No HRT, but I have gained weight

hello to all,
I'm Tianna, I'm 41 years old, and I have no more plumbing at all, I don't have night sweats, but I do have hot flashes. I use Phyto Proleaf a natural progestrone cream, when I start to have them a lot, like maybe five in a day, I know it's time to use it, one application knocks them out for 5-6 months for me, it's great. My problem is weight gain, I have gained 25lbs. in a year, I am beside myself, I'm up to 140lbs. and I'm 4'8" tall, and my husband is not happy, our sex life has gone from great to nothing, he is convinced that I don't care about it anymore due to no hormones, but I do care it's me, I don't want him to see me like this. I should be at my peak right now, but I do have to say I care about it alittle less than before. I am very sensitive now more than before and that makes it harder. I have tried everything to lose this weight that I have gained, in places I have never gained it before, but I can't get rid of it. I eat healthy and try to stay away from sweets and high fat foods. Please can anyone help in this matter, the last time I had my hormone levels checked I was at 71.5 my doctor put me on estrodial, but I gained weight so I stopped taking it. HELP

I am sorry you are having weight problems. Menopausal women have a slower metabolism, so the key is to eat less, eat healthy and exercise 30 min. or longer at least 3x a week or more. The exercise can be fast walking, running, biking, anything that gets you breathing harder than normal. It probably takes counting calories at first until you are used to the amount you should be eating.

I found cutting out sugar, caffiene, and white carbs to help a whole lot . I eat whole grains, brown rice, chicken, fish, turkey, (no beef), very little dairy, steamed veggies, salads, fruits. If I have a sweet then I cut back on something to make up for it, as it is all about balance. I really don't keep snack or junk foods in the house, just too much temptation, we eat fruits now. I have my DH eating this way and he has no spare tire like he was getting before.

There is no magic diet or pill for weight loss unfortunately. I saw results in about a month by eating healthy and exercising , and I feel much better .

Here is a link on menopause and weight:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/men...t-gain/HQ01076

You might visit the Hysteritaville forum for support and ideas on losing weight and for motivation with others who are looking to lose some weight.

Hang in there

I also have gained 25 pounds this year! You sound just like me!! I used to weigh 120, and at 5'1, I was happy. I now weigh 145!!!! I too went off hormones even though I am only 38 b/c I had major side effects with them. I started working out everyday..yes, I do 30 minutes of cardio daily, and I watch EVERYTHING I EAT...but I am still ballooning!!! My doctors all say that everything is ok, but I feel as if I am losing my mind! I know there is no "magic pill" and I am sick of doctors telling me to exercise more and eat less...I am already doing everything I should be doing and I am still gaining! It is like they think I am pigging out and not telling them.....UGH!!!! My sister's wedding is in May, so I am extra determined to lose this weight..but it's not coming off...I can definitely sympathize with you!

Hello to all,
Is this it, is this what we who have gained the weight have to deal with. I feel like I'm running into a brick wall. I'm doing The Firm, my husband bought me an elliptical machine, I'm on that for 50 mins. 5 days a week, and I deny myself everyday the things that I love (and nothing) I can lose maybe 8-9 lbs. and thats where it stops. My husband and I got the natural cure books in the mail, and I really think this guy is right, try to eat as much organic food as possible, though it is exspensive, how much could a couple packages of organic chicken, veggies and lettuce cost if your the only one eating it. He says the growth hormones in our food are making us fat. He also talks about cleansing the body of toxins by doing a number of safe and natural cleanses, like a Candida cleanse, Candida is a yeast fungus that grows in the colan. He says you will not lose weight without it, if your having problems losing weight, also a liver cleanse. His name is Kevin Trudeau, I'm sure all of you have seen him on t.v. I've tried everything else, why not try this, and if that doesn't work, I guess I'll starve (lol) and yes my husand thinks I'm eating Mcdonalds for lunch each day. I get so mad at him.

Tianna, I am 56, TAH, and not allowed HRT either. I too bega to gain weight. I kept trying to exercise too soon, but finally, at the 7-month mark, I was able to without lots of fatigue and soreness. I have discovered that we are all different as far as what makes us gain weight. I have tried cutting back on fat, cutting back on on sugar and carbs, and tried counting calories. The most effective thing for me turned out to be cutting back my fat intake. And, I now try to get 30 minutes of high-cardio exercise and weight-trining done at least 3 times a week. Still, I have only lost about 10 pounds (need to lose 10-15 more), but my clothign sizes have changes---YAY. the firming and toning have made a big difference. Hang in there--good luck!
Soogie

I am still 2 months away from a TAH/BSO and my doctor has told me no HRT because I am 48. I have lost 50 lbs. in the last 9 months through diet and Glucophage. It is a medication for insulin-resistance which is something that women with cystic ovaries are prone too. My doc says this does not go away, even with ovary removal. I also have hypothyroid disease and take meds for that. I would ask my doc for a complete workup to test for thyroid disease and insulin- resistance. You might have to see a different kind of doctor, but it was worth it for me. I never get hungry between meals now and have no food cravings. Hope this might help someone. I really don't want to gain back any of the weight.

I'm just so happy you replied, I had ovarian cystes for a long time, I don't know how long, but I think it may have been awhile. Painful periods for years, until I was just bleeding to death. My doctor says these cystes could have been there for years, not to mention severe endo, so I have no plumbing, but I'd sure like to get rid of a few pounds. Is this Glucophage covered under insurance, and is it expensive???? are there any side effects? did you exersise? I'm 41 and I need to lose 30lbs. I have been tested for thyroid and it was negative, should I get tested again? I didn't know there was a test for insulin-resistance. Can you e-mail me back and let me know. Thank you so much, and please take care of yourself.
TIANNA

Tianna,

I have put one some weigh since my hyster too. I started using the points again from weight watchers. I thought I wasn't eating enough and long and behold I wasn't.

If you don't eat enough you will gain weight because your body stores and you won't loose.

I also exercise and now I'm making sure I'm eating better.

Best of luck,

	Quote:
Originally Posted by tianna I'm just so happy you replied, I had ovarian cystes for a long time, I don't know how long, but I think it may have been awhile. Painful periods for years, until I was just bleeding to death. My doctor says these cystes could have been there for years, not to mention severe endo, so I have no plumbing, but I'd sure like to get rid of a few pounds. Is this Glucophage covered under insurance, and is it expensive???? are there any side effects? did you exersise? I'm 41 and I need to lose 30lbs. I have been tested for thyroid and it was negative, should I get tested again? I didn't know there was a test for insulin-resistance. Can you e-mail me back and let me know. Thank you so much, and please take care of yourself. TIANNA

Yes, it is covered by insurance. Insulin-resistance is diagnosed from a history, physical, blood test and glucose tolerance test. You take the medication prior to eating and it helps your body respond to the insulin you produce, so that you don't over-produce insulin and store the food as fat. The only side effect for me was that it can cause a bit of stomach upset or diarrhea at first, but your body gets used to this and it will go away. If you do have this condition, after years of over producing unsulin, your pancreas fails and you develop Diabetes. I'd gather some info on the web to see if this fits your situation, and then look for a physician that specializes in diabetes/weight loss. I am lucky-my insurance covers everything. Good Luck!

Hello otter48,
How long does this medication take to start to work? I told my husband about it, he said to have the test done. Did you diet while on this medication? (meaning did you really have to work at losing your 50lbs.) I've been knocking my socks off for a long time and nothing. I do notice one thing that happens to me when I eat sugar, I don't get the energy surge, I just crash really hard, somethimes I'll sleep for hours. Have you ever had that happen? Please e-mail me back and let me know. Thank you and Please take care of yourself
TIANNA