perimenopause weight gain

Hi,
Welcome to ehealthforum,
Weight gain during menopause cannot be avoided, but can be controlled by maintaining healthy diet habits and active lifestyle. The hormonal changes occurring during menopause can make you gain weight around your abdomen rather than hips and thighs. Pattern of weight gain can also be genetic. To counter the weight gain problem follow these steps: eat a balanced diet and avoid refined sugars, consume more of fruits and vegetables, avoid crash diets as it can lead to worse rebound weight gain, limit caffeine intake/nicotine/alcohol, increase activity levels to increase metabolism and burn fat. Visit your doctor/gynecologist for further evaluation to rule out any other serious underlying issues (involving hormonal derangements, thyroid abnormalities, ovarian cysts etc). Be in regular monitoring and follow-up with your treating doctor/gynecologist and report any new/abnormal symptoms immediately. Drink plenty of water.
Take care.

Plusgal...Ditto over here. I started this menopause thing about a year ago...off and on periods..last Nov was my last as I can recall. I used to weigh in the 140ish...I hit 161 last month. Nothing really changed in my life..still active, tried to curb the sugar, ate balanced..etc etc...Last time I ever weighed this much was pregnant 21 years ago. I have looked for a large rock I could hide under, have avoided buying bigger clothes if I can, bought a treadmill, cut way back on eating anything significant in the fun way and avoid mirrors at all cost. I feel fat, dumpy, frankly hideous and now old. Even at late 40s I was built better than some at 20..and at 54 now..I feel like I jumped over decades. I will not let this get the better of who I am..and even if it takes me a year...these unhealthy pounds will be gone. Having support and being able to share how one "really feels" going through this is the best thing going..and hearing what others are doing as well. My hot flashes started a month ago..have you had that yet?