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Unexplained Weight Gain
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Clyde0005 posted:
I am a 56 yr old woman, 5'8" tall and currently over 212 lbs. I have never weighed over 190 lbs, and that was only right after my pregnancies, then I went back to about 145-150.

Everyday I walk on the treadmill at a brisk walk on incline for 1/2 hour. The treadmill measures 190 calories. Weather permitting I will also walk a park trail at lunch at about 3.5mph with inclines for 1/2 hour. Every other day I work out with weights on the lower half. On opposing days I work out the upper half.

I have been keeping a food diary and average 1400 calories per day. This is fruit, vegetables, protein, and very little breads. I have limited dessert to 1 or 2 a week and an occasional soda on the weekend.

I have had a blood test and ultrasound for my thyroid. The doctor said the blood tests are on the lower end and one thyroid is slightly enlarged, but both are in the normal range.

My weight just keeps increasing even though I have been doing this for about 3 months now. so I know it isn't just me building muscle. I am going through menapause and my stomach keeps getting larger despite the exercise. Any suggestions on what may be wrong or that I may be doing wrong?
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Unexplained Weight GainI am a 56 yr old woman, 5'8" tall and currently over 212 lbs. I have never weighed over 190 lbs, and that was only right after my pregnancies, then I went back to about 145-150. <br /> <br />Everyday I walk on the treadmill at a brisk walk on incline for 1/2 hour. The treadmill measures 190 calories. Weather permitting I will also walk a park trail at lunch at about 3.5mph with inclines for 1/2 hour. Every other day I work out with weights on the lower half. On opposing days I work out the upper half. <br /> <br />I have been keeping a food diary and average 1400 calories per day. This is fruit, vegetables, protein, and very little breads. I have limited dessert to 1 or 2 a week and an occasional soda on the weekend.<br /> <br />I have had a blood test and ultrasound for my thyroid. The doctor said the blood tests are on the lower end and one thyroid is slightly enlarged, but both are in the normal range. <br /> <br />My weight just keeps increasing even though I have been doing this for about 3 months now. so I know it isn't just me building muscle. I am going through menapause and my stomach keeps getting larger despite the exercise. Any suggestions on what may be wrong or that I may be doing wrong?
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:
Dear Clyde0005,
Even without any weight gain, many women (probably most) notice an increase in girth around the middle. Unfortunately, as we get older, our basal metabolic rates do tend to slow, menopause or no menopause, and for men as well. Although it sounds like you are pretty active, you may need to even bump up the activities even more. And I would keep tabs on your thyroid, to make sure its activities don't decline even more.
So keep up the good work, don't give up, and keep working with your health care provider,
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:Unexplained Weight GainDear Clyde0005,<br />Even without any weight gain, many women (probably most) notice an increase in girth around the middle. Unfortunately, as we get older, our basal metabolic rates do tend to slow, menopause or no menopause, and for men as well. Although it sounds like you are pretty active, you may need to even bump up the activities even more. And I would keep tabs on your thyroid, to make sure its activities don't decline even more.<br />So keep up the good work, don't give up, and keep working with your health care provider,<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
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