Is Weight Loss After Menopause Possible? Here’s the Truth

Who doesn’t love a pudgy baby?

Pearl One

As a kid, my mom would tell me that I should lose weight while I was still young because “it only gets harder to lose when you’re older.”

When I was in my twenties and early thirties I used Weight Watchers (on and off) before finally getting down to business and creating a forever-loss for myself. As you know, I took off fifty-five pounds by my early forties with a twin pregnancy in the middle of the hoopla. Once nobody was inside of me, I left one baby with The Scarfer and took the other baby to the Weight Watchers meeting with me.

As I got older, I paid close attention to the senior women at those WW meetings and I noticed that they weren’t having an easier or harder time of losing weight than the rest of us. In fact, they seemed to be just like us younger folk. No different at all.

Turns out that it was much easier – for me at least — as an adult to lose weight because adults have a car, car keys, shopping power and the agency to set her own eating schedule.

Kids don’t have any of that.

I recently stumbled upon a study out of England in 2020 that studied 242 patients who were being treated for obesity at a university hospital. Long story short, they concluded that those of us over sixty can lose just as much weight as the youngsters; that, in fact, “age didn’t present a problem.” I love when science backs up what I’d noticed anecdotally.

So – great news – if it feels really hard to lose weight: you were right! It is really hard to lose and maintain, but thankfully, none of us have to make this trek alone! In fact, just a thought, but everyone who feels alone and wants to interact, click on my Facebook Page and let’s get to know each other. ♥

Pearl Two

Thank you to MW for nudging me in the right direction. This blog is better because of this wonderful engaged group.

Like MW, several readers wondered what they should write about in their journals. Great question. I love addressing journal-writing because I think it’s the most powerful therapy that places the trust in our own brain and inner workings, and is both affordable and accessible.  So, we’ll dedicate Pearl Two to writing prompts based on Pearl One’s topic like these for today:

• When you were a kid, what did you think about your body and weight?
• What were you told as a child? As a teen?
• Was there trauma around the scale? How did it leave you feeling?
• If you tried to lose weight as a child/teen how did it go?
• I grew up feeling. . .
• I remember thinking…
• I was jealous of. . .
• If food became a comfort for you, how did that play out?
• What did you hope for re: your body and health in your twenties?
• Same question in your thirties?
• And in your forties?
• Now that you’re over 50, why is staying on the Smart Eating Path important to you?
• What do you think of “the Big Three: Big Fast-Food, Big Grocery Store Junk-Food and Big Portion Sizes?”
• What do you think of your own abilities to persevere during tough times?
• Can you form an affirmation for yourself like “I eat well before grocery shopping.” ♥

Pearl Three

Sequencing is taken directly from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The purpose of sequences is to help us move from reacting to circumstances to responding. I encourage you to do a sequence a day in your journal. Powerful stuff.

Automatic Sequence

This story is an amalgamation of moms I’ve known.

• Situation (be very concrete): I have a newborn.
• Automatic thought: I adore my baby, but the house is a mess.
• Feeling: irritated.
• Action: I clean around caring for my baby.
• Result: I got few things done.

Bridges in-between.

• Situation (be very concrete): I have a newborn.
• Chosen thought: Everyone wants the pretty-picture including me. But I’m running with the advice to sleep when my baby sleeps and cuddle and feed him when he’s awake.
• Feeling: Less embarrassed at how my house looks, and reminding myself that my son will speed through his baby years and I can clean the house then.
• Action: I focus on one thing which is handling the dishes, otherwise I belong to my baby.
• Result: My house is messy, but it’s  the most adorable home on the block. ♥

Pearl Four

Books love us and want us to be happy

I was immediately drawn into An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club): A Novel by Tayari Jones. About the book Barack Obama called it “a moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.” Not what I was expecting from the title, but at the first page I was engrossed. The book’s vibe reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird (if you’ve never read, I highly recommend).

I wouldn’t call either book “a beach read,” but both would be great on a flight. ♥

Pearl Five

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” — Lao Tzu ♥

If you enjoyed reading this post, I appreciate it so much if you could share with others.

Make it a smart eating week! And I hope to see you on Facebook.

♥, Wendy

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

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I am not an expert, doctor, surgeon, nurse, dietician, or nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.