Has anyone lost post-menopausal weight going raw?

[cara4art]

Like lots of menopausal and post-menopausal women, I gained a bit through my mid-section, and regular "dieting" and exercise has not made too much of a dent. I was 108-110(at 5'5", with a very small bone structure, so actually this low-sounding weight looks good on me - it's my "fighting weight", so to speak), and everything went fine up until late 2004, where I all of a sudden, within 3 months, gained seven pounds, with no change in diet or exercise, and I swear they all went to my tummy and some to my upper body, not good, as this kind of body fat is extremely unhealthy! This happened several years post-menopause. I had thought I had sailed through with no weight gain/poofy tummy until this happened. I'm on a solid weight-training program and cardio too, since the last year and a half. Before that, I was living out in a remote rural area where I walked a lot, and had a rudimentary weight set up at home - no gym access the way I have now in a city. I know hormone changes have a lot to do with this, and that even slim women have this happen, the way I did. I guess I got off lucky because over on some menopausal message boards some women are singing the blues about gaining 30-50 pounds after menopause, and not being able to lose one bit of it, no matter what they do.
Now, has anyone here been able to balance their hormones on a raw diet, and get rid of that post-menopausal upper body fat and tummy?
Right now, I'm aiming for 2/3 raw to start my transition.

[beany]

I am 65 still using hormone cream but since I got up to 95% raw I have been able to cut it by more than half.:D
I have been able to lose weight by watching what I eat. Like no raw desserts,
stay away from veg. starchs and high sweet fruit, also watch those nuts. It would be the same if you were 40 and trying to lose weight.;) What I am saying is it can be done.:)

[cara4art]

well since I've ditched the wheat, and am not eating much in the way of sprouted grains either right now, that might help. I am eating much more in the way of greens by way of green smoothies in the am. and a large salad burrito(in a collard green instead of a tortilla). I don't eat fancy raw desserts, and don't overeat nuts(I do enjoy them however, as an accent)so I'm keeping the fruits in my diet as they are simpler. I'm enjoying hemp seed protein powder in my green smoothies too.
I am intuiting that the wheat and dairy I was eating, as well as chocolate(still working on that last one)were the culprits. I'm noticing that being off dairy and wheat for only a few days, I have a lot more energy! Could be that my few pounds will take care of themselves with these simple changes.

[eachpeachpearplum]

I was having early peri menopausal symptoms (whilst breastfeeding!) including steadily gaining weight. As soon as I committed to 100% all meopausal symptoms went away and so far I have lost 50lbs since Oct 07'!!!

[cara4art]

So-o glad to hear this, eachpeachpearplum!
Over on some menopausal boards many people seem about to throw in the towel about their weight, or their doctors are telling them it's "normal"(ha!)for their age, or white-knuckling it going on super-low carbohydrate diets featuring animal protein at every meal and forgoing fruits, as well as even a healthy whole grain!
While lots of these women had gained anywhere from 15 to 80lbs. during their menopausal transition - I just have 8 or so that I want gone! since I'm small-boned, and my weight seems to be in my tummy and somewhat upper body only, this will make a HUGE difference in how I look!
Did you have to go 100% raw to do this, or did you notice a difference on the way to 100%?

[VeggieMel]

When I went into menopause, I gained weight rapidly. But with consistent raw and exercise, I lost about 40 pounds in the last 10 months.

[Mischa]

I am 59. Prior to raw I had gained some weight/fluid though it crept up on me so gradually I didn't really notice. Since being high raw, as I haven't managed 100 percent yet though somedays it is very close, I have lost this weight completely even though I do have a sweet tooth and eat nuts daily. As I don't work I do eat fairly small meals like green smoothies and plain fruit as basics and feel quite satisfied with these.

[Blazin'Jane]

I am 66 1/2 and lost 37 lbs. last year just switching to a raw diet. I lost 30 lbs. in the first 4 months or so, and then another 7 in about 4 months. My weight has held pretty steady for 6 mos. or so now. It was just the raw foods. That's all.:)

[lanettasmouse]

hey blazin jane if you don't mind me asking, how tall are you? thanks

[StarFire]

yep... and still losing... I've lost 51 pounds so far.... and will hopefull lose another 20 pounds... hopefully! I am 51 years old and my last 'cycle' was about 7 -- almost 8 years ago. I've tried EVERY DIEit on the planet... including cabbage soup DIEit!! the only thing that has moved the weight is living a RAW FOOD LIFEstyle... it has been such a blessing to me!

so -- there is definitely hope! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/sun.gif

[islesgirl]

yep... and still losing... I've lost 51 pounds so far.... and will hopefull lose another 20 pounds... hopefully! I am 51 years old and my last 'cycle' was about 7 -- almost 8 years ago. I've tried EVERY DIEit on the planet... including cabbage soup DIEit!! the only thing that has moved the weight is living a RAW FOOD LIFEstyle... it has been such a blessing to me!

so -- there is definitely hope! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/sun.gif

How long did it take you to lose the 51 lbs StarFire? And congratulations.:D

Sue.

[discodancer]

I just turned 60, and in the last year or so, I lost about 40 lbs. by going mostly (maybe 75%) raw. I also stopped eating wheat and dairy because of arthritis, and I LOVE this way of eating. I have been at this weight for about 6 months (around 145 lbs, and I am 5' 6" tall), and it feels right for me. I noticed that in the beginning, I wanted to eat lots of raw crackers and things like that, but I don't really crave that now. I eat mostly fruits and veggies, green drinks, some nuts. I have just discovered raw soups, and I have a bunch of marinated veggie salads that I love. My local health food store periodically makes raw cookies. I am not a chocolate fan, but every once in a while, they make chocolate cashew cookies which are unbelievably wonderful. I don't have a dehydrator--too much trouble--so I really appreciate those cookies as special treats. I never, ever leave my house without a raw bar in my purse. I like Think Organic the best and buy them on line by the box.

[courtea]

What if you are eating raw but still not losing?

[courtea]

what if you are eating raw for a month and a half and not losing?:o

[courtea]

what if you are eating raw for a month and a half and not losing?:o I started eating raw on Feb 1st. I have not lost at all.

[Eilene]

I lost 7 lbs when I first went raw. I have been Raw for 1 yr 10 months and have gained it all back. I'm 52 & am in menopause. I feel most comfortable with a few less lbs on me. I also eat about 98% Raw.

[starborne]

I was having early peri menopausal symptoms (whilst breastfeeding!) including steadily gaining weight. As soon as I committed to 100% all meopausal symptoms went away and so far I have lost 50lbs since Oct 07'!!!

Way to go!! Did you have to watch the food you ate very carefully? Like the nut/avacado thing?

I'm just coming off of a 2 week fast to jump start a new lifestyle of raw.
I'm 50, post menopausal for 5 years or so. I basically did okay with the weight thing until last year. I gained 25-30 pounds in one year! I live in a rural mountain area with not alot of access to gyms and organic markets, so it's up to me be creative in both shopping and exercise. No excuses allowed!

[starborne]

yep... and still losing... I've lost 51 pounds so far.... and will hopefull lose another 20 pounds... hopefully! I am 51 years old and my last 'cycle' was about 7 -- almost 8 years ago. I've tried EVERY DIEit on the planet... including cabbage soup DIEit!! the only thing that has moved the weight is living a RAW FOOD LIFEstyle... it has been such a blessing to me!

so -- there is definitely hope! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/sun.gif


Hey Starfire and lanettasmouse... I knew I'd find ya'll lurking on other posts!

[Eva]

My mom stopped menstruating right around the time she went raw, but then she started again! She is not overweight to begin with but had the belly pooch. It's going away for sure, and her arms are on there way from a bit of flab to fab. :D She's looking GREAT! (Not just saying that because she's my mom! :p ;) )

[Revvell]

That sounds about like me. Belly pooch and lil flab in the upper thighs and upper arms.

Raw and working out... no meno symptoms and fitting into all the clothes I purchased a size smaller (or two) than I was.




My mom stopped menstruating right around the time she went raw, but then she started again! She is not overweight to begin with but had the belly pooch. It's going away for sure, and her arms are on there way from a bit of flab to fab. :D She's looking GREAT! (Not just saying that because she's my mom! :p ;) )

[Blazin'Jane]

I'm 5'6'' tall.

[raven]

I've been struggling with the same 10 extra lbs. pre and post-menopause. I didn't gain any extra weight and did manage, post-menopause, to reach my goal weight but regained it due to poor eating choices. I have no trouble maintaining my weight but it's been difficult to lose. I've slowly lost a few lbs. over the past few months and I'm planning to intensify my workouts and also cut way back on nut consumption and am eating much lighter.

Suzy

[morningstar8]

:cool: Hiya,
I have been 100% raw since Dec. 2/07 and have not lost one single pound. And I mean 100% with NO cheating at all!!!!!
I am right in the middle of menopause (54 years old) with no cycle for 2 years now. My MD has recommended hormone therapy (bio-identical) which I am resisting with all my might - have you ever read the side effects?
Anyone having this problem? Most of the posts I have read have mentioned SOME weight loss...I am feeling like perhaps I am doing something wrong. Any worlds of wisdom on this one?
Have you noticed that most of the RAW food guru's are under 40?
EEEEK...

[Ilse W.]

Morningstar8 - You don't have to resist bio-identical hormones. It's the synthetic ones that have all the side effects. A lot of the problems are not from loss of estrogen, but because of unopposed (by progesterone) estrogen. A little bit of a good progesterone cream helps most women. My naturopath tweeked my prescription to where it suited me perfectly, especially during chemo, when the hotflashes were absolutely through the roof. I was on the hormones only maybe a couple of years, and have been off for at least six years. I have no menopausal/post menopausal "symptoms".

I've been overweight ever since I got married to my second husband in 1978. I went from 75% raw vegetarian to cooking for him and eating right along with him. We both ended up fat as hell. After I divorced him 19 years later, I continued being overweight right through menopause. Cancer caused me to lose all my weight, but it is such an emotional strain/scare that all I wanted to do was gain weight. I equated it with being healthy. I didn't go back to my highest weight, around 225 pounds, but maxed out at about 205 pounds about 3 years ago. Since retiring in 2005, I have fluctuated between that weight and 175 lbs., depending on what my diet consisted of. More steak and red wine, more weight. Since going 100% raw, I've lost 15 pounds (Aug. 1 to Aug. 31). Now I'm on a juice fast and am not weighing myself until I am done, probably by the end of September. I know I'm losing weight, though, and will continue losing until I'm down to my "healthy" weight. I let my body decide what that is. I will continue being raw and going on juice fasts periodically. Oh yeah, I also walk Maxwell Smarty Pants, my golden boy, every day and some days (working toward most/every day) I get on my rebounder for at least 15 minutes. Other than that I'm a laid back retiree.:D

[cara4art]

"I am right in the middle of menopause (54 years old) with no cycle for 2 years now." - morningstar8

Sounds like you're POST-menopause, not "in the middle". Menopause itself is when the periods stop for good, and usually if a woman has gone a year or so with no periods, she can be considered post-menopausal, which lasts for the rest of her life. Now, hormones CAN take a few years post-menopause to stabilize, and while some people have been helped by some sort of hormone therapy, there are many more who have not, or are too scared off to try this kind of stuff due to family history, or just wanting to stay away from the mainstream medical system. Personally I have stayed far far away from hormones because my mother died of breast cancer and I totally don't want that to happen to me. But she ate a lot of red meat, cheese, butter, bread, etc. My diet could not be more different from the one I had while growing up(that SAD diet that I was always getting sick from because my sensitive body knew it wasn't right for me even then - constant colds, bronchitis, and upset stomach and ear infections too). Hormonal imbalance can definitely influence whether one is able to release weight or not. But there are other ways to balance besides taking hormones. Some people have had good luck with maca, as that stimulates your body to make its own hormones, in the exact balance needed for your particular body, instead of adding MORE hormones. We're already getting plenty in our environment, even with eating very clean, by way of plastics, etc. Traditional Chinese herbs are good too - they can really work wonders in bringing balance back into the body, and TCM has a different view of menopause anyway. I
ve been helped with these at various times. But being raw is one of the best things one can do, because for one thing, you are not eating the starchy carbs that cause trouble at menopause. For one thing, digestion of said carbs is slowed at menopause, causing the body to store them as fat instead of using them for energy the way men or younger women do. Non-starchy carbs like fruits and vegetables don't have that effect.
But back to the weight thing - are you exercising at all? Although there are quite a few people who say that diet is 80% of the equation as far as releasing weight, after menopause, the right kind of exercise is equally important. Some form of solid resistance training, cardio(but not endless cardio sessions, as these are too stressful, and the menopausal body is already pumping out a lot of cortisol, the stress hormone that is notorious for packing on belly fat). Also, assuming a decent physical program, you cannot always go by the scale. How one's clothes fit is a better barometer of progress. If your non-elastic waistband is getting looser, you ARE releasing fat, even though the scale might say you weigh the same, or even a bit more due to adding a bit more muscle.
For the record, for the first three months of mostly raw, I didn't lose anything either, but then during a detox illness episode, 4 pounds dropped off just like that.
Hope this helps, and stay raw as you can, each meal - results will come!

[oshnlovr]

I am 54 and in the last year have seen at least 17 pounds come on and I have already been fighting 20 pounds over where I should be. I have been on raw for about a month and a half now and can say I think I have a solid 4 pounds off. I am just trusting that if I keep on keepin' on the weight has to move. I know the thing I really have to get workin' at is exercising though. I would love to say I exercise everyday but I have been less than perfect at that. That has to be key. Food is only part of the equation.

[dearnewt]

What if you are eating raw but still not losing?
Just eating raw is not enough.Combined with exercise it works like any other full health plan.

I had a problem for three years with stubborn weight gain. I cut out processed foods, increased myexercise, and still felt my energy was not "engaged".

So I decided to try something new- a Tantric Massage. I lost an inch in three days. My energy was unblocked. I am 54.

[cara4art]

"So I decided to try something new- a Tantric Massage. I lost an inch in three days. My energy was unblocked. I am 54. " - dearnewt

Wow - that sounds intriguing! There are definitely things that are unseen that can affect whether someone releases weight or inches, and this looks like one more aspect to consider, the energetic part.
I definitely agree about the exercise! For ten years, I had no access to a gym(lived way out in a rural area, so had to get creative), but have been back at one for nearly 3 years, with good results. The older one gets the MORE important this becomes, if one hasn't already gotten started, especially with some form of resistance exercise. If one does nothing as one ages, muscle loss and simultaneous fat gain are no joke - they are very real! Solid resistance exercise not only strengthens muscles, but also bones, something a lot of people don't realize yet. Can be anything from solid gym workouts, to regular heavy outdoor work, etc. Revell posted a couple of links to people she trains with outdoors who have a unique approach too. Combined with a raw diet that has plenty of greens etc. this creates a framework for stronger, more FLEXIBLE bones(important in case of injury). The bones might not become larger, but they will get stronger and of better quality in this mode. All those calcium pills etc. do make bones harder, but also more brittle, not a good thing as one ages. Round this out with good cardio that incorporates interval training techniques, and some flexibility work, and you've got a DIY health bailout plan - LOL!

[cara4art]

Update here - a couple of more pounds have dropped off, just like that. I have however, cut back on chocolate, and been drinking more green smoothies with DENSE greens since I bought my Blend-tec, which I love by the way! At the gym, I've been doing more interval training for my cardio, and I think the combo of all this is getting the weight moving again, even though I only have a few pounds to release. But at my size(small-framed, and close to "fighting weight")those few pounds make a big difference!

[Blazin'Jane]

I lost 30 lbs. during my first 3 mos., very easily, then another 7 lbs. in the few months after that. 2 1/2 years later, most of that has stayed off!