54 replies to this topic

[KSOO59]

Hello,
I just finished my second week and have only lost 1.4 lbs total. I am 50 and going thru menopause.
Is this normal? I see where people lose 10 lbs in thier first 2 weeks.

[ducks]

Hey 1.4 pounds is nothing to frown about! 1.4 POUNDS! That's a great start.

I don't know about the menopause thing but you know that every body is different. If someone starts at a heavier weight, they will drop more in the beginning. I believe that 10 pounds the first two weeks is not the norm. Take a look around the different forums and posts, then look at the various tickers or signatures that people have. Hopefully you find someone with a near start weight and goal weight to you and can compare to them (knowing that EVERY body is different, so it won't be exact but may give you an estimate).

Good luck! Stay strong!

[KSOO59]

Thanks for the reply Ducks. I know I have to be patient. I did this 10 years ago and I averaged a
2 lb weight loss every week so was hoping for the same results. I work out 5 times a week for 45 minute
on the treadmill at 4.0 mph too. I just will have to take what ever loss I can get.

You are doing great by the way!!!!!

[Maria I]

Hello,
I just finished my second week and have only lost 1.4 lbs total. I am 50 and going thru menopause.
Is this normal? I see where people lose 10 lbs in thier first 2 weeks.

Hello KS0059:
Welcome to the program. I am post-menopausal, in my fifties, and I am losing an average of 1 lb per week. I am exercising 4-6 days a week (30-40 min sessions) and following the program 95%-100% every week since joining in March. In my 20's or 30's I would have lost 5 lbs/week doing what I am doing now. I know this because in fact I did it. In my 40's, I was gaining the 55 lbs that led me to JC and not exercising at all. But my new reality is that after my hard work and diligence, I get 1lb/week. But I will take that cause in 1 year that is 52 lbs and I will feel and look 100% better!
So don't compare yourself to anyone, especially, the younger folks on this program. Stick with it and you will get results. I have lost 22 lbs and I am just 3.5 lbs away from my half-way point. And my thinking is if the weight is so difficult to lose I better think twice before I mess up and go off the diet. Another incentive to press on and stick with the program.
Good Luck and don't give up.

PS: BTW, before joining JC, I had tried unsucessfully many times to lose the weight on my own. So the program works.

[Nantan]

Hello KS0059:
Welcome to the program. I am post-menopausal, in my fifties, and I am losing an average of 1 lb per week. I am exercising 4-6 days a week (30-40 min sessions) and following the program 95%-100% every week since joining in March. In my 20's or 30's I would have lost 5 lbs/week doing what I am doing now. I know this because in fact I did it. In my 40's, I was gaining the 55 lbs that led me to JC and not exercising at all. But my new reality is that after my hard work and diligence, I get 1lb/week. But I will take that cause in 1 year that is 52 lbs and I will feel and look 100% better!
So don't compare yourself to anyone, especially, the younger folks on this program. Stick with it and you will get results. I have lost 22 lbs and I am just 3.5 lbs away from my half-way point. And my thinking is if the weight is so difficult to lose I better think twice before I mess up and go off the diet. Another incentive to press on and stick with the program.
Good Luck and don't give up.

PS: BTW, before joining JC, I had tried unsucessfully many times to lose the weight on my own. So the program works.

I am 56, also menopausal and am losing very slowly. One pound a week has been my average weight loss as well. However, I am enjoying this program and do not feel an ounce of deprivation. I like most of the JC food and am rarely hungry. I also focus on the big picture. It's not how much weight I lose on a weekly basis, it's the total weight loss in the long term that I look forward to.

[KSOO59]

Thanks for the replys. I guess I shouldn't be unhappy as long as the scale keeps going in the right direction.
I know this is going to take some time. I am not hungry at all so I really don't feel like I am even dieting. My husband says that the Scale just has not caught up with me yet because my cloths feel allot better.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.......

[Shewhobikes]

All,
So glad to see this thread. I started JC a few days ago. Age 54 and post-menopausal, 20 pounds crept up on me over the last 4 years.

I lost that 20 once before, when I was 40, and kept it off until the menopausal stuff kicked in. That time, on a different program, I was losting 2-3 pounds a week.

You guys are great motivators! I will keep thinking not about how long it takes but what the long-term goal is as I go.

Thanks!

[sajgirl1952]

Hello,
I just finished my second week and have only lost 1.4 lbs total. I am 50 and going thru menopause.
Is this normal? I see where people lose 10 lbs in thier first 2 weeks.

I will be 58 in 6 weeks and believe it or not, you have me beat! I have been on the program (they put me at 1500 cals...but I think their program, at least for me is too heavy on the starches) for 3 weeks now and have only lost a whopping 1 pound. They tell me to drink more water, I already drink between 3 and 4 quarts a day. They tell me not to eat raw veggies, I don't (except for lettuce greens and tomatoes) and always cook my veggies. They tell me to increase my exercise, well I already do 3 days of 90 minute workouts with a trainer and 3 of the other 4 days I walk between 15,000-20,000 steps. I wonder what excuse they are going to come up with this week. I am disgusted with not only the program but the center to which I go to.

[FrannieB]

I have been in JC since late August. I have been eating on program and exercising 5 time a week for average of 40 minutes. I was getting used to loosing 1.8 to 2.2 lbs each week and was within 5 lbs of my goal. I was surprised to find that I had gained almost 2 lbs last week. I am peri menopausal so am betting that hormones have something to do with my weight gain. I also think that I may have not been eating enough as I have been missing some fruits and veggie side dishes. I am hoping for better results as it was disappointing to be getting so close to goal and then slip backwards.

[mob2011]

I have been in JC since late August. I have been eating on program and exercising 5 time a week for average of 40 minutes. I was getting used to loosing 1.8 to 2.2 lbs each week and was within 5 lbs of my goal. I was surprised to find that I had gained almost 2 lbs last week. I am peri menopausal so am betting that hormones have something to do with my weight gain. I also think that I may have not been eating enough as I have been missing some fruits and veggie side dishes. I am hoping for better results as it was disappointing to be getting so close to goal and then slip backwards.

Frannie,

In your post you typed exactly why the scale reflected that increase this week. "You may not have been eating enough." Our bodies shut down the weight loss process as soon as it thinks it isn't getting the amounts of food it was used to getting. I learned this from my JCC. Maybe being so close to goal you thought you would push it a little and get there faster if you cut off some things from your menu, when you see that isn't the case. It's a mistake I think ALL of us make or have made from time to time. If I just don't eat lunch I'm sure I'll lose more.. then you get on scale and it is up?? How can it be up??? I ate less. Well it's because you ate less.

Go back to making sure you have everything on your menu for the week. I'm sure that two pounds will be gone at the end of the week once your body realizes, oh good she isn't going to be starving me !!

Have a great day
Dawn

[Maribel Cordova Ramirez]

Hello,
I am glad to read the messages ...i am on my first week and following the diet perfectly. Tomorrow is my weight in but I have been checking my weight and I have not lost. I am 51 yrs old and I guess this is the problem. I have excersiced 3 times last week but may have to increase my excersice program to more days possibly to see better results. I realize I did not gain 20 pounds in a week but I guess the process will be a little longer than I thought.

[camsgram1]

Hello,
I am glad to read the messages ...i am on my first week and following the diet perfectly. Tomorrow is my weight in but I have been checking my weight and I have not lost. I am 51 yrs old and I guess this is the problem. I have excersiced 3 times last week but may have to increase my excersice program to more days possibly to see better results. I realize I did not gain 20 pounds in a week but I guess the process will be a little longer than I thought.

I am experiencing the same problmes. When younger I lost weight pretty easy. I have been carrying an extra 50 pounds. The pounds are coming off slowly. I enjoy the posts, but have realized many posts are started but few are active. I hope this one continues on and we can all support each other.

[Fidalis]

I am experiencing the same problmes. When younger I lost weight pretty easy. I have been carrying an extra 50 pounds. The pounds are coming off slowly. I enjoy the posts, but have realized many posts are started but few are active. I hope this one continues on and we can all support each other.

Same problem, when I was younger it came off much easier. I am 51, have been on JC for three weeks and have lost 4lbs. I am determined not to get discouraged. This past weigh in I didn't have a loss. My consultant told me to not use any salt this week and see if that makes a difference. My goal is to lose 20lbs. Let's continue on together and support each other.

[laloba64]

Hello KS0059:
Welcome to the program. I am post-menopausal, in my fifties, and I am losing an average of 1 lb per week. I am exercising 4-6 days a week (30-40 min sessions) and following the program 95%-100% every week since joining in March. In my 20's or 30's I would have lost 5 lbs/week doing what I am doing now. I know this because in fact I did it. In my 40's, I was gaining the 55 lbs that led me to JC and not exercising at all. But my new reality is that after my hard work and diligence, I get 1lb/week. But I will take that cause in 1 year that is 52 lbs and I will feel and look 100% better!
So don't compare yourself to anyone, especially, the younger folks on this program. Stick with it and you will get results. I have lost 22 lbs and I am just 3.5 lbs away from my half-way point. And my thinking is if the weight is so difficult to lose I better think twice before I mess up and go off the diet. Another incentive to press on and stick with the program.
Good Luck and don't give up.

PS: BTW, before joining JC, I had tried unsucessfully many times to lose the weight on my own. So the program works.

Maria, thank you so much for this info! I'm 46, peri-menopausal, and am finding the weight loss much slower than in my 20's or even 30's. But I'm not giving up because I could be gaining instead of (slowly) losing, I'll take it!

[camsgram1]

Same problem, when I was younger it came off much easier. I am 51, have been on JC for three weeks and have lost 4lbs. I am determined not to get discouraged. This past weigh in I didn't have a loss. My consultant told me to not use any salt this week and see if that makes a difference. My goal is to lose 20lbs. Let's continue on together and support each other.

I am 52 and started JC in August. I like the program but have gotten off track. Back with it now and ready to work hard.

[hyemom]

I am in menopause..53.. lost 7 ponds first week ! yesterday's weigh in lost one pound..Active 5 days a week. I think exercise is the key.Hard to stay strong when cooking comfort food for the family..........

[Shewhobikes]

Bumping up because I also hope we can keep hanging together here. It's harder after 50 for sure! Thanks for the support!

[Blessed4Life2]

Maria, thank you so much for this info! I'm 46, peri-menopausal, and am finding the weight loss much slower than in my 20's or even 30's. But I'm not giving up because I could be gaining instead of (slowly) losing, I'll take it!

Maria, how do you know you are peri-menopausal? I am 45, and I still have regular menstrual cycles, but may have other symtoms...not sure.

If anyone can answer this questions I would appreciate it.

[mob2011]

Maria, how do you know you are peri-menopausal? I am 45, and I still have regular menstrual cycles, but may have other symtoms...not sure.

If anyone can answer this questions I would appreciate it.

Melissa,

This is from the Mayo Clinic


Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
During the perimenopausal period some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — changes in your body may occur. Some things you might experience include:

Menstrual irregularity. As ovulation becomes more erratic, the intervals between periods may be longer or shorter, your flow may be scanty to profuse, and you may skip some periods. Early perimenopause is defined as a change in your menstrual cycle length of more than seven days. Late perimenopause is characterized by two or more missed periods and an interval of 60 days or more between periods.
Hot flashes and sleep problems. About 65 to 75 percent of women experience hot flashes, most commonly during late perimenopause. The intensity, duration and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but sometimes sleep becomes erratic even without them.
Mood changes. Some women experience mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression during perimenopause, but the cause of these symptoms may be sleep disruption caused by hot flashes. Mood changes may also be caused by factors not related to the hormonal changes of perimenopause.
Vaginal and bladder problems. When estrogen levels diminish, your vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen levels may also leave you more vulnerable to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence.
Decreasing fertility. As ovulation becomes irregular, your ability to conceive decreases. However, as long as you're having periods, pregnancy remains a possibility. If you wish to avoid pregnancy, use birth control until you've had no periods for 12 months.
Changes in sexual function. During perimenopause, sexual arousal and desire may change. But for most women who had satisfactory sexual intimacy before menopause, this will continue through perimenopause and beyond.
Loss of bone. With declining estrogen levels, you start to lose bone more quickly than you replace it, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.
Changing cholesterol levels. Declining estrogen levels may lead to unfavorable changes in your blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol — decreases in many women as they age, which also increases the risk of heart disease.
When to see a doctor
Some women seek medical attention for their perimenopausal symptoms. But others either tolerate the changes or simply don't experience symptoms severe enough to warrant attention. Because subtle symptoms may come on gradually, you may not realize at first that they're all connected to the same thing — fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone, another key female hormone.

If you do experience symptoms that interfere with your life or well-being, such as hot flashes, mood swings or changes in sexual function that concern you, see your doctor.

[Blessed4Life2]

Melissa,

This is from the Mayo Clinic


Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
During the perimenopausal period some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — changes in your body may occur. Some things you might experience include:

Menstrual irregularity. As ovulation becomes more erratic, the intervals between periods may be longer or shorter, your flow may be scanty to profuse, and you may skip some periods. Early perimenopause is defined as a change in your menstrual cycle length of more than seven days. Late perimenopause is characterized by two or more missed periods and an interval of 60 days or more between periods.
Hot flashes and sleep problems. About 65 to 75 percent of women experience hot flashes, most commonly during late perimenopause. The intensity, duration and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but sometimes sleep becomes erratic even without them.
Mood changes. Some women experience mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression during perimenopause, but the cause of these symptoms may be sleep disruption caused by hot flashes. Mood changes may also be caused by factors not related to the hormonal changes of perimenopause.
Vaginal and bladder problems. When estrogen levels diminish, your vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen levels may also leave you more vulnerable to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence.
Decreasing fertility. As ovulation becomes irregular, your ability to conceive decreases. However, as long as you're having periods, pregnancy remains a possibility. If you wish to avoid pregnancy, use birth control until you've had no periods for 12 months.
Changes in sexual function. During perimenopause, sexual arousal and desire may change. But for most women who had satisfactory sexual intimacy before menopause, this will continue through perimenopause and beyond.
Loss of bone. With declining estrogen levels, you start to lose bone more quickly than you replace it, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.
Changing cholesterol levels. Declining estrogen levels may lead to unfavorable changes in your blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol — decreases in many women as they age, which also increases the risk of heart disease.
When to see a doctor
Some women seek medical attention for their perimenopausal symptoms. But others either tolerate the changes or simply don't experience symptoms severe enough to warrant attention. Because subtle symptoms may come on gradually, you may not realize at first that they're all connected to the same thing — fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone, another key female hormone.

If you do experience symptoms that interfere with your life or well-being, such as hot flashes, mood swings or changes in sexual function that concern you, see your doctor.

Wow very very informative....thanks girlie . I printed this, and will keep it for future reference.

I must not be in peri yet cuz I dont have any symptoms except hot flashes, and that could be due to my thyroid issues.