"I
am in my late 50’s and have obsessed about
my 'muffin top' and 'spare tire' for the
last ten years (and the last ten pounds).
I would not say I am fat, but I weigh
considerably more than I did in college.
Recently
while Googling around on the Internet I
found the website for Yummie Tummie’s.
How wonderful. They are the most comfy
little shell-type shirts, in all different
styles, with a midsection that holds in that
muffin top so I can wear a lot of my more
fitted tops again.
I
too exercised and dieted, to no avail.
Accepting the changes in my once-slim
figure was very hard. Finding this shape
wear has helped in some psychological way
that I can’t really explain, but I am now
able to focus on other things. I am
thankful I can still do many physical
activities that a lot of people my age have
given up----like riding horseback and being
very active outside. I feel very
young---always have---and now believe my
looks match my feelings much more than they
did, thanks to not having that 'roll'
hanging out. (Excuse me for being so
graphic!)
I’m
not giving up on exercising and eating
right, and I’d love to have my girlish
figure again. But I am also fine just
the way I am right now."
~ Brenda
"Your
reader with the question about weight gain in
peimenopause may enjoy reading the books
written by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein. She is an
endocrinologist and part of her book discusses
how hormones affect weight and what you can do
to help get rid of weight, especially in the
middle (this book is not just for women in
perimenopause or menopause for others that
might be interested). This is not a fad diet
but about a lifestyle change to keep you
healthy and help either lose weight from your
middle or to keep from gaining weight in the
middle."
~ Shelley
"When
I read the note from the woman who'd gained 5
pounds in her mid section this year, but
couldn't account for it, I couldn't help but
think of abdominal cancers. Pancreatic,
ovarian, peritoneal and others that are not
caught until advanced stages often have
abdominal (enlargement) or unexplained weight
gain as a symptom.
My sister was initially diagnosed with cancer
(unknown) in June last year. She had
experienced abdominal enlargement, weight gain
and more for several years and was told by
doctors everything from "it's all in your
head" to IBS, etc. Her daughter
asked her to have a CA-125 (ovarian cancer
marker test) blood test done and her levels
were found to be elevated. Eventually she had
a PET scan which revealed cancer in her
abdomen. On July 3, they opened her and found
advanced cancer spreading throughout her
abdomen and several organs. Pathology reports
revealed metasticized intra-uterine cancer.
She died on July 24.
It is typical for cancers like my sister's to
go undiagnosed until they are advanced.
Please write the woman who submitted the
question and let her know she should talk with
her doctor about her weight gain of unknown
cause. There are many tests for cancers.
CA-125 is not the only one, but it is becoming
more widely known and many doctors have heard
of it.
I am not saying this woman has cancer. I
am saying it appears she has unexplained, area-specific
weight gain. This is not normal. It is
common for us women to undergo hormonal
changes which effect our weight, but any
weight gain of 5 pounds or more (I think)
should be at least discussed with a healthcare
provider." ~ Juli
"A few years ago, I started going
through perimenopause and found myself
gaining weight even though I was eating the
same way I've always eaten, and exercising
as much as always. I was baffled. So one day
as I was eating lunch with some women my age
and older, I asked if there was some way to
deal with this. A woman in her 80s was
sitting next to me. She reached over, put
her hand on my arm, and in a very knowing
tone of voice, said simply 'Eat half of
everything on your plate.'
'Really?' I responded.
'For how long?'
Again she put her hand on my arm and said,
'Eat half of everything on your plate.'
I tried it and was very
disappointed to learn that I felt perfectly
full and wasn't starving any sooner than
usual. Darn! I LIKED all that extra food,
but learned my body just doesn't need it.
It has taken me a while to 'retrain' by eyes
to match stomach, but the weight does come
slowly off." ~ Terrie
"As
we age our metabolisms do slow down so you
have to take that into consideration and may
have to start eating less to compensate. But
the biggest thing you need to do is lift
weights, she doesn't mention what kind of
exercise but you need to do more than just
cardio. As we age, we lose muscle and as you
lose muscle you lose calorie burning, so just
building up some muscle will up your calorie
burn." ~ Patricia
"I,
too, am in my early 40s but have discovered
being an active Weight Watchers member has
helped me lose 35 pounds. The plan basically
covers the pyramids of food that our bodies
need to stay healthy. All food is
allowed--there is nothing 'forbidden.' Portion
control is key. I have been at my goal weight
for almost two years and have had great
success at maintaining this weight. I have
also discovered running and have done that
faithfully for the last two years as well. My
first 10k is this Saturday. Don't let age be a
factor in not trying something new as far as
exercising goes. Life is short--make the most
of it." ~ Tonya
