Anonymous wrote:Op - yes my clothes definitely still fit or fit better than when I was postpartum.

I have 3 kids who are 8 and under. I gained a significant amount of weight with them but for kid 1 and 2 I lost it all easily. For kid 3 I lost 90% of it but cannot get the last 10ish pounds off.

I am thinking I need to change my diet and do more protein/fruit shakes for lunch and salads for dinner.

I found it really helpful to focus on whole protein and high fiber green veg. You may want to dial down the fruit, a banana can have as much as 6 tsp of sugar+. Vegetables contain the same vitamins and minerals but can be more satiating since they don't spike blood sugar that then dips and drives hunger. Think cucumbers, colorful peppers, summer squash, some avocado. Protein helps build muscle and bone, really important as we age. I personally find chewing my food keeps me satisfied longer but ymmv. I aim for at least 30g of protein per meal. Good luck!

Protein shakes are an easy way to get in extra protein without adding a stack of calories

I am a very fit 50 year and the peri-menopause weight gain is no joke. I was 135lbs at 5’7 for most of my adult like. Over the past 2 years I have put on 10lbs. Diet has remained the same and have ramped up exercise. I have now cut out breakfast totally. Absolutely no snacking and 2 meals a day. Only eating when hungry. Still lifting very heavy weights, alternating with cardio etc. Have been doing this for 2 months and still no movement. Currently working out what to do next.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks. Yes I think I need to be more mindful of what I eat. My husband says I need to eat more protein.

Today I had eggs for breakfast and now I am going to make a protein shake before I work out. Then tonight I am going to have fish and veggies and brown rice.

I used to run religiously and it always kept off the pounds. Its so sad - I am terrified of the post-menopause belly.

You need to skip these protein shakes. All the calories you burn are consumed ahead of time by protein. You are not training for an iron man competition. If you need more protein. Add an extra egg etc to your breakfast. No snacks at all. Three square meals, that's it. Develop an appetite between meals. Drink water in between. Eat good meals til satiated but not stuffed. You'll lose weight then.

I think your weight OP is more than fine.

But I also agree with this poster. No none real food protein. You don’t need it and don’t want it. I am actually training for a half iron at a lot of volume of 12-16 hours a week during my on weeks - I never use protein shakes. Real food, with planned frequency, as noted above, is your answer.

OP here - interesting. I don't really like meat. At least not in large quantities. So it is always a problem for me to eat enough protein. What do you suggest? Eggs? I can sort of stomach those. What other real foods have high protein? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks. Yes I think I need to be more mindful of what I eat. My husband says I need to eat more protein.

Today I had eggs for breakfast and now I am going to make a protein shake before I work out. Then tonight I am going to have fish and veggies and brown rice.

I used to run religiously and it always kept off the pounds. Its so sad - I am terrified of the post-menopause belly.

JFC. Relax. Terrified? Sad? Those adjectives should apply when someone died or you are terrified that one of your children gets cancer. Gain some perspective and get a grip.

Maximum 1500 calories per day. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks. Yes I think I need to be more mindful of what I eat. My husband says I need to eat more protein.

Today I had eggs for breakfast and now I am going to make a protein shake before I work out. Then tonight I am going to have fish and veggies and brown rice.

I used to run religiously and it always kept off the pounds. Its so sad - I am terrified of the post-menopause belly.

You need to skip these protein shakes. All the calories you burn are consumed ahead of time by protein. You are not training for an iron man competition. If you need more protein. Add an extra egg etc to your breakfast. No snacks at all. Three square meals, that's it. Develop an appetite between meals. Drink water in between. Eat good meals til satiated but not stuffed. You'll lose weight then.

I think your weight OP is more than fine.

But I also agree with this poster. No none real food protein. You don’t need it and don’t want it. I am actually training for a half iron at a lot of volume of 12-16 hours a week during my on weeks - I never use protein shakes. Real food, with planned frequency, as noted above, is your answer.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks. Yes I think I need to be more mindful of what I eat. My husband says I need to eat more protein.

Today I had eggs for breakfast and now I am going to make a protein shake before I work out. Then tonight I am going to have fish and veggies and brown rice.

I used to run religiously and it always kept off the pounds. Its so sad - I am terrified of the post-menopause belly.

That's a ways off for you. You have the benefit of time to build your lean muscle base.

It seems to me that you are at a healthy weight. I don’t understand why you feel you need to lose. Don’t feel “sad” and like you need to starve yourself! Why do this to yourself?

If it was me, I would focus on eating healthy, lots of vegetables and lean proteins, plus calcium, and do fun weight-bearing and aerobic exercise. Just ignore the scale.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks. Yes I think I need to be more mindful of what I eat. My husband says I need to eat more protein.

Today I had eggs for breakfast and now I am going to make a protein shake before I work out. Then tonight I am going to have fish and veggies and brown rice.

I used to run religiously and it always kept off the pounds. Its so sad - I am terrified of the post-menopause belly.

You need to skip these protein shakes. All the calories you burn are consumed ahead of time by protein. You are not training for an iron man competition. If you need more protein. Add an extra egg etc to your breakfast. No snacks at all. Three square meals, that's it. Develop an appetite between meals. Drink water in between. Eat good meals til satiated but not stuffed. You'll lose weight then.

Anonymous wrote:You have to exercise at least 5 times a week and alternate weights and cardio. You also need to get better sleep and cut out alcohol. Increase your vegetables and protein in diet. Do that for a few months and you will see a difference in weight.

I think this is the answer, plus keeping an eye on portion sizes. We Americans tend to miss the mark there.

Anonymous wrote:5’7”, 150 is a fantastic weight.

That depends fully on body composition. It could be or it could be not.

Anonymous wrote:Who cares what the scale says if your clothes fit well, you are healthy and you look good?!? Please don't starve yourself to reach an arbitrary number on the scale.

+1 this!!!!

I’ve never owned a scale. I go by how my clothes fit and how I feel. I can’t recommend it enough. Weight is just a number!

Who cares what the scale says if your clothes fit well, you are healthy and you look good?!? Please don't starve yourself to reach an arbitrary number on the scale.

5’7”, 150 is a fantastic weight.

High protein diets are hard on the kidneys though - definitely eat protein, but always your diet should be focused on plentiful healthy carbs from beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds.