Weight Gain, Hormones and Menopause

Calories in, and calories out are not enough to maintain or lose weight. There is some truth to this statement, however, when you reach the menopausal stage your hormone levels begin to change. These hormonal changes will alter your body in how you store fat, where you store fat, and how quickly you can lose fat. It is a stage of a woman's life that we all have to go through.

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- About Dr. Mary Claire Haver and The Galveston Diet -
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a passionate women’s health advocate who believes women in midlife deserve to live their best life. She cuts through fat-shaming and fads, so women are empowered with the science behind anti-inflammation nutrition.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a wife, mom, physician, and entrepreneur who has devoted her adult life to women’s health. As a Board-Certified OBGYN in the Houston area, Dr. Haver has delivered thousands of babies, completed thousands of well-woman exams, counseled patients, taught residents, and did everything an academic professor and OBGYN could do.

As her patient population aged, Dr. Haver was overwhelmed with the number of complaints and concerns her patients had with weight gain while going through menopause. For years, she told her patients to eat less and exercise more. It wasn't until she experienced the changes of menopause and mid-life weight gain that she realized this advice doesn't work and ultimately led to her creating and developing a new program, The Galveston Diet.

The Galveston Diet is the first and only nutrition program created by a Female OBGYN, designed for women in menopause. The Galveston Diet helps women reach their health and wellness goals through an anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition. Dr. Haver believes in food's power to combat inflammation and highly recommends the unlimited benefits of intermittent fasting. As part of her ongoing research, she became certified in Culinary Medicine in 2019, specializing in medical nutrition.

[christinemurphy]

Why in the world are more women not taught these things way, way earlier like in our twenties? It's such a big, complicated issue that's so effects our entire lives and relationships and even our finances that I can't believe were not taught all about this monster called menopause at a much earlier stage of life. Thank you for everything you have researched and are educating others like myself. I really appreciate it!!!

[shearrermadness]

Found this video and feel so validated. In the last year my body does not feel like my own. Weight gain in my stomach, I look pregnant ☹️. Hot flashes, night sweats, and now joint pain, along with other things

[vallane]

I'm 61 now. I went up to 185 in weight. I started to fast for 24 hours then eat nature protein( cottage cheese for eg.) And plant base. Then increased it to 32 hours. Went on weight training journey.Heavy weights, till I can't do it, every morning.I now weigh 160, no belly fat, feel unbelievable.That all happened in 6 months. I love my new life. No pills, no pain, no fat, and rebuilding muscles.I feel like I'm 20

[Cwgrlup]

The fat doesn’t redistribute— it gets added to the gut. I’m an RN and I’m 56 and no one taught me this which is really frustrating. I had to figure this out on my own with research. I should have an MD behind my BSN by now.
I also think we become insulin RESISTANT YEARS BEFORE it shows on our glucose tests.
I ride 50 + miles a DAY and am eating virtually nothing and am STILL gaining weight.
No diet has helped me— NONE.
It makes me mad that I actually had to tell my rheumatologist 4 times that I felt like I was insulin resistant and she argued with me that my labs were “normal.”
I don’t think we need education— I think other PHYSICIANS need education.
By the way, you look amazing for your age.

[mammamaggi]

We are all in this together, ladies. Hundreds of years ago we all rallied around one another in our tribes and circles. We supported one another and helped every transition; from puberty to child bearing/family growing to menopause transition - together. Reading this stream of comments helped warm my heart that we’re all doing it still - even though it may be digitally. None of us are alone on our journey. Thank you for this great video, doc. Love your authenticity and heart!

[mrss]

Weight gain, insomnia, horrible irribility and mood swings, anxiety. My family is having to deal with my crazyness and im suffering horribly. I do have hope thank you for all your knowledge ❤️🙏

[marandakeck]

First three minutes in and she described what happened to me with weight gain spot on! Went from 145 to 202 my current weight within 4 years!! Never a weight issue prior. Don’t recognize myself!

[daisymillerable]

wow. you taught me more about menopause in 16 minutes than I think I've learned in my entire life. i'm 40 and have been noticing some cycle changes and weight distribution despite being more active and generally less stressed than ever in my life, which is a bit scary so THANK YOU FOR THIS

[darlenemullin]

Thanks for this breakdown. I'm 60 now and finished menopause at 49. I've always been slim. The last 2 years with the pandemic is where I started with a tummy. I'm still thin, but I have a tummy I never had. Now I understand what I've been going through. I went through it all cold turkey, no hormone replacement. It was hard. Now I know why. Thanks.

[marnieverlinden]

You just described exactly what I’m going through for the last 2 years! I was healthy, had a slim figure with no belly ever. Had to babies in my early 40s, weighed less after birth than I do now at 49! I feel so defeated. 😦

[TobyTuesday]

I am 44 year old female. 5’11”, athletic frame, until two years ago I was consistently 140 pounds since age 18. Over the past two years: increasingly longer and heavier periods, weight 180 pounds, bra size went from 34 C to 38 DD. I don’t recognize my body anymore- even ramping up my cardio
& strength training not helping. Recently cut out refined sugar….and most processed food.
I was a prof. athlete- turned nurse….this is driving me nuts! Thank you for your sound advice and evidenced supported data/ findings…will be following-up! 💖

[breatherepeat]

Thank you for this video, and thank you to everyone who commented below. I don't feel alone anymore. I'm 47, and in the past year have rapidly gained 27 lbs despite walking a minimum of 4 miles a day and maintaining a healthy vegetarian diet. I've always had a bit of a stress pot belly due to a rough childhood, but this past year the weight is piling on in my belly area, thighs, and hips. I look pregnant, and none of my clothes fit me anymore. It's sad and despite my efforts to walk more, lift weights, and eat strictly clean, I'm still gaining weight. People's comments about how my size has increased isn't helping. It's defeating. But it's consoling to know I'm not alone, so thanks to everyone out there for commenting.

[detrapayne]

Everything she is saying is true. I am feeling it all and now have gained a great deal of weight and am having the hardest time to lose it. I am also noticing that I am losing strength when I have always been very strong. 8lb dumbells feel like 20lbs. I do some form of work out daily because I am trying to reverse all of this, it is very hard and I am not losing but I am determined. Keeping faith.

[moonshynegirl]

I'm balling my eyes out. I needed to find you! I was overweight when I started into peri-menopause. I am now more than 100lbs overweight. Yes, borderline diabetic. Brain fog so extreme, I just want to live in a bubble so I don't have to deal with anything. That way I can't keep messing things up. Seriously, my job may be on the line.
Thank you. I am looking forward to trying the Galveston way of eating!

[laurasebastian]

I'm 57 and in the past year, my body has totally followed this to the letter. I always have eaten healthy and been fairly active. Despite this, I have belly fat that I never had before in my life! It's totally freaking me out because I feel like I have no control over what is happening. I've known for a while that visceral fat is dangerous, but your detailed explanation of the process gives me something to grasp both logically and experientially. I'm so glad you've found this new life purpose because we need you ;). And now I kind of want to cry.... Thank you.

[chrismahoney]

I turned 50 and it was like I became someone else. Gained 30 lbs, hot flashes and night sweats. Never had weight problems ever. Nothing has been working at all. Thank you for the information ❤

[marlene]

Wow! So happy I found this video. I’m 51 and in peri-menopause. I have all the symptoms and insomnia 😩 The weight gain is embarrassing. I’ve made changes in my nutrition and continue to make them. Thanks for this thorough and easy to understand explanation of what’s happening to my body.

[ipekkutlu]

I start to think being a woman is such a challenge that I want a reward or some kind of recognition that I did it! Yay:) I am so touched Dr. Haver for your perseverance and kindness. Your care can be felt through your videos. You are inspiring.

[stacyfolston]

I stay in shape at age 52 as a CNA walking app. 5 miles a shift and transferring obese residents in hoyers really gives your core a workout (plus rolling obese residents to be changed). It's strenuous but I'm getting paid ($25 a hr) and getting a workout! Plus I enjoy helping the residents 😊

[karenwalker]

Dr. Mary! I’m so happy I found you, a year after u made this video, but better late than never! I’ve been miserable w post menopausal weight gain, 25 pounds worth!😳😩 I swear I never had a weight problem ever and I’m grateful I found you!