Originally Posted by
pinkmomagain
. What I am struggling with is weight gain in the middle that I've never had before and even though I don't eat too badly and walk at least 2 miles daily I can't seem to shed it. I'm imagining all of this is perimenopause. As far as managing, I try to make sure I'm as cool as possible at night. It's pretty frigid with AC going this summer. For the weight, I'm just trying to keep moving and eating healthy without knocking myself out too much. I have more important things to focus on in life. Would I LOVE to shed these 15 lbs? Yes! But I don't think I look awful and if I need to accept this new me I'm OK with it as long as the lbs do not continue to creep up!
I recently started to see a dietician at our hospital who is a weight-loss specialist. She told me that every 10 years, starting in our 40's or right around perimenopause, we will notice a significant slowing of our metabolism. Since our hormones are changing and our bodies are no longer preparing for baby-producing, our body no longer puts extra weight on our hips and breast. Instead any extra weight goes around our middle. She said she frequently has clients come in complaining about the spare tire around their waist. She said it's because of the slowing of the metabolism and hormone changes of perimenopause. She said the weight can be lost by reducing calories and increasing activity.
OP, I am certain I started to see the beginning of perimenopause when I was 38yo. My doctor said it wasn't but I know it was. I'm 43 now. My periods started increasing in duration, frequency, and amount. I was losing a lot of blood. After 2 years of it, I became anemic. Thanks to trial and error and the smart ladies here I found an iron supplement and vitamin combination that didn't constipated me terribly. So at least that is under control. I put on at least 15 pounds in the last 5 years and my dietician is helping lose that ( I lost 9lbs in 6 weeks last spring! I regained it over summer vacation but I'm dieting again and I know I can lose it). I have noticed that my body doesn't regulate my temperature as accurately as it used to so I've always got a lightweight sweater with me. Our bedroom floor is very cold for sleeping but finally DH are on the same page about that! He always loved sleeping in the cold. I've also noticed my allergies have gotten exponentially worse since my late 30's. I really think it has something to do with hormones. Finally, I've noticed that despite staying well hydrated my skin, nails and hair are always dry. I exfoliate and use lotions and oils but my skin still looks dry and flaky.
My mom passed away when I was 34 and she never talked about menopause much. I wish she had. Or, if she did talk about it, I never listened. . I wish society in general prepared us for it better.
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