David Gillespie - Menopause and weight gain

24 May 2011 7:36 AM

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Message # 599968

Deleted user

Hi there

I started FF in October last year and apart from 1kg I have lost NO weight and in fact have gained weight !! I am going through the dreaded menopause and wonder if anyone else has any adivce. I have gone back to the gym and am eating FF (except I fell off the wagon at Easter & Christmas with champagne) I have never liked soft drinks or sugar in coffee, have only ever eaten natural yogurt instead of icecream and apart from giving up chocolate and tirimasu, I actually haven't found the going too hard but I am getting very upset that weight is standing still. I was taking Progesterone troches (bio-identical) and that's when I gained the weight - so I have stopped that too now and at least I am not putting on any more weight. I am confused and am in a mess trying to just feel better. I would LOVE to lose around 6-8 kgs and am very jealous when I see all the great success stories you other girls share with us. David you did mention in your books you would look into this whole menopause issue - I guess I will start going copmpletely carb free too..........HELP what do I eat

24 May 2011 9:19 PM

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Reply # 600703 on 599968

Deleted user

Whoa there, totally free!! Don't go totally carb free, just try cutting back a little at a time, like I used to have 2 or 3 slices of bread for brekky & another 3-4 slices for lunch. I now have only 1, sometimes 2 for brekky & that's it. I also cut back on potatoes, and have substituted brown rice for white rice, & found out I have to severly limit the amount of pasta I eat, too. So, figure out what you eat losts of, it might be you eat crisps, chips or other carbs, don't forget not to stress out, either, ot that will make your body produce cortisol, and that means weight gain. My advice? Learn to meditate! Seriously, and don't forget excercise can be a key component, too. Even just walking helps. But got to your Doctor & see if you can get tests to see just how hormonal you are!!
But please don't do anything drastic & over react!! I weigh myself daily & am aware of the fluid retention thingy, so I know now that I go up & down a bit, but I'm still not doing much in the way of excercise and am still losing weight slowly. So experiment over, say, a week....I was like you, I first tried to stop all bread, & asked the same question? What am I going to eat? So I upped my protein, I went through dozens of eggs, if I was hungry, I would cook up 2 eggs with pepper, stir them up roughly in the pan, then pop a slice of low fat cheese on top, & when it cooled a little, rolled it up & just ate it, it was enough to get me to my next meal. Maybe some of the other ladies on the forums will be able to tell you what they ate & what worked for them....
Good luck with it all....
Spread the Love
Silver Angel SMILE

Last modified: 24 May 2011 9:19 PM | Deleted user

25 May 2011 4:57 AM

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Reply # 600961 on 600703

Deleted user

Sylvia Liney wrote:Whoa there, totally free!! Don't go totally carb free, just try cutting back a little at a time, like I used to have 2 or 3 slices of bread for brekky & another 3-4 slices for lunch. I now have only 1, sometimes 2 for brekky & that's it. I also cut back on potatoes, and have substituted brown rice for white rice, & found out I have to severly limit the amount of pasta I eat, too. So, figure out what you eat losts of, it might be you eat crisps, chips or other carbs, don't forget not to stress out, either, ot that will make your body produce cortisol, and that means weight gain. My advice? Learn to meditate! Seriously, and don't forget excercise can be a key component, too. Even just walking helps. But got to your Doctor & see if you can get tests to see just how hormonal you are!!
But please don't do anything drastic & over react!! I weigh myself daily & am aware of the fluid retention thingy, so I know now that I go up & down a bit, but I'm still not doing much in the way of excercise and am still losing weight slowly. So experiment over, say, a week....I was like you, I first tried to stop all bread, & asked the same question? What am I going to eat? So I upped my protein, I went through dozens of eggs, if I was hungry, I would cook up 2 eggs with pepper, stir them up roughly in the pan, then pop a slice of low fat cheese on top, & when it cooled a little, rolled it up & just ate it, it was enough to get me to my next meal. Maybe some of the other ladies on the forums will be able to tell you what they ate & what worked for them....
Good luck with it all....
Spread the Love
Silver Angel SMILE

Thanks Silver Angel

My regular daily intake is 1/3 cup home-made sugar/fruit free oat and nut and seed natural muesli with 3 des. spoons naturalyogurt and black espresso, a handful almonds for morning tea with another black coffee, and a pear a dinner roll with chicken and rocket for lunch, another handful amonds almonds for afternoon tea and a couple of vita wheat with cheese at with a glass of red wine while I cook dinner which is usually fish, chicken or pork with green veg. and 1 chat potato or sweet potato with some fruit for dessert. On the weekend my husband makes us eggs on toast (1 piece) and that's when we usually have a bowl of pasta (with a pesto or bolognese) for dinner or a green curry with rice. I can switch the basmati for brown rice and have less pasta I guess. I love Sushi - which I realise is full of sugar so have quit that too - I am not a HUGE red meat eater and I do worry about all that protein and less fruit and fibre. I have always believed that less meat was best (was a vegetarian) and think its great I can have full fat cream and yogurt so have been doing that now too.

I also go to Curves 3-4 times a week and walk my grand-daughter the 5th day, usually about 2-3kms (to get her to sleep) I was a patient of Australian Menopause Centre who took my bloods and did the hormone levels, but seriously it seemed to make everything worse when I started the meds. I just don't know what else to do? barr eat nothing. Actually last year before I read David's books we did Lite 'n Easy for a while - did lose about 2 kgs then and got back to my 60Kg preferred weight. I feel silly worrying about 6-8 kgs as at 170cms tall and 68kg I know its not that bad but I have always been thin and feel better that way.

thanks for your ideas - I love the idea of meditating - forgot about that one. Might cool me down too

26 May 2011 7:26 PM

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Reply # 602509 on 600961

Deleted user

Thanks Silver Angel

My regular daily intake is 1/3 cup home-made sugar/fruit free oat and nut and seed natural muesli with 3 des. spoons naturalyogurt and black espresso, a handful almonds for morning tea with another black coffee, and a pear a dinner roll with chicken and rocket for lunch, another handful amonds almonds for afternoon tea and a couple of vita wheat with cheese at with a glass of red wine while I cook dinner which is usually fish, chicken or pork with green veg. and 1 chat potato or sweet potato with some fruit for dessert. On the weekend my husband makes us eggs on toast (1 piece) and that's when we usually have a bowl of pasta (with a pesto or bolognese) for dinner or a green curry with rice. I can switch the basmati for brown rice and have less pasta I guess. I love Sushi - which I realise is full of sugar so have quit that too - I am not a HUGE red meat eater and I do worry about all that protein and less fruit and fibre. I have always believed that less meat was best (was a vegetarian) and think its great I can have full fat cream and yogurt so have been doing that now too.

I also go to Curves 3-4 times a week and walk my grand-daughter the 5th day, usually about 2-3kms (to get her to sleep) I was a patient of Australian Menopause Centre who took my bloods and did the hormone levels, but seriously it seemed to make everything worse when I started the meds. I just don't know what else to do? barr eat nothing. Actually last year before I read David's books we did Lite 'n Easy for a while - did lose about 2 kgs then and got back to my 60Kg preferred weight. I feel silly worrying about 6-8 kgs as at 170cms tall and 68kg I know its not that bad but I have always been thin and feel better that way.

thanks for your ideas - I love the idea of meditating - forgot about that one. Might cool me down too

Hello Totally Free
have you considered that your going to gym three times a week creates muscle, and a lot of it.........and that muscle weighs heavier than fat? Your 8 kls could be mostly muscle! And gym changes our body shape quite drastically..........we put on muscle round our waists as well as everywhere else. The most changed woman I saw at gym, was an aerobics instructor who used to do her strength training before teaching her class. She had the typical "stocky gym body" and had no waist at all, even though she was super fit with absolutely no spare fat at all.
You seem to me, to eat very well, your carbs don't seem at all excessive and setting up a new eating regime may not have any effect at all. I am your height and am 79 kls and am very happy with my shape. I stopped gym two years ago due to an accident where I injured my ankle. I must say, I liked what I saw when I lost my gym body. I had forgotten what a "womanly" shape looks like!
About six months ago I started doing some light strength training at home and have put on some muscle and my weight has gone up on the scales, but my overall body fat hasn't altered.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose to do.
cheers
Freda

Last modified: 26 May 2011 7:27 PM | Deleted user

27 May 2011 12:52 AM

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Reply # 603020 on 599968

Deleted user

Hi Freda,

Seems you are frustrated. From looking at what you're eating I have noticed the following things. They may or may not be relevant but it's just another opinion :)

- You are still drinking coffee. From what know about how these things work coffee works in the same way as fructose. Highs and lows. Fructose.

- The wine. Fructose.

- The fruit at dinner. Fructose.

- Sushi is ok as long as you don't douse it in soy sauce and have plain fillings.

- What sort of yoghurt are you eating?

- The gym is important to continue good health but simple walking would do.

I would be looking at what you may be inadvertently eating with fructose in it. Carbs, proteins, all that you knew before is not relevant anymore. Keep your carbs, keep your, proteins, keep your dairy. How is your portion control? Are you eating past when you are full?

I know my hormones still play a part in my poofiness, so I would imagine menopause is the same.

Stay strong, we are here for you. Don't give up.

Sally

27 May 2011 12:59 AM

Quote

Reply # 603030 on 603020

Deleted user

Sally McKenzie wrote:Hi Freda,

Seems you are frustrated. From looking at what you're eating I have noticed the following things. They may or may not be relevant but it's just another opinion :)

- You are still drinking coffee. From what know about how these things work coffee works in the same way as fructose. Highs and lows. Fructose.

- The wine. Fructose.

- The fruit at dinner. Fructose.

- Sushi is ok as long as you don't douse it in soy sauce and have plain fillings.

- What sort of yoghurt are you eating?

- The gym is important to continue good health but simple walking would do.

I would be looking at what you may be inadvertently eating with fructose in it. Carbs, proteins, all that you knew before is not relevant anymore. Keep your carbs, keep your, proteins, keep your dairy. How is your portion control? Are you eating past when you are full?

I know my hormones still play a part in my poofiness, so I would imagine menopause is the same.

Stay strong, we are here for you. Don't give up.

Sally

Hello Sally

I assume you were replying to Totally Free, not me? I was the one replying to her about the gym and muscle gain.

By the way......sushi rice is packed with sugar and dry wine has no fructose in it.

cheers

Freda

Last modified: 27 May 2011 1:01 AM | Deleted user

27 May 2011 3:25 AM

Quote

Reply # 603065 on 603030

Deleted user

Freda Surgenor wrote:
Sally McKenzie wrote:Hi Freda,

Seems you are frustrated. From looking at what you're eating I have noticed the following things. They may or may not be relevant but it's just another opinion :)

- You are still drinking coffee. From what know about how these things work coffee works in the same way as fructose. Highs and lows. Fructose.

- The wine. Fructose.

- The fruit at dinner. Fructose.

- Sushi is ok as long as you don't douse it in soy sauce and have plain fillings.

- What sort of yoghurt are you eating?

- The gym is important to continue good health but simple walking would do.

I would be looking at what you may be inadvertently eating with fructose in it. Carbs, proteins, all that you knew before is not relevant anymore. Keep your carbs, keep your, proteins, keep your dairy. How is your portion control? Are you eating past when you are full?

I know my hormones still play a part in my poofiness, so I would imagine menopause is the same.

Stay strong, we are here for you. Don't give up.

Sally

Hello Sally

I assume you were replying to Totally Free, not me? I was the one replying to her about the gym and muscle gain.

By the way......sushi rice is packed with sugar and dry wine has no fructose in it.

cheers

Freda

Hi Sally

Thanks for all that (and Freda too)

I stopped the gym 18mths ago due to an injury as well but now I am back as walking just wasn't doing it for me. My shoulder needed to be used again. I am concerned about weight training for osteoporosis so I will persist with that but not too hard !!

I thought black coffee was OK - no fructose. Also I eat plain natural yogurt - always have. ditto the red wine - nice dry shiraz (although champers at a party) but not regulary. Thanks for all your support girls. I am totally lost. :(

27 May 2011 6:35 PM

Quote

Reply # 603440 on 603065

Deleted user

Totally Free wrote:
Freda Surgenor wrote:
Sally McKenzie wrote:Hi Freda,

Seems you are frustrated. From looking at what you're eating I have noticed the following things. They may or may not be relevant but it's just another opinion :)

- You are still drinking coffee. From what know about how these things work coffee works in the same way as fructose. Highs and lows. Fructose.

- The wine. Fructose.

- The fruit at dinner. Fructose.

- Sushi is ok as long as you don't douse it in soy sauce and have plain fillings.

- What sort of yoghurt are you eating?

- The gym is important to continue good health but simple walking would do.

I would be looking at what you may be inadvertently eating with fructose in it. Carbs, proteins, all that you knew before is not relevant anymore. Keep your carbs, keep your, proteins, keep your dairy. How is your portion control? Are you eating past when you are full?

I know my hormones still play a part in my poofiness, so I would imagine menopause is the same.

Stay strong, we are here for you. Don't give up.

Sally

Hello Sally

I assume you were replying to Totally Free, not me? I was the one replying to her about the gym and muscle gain.

By the way......sushi rice is packed with sugar and dry wine has no fructose in it.

cheers

Freda

Hi Sally

Thanks for all that (and Freda too)

I stopped the gym 18mths ago due to an injury as well but now I am back as walking just wasn't doing it for me. My shoulder needed to be used again. I am concerned about weight training for osteoporosis so I will persist with that but not too hard !!

I thought black coffee was OK - no fructose. Also I eat plain natural yogurt - always have. ditto the red wine - nice dry shiraz (although champers at a party) but not regulary. Thanks for all your support girls. I am totally lost. :(

Hello Totally Free (not really lost!)
I did read something on the theory of "Body weight set point" see here:http://www.mirror-mirror.org/set.htm and I have a feeling that as we reach menopause that the body's set point alters to a slightly higher one than we have as children. It seems to be something to do with the way the body stores hormones at menopause, see here: http://www.epigee.org/menopause/weight_gain.html and I do notice that since menopause, my body has a higher set weight. I went through menopause 20 years ago. At nearly 70, I am very happy with the weight and shape I am, even though my body is obviously less slim than it was. And I do know that if I did manage to break through this set weight thing, and lose more, I would look haggard.
But the no fructose way of eating has given me a new lease of life, I no longer obsess over food and feel fabulous.
One of my friends said to me "I don't know what you are doing, but you look really good" so something must be working.
So once again............do keep on with the non fructose way, and if possible, don't reach for being as thin as you were as a teenager.
cheers
Freda

29 May 2011 2:38 AM

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Reply # 604751 on 599968

Deleted user

Well said. Freda, I'm thinking my long term goal of 65 as a bit unrealistic, so maybe I will settle for 70 kilos, as I remember I was pretty happy at that weight, (over 20 years ago)!! Plus, who can afford all that new clothing on a pension? lol..

Also, Sally, I loved the new word you created!! POOFINESS I think that deserves the GREAT NEW WORD OF THE WEEK AWARD. When I read it, I almost fell off the chair laughing, so you, my dear, have made at least one person happy today!! lol

Glad to see you spreading the Love

Silver Angel SMILE

Last modified: 29 May 2011 2:39 AM | Deleted user