I think I've joined the menopausal group too.
Hi. Last period was almost 2 months ago and if I really think about it the hot flushes began a few weeks after. It was hard to tell because we're in the middle of our hottest part of the year and our heat wave maximum was 47 deg C around that time. It was hot with out the flushes! I'm finding the flushes last about 4 or 5 minutes, but are beginning to occur more frequently. At times a couple of times in an hour. Won't take HRT as that's what my mother did and ended up with hormone related breast cancer. Looks like I'm going to have to get used it.
Regarding losing weight. When I turned 49 late 2007 I decided I needed to rid myself of a few kilograms so I began fast walking. Found that listening to fairly up-tempo music on my mp3 player helped to keep the pace going throughout the 5 km route. I began my walks when I had 5 weeks holiday, so walked most mornings, however when I returned to work could only walk weekends. In 4 months I lost 3.5 kgs and then a further 1 kg during 2008. Haven't managed to do much walking for a couple of months now, but have maintained my new weight. Eating habits haven't changed all that much other than eating a lot less bread (and butter I suppose). Like others have mentioned, my waistline gradually (and sneakily) got larger after I turned 40. The 4.5 kg loss in weight must have made a little difference to my waist as I feel much more comfortable in my clothes. Oh, and my "back roll" is less noticeable these days - perhaps the 4.5 kg came off my back!