TriVeggies

Lately, when it comes to health and wellness, I’ve been struggling. Not with my training – the plan is progressing well, and any missed workouts are my own fault. And not with my overall health, which much to my delight just passed a few key metrics – cholesterol, A1C, iron, etc. – with solid success. No, I’ve been struggling with my weight, which has over just a few months ticked up a solid 5 pounds, closing in on 8 pounds over the course of the calendar year, despite my eating the same as I always have and – did I mention – despite training for a half-Ironman race. 

I have a nutritionist, who is amazing (and who can take credit in large part for my improvements in my health metrics). I monitor my food intake. I work out nine times a week. So, pray tell, what gives?

I was plumbing the depths of the Mayo Clinic’s website today on my renewed quest to find answers when I stumbled upon an article discussing menopausal weight gain. Now, I’m not quite to the pearly gates of menopause just yet, though at 43 I am definitely marching up the road toward it. And imagine my surprise when I got to this article and realized that I am most certainly not alone!

Turns out, menopausal weight gain has a few key characteristics: The weight comes on very quickly, with no change in fitness or nutrition behavior, and – and this is one of the parts I hate – it often comes on all in the midsection, right around the belly. Sure enough, on my Sunday long run today I felt that belly just a’bouncing, jiggling along with every step. And no matter what the “Love your body” movement espouses, I do NOT love that feeling. Not one little bit. Nor do I love how much more work it takes to cover a mile than it used to due to the extra poundage.

In a lot of ways, I’m actually relieved to find that this is a Thing, that it’s not just me, that I’m not sleepwalking to the pantry at night for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (and believe me, I’ve been at such a loss for answers that I’ve actually checked my indoor camera in the morning to make sure!). I haven’t gone soft in my diet and fitness plan. I haven’t gone crazy (well, not about this, anyway). That realization in itself – that it’s likely not “my fault” – is a major comfort, even if the end result is the same.

Unfortunately, the good old Mayo Clinic didn’t have a lot of solutions for those of us who are already neck-deep in workouts and training, who are already counting calories and sticking to macros. But as I continued my way through scholarship and coverage of this topic – and let’s be clear, there isn’t a ton out there about it, as with so many other female-focused issues – another article did say one thing that has stuck with me: In essence, what got me here won’t get me there. What has helped me be successful up to this point isn’t enough to sustain my success going forward. In short, I’ve gotta step it up.

Great. 😉

But! At least now I know. And whereas before I was much more concerned with sticking to my overall calories and keeping an eye on protein, now I will keep a much more watchful eye on my carb intake as well. Already today, I’m making adjustments on that front: Gone are our regular tortillas for Fajita Night and instead, the “carb focused” version has arrived. Given my training requirements, I’ll never be able to go super low-carb, but being mindful of it will surely help. 

On the workout front, in May I started going to rowing classes at the Row House (more on that later – hit me up for info in the meantime!) with the hope that it would help make me stronger, as strength training isn’t ever something I’ve prioritized (and it shows). Maintaining muscle mass is going to be even more important in the face of perimenopause, so I’ll definitely keep that up.

And while I wait for the scale to slide downward a tick or two, I’ll do my best to extend grace to myself. My body does so much for me, from propelling me miles and miles on foot, by bike and in the water to keeping my cholesterol in check and fighting off viruses and bacteria wherever it can. I’m truly appreciative for all it does for me – never more so than when these little age-related speed bumps crop up!

Meanwhile, if you’ve got any tips and tricks to share, I’m all ears! Post ’em in the comments – or drop me a line if you’re not feeling especially public at the moment.