Thank you for writing.

I am sorry to hear you are on the ‘irregular period roller coaster ride’ that is the hallmark of perimenopause.

If you feel you need a second opinion from a certified menopause practitioner/doctor, The North American Menopause Society can provide you a list in your area.

http://www.menopause.org/ReferralService.aspx

Just enter your zip code, and voila – an expert in your area.

My co-author did an excellent interview about irregular periods:

http://menopausemakeover.com/2010/02/15/irregular-periods-during-perimenopause/

It can be frustrating when you are so close to 12 months without a period, then you get one. I went back on birth control pills to avoid this aggravation and to manage hot flashes. But we are all different. A second opinion may sooth your frustrations.

I too suffered from weight gain. There is no magic pill, but there is a magic formula! The Menopause Makeover 8-step 12-week plan changed my life. Here are a few highlights to get you started.

Eat every 3-4 hours. Each meal should include lean protein (chicken, turkey, fish, low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese, egg whites, protein powder), low glycemic carbs (brown rice instead of white bread, brown rice instead of white rice, yams instead of potatoes, lots of veggies and fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil). Limit alcohol to one drink per day and no smoking.

This way of eating will get your metabolism going again to burn calories. Since we are aging our metabolism is slowing. Also we are losing muscle mass = burning less calories. Throw in stress (cortisol hormone) and weight gain can be frustrating losing self esteem.

Also, eating LESS can set your body into survival mode, holding on to every pound. Click here and find out your average actual metabolism:

http://menopausemakeover.com/toolbox/full-body-analysis/

You should not be less than 1200 calories per day. I coach women daily that are not eating enough. Once they start eating every 3-4 hours honoring The Menopause Makeover Food Pyramid strategy (summarized above), the weight falls off.

Start exercising most days of the week. Just wearing a pedometer and walking 10,000 steps a day can equal a 5 pound monthly weight loss Change up your exercise if you are already working out most days of the week. Try a new way of exercising, or increase your duration and/or intensity.

Start pampering yourself. Take time for YOU. Menopause means
Me-No-Pause.

Ask for support. Surround yourself with loving people.

We are all different. No one menopause symptom treatment plan works for
everyone. We must change the way we eat during menopause to accommodate a slower metabolism, and add daily exercise.

I have an online support group – some menopausal women and some not – doing The Menopause Makeover food and exercise portion of the plan with great
success. After 12 weeks, most of the women have lost 15-25 pounds depending on their goals.

http://community.eharlequin.com/content/menopause-makeover

Congrats on wanting to take control of your health.