weight loss support?

[Dogmama]

thanks for this advice. I have an appointment with a dietitian on monday. have been given so much conflicting advice, i thought i'd go to someone who's studied the area. hope it works... things are really hard right now.

Please post what he/she says. I think we could all use the straight info.

[Bad JuJu]

I'd like to consult a dietician too, but how do you find one? And when you find them, how do you research their "track record"--that is, how do you look for a good one? And what can you expect from them when you meet?

Lots of questions, I know, but I'm struggling like never before with excess weight--maybe it's menopause. I need to talk to someone who can make reliable suggestions and help me follow them. TIA for any advice on this score.

[Thistle]

Will post the advice she gives me. I understand the difficulty finding one. I asked one of the guys at work who has lost, and kept off, about 40 kilos.

When I rang her, she seemed ok, hard to tell on the phone though. She asked why i wanted to see her - which i thought showed some interest in me - and when I told her i was getting conflicting advice, she said she might be able to help. She also said the balance between protein and carbohydrates can be very personal, so bear that in mind with the info I post. What suits me may not suit others.

I see her tomorrow, so I'll post an update. Hopefully she'll be good, if not, well i guess i'll just have to try another one

[kjay]

I probably shouldn't be adding my two cents here because I haven't read through all the posts, but just want to say that ever since I've been in my postmenopausal years, the only thing that has helped me to lose weight was bicycling five hours a day every day (on a bike tour). I lost three pounds and ate enough for energy and nutrition. Otherwise, it's next to impossible for me to lose. Not a happy thought, is it? . . . unless, of course, one lives to ride and has the time as well.

[emily_in_nc]

I probably shouldn't be adding my two cents here because I haven't read through all the posts, but just want to say that ever since I've been in my postmenopausal years, the only thing that has helped me to lose weight was bicycling five hours a day every day (on a bike tour). I lost three pounds and ate enough for energy and nutrition. Otherwise, it's next to impossible for me to lose. Not a happy thought, is it? . . . unless, of course, one lives to ride and has the time as well.

I think that happens to a lot of women after menopause - I guess it's a serious slowdown in metabolism?? My mother, who was a skinny rail in her 20s-30s-40s, put on a lot of weight after menopause and has seriously struggled with her weight ever since (she's 71 now). No matter how little she eats, she can't lose more than a few lbs, and that amount doesn't show since she has 30-40 lbs. to lose. She doesn't exercise nearly enough, though. She's always hated sweating. Knowing that I share a good number of her genes and am thin now, at 45 and pre-menopausal, I am determined to stay very active for the rest of my life. If I don't, I can look at her and see what is likely to happen to me.

I guess it pays to do everything possible to get to one's ideal weight prior to menopause, since it's so hard for many women to lose weight afterwards.

Emily

[nancielle]

You might like to check out "Sparkpeople". It's a free diet/exercise/lifestyle change site. You can track your food intake, they have meal plans, track your weight, etc. There's a boatload of message boards for support.http://www.sparkpeople.com