https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:28:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-936376 Sun, 19 May 2013 14:23:47 +0000 Anonymous 936376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm going to do Jessica Smith's Five-Week Summer Shapeup Challenge starting tomorrow. &nbsp;Anybody want to join me? &nbsp;I'll let you know my results in five weeks!<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://jessicasmithtv.com/2013/05/17/the-5-week-summer-shape-up-challenge-plan/">http://jessicasmithtv.com/2013.....enge-plan/</a><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935352 Fri, 17 May 2013 22:22:55 +0000 JulieJohn 935352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So good to read all these, thank you Sarah for posting this. I have recently entered perimenopause. I read "Bombshell" by Suzanne Somers and got on bioidentical hormones to protect my health. Well, I also gained about 7 pounds and they won't come off. I'm only 5'0", and I was already full-figured, so now I'm full-plus.<br /><br />I don't exercise as much as you (kudos! that is awesome) but I lift weights and do push ups several times a week. I was sprinting regularly but I had a nearly broken ankle in March so that put paid to any notions of running for a while.<br /><br />What I wanted to say (besides just venting, ha ha) is that the low-carb (or low-on-bad-carbs) diet is still the one that makes me feel the best. I should mention you will experience a 21-day "low carb flu" but once that's over you should have more energy, stamina, no afternoon slump, and sleep better. No more morning breath - that was a fun side-effect!<br /><br />The hormones also make me feel great. I take testosterone, progesterone, and thyroid. Also lots of lovely supplements. My sex life has improved dramatically. That is a big thing in itself, and a huge ego boost even though I'm looking chubby.<br /><br />I am certainly a work in progress. I am working on liking myself no matter what, since I'm not really in control. All the best on your journey!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935311 Fri, 17 May 2013 21:56:49 +0000 DonnaF 935311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah;<br /><br />Muscle weighs more than fat, so with all your exercise, I'm wondering if at least part of your weight gain is actually in muscle mass?&nbsp; Sistah, I've seen you pull up your shirt to show us how pants fit, and what you've shown is pretty darn enviable!!!&nbsp; Also, I think ALL women get thicker through the middle as they age; you even see this in actresses and celebrities who make a living via their looks and have personal trainers and work out like fiends.<br /><br />My weight may be the same or similar to what it was a decade or three or four ago, but I'm certainly fluffier and dimensions and their locations have changed.&nbsp; A 23 - 24" waist will never happen again unless I get very, very sick and my weight falls to at least 10 pounds below where it was when I had that waist size and I turn to skin and bones which I definitely wasn't earlier. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935200 Fri, 17 May 2013 18:50:29 +0000 sarah 935200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Kelly, not what the scale says!<br /><br />I water run on my own, actually, in the pool during "open swim" hours. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935178 Fri, 17 May 2013 18:23:28 +0000 kellygirl 935178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ *chortle* I think that pretty well sums it up FWIW, I think &nbsp;you are looking as trim as ever! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935136 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:42:05 +0000 ElleH 935136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I lost 30 pound over a few months doing a specific cleanse. Full disclosure -&nbsp;I am a distributor so I don't know if I am violating any rules by posting it here but at least I can get you on it for wholesale.&nbsp;PM me if you're interested and if PMing about it is still a violation somebody please let me know &amp; I will not mention it again. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935116 Fri, 17 May 2013 17:28:34 +0000 sarah 935116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL, Kelly, I think the summary so far is: it happens to everyone, it may or may not help to reduce carb/sugar intake, and&nbsp;I have to increase my exercise to some insane amount which means more than&nbsp;the 6x/week I already do exercise!&nbsp;I should probably just stop worrying about it and make peace with my belly fat! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-935041 Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:49 +0000 texstyle 935041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I forgot to mention my favorite tip.&nbsp;I don't own a scale. ;-)<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-934978 Fri, 17 May 2013 14:58:38 +0000 kellygirl 934978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @sarah: Thanks for the water running tip. I'm not sure if anything like that is offered around here (without joining a specific health club.) I will look into it though because water therapy seems to be a good thing for my particular rehab. Can you give me the short and sweet on peri-menopausal weight loss when you get it all figured out? I'd appreciate that LOL! Good luck.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-934579 Fri, 17 May 2013 01:40:30 +0000 nancylee 934579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Sarah. &nbsp;You are so not alone in this. &nbsp;This whole mid-life transition is no picnic. &nbsp;I'm 51 and&nbsp;I've been able to hold my weight in check more or less, but there are definitely times when it spirals upward (that dreaded five pounds!) for no apparent reason. &nbsp;*sigh*<br /><br />I identify with so many of the posts here. &nbsp;My experience mirrors Shevia's in that my weight seems to have a mind of its own, almost unrelated to how healthy I'm eating or how much I'm exercising. &nbsp;I follow her pattern of having unexplained weight loss windows, where I suddenly lose a few pounds. &nbsp;Then there are also those days when I wake up and feel bloated and pudgy all over for no apparent reason.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's difficult to predict. &nbsp;Carbs and sugar are definite dangers, though. &nbsp;And I do exercise regularly: &nbsp;yoga, weights, running, elliptical. &nbsp;And I do believe it helps. &nbsp;<br /><br />Like Suz, I weigh almost the same (or even less) than I did ten years ago, but my body carries it much more in the waist/abdomen area. &nbsp;This is one reason I'm so belt-phobic...I feel like belts emphasize the body area that I least want to emphasize. &nbsp;&nbsp;It's so discouraging. &nbsp;I'm finding that I almost have to weigh less overall in order to have my clothes fit the way the did a few years ago. &nbsp;*double sigh*<br /><br />You've gotten a lot of good advice about eating and exercise here, so I don't have anything to add except my story...and my sympathy. &nbsp;We are all dealing with this to some degree or another, and it's no fun at all.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-934264 Thu, 16 May 2013 19:56:47 +0000 Angie 934264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm chiming in to say that you <b>ALL LOOK GREAT!!!</b><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-934026 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:29:06 +0000 Carole 934026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had to really amp up the exercise and that made a big difference. I used to walk/treadmill everyday for 30 minutes but that wasn't cutting it. Now I take an hour long step aerobics class 3x per week. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-933748 Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:10 +0000 Deborah 933748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah thanks for starting this thread. &nbsp;Im heading off to bed but will be back to read everyone's comments. &nbsp;I am reluctant to admit it but I have wondered if my recent weight gain over the summer months might be hormone related:( &nbsp;My weight has fluctutated as I have worked through a gluten intolerance but I don't think I can blame that for the recent gain, as it actually caused weight loss... great while it lasted. &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-933541 Thu, 16 May 2013 03:09:44 +0000 Jaime 933541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How could I not want to commiserate with someone who feels like her metabolism resembles that of a corpse! I totally relate. I also randomly gain and lose 5 lbs. during the year despite careful eating and regular exercise. This has really only started in the past couple a years as I approach 50 and my periods have become erratic. As I have tried to explain to DH, I only have occasional weight loss windows, which come and go with no relation to anything I can name, and cannot cheat even a bit when they occur. As in suddenly I will notice that my weight has dropped a little and then I start being super strict - not the other way around!&nbsp;The rest of the time I just try to keep things on an even keel and hope things balance out eventually. There is a lot of good&nbsp;advice in the comments&nbsp;and do find weight lifting is very important for not just my weight but my mood. I have been doing kettlebells regularly&nbsp;for about 4 years and also do yoga and other things as the mood strikes. And I avoid refined carbs for the most part but eat lots of fruit and vegetables and healthy fats. Thanks for starting this thread Sarah! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues/page/2#post-933447 Thu, 16 May 2013 01:04:13 +0000 giddyup 933447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I will second or third what others have said regarding carbs and sugars. I truly believe that I fall into the category of being sensitive to them. I mostly follow a low glycemic index(GI) eating plan and it has been extremely successful for me. I will be 49 this summer.&nbsp;I really try to eat what I would call a low to moderate amount of carbs(100-250grams) in the form of sprouted grain bread, brown rice,beans, other whole grains and rarely whole wheat pastas. I have completely stopped eating white flour or processed&nbsp;anything. My serving sizes are very small of these items like 1/2 cup and perhaps 3 servings of these a day. I also stopped drinking milk and get calcium thru homemade&nbsp;yogurt, and veggies. High quality proteins(meat, eggs,tofu,tempeh,nuts,cottage cheese)&nbsp;and good fats and LOTS of &nbsp;low &nbsp;GI&nbsp;veggies seem to be my friends. I also am a runner and recently ran a half marathon eating this way&nbsp;and I don't see that I miss excess carbs at all. Another thing that helped was to use a calorie counting app like Lose It. This was a great way for me to see my eating habits. It is interesting to see for one's self how those, &nbsp;especially, carb calories really add up.&nbsp;I sometimes will get very repetitive in what I eat, but it is also a very easy way to keep following my plan.&nbsp;<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933424 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:18:55 +0000 Suz 933424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah, it sounds as if you are super active and eating in a healthy way. Sometimes it's just a matter of time then, for it all to show up in the measurements. And I do think it does take longer at our increasing age! No fair!!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933417 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:12:02 +0000 Makrame 933417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been fighting with about 3-4 lb gain from this winter for the last 3-4 months - seems to be very hard to get rid of this small amount of weight and I was thinking that I don't really want to eat "nothing", which is what 1500 calories or so feels&nbsp;like. &nbsp;<br /><br />I am down about 3 lbs but still a couple of pounds higher than what I consider my maitenance weight. One thing that helps is a smoothie made out of greek yogurt and a small amount of fruit (I usually use 3-4 dried apricots soaked in a bit of boiling&nbsp;hot water for a cup of yogurt). &nbsp;After the apricots cool down, I blend them with yogurt using an immersion blender. &nbsp;This mixture is not too high in carbs and has a lot of protein so it is quite filling. &nbsp;Some days (once a week or so) I eat this for breakfast, lunch, and a midafternoon snack along with drinking fruit or herbal tea and eating low-starch veggies (cucumbers etc.). &nbsp;This seems to keep me full, and then I eat a small meal for dinner. &nbsp;I seem to lose a bit of weight after a day like that. &nbsp;Other days I just bring this mixture to work for an afternoon snack, which helps avoid high-crab snacking. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933414 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:09:50 +0000 DonnaF 933414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah;<br />It sounds as though you are doing all the right things so maybe your hormones are off?&nbsp; I have a tendency to engage in BS TP eating:&nbsp; I eat when I am Bored, Stressed, Tired, and/or Procrastinating.&nbsp; Such eating is not conducive to maintaining, much less losing, weight!&nbsp; When I was at the library browsing in the audiobook section, I found a selection by a hypnotherapist.&nbsp; I'm sorry, but I didn't write down his name and I think the public libraries these days scrub checkout histories.<br /><br />Basically with self-hypnosis, one reads aloud the same type of hypnotic induction, suggestion script, and wake-up that a hypnotherapist would use except that *I* is substituted for *you*.&nbsp; I think the trick is that one has to be truly sincere and not conflicted about making the change.&nbsp; For example, I'm not sure that I am ready to have a tidy office or address my procrastination.&nbsp; I am less conflicted about not eating when I am not hungry.<br /><br />I have a number of scripts that I could email if I'm PM'd.&nbsp; The file with about 30 sample scripts is about 90 pages, however, and includes scripts for smoking cessation, making money, anti-procrastination, weight loss, healthful eating, etc.&nbsp; I think I would need a regular email address to send this, right?&nbsp; <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933382 Wed, 15 May 2013 23:26:18 +0000 sarah 933382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is great to get so much good advice.<br /><br />Suz, I appreciate your lengthy reply. I should clarify that in addition to pilates 2x/week and barre 1x/week (which is honestly the hardest workout, strength-wise, I've ever done), I try to bike 1.5 - 2 hours (hard) and run (or nordic ski or stationary bike in the winter)&nbsp;2x/week. I've been adding interval training on one of my runs or on the stationary bike in the winter, although I'm not doing that more than once per week. And I also bike to work. I am going to try to be better about always doing at least 1 interval workout/week and making sure that I get in 3 cardio workouts total per week in addition to the strength training (which is my pilates/barre). But that's not that much more than I do now. I am also going to try to cut carbs, which for me means reducing "cracker snacks", mostly, and, as you say, eating more vegetables/tofu and less rice/pasta.<br /><br />Tex, that's interesting - we just went through a low ferritin diagnosis with my son (it's better now, but it was a long haul). I should probably get mine tested.<br /><br />Dianthus, good luck to you - it just isn't fun.<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933329 Wed, 15 May 2013 22:12:23 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 933329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you so much for starting this thread.&nbsp; I ran out of time before I read the whole thread but am marking it to come back to later.&nbsp; I am in the same boat.&nbsp; I used to be able to drop 5-10 lbs with relative ease and now I am lucky if I maintain for a few weeks straight.&nbsp; I am 50 and not enjoying the disruptions at all.<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933315 Wed, 15 May 2013 22:02:19 +0000 texstyle 933315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been taking natural thyroid hormone for about 10 years I think. It's Armour Thyroid and it is prescription only. That may also be a helpful thing to talk to your doctor about. An endocrinologist is my regular doctor. My thyroid tests were "low normal" for many years until I finally got a FULL Thyroid panel done, not just the TSH. It's a very important difference.<br /><br />Also my iron storage (ferritin)&nbsp;is very low (has been my whole life I think) and I've noticed when I don't take my iron supplements for a day or two, I get very hungry and eating doesn't make me feel satisfied. Not sure if it's related medically but for me, it seems to be a real connection.<br /><br />I think sprinting or bursts of heavy exercise&nbsp;just for a couple of minutes&nbsp;is also good for boosting metabolism. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933306 Wed, 15 May 2013 21:52:38 +0000 Suz 933306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I sympathize, Sarah. I used to think I was pear shaped and whether I was or not, I definitely put on weight on my hips and thighs as a younger woman. Now when I gain, it goes to my mid-section first and then all over the rest of me. These days, my waist is an inch bigger than it was when I was 20. And yet my scale weight and&nbsp;overall body fat percentage is actually <i>lower now than it was then</i>!!&nbsp;In other words, some change is probably inevitable, even if you are fit and in perfect health.&nbsp;<br /><br />I have bored everyone often enough with my own story, so I'll try to be brief. (Ha!)&nbsp;&nbsp;I lost 35 pounds in the midst of menopause and have kept the weight off (give or take a couple of pounds in either direction) through a combination of a fairly but not obsessively clean diet (mostly vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, whole foods -- with treats of various kinds in moderation.)<br /><br />&nbsp;I try to avoid white flour and highly processed foods as much as possible, but again, once in a while seems to be fine for me. I don't eat a lot of added sugars but do indulge in a square or two of dark chocolate on most days, and I eat a fair bit of fruit.&nbsp;<br /><br />Generally, I aim to keep 80% of my meals "clean," but in fact,&nbsp;I tend to&nbsp;focus more on adding healthy options in vs. taking stuff away. For example, I concentrate on eating <b>more</b> veggies rather than less of something else -- and eating less of the other stuff takes care of itself if I am full of veggies!&nbsp;<br /><br />I try to exercise five to six days a week between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (depending what I'm doing). I think lifting weights is the best for revving up your metabolism. I aim to lift at least&nbsp;twice a week (though I don't always achieve that) and I do crossfit a couple of times a week as well. As Mo said, it's important to challenge the body by doing different things and this will help with weight loss and muscle development. <br /><br />Body weight workouts (like those you describe) can be great, but in many fitness classes, people are quite simply,&nbsp;not challenged enough to make it truly valuable apart from cardio benefits. I know that for me, my body composition changed dramatically from lifting weights, in a way that it never did when I was doing mainly cardio and isometric workouts.&nbsp;<br /><br />Another helpful strategy is interval training. This, in combination with resistance training, seems to lead to the greatest fat loss for most people.&nbsp;<br /><br />I also do a lot of walking, jogging, yoga, hiking, skating,&nbsp;etc. &nbsp;Depending on weather and what's going on.&nbsp;<br /><br />Laurinda makes an excellent point. There is no one size fits all prescription. Sometimes we have to self-experiment a bit. One person's body type and metabolism will be different from the next person's. I'm a sort of ecto-mesomorphic body type...I can probably eat more than some women my height without gaining. But I can't eat the way my super ectomorphic husband eats. Alas.&nbsp;<br /><br />As Laurinda also said,&nbsp;it's important, if you try something, to try it for long enough and to monitor so you can see whether or not you are actually getting results.&nbsp;<br /><br />I found it was helpful to get some coaching, but I needed to lose a lot more weight than you do. In your case, it might be a question of switching up your exercise routine. But you shouldn't have to starve yourself to lose weight; it is possible, in fact, to eat too<b> little</b> -- and nothing slows the metabolism down like extreme dieting.&nbsp;<br /><br />Good luck with this - I know it can feel oh so frustrating, but I think you are doing a lot better than I did. At least you are acknowledging the problem. I just tried to ignore it until I literally had nothing to wear because I couldn't even fit into my yoga pants any more!!! &nbsp;;-/ &nbsp;&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933303 Wed, 15 May 2013 21:43:35 +0000 sarah 933303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Donna. I'd love to hear more about your self-hypnosis. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933285 Wed, 15 May 2013 21:02:31 +0000 DonnaF 933285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For the most part, belly fat packs on and slides off me according to my carb intake.&nbsp; As much as I can, I avoid starches, even brown rice and whole grain bread.&nbsp; I eat pureed cauliflower and try to pretend that it's mashed potatoes.&nbsp; Cauliflower is relatively mild flavored so eaten in the same bite as other food it is not too bad.&nbsp; It will never substitute for rice to an Asian, but I do what I gotta do.&nbsp; I really should cut out wine and probably cut down on fruit, but long term this is too much sacrifice.<br /><br />My weight has been up by a couple pounds these past couple of weeks because I have eaten a lot of simple carbs like cake, cookies, and candy.&nbsp; 7,000 calories worth?&nbsp; Who knows.&nbsp; But between January and the beginning of May, I lost about four stubborn pounds due to self-hypnosis.&nbsp; My scale hasn't been in that zone in decades.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933274 Wed, 15 May 2013 20:44:58 +0000 sarah 933274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Isis - it's such a drag, isn't it? I haven't had my thyroid checked since my daughter was born and I'll definitely talk to my doctor about that next time I see her.<br /><br />We do tons of pushups, squats, and other isometric exercises in barre and pilates, that I feel like I can't really solve this by trying to add more muscle mass, unfortunately. That doesn't seem to be doing the trick! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933260 Wed, 15 May 2013 20:34:04 +0000 Isis 933260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah,&nbsp; I am glad you posted this.&nbsp; Misery loves company, and I am about to try to tackle the 5 lbs I gained over the winter.&nbsp; It not only all went on my tummy, but is also hard to lose, grrr. &nbsp; I have not gotten serious yet though.<br /><br />Have you had your thryoid checked?&nbsp; LOTS of peri-menopausal women have thyroid problems, and mine went kaput when I was about 48.&nbsp; The main thing I noticed was extreme fatigue, but an inability to lose weight could be another symptom.&nbsp; Also, don't settle for a borderline TSH, if you are borderline (mine was 4.9), with symptoms, it is worth a trial of thyroid.<br /><br />Weight training is also supposed to be good for keeping middleaged metabolisms up....I've been doing weights for a couple years now.<br /><br />Good luck!&nbsp; Keep us posted for what works!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933218 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:52:21 +0000 sarah 933218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shannon, I'm definitely going to check out that book, too! I have tried to pay attention to eating low on the GI, but not very systematically.<br /><br />Kelly, after you cast comes off, you might consider water running. I just discovered it, but basically you wear a foam belt and you move down the pool doing the same sort of motion you'd do on an elliptical (you are straight up and down in the water, and your legs "stride" back and forth and your arms move as they would on the machine). You can actually get a super good workout. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933214 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:49:12 +0000 sarah 933214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Text - you sound like you're living an extremely healthy lifestyle. I think that the word you're searching for&nbsp;is hormone disruptor (or endocrine disruptor). I've been changing over all of my lotions, shampoos, etc, to avoid, them, too, and have found the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/">environmental working groups cosmetics database</a> very helpful (although it's a bit overwhelming). They also have information about <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners">cleaning products</a>.&nbsp;It's unfortunate that the regulations for their use are pretty lax in the US, compared to in Europe, for example (or so I've read).&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933202 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:38:03 +0000 kellygirl 933202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's all up in the air right now. I'm lobbying my doctor but under the current plan, this cast comes off in two weeks and then I get another cast. After that a boot and&nbsp;some partial weight bearing, then some full weight bearing. I've got a ways to go but hopefully, in a month&nbsp;will get to use a stationary bike!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/got-those-perimenopausal-weight-gain-blues#post-933199 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:34:18 +0000 Transcona Shannon 933199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah - I can completely relate! Perimenopause (and now menopause) wreaked havoc with my weight and body shape.&nbsp;<br /><br />Have you heard of eating low GI (low glycemic index)? It's an incredibly healthy way of eating higher protein and fiber and less simple carbs. Attached is a link to a book that has become my saving grace - not only are there fabulous recipes in it, but there is so much information of what perimenopause and menopause does to your body and overall endocrine system that we really get very little information on.&nbsp;<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-G-I-Diet-Menopause-Clinic/dp/0307357082">http://www.amazon.ca/The-G-I-D.....0307357082</a><br />