Weight gain after menopause.

I just stopped eating sweet stuff, chocs, cakes, biscuits. The weight/bloating slid off slowly over a few months & after the sugar cravings had gone (took about 2 weeks) all was good.

I lost a stone at the beginning of this year due to being poorly and decided at that point to take up the free 12 weeks of Slimming World offered by my GP. Oh my goodness, those awful ‘happy clappy’ sessions!! I just cringed through a few and then decided not to stay to any more. I now just go to be weighed and 8 months on I have lost a further 2.5 stone, just 6lbs to go to my target weight and I am so proud of myself! I am 63

Don't give up on Slimming World, it works! Try a different group,they aren't all so judgmental, or do what I do, use the recipes in the magazine, stay occasionally to the sessions but go regularly to get weighed. I'm in my 70s and didn't find it difficult to lose weight using their plans.

Lyndie, don't' think your attitude' s really a helpful answer to a poster who's obviously keen to be healthier. My tip is just too cut out between meal snacks- not easy but will help.

I too put on over 3 stone after the menopause....took it off with WW, then yo effect and tried again with SW and yo yo again! So tried the Low Carb diet...welll it is miraculous ...only be doing it for 6 weeks and i am a stone down, sleeping....yes sleeeping again, do not feel hungry and wow...i nearly have a waste again. I googled it and went from there....good luck on your journey i really hope you find something that works for you.

The constant, relentless pain of arthritis , particularly in my back and knee , have made me bite the bullet as far as dieting is concerned and a month ago embarked on a strict regime.
Today,for the first time,I weighed myself, only to find that I'd lost just 2lbs!!
I feel so dreadfully discouraged and wonder why I'm bothering.
When you can't get around and be active , losing weight is so difficult and am close to giving up the diet. I'm 70 by the way

The 5-2 worked for me. After years of dieting and putting the weight back on, about 3 years ago I started 5-2 ,went from 11st -5 to 8st6 . Glad to say I am maintaining this weight give or take a few lbs increase but am able to lose them with a bit of effort.
Give it a go and good luck!

My younger sister has just lost over 3st with the help of Slimming World and she's 62, I just need to get some of that self control now. I eat healthily but am a bit too fond of wine and do very little exercise so I know what I need to do - it's just doing it isn't it?

Don't give up Daisynance, if you grit your teeth and keep going the weight WILL shift. It's probably not scientific, but I found that sometimes my body seemed determined to keep me at a certain weight, and I had to be even more determined not to let it. After a few days or weeks of being extra careful, suddenly the weight would shift, sometimes quite a few pounds all at once. Another thing I decided was not to try to be too ambitious, but to aim for the top end of my BMI. This is heavier than when I was younger, but as I can now fit into my clothes, climb over stiles & cut my own toenails..that's enough for me.

I have been overweight most of my life. My daughter became engaged last year and I had less than 6 months to lose some weight by the wedding. (I was aged 69.) I have never gone to slimming clubs as I resent paying money when I know it is down to my own willpower whether or not I succeed. I lost 2½ stone and have lost another ½ stone since. I didn't set a target but took encouragement from every pound I lost to keep going. If you set a target weight it seems as if you will never get there! I weigh every day so I can keep a close check on what is happening. I eat naturally - lean meat, fish, veg, salad, fruit, eggs, some cheese, bacon and the occasional sausage (which I love). I avoid processed foods as much as possible. I make a point to savour every mouthful so I enjoy the meal. I love chocolate, so if I have been good during the day, I treat myself to a few squares in the evening. You need to enjoy the occasional treat - life should be enjoyed, it shouldn't be a punishment.

I have every sympathy for the OP. I am short at 5ft 0 and a size 16. I was never fat until the menopause hit. I did make a tremendous effort a few years ago and lost a lot of weight. But, I was still a smoker then. I did several fast walks every day and cut back on food to the point where I always seemed to be hungry. As soon as I gave up smoking the weight piled back on and then some I hate the way I look, but also love my food! It's a no win situation. I am pleased I have managed to stop smoking but hate the weight gain. I really admire those people who manage the diets and weight loss, but I can't see myself having the willpower any more.

I was a slim person most of my life then really piled it on. I lost 3 stones with Ww then put it all back on..... At the start of the year I joined SW and have lost 2 stone, we go to a small, supportive class in the afternoon, I am one of the youngest and I am in my 50s. We have a fab leader- he knows lots of the ladies like cream cakes and wine! I am looking forward to wearing a couple of amazing dresses at Christmas! Find the right thing for you and it will work!

Lyndie I'm a size 16 and 4 ft 10 tall, small frame. So yes I'm fat, look fat. Used to be size 8. Only recently my dm called me fat and gloated that the tables had turned. She is slim now.

I'm disabled but try to do what I can each day.

Well! This is my first post on this site and I have to say I'm bowled over by all the helpful comments and the kind, friendly attitudes shown. Something of a rarity online these days! Thank you all very much for your contributions. It's nice to know you are all here when advice is needed! I'll let you know if I succeed and manage to lose a few pounds. If I go quiet you know I've failed!

My friend did the 5:2 diet and it wasn't effective until she realised that 2000 calories per day and 500 on a fasting day is for the mythical 'average' woman. You have to work out your calorie allowance using a formula called TDEE (total daily energy expenditure - Google it) and it takes into account your gender, age, height, current weight and activity level. The average UK woman is about 5' 4" and 10st 7lb. If you're shorter than that, your calorie intake should be less than 2000 on a normal day especially if you're not active and you have to keep recalculating as you lose weight. The slimmer you get, the fewer calories you should consume. The 5:2 diet works well if you do it properly. I lost 20 lbs and I still fast twice a week even though my weight has stabilised. I'm 5' 6" and weigh 142lb with moderate activity (I walk my dogs and do karate three times a week). My recommended daily calorie intake is 1869 so I have only 460 cals on fasting days. It's not hard once you get used to it as long as you're committed to it. It won't work if you're half hearted.

I have weird post menopausal increasingly fat tummy, yet losing all fat everywhere else. Once luscious bum, muscly arms, leg, now look like sticks. What the hell is going on! Want my body back, that, incidentally I used to be so critical of!

Another thing to beware of is 'yo yo' dieting where you gain more than you've lost every time you stop dieting. In my late forties (size 12) I started going on diets as I started to gain. By my mid sixties I had 'yo yoed' myself to a size 18 plus.

That's when I decided to give up dieting altogether and use a different approach.

The first thing was to eat whatever I fancied provided I exercised portion control. The second was to eat two complete moderately portioned meals (breakfast and lunch) per day (at 10 am and 2 pm), instead of the usual three. The third was to make lunch my main meal. A coffee at 7 am to start the day and a glass of wine with cheese and crackers at 6 PM (or any other light snack with beverage). At first, I didn't lose any weight but I stopped gaining.

Those simple changes allowed my weight to stabilize. I've also lost weight very slowly over a period of five years. Earlier this year I reached size 16 again for the first time in a long time.

My goal is to be a size 14 at some point but I'm 71, so I'm not holding my breath. I afraid that if I start a real diet, I may begin to yo yo again.

I know it isn't for everyone, but low-carb really works for me and many others. I put three stone on during the menopause, but took it off with low-carb and have kept to size 12 and BMI 22 for three years now. I have no trouble sticking to it, feel very healthy and never feel hungry. Exercise for fitness helps but isn't essential for weight loss. We have our own thread if anyone wants to try.

I am losing weight and I will be 73 on Monday! I use the Slimming World plan, it fits in with my life style and I enjoy it. I don't count calories or points, I just eat healthy food.

Basically, you have to do what works for you. I don't call mine a diet, I call it an eating plan, and healthy eating is at the core as I have no intention of letting the weight creep back on again (as it has in the past) when I have made such a good effort to lose it this time. I am happier, fitter and more energetic at 71 than I have been in many years.

I agree with Dianics' comments on 5:2 diet. Works very well and is easy to follow after first few weeks

I was the same as you. I yoyo'ed as a young woman of about a stone up and down. I had my 4 children and I had no problem losing my pregnancy weight (without even trying) and could eat what I wanted without a problem.

Menopause, getting older, physical health problems and I am the same. I am stuck between 14-16. I have had my thyroid and regular check ups and there are no issues there.

I know my physical side doesn't help, as I can't exercise in the normal way I am just learning to live with it. I am eating healthily etc. and dealing with it. In other words I don't let it rule my life now.

Size 14-16 is the average size in The U.K. Since I stopped obsessing about it I feel much better in myself.

I lost 9 stone with a combination of all the diets I have done over the years. I then had a really bad fall and struggled to walk for months. Over 18 months as my walking improved and I returned to work I found I had regained 3 stones. I have finally lost it and another 7 pounds with slimming world on line. I have recently learnt to swim so more exercise that takes the weight off my pelvis. I can't eat as much as I used to so it's a reduction in volume and an increase in activity for me. Keeping it off is FAR harder than looking it ??????

I am 74 and I recently lost 4stone with Slimming World. Maybe you could try another group - some are more friendly than others. You can gain lots of tips if you stay to the classes and other members can be very encouraging. However, you presumably still have the pack that you received when joining. You can use this information to help you plan your meals etc. You could join on line and weigh in regularly. Also - if you want to go it alone - there are lots of recipes on line - just search for them through google. It is a far more easy diet to follow than counting calories and you need never go hungry. Good luck.

Has anyone tried Apple Cider vinegar to lose weight,I've got some from Holland &Barrett for a painful arthritic elbow.But have noted on Internet supposed to help wth weight loss.