Quote Originally Posted by Dogmama View Post
I have managed to keep my weight/fat levels at a healthy range. Enter - menopause.

B.M. (before menopause) I was able to exercise/diet away a 5-10 pound increase. Now - nothing works. I swear, I'm eating the same way & exercising the same amount. I cut calories (sensibly, not protein but extraneous carbs) and upped my aerobics. Nothing.

I've read that excessive exercise & strict dieting can inhibit fat loss. Apparently cortisol is a culprit as well as leptin regulation. I really don't think I fall into that category but I do work out almost every day and have for over 20 years. I take a day or two as easy days - walking the dog only or light weight lifting - each week. I'm not over-trained. I don't eat junk food at all.

Has anybody else had this problem? Any solutions?
YES! same experience and from what fellow older women triathlete friends rant about it is a common woman experience ......
Solutions?.....I have found I can maintain my high school weight if I eat flawlessly (high nutrition density/amazon discipline) ...but also post 50 I have found that if I really want a glass of wine or piece of Italian bread (that is the only "junk" I ever indulge in)...then I have it (: Life is short...and actually if you read the "blue zone" longevity studies,...none of those folks are rail thin. To a degree the pursuit of superb health and energy and the ideal female physique (as defined at this moment in history) are a bit in conflict.