I'm a newbie here, but i can say that menopause must have a great deal to do with weight gain/loss. I've always been skinny all my life, even after 3 kids. Since i started having menopause symptoms (2 doctors & the jury is still out as to whether I'm in actual menopause...can you believe that one??), but extra weight just came out of nowhere! I've tried Atkins, High Protein/Med Carb diets, now awaiting blood tests to figure out how to tackle SP diet. Plus I work out in a gym 5 days per week, but nothing seems to budge the scale. So I share your frustration.