eating disorder to want to be at a weight which is in the "normal" range, which also makes people feel good. The difference between needing to lose 5-15 pounds and needing to lose 30+ is the discomfort many of us feel with those extra 5, 10, 15. I need to reign in my eating at 10 pounds up, you may not feel uncomfortable until 20 pounds up. If I get used to being 15 pounds over fighting weight, next thing you know, I'll get comfortable at 30, 50+ pounds over. No thank you, maam.

[Anonymous]

I'm 50 and in the midst of dealing with the 15 pounds I put on when my period stopped this time last year.

Some things that seem to be working so far:
- Started tracking all my food using LoseIt. It's making me very aware of what I eat and what's not worth the calories. (Stale bag of Goldfish crackers, I'm looking at you.) The interface is great and it's super easy to use.
- I'm eating a big bowl of oatmeal, almonds, berries and flax seeds every morning. That is really filling and starts me off right.
- I stopped snacking almost entirely.
- I am maintaining a daily calorie deficit, eating mainly fruits, veggies, and complex carbs.
- I'm tracking my steps, going to the gym to walk on the treadmill four times a week, lifting some light weights, and doing AM or PM yoga.

All this is pretty new for me, I have lost about 5 so far and that feels SO great. Finger crossed I can take off a few more.

Best of luck to you, OP!

[Anonymous]

I'm 53 and have lost 20 lbs over the last year. I'm still trying to lose 5 more and it's the hardest 5. Here's what I did: track all my calories and aim for 1700/day. Reduce the amount of meat, sugar, carbs, processed food and increase the amount of protein and whole foods. I'm not cutting out any single category of food because I want to be able to maintain this long term and I know I won't be able to go without sugar or carbs forever. I upped my exercise to 5 days of cardio and 3 days of weighlifting. I'm wasn't a big drinker to begin with, but I probably have only 1-2 drinks a month now. I added intermittent fasting when I hit a previous plateau and it helped me lose another 5 pounds. As I said, I'm still struggling with the last 5, but I'm just going to keep at it and hopefully I will slowly lose it.

[Anonymous]

15:44 PP: I also cut out alcohol except one glass a wine a weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am tracking every morsel. I had no idea that post menopausal weight loss was virtually impossible. Has anyone been successful? What were you eating?

I’m not eating as much. Intermittent fasting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I instantly gained 15 lbs when I hit menopause. I’m watching what I eat and I exercise, but I’m not willing to starve myself or increase my workouts. As long as my lab work is OK during my annual physicals and I feel well, I think 50-something women just have to accept their new normal.

You can, but I certainly won't. We call that circling the drain. It's how the end starts.

I agree!
-53 nearing menopause who will not accept a 15 lb gain. I put on 5 after a surgery (comfort eating, no exercise). Once I was cleared, I cleaned up my diet, resume activities and exercise and dropped those 5 in 2 months.

The key thing is that you said you’re NEARING menopause. Just wait a few months until you’re post menopause. It’s a whole new ballgame. Unless I starve myself or take up marathon running, this weight won’t budge. I’m not willing to do either, so I’ll be pudgy - which is better for me and those around me than being hungry and crabby.

My MIL is also one of those borderline anorexic ladies with osteoporosis who is obsessed with food yet refuses to eat. Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures and I’m going to eat healthy food in moderation but never diet.

+1. I also said I wouldn't be like the other post-menopausal women I know and gain weight. Just like before I had kids I was never going to let them watch TV. Ha!

When I started menopause, not only was I gaining weight on the same exercise and activity level, and eating the same amounts and foods, my appetite went off the charts. It's been a constant battle that has exhausted me after over 5 years.

Post-menopausal here, and I am convinced that estrogen must have frequently made me low- level nauseated, because for almost 40 years, I had days every month when I felt kind of off and didn't eat much, but now I am hungry ALL THE TIME.