? for peri-menapausal women & ability to loose weight

I'm not one of those people who is heavy from eating large quantities of
food nor horribly unhealthy food. I believe its a combination of
genetics and dieting my way up to obesity affecting my set point in my
earlier years. Now its impossible. A couple of months ago, I went thru
lst week of Atkins induction, was thrilled at unprecedented 6 lb loss,
but then, just as always and inexplicably, my weight began to creep up
during the next few days (still religiously on induction). I gave up at
that time. So, my weight stayed pretty stable as it has for the last 10
months or so, then bam, gained 12 lbs in one month - nothing different
in the way I was eating from before. I freaked out wondering where this
was going to end, so I immediately took myself off of all bread and
flour, and did induction type food except had fruit (not bananas, but
the lower glycemic ones). Well, lost 9 lbs in five days, but during
following 5 days, gained back 4 lbs. I am premenstrual now, but from
about the time I could determine I was in peri-menopause, my body has
changed, and experience premenopause a good 2 1/2 weeks out of the
month. This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties? No, I'm no
exercising right now, yes - I know it will help, but I'm sorry, making
the dietary changes I have during dieting periods, and now currently,
with or without exercise, it is not logical that it does not reflect in
weight loss, even if very, very slow - but certainly not weight gain.
And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments appreciated.

--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 4

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-
:

I'm not one of those people who is heavy from eating large quantities of
food nor horribly unhealthy food. I believe its a combination of
genetics and dieting my way up to obesity affecting my set point in my
earlier years. Now its impossible. A couple of months ago, I went thru
lst week of Atkins induction, was thrilled at unprecedented 6 lb loss,
but then, just as always and inexplicably, my weight began to creep up
during the next few days (still religiously on induction). I gave up at
that time. So, my weight stayed pretty stable as it has for the last 10
months or so, then bam, gained 12 lbs in one month - nothing different
in the way I was eating from before. I freaked out wondering where this
was going to end, so I immediately took myself off of all bread and
flour, and did induction type food except had fruit (not bananas, but
the lower glycemic ones). Well, lost 9 lbs in five days, but during
following 5 days, gained back 4 lbs. I am premenstrual now, but from
about the time I could determine I was in peri-menopause, my body has
changed, and experience premenopause a good 2 1/2 weeks out of the
month. This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties? No, I'm no
exercising right now, yes - I know it will help, but I'm sorry, making
the dietary changes I have during dieting periods, and now currently,
with or without exercise, it is not logical that it does not reflect in
weight loss, even if very, very slow - but certainly not weight gain.
And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments appreciated.


Hi, Robin.

During peri lots of women (most?) find that their weight fluctuates (mostly
up!) and it's pretty normal. But it sounds like you were doing well and
this on-again, off-again try at low carbing may be the problem.

I'm pretty new to LC, but one thing I keep reading is that the weight loss
is *not* steady. Basically, I LC to keep my glucose under control, so I
only weigh myself once a week. I'm losing, but it's not steady and it's
not fast, which is fine with me. This is a way of living, not a quickie
lose-pounds diet. Like you, I tried a lot of those, and ended up dieting
myself up to about 300 pounds.

I hear a certain desperation in your post, and I want to suggest that you
try to adopt LC as a way of life and forget about the scale. See how your
clothes fit. See how you feel, especially after the first two weeks. I
found I have more energy, no heartburn, and, oddly enough, my hair is less
oily. (Go fig!)

If you'd like to talk about menopausal issues, come on over to
alt.support.menopause any time.


Chakolate

--

On sadness:
The cure for this ill is not to sit still,
Or to frowst with a book by the fire,
But to take a large hoe and a shovel also,
And to dig till you gently perspire.
--Rudyard Kipling

In article ,
Chakolate wrote:

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-
:

I'm not one of those people who is heavy from eating large quantities of
food nor horribly unhealthy food. I believe its a combination of
genetics and dieting my way up to obesity affecting my set point in my
earlier years. Now its impossible. A couple of months ago, I went thru
lst week of Atkins induction, was thrilled at unprecedented 6 lb loss,
but then, just as always and inexplicably, my weight began to creep up
during the next few days (still religiously on induction). I gave up at
that time. So, my weight stayed pretty stable as it has for the last 10
months or so, then bam, gained 12 lbs in one month - nothing different
in the way I was eating from before. I freaked out wondering where this
was going to end, so I immediately took myself off of all bread and
flour, and did induction type food except had fruit (not bananas, but
the lower glycemic ones). Well, lost 9 lbs in five days, but during
following 5 days, gained back 4 lbs. I am premenstrual now, but from
about the time I could determine I was in peri-menopause, my body has
changed, and experience premenopause a good 2 1/2 weeks out of the
month. This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties? No, I'm no
exercising right now, yes - I know it will help, but I'm sorry, making
the dietary changes I have during dieting periods, and now currently,
with or without exercise, it is not logical that it does not reflect in
weight loss, even if very, very slow - but certainly not weight gain.
And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments appreciated.


Hi, Robin.

During peri lots of women (most?) find that their weight fluctuates (mostly
up!) and it's pretty normal. But it sounds like you were doing well and
this on-again, off-again try at low carbing may be the problem.

I'm pretty new to LC, but one thing I keep reading is that the weight loss
is *not* steady. Basically, I LC to keep my glucose under control, so I
only weigh myself once a week. I'm losing, but it's not steady and it's
not fast, which is fine with me. This is a way of living, not a quickie
lose-pounds diet. Like you, I tried a lot of those, and ended up dieting
myself up to about 300 pounds.

I hear a certain desperation in your post, and I want to suggest that you
try to adopt LC as a way of life and forget about the scale. See how your
clothes fit. See how you feel, especially after the first two weeks. I
found I have more energy, no heartburn, and, oddly enough, my hair is less
oily. (Go fig!)

If you'd like to talk about menopausal issues, come on over to
alt.support.menopause any time.


Chakolate

YOu have addressed all my concerns and I did not know some of what you
explained to me. Thank you so very much. It's works better for me to
weigh everyday, although I'm often disappointed, at least there's not a
week of excited anticipation only to be disheartened. On the other
hand, I will consider not weighing at all doing as you suggest to see
how my clothes fit and how I feel. I do have more energy, my face isn't
puffy in the mornings, no acid reflux. Are you taking vitamins?
Robin

--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 4

Robin,

I was perimenopausal when I started low carbing in 1998. I had gained over
20 lbs in the previous two years despite dieting, though my weight had been
under control all my life before that.

It turned out that my blood sugar had crept up and the very high amounts of
insulin my body was pumping out were making me ravenously hungry. Low
carbing curbed the hunger and I was able to lose about 20 lbs, though once
they came off, I couldn't lose anything else for years.

Now I'm fully menopausal and I have managed to take off another 14 pounds.
For me it has required intense attention to calories, too. Not just carbs.
And I have to maintain that focus all the time to maintain. It's not easy.
But it can be done.

I agree with Chakolate that you can't go on and off the diet and expect to
see progress. Try it for a month before you draw any conclusions. And do
whatever version you're doing throughout that time without cheating. Only
then will you be able to see whether it will work for you.

Good luck!

-- Jenny

Weight: 168.5/137
Diabetes Type II diagnosed 8/1998
Low Carb 9/1998 - 8/2001 and 11/10/02 - Now

http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean
How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each
month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings
* Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats *
Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise
Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?


"Robin" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Chakolate wrote:

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-
:

I'm not one of those people who is heavy from eating large quantities
of
food nor horribly unhealthy food. I believe its a combination of
genetics and dieting my way up to obesity affecting my set point in my
earlier years. Now its impossible. A couple of months ago, I went
thru
lst week of Atkins induction, was thrilled at unprecedented 6 lb loss,
but then, just as always and inexplicably, my weight began to creep up
during the next few days (still religiously on induction). I gave up
at
that time. So, my weight stayed pretty stable as it has for the last
10
months or so, then bam, gained 12 lbs in one month - nothing different
in the way I was eating from before. I freaked out wondering where
this
was going to end, so I immediately took myself off of all bread and
flour, and did induction type food except had fruit (not bananas, but
the lower glycemic ones). Well, lost 9 lbs in five days, but during
following 5 days, gained back 4 lbs. I am premenstrual now, but from
about the time I could determine I was in peri-menopause, my body has
changed, and experience premenopause a good 2 1/2 weeks out of the
month. This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who
are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties? No, I'm no
exercising right now, yes - I know it will help, but I'm sorry, making
the dietary changes I have during dieting periods, and now currently,
with or without exercise, it is not logical that it does not reflect
in
weight loss, even if very, very slow - but certainly not weight gain.
And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments
appreciated.


Hi, Robin.

During peri lots of women (most?) find that their weight fluctuates
(mostly
up!) and it's pretty normal. But it sounds like you were doing well and
this on-again, off-again try at low carbing may be the problem.

I'm pretty new to LC, but one thing I keep reading is that the weight
loss
is *not* steady. Basically, I LC to keep my glucose under control, so I
only weigh myself once a week. I'm losing, but it's not steady and it's
not fast, which is fine with me. This is a way of living, not a quickie
lose-pounds diet. Like you, I tried a lot of those, and ended up
dieting
myself up to about 300 pounds.

I hear a certain desperation in your post, and I want to suggest that
you
try to adopt LC as a way of life and forget about the scale. See how
your
clothes fit. See how you feel, especially after the first two weeks. I
found I have more energy, no heartburn, and, oddly enough, my hair is
less
oily. (Go fig!)

If you'd like to talk about menopausal issues, come on over to
alt.support.menopause any time.


Chakolate

YOu have addressed all my concerns and I did not know some of what you
explained to me. Thank you so very much. It's works better for me to
weigh everyday, although I'm often disappointed, at least there's not a
week of excited anticipation only to be disheartened. On the other
hand, I will consider not weighing at all doing as you suggest to see
how my clothes fit and how I feel. I do have more energy, my face isn't
puffy in the mornings, no acid reflux. Are you taking vitamins?
Robin

--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo
of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH
4

Jenny,
Your story is interesting. As it happens, I did visit an Endocrinologist
recently to see if there is a problem there, so I'm scheduled for a
glucose tolerance test. It will be interesting to see the results, but
I don't now, nor have I ever experienced ravenous hunger that you did
due to insulin. Boy, it's really a fight, isn't it? I do think you and
Pat made good suggestions, for instance, setting a goal date rather than
a goal weight. Think I'll do that, thanks for the feedback. Isn't this
group the best??
Robin


In article ,
"Jenny" wrote:

Robin,

I was perimenopausal when I started low carbing in 1998. I had gained over
20 lbs in the previous two years despite dieting, though my weight had been
under control all my life before that.

It turned out that my blood sugar had crept up and the very high amounts of
insulin my body was pumping out were making me ravenously hungry. Low
carbing curbed the hunger and I was able to lose about 20 lbs, though once
they came off, I couldn't lose anything else for years.

Now I'm fully menopausal and I have managed to take off another 14 pounds.
For me it has required intense attention to calories, too. Not just carbs.
And I have to maintain that focus all the time to maintain. It's not easy.
But it can be done.

I agree with Chakolate that you can't go on and off the diet and expect to
see progress. Try it for a month before you draw any conclusions. And do
whatever version you're doing throughout that time without cheating. Only
then will you be able to see whether it will work for you.

Good luck!

-- Jenny

Weight: 168.5/137
Diabetes Type II diagnosed 8/1998
Low Carb 9/1998 - 8/2001 and 11/10/02 - Now

http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean
How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each
month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings
* Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats *
Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise
Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?


"Robin" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Chakolate wrote:

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-
:

I'm not one of those people who is heavy from eating large quantities
of
food nor horribly unhealthy food. I believe its a combination of
genetics and dieting my way up to obesity affecting my set point in my
earlier years. Now its impossible. A couple of months ago, I went
thru
lst week of Atkins induction, was thrilled at unprecedented 6 lb loss,
but then, just as always and inexplicably, my weight began to creep up
during the next few days (still religiously on induction). I gave up
at
that time. So, my weight stayed pretty stable as it has for the last
10
months or so, then bam, gained 12 lbs in one month - nothing different
in the way I was eating from before. I freaked out wondering where
this
was going to end, so I immediately took myself off of all bread and
flour, and did induction type food except had fruit (not bananas, but
the lower glycemic ones). Well, lost 9 lbs in five days, but during
following 5 days, gained back 4 lbs. I am premenstrual now, but from
about the time I could determine I was in peri-menopause, my body has
changed, and experience premenopause a good 2 1/2 weeks out of the
month. This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who
are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties? No, I'm no
exercising right now, yes - I know it will help, but I'm sorry, making
the dietary changes I have during dieting periods, and now currently,
with or without exercise, it is not logical that it does not reflect
in
weight loss, even if very, very slow - but certainly not weight gain.
And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments
appreciated.


Hi, Robin.

During peri lots of women (most?) find that their weight fluctuates
(mostly
up!) and it's pretty normal. But it sounds like you were doing well and
this on-again, off-again try at low carbing may be the problem.

I'm pretty new to LC, but one thing I keep reading is that the weight
loss
is *not* steady. Basically, I LC to keep my glucose under control, so I
only weigh myself once a week. I'm losing, but it's not steady and it's
not fast, which is fine with me. This is a way of living, not a quickie
lose-pounds diet. Like you, I tried a lot of those, and ended up
dieting
myself up to about 300 pounds.

I hear a certain desperation in your post, and I want to suggest that
you
try to adopt LC as a way of life and forget about the scale. See how
your
clothes fit. See how you feel, especially after the first two weeks. I
found I have more energy, no heartburn, and, oddly enough, my hair is
less
oily. (Go fig!)

If you'd like to talk about menopausal issues, come on over to
alt.support.menopause any time.


Chakolate

YOu have addressed all my concerns and I did not know some of what you
explained to me. Thank you so very much. It's works better for me to
weigh everyday, although I'm often disappointed, at least there's not a
week of excited anticipation only to be disheartened. On the other
hand, I will consider not weighing at all doing as you suggest to see
how my clothes fit and how I feel. I do have more energy, my face isn't
puffy in the mornings, no acid reflux. Are you taking vitamins?
Robin

--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo
of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH
4



--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 4

This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties?

Yes; exactly what you say, Robin.

And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments appreciated.

I only weigh myself once a month so I can't report on much, but I don't
feel appreciably thinner in any way (clothes fitting, etc.) than I did
after I lost my initial 15 lbs last month.

Perimenopause seems to put me in perpetual PMS without ever having the "m"
to reduce the bloating. I told my gyn. about this last year and he gave me
a diuretic, but I don't like to take them as I know they can cause
potassium depletion and I hate the potassium supplements (they upset my
stomach). While my weight has stayed roughly the same for the past 2-3
years, in the space of about 4 months last year I gained an entire bra
(circumference) and cup size, which I have not been able to reduce --
WTF?!? Not what I expected at age 50, I tell ya. :-(

I'm not sure where to turn or whom to ask about this stuff. My (male)
doctors -- internal med. guy and my gyn. -- just shrug and concede the
menopausal stuff is "tough" to deal with, bloating happens, blah blah.
They are good guys but I think they see so much of this, and there isn't
an answer, apparently. I do have a sluggish thyroid and take Synthroid,
but it doesn't seem to jump-start my metabolism noticeably.

Well, all these words just to tell you that I feel your pain, Robin.
Perhaps severely restricting salt intake will help us debloat a bit. I
have started using my husband's salt substitute (potassium chloride)
instead of sodium. I tell you, though... it's always freakin' something.
:-( (in a grumpy mood tonight! LOL)

- Anne

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-
:

It's works better for me to
weigh everyday, although I'm often disappointed, at least there's not a
week of excited anticipation only to be disheartened. On the other
hand, I will consider not weighing at all doing as you suggest to see
how my clothes fit and how I feel. I do have more energy, my face isn't
puffy in the mornings, no acid reflux. Are you taking vitamins?


As long as you're at it, why not do a full measuring? I noticed the first
thing that my waist was smaller, and it turned out I lost 2 inches the
first month.

As for vits, I'm pretty lackadaisical about them. I figure if I forget
them, it's because my body doesn't need those vits at that time. :-)

I do take magnesium, though, because I used to eat a lot of chocolate (the
screen name is not an accident) and my body seems to be used to having lots
of magnesium. I also take a good multivit+min, and a C.



Chakolate

--

On sadness:
The cure for this ill is not to sit still,
Or to frowst with a book by the fire,
But to take a large hoe and a shovel also,
And to dig till you gently perspire.
--Rudyard Kipling

In article ,
(Anne) wrote:

This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties?

Yes; exactly what you say, Robin.

And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments appreciated.

I only weigh myself once a month so I can't report on much, but I don't
feel appreciably thinner in any way (clothes fitting, etc.) than I did
after I lost my initial 15 lbs last month.

Perimenopause seems to put me in perpetual PMS without ever having the "m"
to reduce the bloating. I told my gyn. about this last year and he gave me
a diuretic, but I don't like to take them as I know they can cause
potassium depletion and I hate the potassium supplements (they upset my
stomach). While my weight has stayed roughly the same for the past 2-3
years, in the space of about 4 months last year I gained an entire bra
(circumference) and cup size, which I have not been able to reduce --
WTF?!? Not what I expected at age 50, I tell ya. :-(

I'm not sure where to turn or whom to ask about this stuff. My (male)
doctors -- internal med. guy and my gyn. -- just shrug and concede the
menopausal stuff is "tough" to deal with, bloating happens, blah blah.

Let me guess - HMO?


They are good guys but I think they see so much of this, and there isn't
an answer, apparently. I do have a sluggish thyroid and take Synthroid,
but it doesn't seem to jump-start my metabolism noticeably.

Same here.

Well, all these words just to tell you that I feel your pain, Robin.
Perhaps severely restricting salt intake will help us debloat a bit. I
have started using my husband's salt substitute (potassium chloride)
instead of sodium. I tell you, though... it's always freakin' something.
:-( (in a grumpy mood tonight! LOL)

- Anne
I use salt substitute. Good luck Anne. It was good to "talk" to you.
Robin

--
"Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a desperate battle." Philo of Alexandria. Do not email if posting a response. TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 4

Anne,

Here's one important thought to keep in mind. Though you may not be able to
lose a whole lot of weight with low carbing when you are confronting the
"permanent PMS" you mentioned, staying on a low carb diet may allow you to
maintain your current weight for years.

I was very frustrated by my inability to lose from 1999 to 2001, but I
stayed at the same weight. When I finally decided to throw in the towel and
only worry about keeping my blood sugar under control, I quickly packed on
20 lbs over one year and worsened my blood pressure.

In retrospect I decided that maintaining was a whole lot better than
gaining!

--
Jenny

Weight: 168.5/137
Diabetes Type II diagnosed 8/1998
Low Carb 9/1998 - 8/2001 and 11/10/02 - Now

http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean
How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each
month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings
* Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats *
Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise
Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?


"Anne" wrote in message
...

This may or may not be the cause why I loose what I assume is
water weight, then there seems to be some kind of internal adjustment,
and the lbs creep back up. It's disheartening. Have any of you who are
in peri-menopause experiencing similar difficulties?

Yes; exactly what you say, Robin.

And no, I'm not eating large amounts of food. Your comments
appreciated.

I only weigh myself once a month so I can't report on much, but I don't
feel appreciably thinner in any way (clothes fitting, etc.) than I did
after I lost my initial 15 lbs last month.

Perimenopause seems to put me in perpetual PMS without ever having the "m"
to reduce the bloating. I told my gyn. about this last year and he gave me
a diuretic, but I don't like to take them as I know they can cause
potassium depletion and I hate the potassium supplements (they upset my
stomach). While my weight has stayed roughly the same for the past 2-3
years, in the space of about 4 months last year I gained an entire bra
(circumference) and cup size, which I have not been able to reduce --
WTF?!? Not what I expected at age 50, I tell ya. :-(

I'm not sure where to turn or whom to ask about this stuff. My (male)
doctors -- internal med. guy and my gyn. -- just shrug and concede the
menopausal stuff is "tough" to deal with, bloating happens, blah blah.
They are good guys but I think they see so much of this, and there isn't
an answer, apparently. I do have a sluggish thyroid and take Synthroid,
but it doesn't seem to jump-start my metabolism noticeably.

Well, all these words just to tell you that I feel your pain, Robin.
Perhaps severely restricting salt intake will help us debloat a bit. I
have started using my husband's salt substitute (potassium chloride)
instead of sodium. I tell you, though... it's always freakin' something.
:-( (in a grumpy mood tonight! LOL)

- Anne

Here's one important thought to keep in mind. ... staying on a low carb
diet may allow you to
maintain your current weight for years.

Yes, so true Jenny... I am trying to focus on a healthy WOE that, if
nothing else, may minimize all my other risk factors even if I don't get
svelte!

Thanks,
Anne