I have a question and I hope someone can answer it for me. I am/have been trying to lose weight. I am in menopause and have gained most of my weight in my stomach. I am having a really hard time losing, I lose a few and gain it right back. I am getting really depressed as I am eating right and exercising.

My question is will I ever lose this stomach fat? I was always slender with a flat stomach and now I can't wear any of my old clothes, I feel horrible, it actually gets in my way when I move if that makes sense. I just really would like to hear from someone who has maybe gone through this(menopause).

This weight came on me rather quickly, I gained some when I was on medication but I have been off that for over a year now. This is really affecting my self esteem, I look and feel like I am pregnant, I don't know what else I can do to feel like my old self. So I guess I just want to hear from some other women who can relate to me . Thanks

Good Question! I had a baby 10 years ago and never lost my tummy.
I can relate with you, but I have bad PMS. But I don’t have advice sorry.
I started drinking lots of water and started loosing weight. Good Luck

Hi Thanks for your reply Kdel, Looks like I might be the only one here going thrugh menopause! Well over the pass few days I have been cutting out bread and trying to eat lighter so I will see what happens. Keep up what ever is working for you, Thanks again, cricket.

Cricket, are you still a member? I just joined this forum and am experiencing menopausal weight gain. It is terrible! How are you doing?

Hi menopausal, yes I am still a member here. I haven't been here in awhile though, my computer was down for a bit. I received a email letting me know of your post on this topic. I am still in the same boat weight wise. I lose a pound or two and then gain it back. It is really frustrating. I have been walking but I am going to start to add some exerciseing to that. Let me know what is going on with you. Good luck to you. cricket

Cricket, thanks for responding. Well, menopause was surgically induced about one year ago. I have gained an amazing 40-50 pounds since then; from a size 4 to 14. It is discouraging because I have very good eating habits. I am desperately trying to find the right blend of exercise and eating to get this weight off. I also experience terrible hot flashes and insomnia. I just started Remifemin for the flashes and Remifemin 'Good Night' for the insomnia. I am hopeful they will work, but it takes up to 12 weeks to see the results. I can't take any hormonal replacement medication because of my health history; it's too dangerous. I did find a great website and have also started their vitamin program. It is Women to Women womentowomen.com). It is a comforting website. I have heard this is supposed to be a fun time in a woman's life, but honestly until I can get the weight under control, I feel miserable.

How about you? Is yours medically induced? Do you suffer from any other symptoms? I am glad you wrote back and hope we can help each other . . .

Lisa

menopausal, I sent you a private message.

Hi, Cricket. I just joined and not being familiar with this forum I just posted something on menopause as well. I have gained 30 pounds in less than a year and I'm starving. My very pessimistic ob/gyn laughed when I mentioned my belly fat. The good news is I have friends who are post-menopausal and those who cared about themselves before that weird onset of weight during the 'change' are back to looking pretty good. And those who just 'let themselves go'. I think it's very individual. Eat healthy, KEEP STRESS DOWN, and I think your body will find itself again. That's what I'm hoping mine will do once I curb this voracious appetite.

I've seen plenty of women in the 50s and 60s with flat tummies.

To manage your weight after menopause you should try to
•Eat a healthy, or better still Mucus-less (or mucus poor) Diet of Fruits, Vegetables (leafy and roots)

•Have regular and sustained aerobic exercise; this will give your metabolism a boost. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity everyday.

•Build up and maintain your muscle mass with strength training such as weight training or weight bearing exercise like walking and bicycling.

click here for more menopause symptoms and treatment info

Losing weight in menopause is no different than losing weight in pre-menopause. By that I mean, the same mechanisms work for both. But peri/post menopause, losing the weight is much more difficult. The female body shifts hormonally and ends up preferentially storing fat in the hips and abdomen areas more easiliy.

Do you know how many calories you're taking in? What are you doing for exercise?

I'm not sure the original poster has been back for months - and this thread got dug up by a spammer.. .

oh.... it would help if i would read.

s'ok punkin' we keep you around cuz you're pretty to look at... we don't expect anything helpful from you