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  #1   ^
Old Mon, Jan-09-17, 11:58
dandelionp's Avatar
dandelionp dandelionp is offline
New Member
Posts: 21
 
Plan: Atkins 20
Stats: 141/132.6/125 Female 63
BF:
Progress: 53%
Default Premenopausal Magic

Hahah! Just trying to brighten up my subject!

Hi! New here, but not to Atkins. Day 9 and lost a little.

Questions/thoughts/reflections on premenopause/menopause and low carb/Atkins....

What's your experience been at an older age? Did vamping up activity help?
I seem a little sluggish and would love some perspectives from gals my age (48ish)

Thank you and have a super low carb day....
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  #2   ^
Old Mon, Jan-09-17, 13:43
gonwtwindo's Avatar
gonwtwindo gonwtwindo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,671
 
Plan: General Low Carb
Stats: 164/162.6/151 Female 5'3"
BF:Sure is
Progress: 11%
Location: SoCal
Default

Yes, exercise helped a lot. I started LC at the age of 51. Besides being a server, I used the apartment gym and took walks with weights on ankles and wrists.

By age 59 I had to cut calories to 1,400 or I only maintained, even on induction levels of carbs.

When I exercise, I feel brighter and more energetic...not sluggish.
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  #3   ^
Old Tue, Jan-10-17, 08:00
dandelionp's Avatar
dandelionp dandelionp is offline
New Member
Posts: 21
 
Plan: Atkins 20
Stats: 141/132.6/125 Female 63
BF:
Progress: 53%
Default

Thanks for responding gonwtwindo!!

Being a server (was for years) is not only a great way to make $$ but love love the activity level of that job.
You sound like you have a high level of will power! Congratulations for being so strong! I guess I am starting to see that the 48+ year old me just can't eat frozen pizza like she used to...

I walk to work (2.5miles) but that's been about it. I am realizing after talking to a few great doctors that at my age I need to change it up. The outlets I have relied on for the years past for excersise or diet changes just don't seem to be as strong anymore. One dr. Suggested "Younger Next Year for Women" by chris crowley and henry lodge...and so far so good with that. I just seem to have been blowing all the bells and whistles of premenapause...

And excersise DOES a make a gal feel SO much better! I cherish my walks!
Thank you!

Oh and I am on day 6 currently, not 9. Just very tired with Atkins- which I am not sure why...
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  #4   ^
Old Tue, Jan-10-17, 09:11
Liz53's Avatar
Liz53 Liz53 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,140
 
Plan: Mostly Fung/IDM
Stats: 165/138.4/135 Female 63
BF:???/better/???
Progress: 89%
Location: Washington state
Default

Welcome Dandelion

There is no real magic to menopause and to losing weight while in it. I started eating Low Carb when I hit 50 and I was already menopausal. I think it is our best chance to controlling weight in this phase of our lives, though it will probably go slowly - particularly since you are already in the normal range for your height. If you've lost 4 lbs of the 16 you want to lose, that's not a little, that's a lot!

As for being tired...are you supplementing with salt? Low Carb is diuretic and you will have probably have lost a bunch of water the first few days. With that water goes electrolytes (salt, potassium, calcium, magnesium), leaving you feeling kind of weak. You can supplement the other electrolytes, but without enough salt, you will just excrete them. As long as you have enough salt, you will hold on to the others.

Try 1 cup of fully salted bouillon twice a day or lick 1/4 tsp salt off the palm of your hand once or twice a day or till you feel better. Chances are you will feel more energetic more 30 minutes after taking the salt. When you start to feel tired/weak again, it's time for another dose.
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  #5   ^
Old Wed, Jan-11-17, 05:44
dandelionp's Avatar
dandelionp dandelionp is offline
New Member
Posts: 21
 
Plan: Atkins 20
Stats: 141/132.6/125 Female 63
BF:
Progress: 53%
Default

Hi Liz53!

Thank so for responding...I agree, losing 4 pounds is a big deal. I didn't want to weigh myself a lot but I was curious. It sure feels slower than the last time I did Atkins, BUT, I am older! And after reading more threads I am seeing that is common!

I have read about other folks/threads with issues of tiredness as well. I have been adding salt to my meals- this is something I never do. I don't like to add salt, but I will try what you suggest. It's worth a try! I am also taking calcium, a B complex, and omegas.

It could just be an adjustment as well. I think I was eating a lot of crap that I shouldn't have been and maybe my body is withdrawing a bit. Nevertheless if it continues or intensifies I'll talk to my Dr. I have a history with thyroid issues but this doesn't feel like that.
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  #6   ^
Old Wed, Jan-11-17, 10:15
Liz53's Avatar
Liz53 Liz53 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,140
 
Plan: Mostly Fung/IDM
Stats: 165/138.4/135 Female 63
BF:???/better/???
Progress: 89%
Location: Washington state
Default

Salt is an essential electrolyte. If you were eating processed foods before, you were getting salt. If you are eating Real Foods now, you are not getting enough.

Salt has been vilified for no reason (maybe because there is no Salt Lobby?). Carbohydrates cause the kidneys to retain salt, which can leads to excess water retention (that's why low carb has a diuretic effect - greatly reduced carbs). Salt on its own has a negligible effect.

What do you mean by Atkins 20 as your plan? Have you read a book?
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  #7   ^
Old Wed, Jan-11-17, 11:15
bcbeauty's Avatar
bcbeauty bcbeauty is offline
Memere to 4
Posts: 3,055
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 227/199/150 Female 5ft 3in
BF:Too much
Progress: 36%
Location: Kelowna BC. Canada
Default

I had no problem losing before...
I'm 51 and I've been back on Atkins since Sept 1 and lost (ranging between 10 and 14 lbs)
It is frustrating to say the least, however, one must consider how one feels over all.
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  #8   ^
Old Thu, Jan-12-17, 07:48
dandelionp's Avatar
dandelionp dandelionp is offline
New Member
Posts: 21
 
Plan: Atkins 20
Stats: 141/132.6/125 Female 63
BF:
Progress: 53%
Default

Thanks again Liz53--I appreciate all your knowledge!

I have read many books on Atkins and diet and even vitamins. A few are listed in my profile.

Newer definitions from Atkins: Atkins 20 (20 carbs a day) and now Atkins 40 (40 a day and less food restrictive for folks that need more variety).
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  #9   ^
Old Thu, Jan-12-17, 07:52
dandelionp's Avatar
dandelionp dandelionp is offline
New Member
Posts: 21
 
Plan: Atkins 20
Stats: 141/132.6/125 Female 63
BF:
Progress: 53%
Default

Bcbeauty!

Yes, even though I am younger (48) I have been going through an earlier premenapausal scenario now for years.

The more I read about menopause and diet overall the more I know I have to be very patient. No rush. Yes, doing Atkins about 10 years ago was a sinch. Also, changing up the excersise plan seems to also help. Nothing crazy, just more movement!
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  #10   ^
Old Thu, Jan-12-17, 08:12
cotonpal's Avatar
cotonpal cotonpal is online now
Senior Member
Posts: 5,284
 
Plan: very low carb real food
Stats: 245/125/135 Female 62
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: Vermont
Default

I've lost a total of 125 lbs all over the age of 55. I was never in a rush. I was patient and I am enjoying the results.

Jean
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  #11   ^
Old Thu, Jan-12-17, 09:02
bcbeauty's Avatar
bcbeauty bcbeauty is offline
Memere to 4
Posts: 3,055
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 227/199/150 Female 5ft 3in
BF:Too much
Progress: 36%
Location: Kelowna BC. Canada
Default

That is awesome Jean
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  #12   ^
Old Thu, Jan-12-17, 09:20
Liz53's Avatar
Liz53 Liz53 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,140
 
Plan: Mostly Fung/IDM
Stats: 165/138.4/135 Female 63
BF:???/better/???
Progress: 89%
Location: Washington state
Default

Dandelion the reason I asked about Atkins 20 is that I wondered if you had read the book that accompanies it: New Atkins for a New You. The book goes into depth about why and how you should supplement with salt to maintain energy when eating <50 g/day carbs.

Two other books by Jeff Volek and Steve Phinney, both low carb researchers, are excellent guides for starting out: The Art and Science of Low Carb Eating and The Art and Science of Low Carb Performance (geared towards athletes, but great succinct info for everyone).

Also, the Dietdoctor.com site has excellent advice on low carb side effects when beginning:
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/side-effects
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  #13   ^
Old Sat, Jan-14-17, 11:51
WereBear's Avatar
WereBear WereBear is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 14,608
 
Plan: EpiPaleo/Primal/LowOx
Stats: 220/125/150 Female 67
BF:
Progress: 136%
Location: USA
Default

I have embraced plenty of salt, chelated magnesium every day, and drinking water with teaspoon of vinegar in it before meals.

The thing about menopause and pre-menopause is the endocrine issues that can happen. Getting your electrolytes balanced, some fun exercise, and embracing the "natural metformin" of added vinegar (be generous with homemade salad dressing, for instance) helped me a lot at such times.

Equally important is getting plenty of good sleep. I lower all the lights after sundown and wear a sleep mask to keep my proper circadian rhythm.
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  #14   ^
Old Sat, Jan-14-17, 12:14
Ghoulia's Avatar
Ghoulia Ghoulia is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 1,214
 
Plan: Moderate Low-Carb <100g
Stats: 130/110.2/115 Female 5'3.5
BF:00/00/00
Progress: 132%
Location: Cal-i-forn-ia
Default

I'm 48! I'm 48!

Definitely get your salt and electrolytes, omg, so important!

I've been doing LC off an and on since 1996, now back
on since I always feel amazing and I needed to drop
some pounds.

In 1996, salt and all that wasn't a problem for some
reason, but the reason I'd been off and on since then,
was, well, first I'm a pig and wanted carbs, but second,
every time I'd try VLC after that I felt SO HORRIBLE.
Heart palps, heart racing, super run down and nausea.
Never left. But then, I didn't know about the salt thing.

This time around, I've upped the salt and bought electrolyte
tablets (not necessary, but easy) and have felt
1million.times.better.

Also, with regard to hormones and the whole pre-menopausal thing,
not sure if I am or not, but boy do I feel better
hormone wise. I feel WARM now, which is so odd for me,
AND, my stupid periods (hate them!) have been more
regulated, so far... There were a couple of months
that I got it twice. YEAH!! Not. But since Dec 4 (my start date)
I have gotten it once, and it only lasted 4 days,
no cramps, no thoughts of murdering the family
AND it was light. AND it came at 28 days exactly.
Not 45, not 11, not 16. Don't know what this month
will bring, so we shall see!

The weight is coming off much more slowly this
time around, but the INCHES, OMG, way faster.
Seriously. The weight thing is probably because
I really don't have much to lose, I guess. But
now that I look at your stats, you don't have a
pile either, so perhaps we are in the same boat!

Also, WATER. Drink it. I was not, but when I started
16oz right out of bed and then another at work around
10, then at 2, wow, it really helped a lot. I think the
fat decided to let go and I had a two pound loss in
one day, that is, after eating vlc for over a month.
That was epic.

All I can say is what I've been saying to myself
since Dec 4: TRUST THE PROCESS. DO NOT GIVE UP.
Things are happening even if you can not see them
in any way.

That said, I DO count calories. I am a glutton and
will over eat. When I was eating carbs I was taking
in over 2K cal a day, but with LC I've been averaging
1200. That is a HUGE change. And I'm not hungry either!
I just keep a tab on cals because it works for me
and I want the data.

I walk about 50 miles a week, weather permitting. Nothing
else but that.

However, I am starting to get the weight lifting bug with
all this CRACK ENERGY I have.

Welcome Dandelion, and sorry for the novel! LOL!


Julia
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  #15   ^
Old Sat, Jan-28-17, 17:48
Baylor1's Avatar
Baylor1 Baylor1 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 137
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 000/000/000 Female 66 inches
BF:
Progress:
Default

Im 50 but have been dealing with this for 6 years, It is tough!

But If I eat well and make sure I am eating enough, I lose weight still.
For me the calories are not the issue but the carbs. I count whole carbs and if I get near 50 I stall. I would rather have higher calories and less carbs. I feel better that way and I have more energy.
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