I used TSP and exercise prior to menopause ( about 3 yrs ago) and found the changes to be quite dramatic. I quit TSP when my mother was ill and turned to comfort eating. I am now menopausal, doing TSP and exercising(running) again, and the changes are quite undramatic. I feel better, am eating better, and have a good outlook on things - so I'm not really worried. However, I would be interested in hearing from other menopausal ladies and what their experience has been with this. Thanks.

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.

I think I am post-menopausal right now at age 56. I was skinny my entire life - even after 3 kids - but in my late 30's and 40's I began to see a change and I gained a few pounds a year. I have always expercise and loved healthy foods like veggies, fruit and salad so I have been lucky that I haven't put on too much weight. But the weight I did put on is right around the middle - I have NO waistline and the "baby belly" (even tho the baby is almost 30) just won't go away, no matter how much I exercise or diet.

I am on 100% natural HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and it seems to agree with my system better than any synthetic ones have. The doctor put me on a synthetic progesteron for the first month. It was a nightmare - I bloated so badly - my ankles were hanging over the tops of my shoes - my breasts were so sore I could barely manage to wash them when I showered. I decided to do research and found 100% natural progesterone and now I have no side effects. If you are on HRT you may want to check out the natural (by prescription only) replacements - even Dr. S. agrees with them.

I find I have to eat less than suggested on TSP. I find I am satisfied with less food since I am getting fats once again in my diet (I was on a low-fat, high fibre diet for over 10 years) so most of my cravings have stopped. However I can relate to your "comfort eating" (what I refer to as emotional eating) because on occasion I still do the same unless my brain and conciousness clicks in beforehand I ask myself "what are you doing". I had to go "home" (which is back to Ontario) for about 10 days - while I didn't think I was anxious or stressed, I found myself eating Turtle's ice cream almost every night and other assorted treats. I was out of my environment and a bit out of control. It is good to be back home and in control again.

I don't know if I rambled on too much or answered your question. But yes I find it much more difficult to maintain my weight, yet alone loose a few pounds, during and post-menopause. If you want to check out the natural HRT this is the link to a website I found really helpful. PS: I am on the C.E.S. estrogen recommended on this site and I cannot say enough good things about it.
http://www.icncanada.com/hrt/treatment_options.html

Cheers

Thanks Cadillac and Suni for your replies. I'm convinced now more than ever that menopause has an affect on weight gain/loss - gee am I supposed to have a waist? FYI I'm currently on my first cycle Menest/Prometrium HRT (plan to use for about 6 months). Both of these are supposed to be have a natural base - however the 1st 4 days of the Prometrium reminded me of my nasty moody experiences with Provera. However, my moods have now settled down - I think the running/walking, taking vitamins, TSP, and most of all friends' prayers have helped a lot.

Hi SuzyQ

I haven't been officially diagnosed as peri-menopausal but I have symptoms that lead me to believe I am (48 years old) luckily for me they are mild compared to some people. I have terrible insomnia, dwindling(very sparse bleeding) erratic periods, and had a 20lb weight gain. I had quit smoking in January and for 10 days I ate like a hog, after that I got the eating under control and was shocked to see that I could not lose the weight, normally I would lose weight very rapidly any time I wanted too. I have to believe that it is the peri-menopausal thing that is making it hard for me to lose.

Don't check my journal right now because I am taking drastic measure to try and shape up for my sons graduation but I had been on swartzbein and really loved it. I was feeling good, never hungry and had lots of energy. I will be returning to SPII as soon as this graduation event is over.

It's a battle to stay slim the older we get, I saw a show on human sexuality and apparantley this weight gain as we age is all related to how since we are no longer in our prime reproductive years we should look less attractive to the opposite sex - hence we lose some curves, either by gaining or losing weight. I will fight this tooth and nail