At Slimming World, we understand that many women worry about the effect the menopause could have on their weight loss – and we’re here to offer advice and support to help you achieve and maintain your dream target weight, while managing your menopause symptoms.
We recently surveyed 2,472 Slimming World members who were either going through the perimenopause or who had already experienced the menopause – here’s what we found:
- Around 90% of members who were currently going through perimenopause reported that they were experiencing symptoms. The five most common ones were feeling tired or lacking energy (51%), having difficulty concentrating (38%) and/or sleeping (37%), memory problems (30%) and a loss of interest in sex (29%).
- In the study, 85% of women said that, in their experience, weight loss is more challenging during the perimenopause and/or after the menopause.
- More than three-quarters (79%) of women reported that their body shape changed as a result of the perimenopause and/or menopause.
- An impressive 79% of those surveyed had successfully lost weight with Slimming World during the perimenopause or after the menopause.
Slimming World member Sue Sykes found that losing weight helped her to manage her menopause symptoms.
Sue says: “Aged 49 and weighing more than 20st, I was starting to go through the menopause and experiencing up to 20 hot flushes a day. I don’t think my weight helped, because I would overheat so quickly anyway. On top of that, I’d started to experience mood swings and I felt permanently sluggish – so much so that every afternoon I’d want to reach for a sugar fix. I was on medication for my blood pressure and, as well as being checked out for heart issues, I was advised that I was at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
I’d known for a long time that I needed to do something. Then I went to see my doctor, and she explained that if I lost weight, a lot of the menopause symptoms I was experiencing might improve. I joined Slimming World in October 2016, and lost 9lbs in that first week. It was a real light-bulb moment – this time, I was determined I would lose weight and keep it off.
A year later, I’d lost 4st 8lbs and I was definitely getting fewer hot flushes. I’m sure my three Scottish terriers were glad I was getting fitter, too! Before I lost weight, I’d take them on the quickest, shortest walks possible – now I love taking them on long strolls along the beach.
Since then, I’ve lost a total of 9st and I weigh a healthy 11st 1lb. I still have the occasional hot flush, but my menopause symptoms are so much better and I have loads more energy. Now, my main ambition is to enjoy my healthier, more active lifestyle and embrace the new me!”
Read Sue’s full slimming success story here
Dr Amanda Avery, Slimming World’s health and research consultant dietitian, says:
“Every woman’s experience of the menopause is unique. Some women might face new challenges, which can make the idea of losing weight seem impossible. Reassuringly, evidence shows that eating a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining an active lifestyle can help women to manage symptoms and lose weight at this time in their lives. For Slimming World members who are going through the menopause, support and advice is available to help them stay on track with their weight loss while managing their symptoms.”
More for members
We have so much support available for our members who are experiencing the menopause, including:
- a full list of foods and extra advice on managing the menopause through diet and exercise in this article
- a special 7-day menopause menu to help support your health and manage symptoms here
- an exclusive just-for-members menopause podcast
*Data collated in September 2023, from an online poll of 2,472 Slimming World group and online members who were either experiencing the perimenopause or who had already gone through the menopause.