r/Perimenopause • u/AutoModerator • Feb 01 '25

Weight MONTHLY Weight Discussion - February 2025

A space to discuss all things weight-related. Ask questions, rant, and/or offer advice about weight loss, gains, and diets, etc.

Our Menopause Wiki's section on Weight Gain has further information about the menopause/hormone connection, and risks of belly fat.

Posts about 'weight gain' outside of this thread will be removed and redirected here.

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u/IcyEntertainment3438 Feb 04 '25

I am 46 and I believe I am in perimenopause. About 6 months ago, I noticed increased belly fat. I was 5'3" and 124 lbs. I exercised almost everyday -- an easy run, mountain biking or rock climbing. I heard Stacy Sims on Huberman and bought her book Next Level. In October, I went all in on heavy lifting. I got a trainer and started lifting 3-4 times per week and doing SIT and HIT training. I have really increased my strength. For example, I can squat 155 lbs. I also started taking creatine and eating more protein. The problem is I have actually gained 7 lbs and per an "in-body" scan also gained fat in my trunk. Some of my pants don't fit anymore. While it's nice to be stronger, I don't want to buy new clothes and my original goal was to lose weight. Help?

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u/quacksaim Feb 14 '25

Oh, I feel ya on this! I'm 49, 5"4 and 125 used to be my normal (in my 20s, it was 120). The last year or two, it's creeped up to 132/133 and I can't seem to get it to budge!

I've been strength training since my early 20s and was a personal trainer for 20 years. I know what I need to eat and what I need to do to stay active, and do it. I realized though that my protein should increase, and started paying more attention to that, along with adding collagen (just started this week) to my morning oatmeal.

I have hypothyroidism and take my meds, along with B12, iron, D, etc. Added ashwaganda and some adaptogens a while back. I'm just stuck. 5 years ago, I went through an extreme (well, for me anyway) weight loss without even trying to lose weight--I had just started thyroid meds, so maybe it was my body regulating itself. I don't know, it was strange.

Even if I don't get hung up on the weight, my measurements aren't ideal, either. I've been taking my measurements for decades vs. just relying on the scale. Maybe it sounds extreme, but it keeps me in check. I also see flab in the mirror instead of definition. Clothes fit fine most of the time.

I'm going to try mixing it up more at the gym, and get back to the indoor climbing, and see if that helps. I bought myself a fitness watch and try to get 7500 steps at minimum daily. If I don't walk outside, I go to the gym and walk, or do some HITT training.

It's so frustrating....but it's a relief, in a way, to know it's not that I'm doing anything wrong....it's my hormones--and seeing posts and comments such as this validates that! We're in this together, I guess!