Sister, can you lend a good word ?

[divingbiker]

I'm 52, post-menopausal (surgical), and have thyroid issues. The trifecta!

I've been doing Weight Watchers for about 14 months, and have lost 37 pounds. I've got another 18 to lose. It comes off verrrry slowly, but it's coming off with diligence and sacrifice. Lots of exercise, vegan food, and journaling. I do think that I'm learning good eating habits in WW, especially now that they're focusing on whole foods; I don't eat the 100 calorie snacks or the WW frankenfood. For me it boils down to portion control.

But it's a battle I'll fight for the rest of my life. I'm under no delusions that once I reach my goal weight that it will be easy to maintain.

[latelatebloomer]

Hi, CT -

I'm 49 and peri-menopausal. In the last 5 years I've gone from an almost 300lb, somewhat outdoorsy but never really fit body to a low 200's, VERY fit and still changing body. What did it for me - forgetting about scale and calories. I don't weigh myself, even at the the doc's (they're totally cool with the plan and love the results.) I focus on fitness goals and healthy eating (I keep a food journal to help with self-discipline) and judge my improvements by my riding, heart rate #'s, body measurements, and annual blood test #s. After a life of yo-yo dieting starting in elementary school, this works for me. When I first started posting on TE, I rode 3 miles on my hybrid. Now I've signed up for the cross-USA 2010 Womantours ride. The godsends were a holistic physician who said, "focus on how you feel, not on how you look" and a trainer who counseled me that I will always be a curvy woman but that that placed no limit on my ability to become healthy and fit - and later, as my ambitions grew - an athlete.
One last thing - weightlifting has been an important part of my program, and the middle-age & senior women I see at the gym who look and move best are all weight training. I didn't think I would ever love weight training, but I find it a GREAT stress reliever.
One last-last thing - give your body lots of love and tell how well she is serving you. It seems that the more I do that, the more I change for the better! Hang in there! Lynda Gene

[SlowButSteady]

I'm 50 and just keep getting bigger and bigger.

I started cycling 4 years ago under the delusion that the pounds would just magically melt away.

They haven't.

I cross train -- swimming a good bit and cycling a lot. I don't run much anymore because I have very bad foot problems, but I have managed four sprint triathlons in the last 3 years and hope to do another one or two this year.

It's frustrating to feel very fit and athletic and be overweight. And now I've gotten in this fat = depressed about it = eat more = gain weight cycle.

I hope that longer days will allow for even more exercise, but I'm kidding myself to think that I will lose a significant amount of weight this way.

[cylegoddess]

Im only 40 but I am going to be studying to be a fitness instructor( spin class!) and have been studying this stuff for fun, for the last 20 years.
I started out wanting to find out how I could eat and not get fat and now am heavily into sports nutrition and life extension.
What I did find, ( and it is in Australia folks, sorry) there is a great doctor, Dr sandra Cabot who has some great books( you may have factor X - which is why people cant lose weight even when they diet, also has body types ans what things to take to help you body naturally lose weight) and some other ones I havent got on menopause. I couldnt find the vids one utube( they have been disabled on my comp) but the books most likely can be ordered by amazon and the videos too.
She has a natural way to test for your hormones( saliva test you do thru the mail) and Im not sure about overseas , but maybe - prescribes natural hormones , which wont give you wierd cancers etc but will help with hot flushes etc.
Also, I take a womens supplement that stopped 25 years of period pain, quite severe with major mood swings and such. I researched what was in it and found that it was easy enough to make all symptoms dissipate which is good for Menopause too ( USANA Phytelle. Order it online. Expensive but works! I now feel about twelve( no pain , no bloating, no tears , no anger, no problems!) when it comes to periods, so I bet it works for menopause too, as they say.
I researched and found many of the ingredients used are old folk remedys for menopause, from various countrys.

Diet wise, eat a BIG bowl of veggies before you eat anything else, then salad, then a drink then the rest. Youll be so full even bad snacks will not fit in. I generally eat a big bowl of green sliced green apples and carrots for snack plus a big glass of herb tea. Also, try things like a big bowl cooked spinach with mashed slice of avocado for brekkie.
Im really fit now and LOVE eating , esp when bored so these veggie snacks are great!
Also, celery with sundried tomatoes ( not oily ones)in them, cucumber slices with harissa, ( before a ride or after) apple halves with a smear of peanut butter( I cant have these but husband loves em), grated carrots with a little balsamic and cumin.

But be sure and read about Syndrome X. Most people have it from eating too many carbs and sugars,and lose insulin wroking properly( which may be why you cant lose weight even when busting your buns!)
good luck and hugs