still searching for comments on estrogen

[vmartennis]

Anyone out there who has successfully lost weight on Atkins while continuing their HRT?

[liv]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

I am not doing HRT but I have been reading about it. Just to know what is out there and what options are avaiable as I head into menopause. And as far as low carbing goes and weightloss I have seen women state that HRT has not prevented their weightloss.
ttdriver (betty) was on HRT when she started Atkins in 2004 and she lost great and is one of those Atkins success stories that we all are so proud of.

I think it is hard to get those last pounds to move no matter what you are or are not doing. Your menu in your other thread looked to be very good.
Have you thought of trying some coconut oil? Some people find it helps them. Exercise is a good way to try to help metabolism along.

[vmartennis]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

Thanks Liv for responding. I appreciate that someone has dealt with this estrogen issue. Atkins spoke so negatively a/b estrogen that I am concerned that is obstacle for me, as this stupid scale doesn't move. I guess I am too scale obsessive, but I think it should have moved a bit. Anyway, I realize that after having done Atkins before, a few years ago, that I had forgotten how great the benefits are. I will never go back to my old "carb" way of eating. I guess I should have listened to my Holistic Dr, back in 1980, when he diagnosed me with hypoglycemia. Other Drs. didn't get it and they always told me to eat chocolate or drink orange juice when I got "hunger shakes". Alas, the holistic guy was on the right track. It's proein and fat I needed with a small veggie carb, but I had to learn by consequence. So, here I am and I need to lose at least 20 lbs, because of my knees and my energy. Tennis instuctors need to be fit.
Enough a/b that. Tell me about coconut oil. What does it do and why?
How much do you think I need? Any comments will help. Thanks, Veronica

[sallyseachange]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

How cool to be a tennis instructor!
Sorry... I don't do HRT either, so am not able to help you here. I believe lots lose very happily while on HRT though.

[liv]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

About coconut oil
I suggest Google it and do some research. I got interested in it when I read Eat Fat, Lose Fat by Enig and Fallon. They are really big on coconuts and coconut oil.
They suggest starting the day with some coconut oil in a warm drink like tea or coffee. I add some to green tea when I do this. They suggest using 3-6 tablespoons throughout the day of oil. But I think to get used to it you have to start small. I am up to maybe one and a half teaspoon in my tea.

[amazon1]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

I'm using HRT too. I take 1 mg a day of estradiol but do 12 days of prometrium (200 mg) only every third month. I think this regimen is what made me gain over 20 pounds in 2 or 3 years. Atkins says that estrogen makes it very hard to lose weight and causes fat gain.

I just started serious Atkins but I was on pretty low carb for many years and stayed pretty thin. I gave up sugar, grains, dairy, and potatoes. So I think it's either menopause, the HRT or maybe I gradually started eating more.

So far my weight loss has been slow but I'm 5'6" and now about 136 lbs. (would like to get down to about 125). Let's keep comparing notes.

[vmartennis]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

That's why I'm wondering about the estrogen issue. A year or so before I began HRT, I gained 20 lbs over period of approx. 4 months.... for no reason that I could justify. I was horrified. My GYN said that it was very common for peri-menopause. That twenty pounds has never gone away completely. So, even without the HRT, I experienced weight gain. My estrogen helps me a lot. My Dr.suggests that I continue and says that she doesn't think it is the source of my problem. I wonder about caffeine or maybe dairy. I can decaffeinate, but the cheese is an important part of my diet. It adds character to some otherwise boring menu items and it is a great quick snack. Anyway, I think I've lost 2 lbs in 6 weeks. That's not really so terrible if I knew that it would continue. The scale hasn't moved for 4 weeks. It's very discouraging. But I perservere. Thanks for your response. I was beginning to feel alone.
I can't stay on induction forever. I need new recipes already. I'm getting bored.

[amazon1]

Re: still searching for comments on estrogen

Atkin's does have a section in which he says that estrogen definitely causes weight gain. I lent someone my book. Maybe menopause and HRT both cause weight gain?! Doesn't make a lot of sense but it seems to be the case.