menopause and losing weight

I've always been very athletic, still am.  I've never had trouble with weight until this dreaded menopause.  There are some goods points, but I'm having an incredibly difficult time losing weight.  It seems if I go 2 days without the rigorous activities, my body has to start all over.  Instead of 55, I feel like 80.  Every thing hurts.  If I sit and watch TV at night, getting up is a chore.   I play golf, I work in the yard (alot), I'm always doing something.  I usually don't stop until 6 or 7 at night.  Hot flashes are with me day and night.  I weigh myself everyday.  Up and down a pound or two.  Can not break this cycle.  Just started to count calories.  My hands and feet are contstantly swelling.

Anybody else having this much trouble?

I dont have the hot flashes anymore but agree that after menopause I find losing weight very difficult.  I have always had problems losing weight but more so since menopause.  

 I usually have to be very diligent when I eat.   I lost weight last year after not being able to eat much for two months.  I got some kind of stomach flu. I was able to lose more as long as I did not overeat.   Of course I gained most of it back during the winter.  Winter is always the hardest for me to lose anything.

I am trying again to lose weight this time with a womans group, so hopefully this time I can lose and keep it off.   This group is also a pain management group.  I have pain in my knees so can not do some exercises, but am trying to find those I can do that will help.   I am going to try to cut down on serving sizes but I dont know if this will work.  I have tried to omit fattening foods and it has back lashed.

Dont feel over whelmed.  keep trying

I'm only a few months into menopause, but I've discovered that eating smaller amounts of everything makes me feel more comfortable and less achy. I don't think I'll ever get used to the hot flashes though. I wake up 3 or more times during the night with a hot flash. You would think I'd be dragging myself through the day with this disjointed sleep but I'm not. It seems that eating healthy foods in smaller amounts and keeping very busy is a life saver. It takes me weeks (usually 3 or 4) to drop a pound. I don't know if this is metabolic, I suspect it is. The worst thing is to get discouraged. The weight will come off, albeit slowly. I also don't know why, but eating less makes me feel more energetic. I have been using whfoods.org for recipes. They work for me.

According to the wonderful doctor menopause has not hit me yet, but when I look at the list of symptons I have most of them. I am like despoina with hot flashes every night about 3 or 4 times a night. I have not seen a normal cycle in over a year and have been cycle free for the last 3 months. There are aches and pains, stiff muscles and joints but I continue on. I find that working out helps, I don't notice all the problems when I do my workout and changing the eating habits has helped.

I noticed that when I gained weight most of it was in the ab region, so I have been paying extra attention to it when I work out, that has helped. Losing weight is like the bunny hop you know 1 down, 1 up, 1 down, 1 up, then 3 down, and 1 up but I still think the goal I have is going to be reached, I just don't worry about when.

I increased my strength training to help build muscle and that has helped in the shape of the body, clothes that were starting to get tight are now loosening up so I think I am going to try to pay more attention to that rather than the scale.

It is nice to know that others have the same problems, we can take time to stick it out together.

ladies, throw your scales in the trash.  You won't have any more weight problems.  Instead, focus on how you feel, physically and mentally.  Exercise 6 days a week, for an hour if you can, less if you can't.  Find a way.   Count your calories based on what you should eat for your height and build.  The rest will take care of itself.  I work out using the slim in 6 series 6 days a week.  I work full time, have three children, and am involved in many other clubs and activities.  I get up before work to work out.  It was the ONLY time in my day where NO ONE bothered me, asked my to do something or interrupted my time to myself.  I don't weigh, but I know I look amazing (according to my husband) and all my size 4s and 6s fit with ease.  I have a scale but know if I get on it, it will only discourage me as muscle weighs so much more than fat.  I am pre menopausal and I don't really have any symptoms other than some fatigue and difficulty with losing weight - which used to be very easy for me.  So with my workout schedule and staying below 1800 - 2000 calories, I have to say this will work for me.  I am not hungry, I don't deny myself fun foods, but I generally eat very healthy.  I love beer and red wine and have some several times a week.  I am able to enjoy these things because I refuse to live a life filled with hunger!

That sounds great!  I was wondering how tall you are?  What type of exercise do you do and is it low, mod or high intensity.  I am suppose to eat about 1400 cals a day.. At weight watchers I was allowed 22 or 23 points.  I think that is lower than 1400 calories.  If I eat 1500... then exercise and take off another 500...then I am at 1000....isn't that too low?