Diet is an option, since I can't think how someone with a bad knee could exercise enough.

Hi Ruth,
I just saw another post with this same problem. You can ask your friend to participate in low impact activities such as walking, swimming and playing golf.

Hello Sandra,

First, I am a newbie in this forum and Canadian at that as well.
I read your post and I too have been experiencing the same problem,
I am going through pre-menopausal at 47 and feel that I am getting
chubby in the mid section.
I have started to watch my daily calorie intake and not go over 1200
calorie a day and it is very difficult, I usually go up to 1500 calorie,
I havent gain weight but I havent' lost it neither. I loved those carbs.

So this is what I started to do.

I joined facebook and got the diet application and it calculates how
much I eat and how much I exercise, so far it's been a great way to
keep track of what I ate, and it's free.

Next I bought a pilates machine to get resistance training and I
absolutely love it and I am noticing a difference, but no weight loss.

Because I am premenopausal and moody, I just picked up a
therapy light to give me energy and to lift my mood because I
want to do this naturally. Here in Canada, are insurance plan
covers the cost of the lights. Just got it so don't know if it's going
to work, but people rave about it.

Next I want to purchase some of the prime hoodia people are
talking about on this forum, but can't get it here in Canada:omg:

Well enough ranting at my end, hope your trip down menopausal lane
is a good one.
All the best, Lise

I am 45, and have been on the pre-menopausal trip for years!! (called Perimenopause).
I started that mess in my very late 20's, and I have been on Lupron Depo Shots for a Year already.

The reason was for the irregular periods, and abnormal and excessive bleeding,(2-3 months constant)
I have seen My Gyno, and she will be taking me off Lupron because I should be completely finished with the perimenopause.
I say all this to let you know that Yes, Peri and full Menopause causes weight gain, so does Hormone Replacement Therapy, and please don't already be overweight, then you'll REALLY CATCH HELL!!

Can you lists low impact exercises? Because jogging hurt my knees a lot. Thanks.

Walking - walk faster and try to use your arms. you can also mix it up by trying short bursts of speed or an uphill walk
Use stairs - whether it's real stairs or the gym's revolving staircase
Hiking
Step Aerobics
Swimming

I'm post-menopausal. (my minnows have paused LOL) And I've lost a bit of weight by just eating not only basically healthy, natural food choices but watching my portions. When I lived in Japan, portions were smaller, even the teaspoons are smaller. And when my daughter came back from there a few yrs. ago after a semester study abroad program, she looked svelte. She has kept off the "freshman 15" several years now. This helps to avoid the "forbidden food obsessing syndrome." You eat sensibly and watch the lbs. drop. As for exercise, I only walk the 'hood and infrequently at best. Thank you.

Thanks jennyed for the reply. Ill do the exercises that you listed.

Is south beach diet really effective?

Can you lose a considerable amount of weight just by exercising regularly but eating like you normally do (three full meals, snacks every once in a while, that kind of thing)

I don't think exercising without dieting is good for losing weight; I think it's more applicable for weight maintenance. If you're taking in the same calories that you burn, you will not gain weight, but you will not lose weight either. At least cut down on high calorie foods and those bought from fast foods, plus increase water intake. Three full meals and snacks in between are fine, just eat healthier.

take your height and weight and calculate for your body mass index. find out how many calories you need to take in a day to maintain your weight. then plan your meals so that you take fewer calories than that so you can lose weight.

exercise alone will increase your mass. but it'll take longer before you become leaner.