Can menopause slow weight loss?

Phinnk · 05-05-2005, 10:42 AM

I just turned 48 on Monday and obviously am experiencing menopausal symptoms (for over a year now). Can this be a factor in slowing my weight loss? The first time on Atkins I lost 40 lbs and I started that in July of 2003. Plateaued about a year later. I have since gained back about 11 or 12 lbs and am back on Atkins now (for good). Anyone else experiencing strange things as they age?

JuliaL · 05-05-2005, 10:48 AM

Yes, menopause can slow weight loss because it slows down the metabolism. But it doesn't mean you can't lose weight - you can! I've been going through menopause for about 4 years now and have lost 50 pounds.

The first thing you should do is evaluate what you're eating to make sure you're not eating too many carbs/calories. Do you use fitday?

If you've determined that you're definitely not overeating there are some things you can do to speed up your metabolism.

1 - Eat small, frequent meals. This keeps your metabolism humming along and prevents blood sugar spikes

2 - Drink green tea. I drink it over ice all day long. It's been proven to speed up the thermogenic (fat burning) process. If you're concerned about the caffeine drink decaf.

3 - Exercise, especially weight lifting, will help speed up your metabolism. Weight lifting builds lean muscle mass, and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, even at rest.

It is harder, but not impossible to lose weight while going through menopause. Now is the time to do it. I want to do what Suzanne Somers said she did - go through menopause without getting the menopause body!

Phinnk · 05-05-2005, 10:49 AM

Thanks! I needed that. Your words are very kind and helpful.

Tippy Toes · 05-05-2005, 11:13 AM

Oh, me too at age 44. Night sweats & irregular periods. Still lost 47 lbs in a year and went from size 44 to size 20. This may take a while but I have nothing better to do

!! Atkins says certain B vitamines which you need a prescription for will help. At the pharmacy I located a B Complex 100ml and I take it daily. Expect stalls here and there and weight fluctuations now and then. If you have a slight gain it should come back off in a week or two. I sometimes gain 7 lbs waiting for TOM who doesn't always show up but it does go eventually. I recently stalled for 3 months but I started using SouthBeach every other day and Atkins in between. I have started to lose again! Good luck!

BBRedhead · 05-05-2005, 02:05 PM

Phinnk,

I also lost about 45 lbs and have gained back 15. It has been even harder to lose now that I am 50. For Valentines Day DH gifted me with a personal trainer for a year at our local YMCA. I go twice a week and I think it is finally helping atleast with inches lost. Now if I could only get my eating back in control I would be on the right path.

LoveLC · 05-23-2005, 11:39 AM

I'm 50 and have been lowcarbing for 2 years, with some success. I feel like I am fighting against the usual weight gain and middle aged spread of menopause (I exericse regularly too).

05-05-2005, 10:42 AM	#1
Phinnk Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 442 Gallery: Phinnk	Can menopause slow weight loss? I just turned 48 on Monday and obviously am experiencing menopausal symptoms (for over a year now). Can this be a factor in slowing my weight loss? The first time on Atkins I lost 40 lbs and I started that in July of 2003. Plateaued about a year later. I have since gained back about 11 or 12 lbs and am back on Atkins now (for good). Anyone else experiencing strange things as they age?

05-05-2005, 10:48 AM	#2
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	Yes, menopause can slow weight loss because it slows down the metabolism. But it doesn't mean you can't lose weight - you can! I've been going through menopause for about 4 years now and have lost 50 pounds. The first thing you should do is evaluate what you're eating to make sure you're not eating too many carbs/calories. Do you use fitday? If you've determined that you're definitely not overeating there are some things you can do to speed up your metabolism. 1 - Eat small, frequent meals. This keeps your metabolism humming along and prevents blood sugar spikes 2 - Drink green tea. I drink it over ice all day long. It's been proven to speed up the thermogenic (fat burning) process. If you're concerned about the caffeine drink decaf. 3 - Exercise, especially weight lifting, will help speed up your metabolism. Weight lifting builds lean muscle mass, and the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, even at rest. It is harder, but not impossible to lose weight while going through menopause. Now is the time to do it. I want to do what Suzanne Somers said she did - go through menopause without getting the menopause body! __________________ *"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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05-05-2005, 10:49 AM	#3
Phinnk Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 442 Gallery: Phinnk	Thanks! I needed that. Your words are very kind and helpful.

05-05-2005, 11:13 AM	#4
Tippy Toes Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 4,198 Gallery: Tippy Toes Stats: 263/150/150 to 155 Start Date: April 16 2004	Oh, me too at age 44. Night sweats & irregular periods. Still lost 47 lbs in a year and went from size 44 to size 20. This may take a while but I have nothing better to do !! Atkins says certain B vitamines which you need a prescription for will help. At the pharmacy I located a B Complex 100ml and I take it daily. Expect stalls here and there and weight fluctuations now and then. If you have a slight gain it should come back off in a week or two. I sometimes gain 7 lbs waiting for TOM who doesn't always show up but it does go eventually. I recently stalled for 3 months but I started using SouthBeach every other day and Atkins in between. I have started to lose again! Good luck!

05-05-2005, 02:05 PM	#5
BBRedhead Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 311 Gallery: BBRedhead Stats: 245/215/145 WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 2003	Phinnk, I also lost about 45 lbs and have gained back 15. It has been even harder to lose now that I am 50. For Valentines Day DH gifted me with a personal trainer for a year at our local YMCA. I go twice a week and I think it is finally helping atleast with inches lost. Now if I could only get my eating back in control I would be on the right path.

05-23-2005, 11:39 AM	#6
LoveLC Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: near Chicago Posts: 16 Gallery: LoveLC Stats: 250/168/130 WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 2003	I'm 50 and have been lowcarbing for 2 years, with some success. I feel like I am fighting against the usual weight gain and middle aged spread of menopause (I exericse regularly too).