weight loss support?

[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

[jayjay]

>>> Sigh. It just seems as if any "change" is destined to fail for me, because eventually I'm going to slide back into bad habits.<<<

What I hear here is the very common little saboteur in most of us, which is self doubt and giving our power away to lower impulses. I suffer from the same doubt, but believe there *will* be a time my commitment to better choices becomes the mainstay, even more pleasurable, and eventually giving in to silly carb cravings becomes less fulfilling.

We have to believe in ourselves , for if not, who will

[kjay]

emily in nc: Did you ever hit the nail on the head with your message, ie, it really resonated with me, as I have the very same problem with losing weight. I, too, lost weight with five hours of cycling, but that's a tough thing to do every day, isn't it.

The other time I successfully lost weight in the past few years was to eat mostly protein and veggies, but I forgot which plan I was following (I believe it was the book written by the personal trainer who was on the TV program "Extreme Makeover"). One example of breakfast on this plan was one or two egg whites. Yes, I lost, but it was very difficult to maintain energy with such a small amount of food.

Anyway, I just wanted to respond to your message because your experience and mine are so very similar.