hey, early-40's ladies--perimenopause and cravings?

Lemming · 04-23-2005, 07:27 PM

OK, so here's the deal...I'm 41, and have been lowcarbing for 5 years. I lost from 155 to 140 fairly quickly in the spring of 2000, and have maintained at 140-143 pretty easily. I'm a big fan of frankenfoods

, and have had occasional binges/cravings, but nothing too out of control for too long. This past summer I got really involved in my hobby (speedskating)--got a coach, started getting faster, in general got obsessed and consequently lost my appetite/cravings for a while. I lost another 5-8 pounds without trying and while still eating frankenfoods. I maintained at 132-135 from August until mid-March with no trouble--and then all h*ll broke loose. I now am 138 or so, and headin' up

My cravings are definitely worse at PMS time, but they appear randomly as well. I have always craved sugar, and thus have avioded it completely since 4/01/05. However, now any sweet taste seems to set off cravings of unbelievable intensity (I say, sitting here after just driving to the grocery store to get some Atkins ice cream and sugar free cookies). I have no problems or stress in my life--great job, wonderful hubby, supportive parents, a great sister who skates with me--so I really don't think it's emotional eating. It's physical, d*mmit, and I don't know what's setting it off or how to stop it. At the same time, I've noticed some differences with my cycle, etc. that make me wonder about perimenopause. What do y'all think? Am I too young? Have any of you experienced intense cravings that you suspect are hormonally induced? If so, what the heck did you do about them?

I intend to try to go completely "sweet stuff" free for a couple of days (if it doesn't kill me!) and see what happens...but I anxiously await your input!!

LoCarbGamer · 04-23-2005, 07:56 PM

I'm 41 too but don't seem to have any cravings. Though, I pretty much stick to induction with the exception of S/F jello, unsweetened cocoa, and DaVinci's.

Would I know if I was in periomenopause? I don't think I have hot flashes...I kick off the covers at night a lot and usually feel hot when I wake up in the morning, but doesn't feel like anything excessive.

Lemming · 04-23-2005, 09:06 PM

Oops... I meant I've avoided sugar since 4/01/00... (I guess that means I get my 5 year pin or coin or whatever, eh?)

Good question--how DO we know if we're in "peri"?

Catheryn · 04-23-2005, 09:37 PM

[QUOTE

Good question--how DO we know if we're in "peri"?[/quote]
If you are over 40, and your periods are getting unpredictable, and your pms is more severe, and you get night sweats, and you get bouts of depression, you are most likely in perimenopause. It usually hits at 40. I am 47, and have been going through it for 7 years. My cravings are out of control, even when I am in induction. This is very common. I can go 3-4 weeks eating clean induction, and out of nowhere will kill for a Dunkin Donut. I dont understand it, but I do know that it is very much physical, not emotional. It is a struggle every single day.

Darkginger · 04-24-2005, 03:02 AM

Oh heck, the things I have to look forward to! I'm 45 (46 in June), with no sign of perimenopause as yet - still regular as clockwork. I have been getting a few cravings recently, though - not for anything specific, just for *something else* that I can't quite put my finger on. Guess I better get on and shed the final 10lbs before peri hits! I feel a bout of depression coming on...

Jo

dori30 · 04-24-2005, 04:44 AM

Hi Lemming,

I would highly recommend the book, The Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein. It is an excellent resource for understanding what processed foods (i.e frankenfoods) will do to our bodies/metabolism, etc.

Her book is all about healing your metabolism (through low-carb and whole-foods) and it is an excellent resourse. She truly understands women and our unique functioning and I think you might find some answers there!

good luck and way to go on your stats!
dori

JuliaL · 04-24-2005, 05:41 AM

Hi - I'm 45 and I'm pretty sure I'm post-menopausal. I haven't had a period in months. My doc recently put me on low-dose HRT and it is helping with the cravings, hot flashes, etc. You probably are peri-meno, but there's no test for it according to my doc. They can only test the hormone levels to know if you are POST meno.

For me the sugar cravings are worse with frankenfoods than real sugar, I'm not sure why. The only way to get rid of them is to starve them.

Your exercise is great - keep it up, it's very important as you go through menopause to prevent weight gain and muscle and bone mass loss. You should also be doing some regular weight training to keep your metabolism humming. Good luck!

Julia

inatic · 04-24-2005, 06:11 AM

just about 43 and probably perimeno.. My cycles are getting lighter and this month close than it should be. I am VERY thankful I dont have any sugar cravings even around pms time.. I actually crave PB instead (natural unsweetened)

Not sure where you are in the atkins ladder. Maybe you need to move along the " ladder" . Instead of reaching out for frankenfoods, maybe substitute that sugar craving with some nice sweet piece of seasonal fruit.

JONAH'S GRANNY · 04-24-2005, 07:25 AM

Been there - done that. I was not trying to lose weight during those "perimenopausal" years, I just wanted to maintain my weight at the time (106 lbs.). My cravings went wild and by the time I was out of menopause I weighed 160 lbs. I wish I had been interested in lowcarb at that time but I wasn't. I can't give you any advice on how to handle it during this stage in your life but I will tell you there is hope afterwards. I had no real problems dropping from 160 to as low as 91 lbs. afterwards. I wish you lots of luck. Just listen to those on here experiencing the same thing you are.

Lemming · 04-24-2005, 07:31 AM

Thanks! I knew I could count on you guys (even if the info may be slightly depressing!). I think you're right--I need to ditch the sweet stuff (the Dana Carpender quote in another thread is right on track). I'm going to try no AS except for beverages, and I'll even lose those if I have to but I admit to being caffeine addicted...I'm also trying the chromium/glutamine craving cure...I'll let you know how it goes (fortunately DH is out of town for 2 days so he'll miss my first fun 48 hours of no sweets!)

04-23-2005, 07:27 PM	#1
Lemming MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: MN Posts: 1,104 Gallery: Lemming	hey, early-40's ladies--perimenopause and cravings? OK, so here's the deal...I'm 41, and have been lowcarbing for 5 years. I lost from 155 to 140 fairly quickly in the spring of 2000, and have maintained at 140-143 pretty easily. I'm a big fan of frankenfoods , and have had occasional binges/cravings, but nothing too out of control for too long. This past summer I got really involved in my hobby (speedskating)--got a coach, started getting faster, in general got obsessed and consequently lost my appetite/cravings for a while. I lost another 5-8 pounds without trying and while still eating frankenfoods. I maintained at 132-135 from August until mid-March with no trouble--and then all hll broke loose. I now am 138 or so, and headin' up My cravings are definitely worse at PMS time, but they appear randomly as well. I have always craved sugar, and thus have avioded it completely since 4/01/05. However, now any sweet taste seems to set off cravings of unbelievable intensity (I say, sitting here after just driving to the grocery store to get some Atkins ice cream and sugar free cookies). I have no problems or stress in my life--great job, wonderful hubby, supportive parents, a great sister who skates with me--so I really don't think it's emotional eating. It's physical, dmmit, and I don't know what's setting it off or how to stop it. At the same time, I've noticed some differences with my cycle, etc. that make me wonder about perimenopause. What do y'all think? Am I too young? Have any of you experienced intense cravings that you suspect are hormonally induced? If so, what the heck did you do about them? I intend to try to go completely "sweet stuff" free for a couple of days (if it doesn't kill me!) and see what happens...but I anxiously await your input!! __________________ LC and sugarfree since 4/01/00 155/140/135

04-24-2005, 05:41 AM	#7
JuliaL Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 17,214 Gallery: JuliaL Stats: 190/145/140 16/8/6, height 5'8", age 48 WOE: Atkins/BFFM Start Date: 4/22/03	Hi - I'm 45 and I'm pretty sure I'm post-menopausal. I haven't had a period in months. My doc recently put me on low-dose HRT and it is helping with the cravings, hot flashes, etc. You probably are peri-meno, but there's no test for it according to my doc. They can only test the hormone levels to know if you are POST meno. For me the sugar cravings are worse with frankenfoods than real sugar, I'm not sure why. The only way to get rid of them is to starve them. Your exercise is great - keep it up, it's very important as you go through menopause to prevent weight gain and muscle and bone mass loss. You should also be doing some regular weight training to keep your metabolism humming. Good luck! Julia __________________ *"Our limitations and success will be based, most often, on our own expectations for ourselves. What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon." -Denis Waitley*

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04-23-2005, 07:56 PM	#2
LoCarbGamer Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 600 Gallery: LoCarbGamer Stats: 5'3" age 43 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Resstart Aug 2007	I'm 41 too but don't seem to have any cravings. Though, I pretty much stick to induction with the exception of S/F jello, unsweetened cocoa, and DaVinci's. Would I know if I was in periomenopause? I don't think I have hot flashes...I kick off the covers at night a lot and usually feel hot when I wake up in the morning, but doesn't feel like anything excessive.

04-23-2005, 09:06 PM	#3
Lemming MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: MN Posts: 1,104 Gallery: Lemming	Oops... I meant I've avoided sugar since 4/01/00... (I guess that means I get my 5 year pin or coin or whatever, eh?) Good question--how DO we know if we're in "peri"?

04-23-2005, 09:37 PM	#4
Catheryn Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: suburbs of Detroit Posts: 472 Gallery: Catheryn Stats: 172/142/140 WOE: original Atkins of '72 Start Date: 2001	[QUOTE Good question--how DO we know if we're in "peri"?[/quote] If you are over 40, and your periods are getting unpredictable, and your pms is more severe, and you get night sweats, and you get bouts of depression, you are most likely in perimenopause. It usually hits at 40. I am 47, and have been going through it for 7 years. My cravings are out of control, even when I am in induction. This is very common. I can go 3-4 weeks eating clean induction, and out of nowhere will kill for a Dunkin Donut. I dont understand it, but I do know that it is very much physical, not emotional. It is a struggle every single day.

04-24-2005, 03:02 AM	#5
Darkginger Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Co. Mayo, Ireland Posts: 811 Gallery: Darkginger Stats: 197/187/147 WOE: Atkins Start Date: August 2004 (properly)	Oh heck, the things I have to look forward to! I'm 45 (46 in June), with no sign of perimenopause as yet - still regular as clockwork. I have been getting a few cravings recently, though - not for anything specific, just for something else that I can't quite put my finger on. Guess I better get on and shed the final 10lbs before peri hits! I feel a bout of depression coming on... Jo

04-24-2005, 04:44 AM	#6
dori30 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 858 Gallery: dori30 Stats: who cares? I am a runner! WOE: Healthy Whole Foods/ 50/25/25 Start Date: February 2004	Hi Lemming, I would highly recommend the book, The Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein. It is an excellent resource for understanding what processed foods (i.e frankenfoods) will do to our bodies/metabolism, etc. Her book is all about healing your metabolism (through low-carb and whole-foods) and it is an excellent resourse. She truly understands women and our unique functioning and I think you might find some answers there! good luck and way to go on your stats! dori

04-24-2005, 06:11 AM	#8
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 12,582 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182/126.2 5'4 46!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach Supervised Start Date: LC since 2/02 B'building since 10/15/02	just about 43 and probably perimeno.. My cycles are getting lighter and this month close than it should be. I am VERY thankful I dont have any sugar cravings even around pms time.. I actually crave PB instead (natural unsweetened) Not sure where you are in the atkins ladder. Maybe you need to move along the " ladder" . Instead of reaching out for frankenfoods, maybe substitute that sugar craving with some nice sweet piece of seasonal fruit.

04-24-2005, 07:25 AM	#9
JONAH'S GRANNY Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 7,655 Gallery: JONAH'S GRANNY Stats: Not telling WOE: Lower Carb Start Date: 01/03/2008/Originally 2003	Been there - done that. I was not trying to lose weight during those "perimenopausal" years, I just wanted to maintain my weight at the time (106 lbs.). My cravings went wild and by the time I was out of menopause I weighed 160 lbs. I wish I had been interested in lowcarb at that time but I wasn't. I can't give you any advice on how to handle it during this stage in your life but I will tell you there is hope afterwards. I had no real problems dropping from 160 to as low as 91 lbs. afterwards. I wish you lots of luck. Just listen to those on here experiencing the same thing you are.

04-24-2005, 07:31 AM	#10
Lemming MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: MN Posts: 1,104 Gallery: Lemming	Thanks! I knew I could count on you guys (even if the info may be slightly depressing!). I think you're right--I need to ditch the sweet stuff (the Dana Carpender quote in another thread is right on track). I'm going to try no AS except for beverages, and I'll even lose those if I have to but I admit to being caffeine addicted...I'm also trying the chromium/glutamine craving cure...I'll let you know how it goes (fortunately DH is out of town for 2 days so he'll miss my first fun 48 hours of no sweets!)