Weight gain/ body changes

I’ve put weight on during menopause. I’ve kept exercising, ( well...as much as possible in the current crisis). It’s mainly waist thickening. Everywhere else is about the same. It’s a real pain to shift. Starting swimming again tomorrow, so hope that helps. You’re not alone, don’t worry.

Sadly I think we all suffer from changes to our body shape as we get older. I'm in my 70's and have always been pretty fit but I have changed shape, my waist has thickened and I've lost muscle mass most noticeably on my rear, which is flatter and rather droopy. I'm also finding it harder to stay at my ideal weight. I just console myself that I am still here and pretty pain free and well whereas some of my friends are not. Try to focus on the positives.

Thank you both for your responses. It helps a lot!

1 was always quite petite, like you, barely 5ft, and I was always a size 12. Never skinny, but far from fat.
Post menopause, I must have gained at least a couple of stone, and gone up a couple of dress sizes.
My lifestyle hasn’t changed, I’m on my feet most of the day, I don’t exercise as such, but we enjoy walking. I don’t eat more but still the weight piled on.
At least I’ve remained about the same size now for several years, I don’t weigh myself, but my clothes still fit!
I’m resigned to it , I would love to lose a stone, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

I follow the ketogenic way of eating, it suits me and I don’t have the weight gain that is expected to come with later life! I also don’t have any health issues associated with ageing either and I am in my 70’s.

Yes unfortunately it’s down to our hormones. I put on weight around my middle and bust without realising as I hadn’t changed my diet. I eat a very healthy keto diet but unless I eat 800 calories or under find it impossible to lose weight. Luckily I have no health problems so far and count my blessings that I’m still here. I’m mid 60s.

I'm very similar to you poppyred although that is not the reason for my name on here! Gravity has taken over with me its all sinking south. I was a conference pear who has become a comice. The important thing as you say swoolfson is to eat healthily and keep moving but most of all enjoy the life we have.

I stopped wearing a bra as no one sees me during lockdown. I went to put it on on Easter Monday and couldn't do it up.?

slwoolfson it might be worth getting your thyroid levels checked.
Weight gain can be caused by an under active thyroid.
I put on weight in my 50’s & thought it was just one of those things. But a routine blood test showed up thyroid deficiency.
15 years later I’m the same weight & size I was in my early 20’s.

I too despair, have cut out so many foods for 2 years, ultra low carbs, low fat, exercising, but still not losing (and maybe even gaining)

It is so depressing, I want to preserve my health but nothing I do is working.

All the broccoli, courgette, watercress and everynplate of vegetables or salad over the last month has had zero result.

I see yesterday a lady over on MN said that no amount of exercise post menopause had any effect now on her weight, and is the same with me.

Exhausted from all the exercise, missing meals, leaving long gaps between, waiting till I feel really hungry, drinking water - and just no results.

I'm actually lighter than I was in my 50s and early 60s and have dropped a dress size but I am a different shape. I have a max weight and if I hit it I do the 5/2 diet until I lose the extra weight but although it does just take me longer, I can get rid of some of the weight round my middle. Annoyingly I also have to take a tablet now which does lower my metabolism and I understand our metabolism does slow as we age. It's a bit of a bore but I'm not quite ready to give in. For me the 5/2 diet works best.

SynchroSwimmer

I too despair, have cut out so many foods for 2 years, ultra low carbs, low fat, exercising, but still not losing (and maybe even gaining)

It is so depressing, I want to preserve my health but nothing I do is working.

All the broccoli, courgette, watercress and everynplate of vegetables or salad over the last month has had zero result.

I see yesterday a lady over on MN said that no amount of exercise post menopause had any effect now on her weight, and is the same with me.

Exhausted from all the exercise, missing meals, leaving long gaps between, waiting till I feel really hungry, drinking water - and just no results.

I’m the same SynchroSwimmer. However if I stick to 800 calories the weight does come off but very very slowly.... The thing is it’s very hard to stick to.

Poppyred

Yes unfortunately it’s down to our hormones. I put on weight around my middle and bust without realising as I hadn’t changed my diet. I eat a very healthy keto diet but unless I eat 800 calories or under find it impossible to lose weight. Luckily I have no health problems so far and count my blessings that I’m still here. I’m mid 60s.

Same here Poppyred I thought I was the only one!

I’m 5’ 3”, 69 years old, 12.5 stone and fed up! I was 8 stone until I hit the menopause at the age of 54 and I have struggled since then to get the weight off. My boobs are massive and so is my waist yet I have always had skinny hips. I look a mess and it gets me down. At my last drs visit the nurse said I needed to lose about 2.5 stone to be healthy but it is impossible. I walk 2-3 miles 4-5 days per week. Eat healthy. Dont smoke or drink so what the hell do I do now? I feel your pain but I have no answer, sorry. My DH is like a skinny little rabbit and I feel like Mrs Blobby who has just ate the Diddy men and been invaded by aliens. Sending you love and hugs. ? ?

It may be a little consolation but my Granny used to say that when a woman reaches a certain age, she needs a bit of weight about her!
I have put weight on around my waist and lower abdomen. I still have skinny legs.
I have tried dieting and power walking to no avail.
I don't know what the answer is.

Bless you Purplepixie, you sound lovely, and your husband probably enjoys your curves. Sense of humour is paramount, and you sound like you have masses of that?

I have come to the conclusion (I’m 75 put on 2 stone after the menopause) that nature somehow pads us out after the menopause for whatever reason, as it seems to happen to everyone or nearly everyone. I am 5 7 and 12st 10 classified as overweight, although the bmi thing seems to be thrown aside now.

I have been that weight now for about 20 years, it may move + or- 2-3 lb but remains constant. I have tried continuous diets and find I have to cut out food by a ridiculous amount.

One thing though is that at my health check ups etc the nurse/doctor never mention my weight and if I ask they simply say just don’t put on any more which is no problem because I never do.

I seemed to reach a plateau and that’s it. I guess if I do start to lose it it means I’m getting really old or really ill!!

Well, I'm not alone:-)
I guess we focus on our health.
I have heard weight is good for Osteoporosis and I have that too.

Yes it does seem a shame to be slammed with body dysmorphia in the last years of our life, we should be able to be relaxed about what seems to be a normal phenomena and learn to enjoy our life and sod out weight.

I’m trying hard to do just that.

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Is weight gain really good for people suffering from osteoporosis?

My first batch of home made mince pies haven't helped today lol.

Eat cake - Skinny people are easier to kidnap - so it says on my garden centre cake display!
I’m lucky to be 5’5” but not so lucky being over 12stone. My 34B bust is long gone, my waist is thicker and my legs are still long, but much fatter. I’m 71, fairly fit and console myself that should I fall, I might just bounce!