hi ,
im am new to the boards and really could use some help now . i started atkins 15 months ago at 234lbs about 4 months ago i almost reached my goal of 125lbs i got to 129lbs.then menopause came and i am up to 155 now i have managed to lose 3 lbs in two weeks. but its so slow. i know this is my fault. with the night sweats i just get up and eat because i cant go back to sleep. i seem to be hungry all the time even after two weeks of induction.
breakfast is 2 fried eggs and left over meat
lunch is protien drink
suppre meat , salad , 2 vegs.
water all the time at least 90 oz daily
my eating habit havent changed except for the meat in the last month (deer season) my dh and son hunt so im eating leaner meat
and coffee with heavy cream only
should i cut out the protien drink and add vegies.
thanks robin

I wish i could help... but i really know nothing about menopause.

hopefully some one with experience with this can help.

Terese
LCE Member since 12/00
My LC web site

Hi -

I can't help with menopause but something in your post caught my eye. You said you're eating lean meat right now? Well, that means alot less fat right?

I venture to guess that you're more hungry because of the decreased amount of fat in your diet.

Of course, menopause could be part of it (I really have no idea) but I would suggest upping your fat intake a bit to make up for the leaner cuts. Add a butter sauce to your meat or crumble some blue cheese over it.

I would also agree with adding veggies. You are very close to goal. I really don't think I'd worry about eating too many green veggies. I don't think you can!

Hopefully someone can help with the menopause issue soon.

Good luck.

LCE Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Low Carb & Loving it!

Hi Robin, just a couple of things I'd like to mention. I'm on HRT due to a hysterectomy, with that comes surgical menopause, which I might add is sudden and drastic. Your hormones control your body's universe. Waking straight up in the middle of the night is common, night sweats are the pits. I would venture to say your middle of the night snacking is unfortunately, having an impact on your weight. Try to wean yourself from eating at that time, I understand how difficult that may be.

You didn't mention if you've consulted with your doctor regarding the menopause symptoms. He/she may be able to offer you some hope. I have also heard of good results with easing menopause symptoms and taking the supplement black cohosh. I'm certainly not a physician and you will need to discuss this in depth with your doctor. At least you know you have some options, which in my opinion with this condition is great for your emotions. Nothing worse than that helpless feeling of thinking you are stuck without help.

Hang in there, it is tough but it won't last forever. Explore your options!

Hi Robin,
Menopause can cause all kinds of hormone changes, including insulin changes. Something that can stimulate your appetite and cause weight gain.

Here's a great site with tons of info and resources on menopause: Minnie Pauz



Always eat your veggies first!

- Wow! congratulations on losing 100 pounds! that is a great achievement and you should feel very pround of yourself!

I don't know about everyone else, but I find post-menopausal weight loss is more challenging and slower than it was when I was younger. And, the closer I got to goal, the more careful I had to be about staying within my eating plan.

Maybe those protein drinks just aren't doing it for you any more. Those are one of the things I eliminated when I got closer to my goal weight.


I, too, agree that your meals look a bit meager in the veggie department - at least, early in the day. And, if you are eating leaner meats, I can see why you are feeling hungry. A delicious way to address that would be with a big bowl of brocolli sprinkled with 1 to 2 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese at lunch time - yum!

If you are waking up hungry at night, how about experimenting with a high protein snack before bedtime? For example, eat a hard-boiled egg or celery with peanut butter, a slice of cheese, or some tuna and mayo? I know there is a theory about not eating after dinner, but maybe you need to give your body more fuel to stay asleep. A week's trial might show whether this will help you sleep through the night.

You didn't indicate how active you are or if you exercise. Exercise is a great way to feel better, burn calories, and speed up your metabolism. If you aren't already exercising, start slowly. A daily 20-30 min walk is a good starting point for new exercisers.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135.5/137-134
"remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic."

Robin

I can only ditto what everyone else has said. I'm going through the menopause right now, and am on HRT, a low dosage, which seems to work fine for me. I've been on it longer than i've been low carbing.

I lost 13lbs on Induction but nothing more for three weeks. Since then weight loss has been much slower, but I look MUCH better and am a lot more upbeat about life in general.

I don't like fatty meat, and I cannot bring myself to even eat the skin on chicken. I cook with butter and I eat whole milk yogurt, macadamia nuts and cheese as snacks.

I agree with Teelbee, that it helps to have a hard boiled egg or two handy for when hunger strikes. If you're really ravenous at night, you won't be able to sleep. You could try brushing your teeth, that can sometimes make one feel less hungry. If I have GOT to eat (and I get hungry late at night) then I often find a piece of sliced meat spread with cream cheese and rolled up will just hit the spot.

Your 100 pound loss is awesome, well done. I wish I had done some serious weight losing before 'the change' struck.
Good luck anyway, I hope the pounds melt away...
Clare