weight loss after hysterectomy

5 Easy Things To Do To Lose Weight This Month

5 Easy Things To Do To Lose Weight This Month

5 Easy Things To Do To Lose Weight This Month

Are There Easy Things To Do To Lose Weight This Month?

Updated 3/29/2022

I originally wrote this article in 2020. Since that time so much has changed for me as far as nutrition and exercise so I wanted to update. Today at 60, many of these tips still apply but I have a few more to add which you will find at the bottom.

Losing weight. After 50, sometimes after 40, we women notice a shift in our bodies. I noticed this shift following my hysterectomy. Seemed like my metabolism had flown the coop – or my at least my body. Seriously? Why has it become so flipping hard to lose weight in my 50’s?

And therein lies the key to our lack of success. We obsess. We look at every morsel we put in our mouths. If the scale ticks up so much as 1/10 of a pound, we are depressed for the rest of the day.

But guess what happens when you tell yourself you will EASILY reach your weight goals instead of focusing on losing weight? That you will focus on making little changes that will push you toward reaching your goal? You shift the way your brain views things.

Your brain works toward REACHING your goals instead of focusing on what you perceive as failures. (Yes I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and keep a positive mindset on every facet of my life. Trust me. It’s even in the bible: “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7)

I am a glass half full type of gal even when it comes to my health. Since my hysterectomy, I’ve looked for many quick fixes to shed my belly fat. I’ve tried fasting. I’ve tried counting points. I’ve tried pills. I’ve tried keto. Every lotion, potion or pill, I’ve tried it. Guess what happens EVERY SINGLE TIME? I lose a few pounds then end up gaining back MORE than what I lost.

What does work? Baby steps. Every single day. Focusing on 5 simple steps. When you stumble? Let it go and get back on track with your next meal and make sure you drink your water and move. That’s it. Ready? Let’s do this!

  1. Eat a fruit or vegetable FIRST at every meal.  For breakfast, I put a fruit in my meal replacement shake.  At lunch, I usually eat a salad before my soup or sandwich.  At dinner, again the first thing I eat is a salad or possibly a vegetable appetizer like roasted brussel sprouts.  Resolution 1 – eat a fruit or vegetable FIRST at ever meal.
  2. Eat 3 meals per day high in protein low in carbs. Be sure to read this next: Are Carbs Making Me Fat.  Okay this may be a tough one for many to wrap their brains around as we have been programmed lately to eat every 2 hours or so.  Yes that works for many, HOWEVER, it does not work for me or my lifestyle.  I have gone back to basics eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the scale is showing results. Resolution 2 – eat 3 meals per day.
  3. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces in water.  If you weight 180 pounds, you MUST drink 90 ounces of water every day. There is NO EXCEPTION to this resolution. Resolution 3 – drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water every day.
  4. Exercise 3 times per week.  I recommend 2 – 3 high intensity interval training programs and 1 gentle flow yoga session. Resolution 4 – exercise 3 times per week.
  5. Weigh yourself.  You will not know how far you’ve come if you don’t know where you started. Resolution 5 – weigh yourself once or twice a week. Scales provide so much information. This is the one I use and love: Smart Digital Scale

Additional Easy Things To Do To Lose Weight This Month:

All of the tips above still apply but in the past two years, I’ve added these tips also

  • On days I’m home, I fast in the morning. I can’t do this on days I’m teaching my classes as one of my classes is intense. On the other days however, I won’t eat until noon. I have my coffee and get a jump start on my water.
  • Water. Again back to water. In addition to drinking water throughout the day, I drink a full glass before my meals.
  • Cut back on portions and meals. Again as mentioned above, I eat 3 meals per day BUT I’ve significanly cut back on portion sizes. Heavy on my plate is protein and vegetables.
  • No evening snacking. This was a bit tough for me as I like to have something to munch on when I’m unwinding from the day. If I do feel peckish, I turn to popcorn. It’s a snack I enjoy and it is just enough to take the edge off.

Today. Make the commitment to do one of the above. Just one. That’s where you start. You CAN do this.

has my hysterectomy stopped me from losing weight

Has my hysterectomy stopped me from losing weight?

It never ceases to amaze me that many folks believe that having a hysterectomy will not affect the body in any way. Well let me rephrase that. That having a piece of you literally cut out won’t have any repercussions. I say bull. And I’ll tell you why.

Too many years I’ve been focused on losing weight since my hysterectomy. Almost obsessed to be honest with you. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of research and guess what I learned? If you had a complete hysterectomy which includes the removal of your ovaries, and are kicked into menopause, yes it will make it more difficult to lose weight.

Well imagine that. Why didn’t someone tell me that from the beginning instead of saying eat less. Exercise more. Hysterectomies won’t cause an issue with weight gain. Along with all the other bs we’re told.

This type of thing is exactly why I chose a women ob/gyn. The problem here though is that because she was much younger than I am, she didn’t have the experience of having a hysterectomy. Matter of fact? She was pregnant when she performed my surgery. She can only tell me what she knows and has learned.

online fitness classes denise
Join me online here: Online Fitness Classes with Denise

It takes someone walking through the journey to understand what a woman’s body goes through. Whether it’s starting your period, having a baby, or going through menopause or hysterectomy, it takes the experience.

For me personally? It’s been a battle as far as weight loss and dealing with the weight in my midsection. Recent changes have made a difference. I follow a balanced, mainly vegetarian nutrition program combined with teaching my fitness classes. This is something that happened accidentally but which has resulted in 15 pounds lost so far. Without killing myself.

There simply are so many moving pieces to the puzzle after menopause no matter which way you’ve come through it – medically or naturally. DON’T let anyone try to guilt you into making you think it’s something you are or are not doing. My friends that didn’t have a hysterectomy, or if they did but still have their ovaries, are not dealing with the same issues I am.

It ticks me off big time when someone says to me “I had a hysterectomy but I don’t have a weight problem.” When you dig further, most times it’s because they didn’t have a complete hysterectomy and still have their ovaries. Yes it makes that much of a difference.

To get back on track, focus first on your nutrition by eating clean and drinking the water your body needs. If you do better following a set program, there are two programs that I personally recommend. The first one is PaleoGrubs and the 2nd one is Noom.

The Paleo Grubs Book is hands down the number one resource we use on a daily basis to not only make Paleo work, but to make it work more easily. Some key features of the book:

Over 470 Recipes – Sure, there are plenty of recipes online for free, but when you want consistent results, you have to trust your source. Detailed pictures and simple steps make all the difference.

Desserts are Included – We wouldn’t have lasted a week on Paleo without a steady stream of waistline friendly desserts. Don’t use willpower, satisfy your cravings for the sweet stuff.

Crock Pot Recipes Make Paleo Easy – Includes a separate recipe guide full of slow cooker Paleo dishes that puts your success on autopilot. Spend less time cooking and still lose weight and look great.

Hate following recipe instructions? It’s probably not your fault, but the recipe itself. The instructions in this book are easy to follow, so much so that even we were surprised. And the photos are professionally taken, so they’ll spur you on to create what you see.

In case you haven’t noticed yet, The Paleo Grubs Book gets our highest recommendation and if you want to try it out you get it instantly, so you can cook up your first recipe tonight while you’re still excited.

One thing we’ve found, this book has actually saved us a lot of money, not only in the form of time, but also because:

– You won’t waste money buying unneeded items at the grocery store.

– You’ll learn how to make your own food from scratch rather than buying pre-packaged items.

– You’ll save yourself from the head trip of having to plan out your meals every day or week.

It’s basically a lifestyle upgrade that takes the Paleo diet from being a confusing and stressful monkey on your back to a simple and easy-to-follow plan that you can use to create the body you’ve always wanted. Click here to get the PaleoGrubs book and get started: Paleo Grubs

Both Noom & Paleo are balanced, easy to follow programs but depending on which level you choose, there is a fee for Noom where Paleo Grubs is a one time purchase. Noom does provide you with a 2 week trial period though that you can try for a donation of your choice. You can get more info here: Noom I liked Noom but it was more involved on a day to day basis for me and I prefer simple which is why I think Paleo Grubs works better.

Again, don’t let ANYONE make you feel bad about yourself. Even those closest to us often say things that can be hurtful but they honestly don’t know any better. They’re not walking in your shoes.

What I learned by failing at losing weight after my hysterectomy.

What I learned by failing at losing weight after my hysterectomy.

A woman’s body is a beautiful thing. Truly incredible in everything it does with grace throughout our lifetimes. And like women themselves, a woman’s body is never just one thing. From childhood to “becoming” a woman to bearing children through menopause, the female body goes through many phases and transitions.

I personally think it’s a miracle the way a woman’s body goes through so many transitions and bounces back. Think about how the pelvis spreads open during childbirth before returning to its normal position.

One thing I don’t think a woman’s body is designed for, however, is the suddenness of having the uterus removed. My journey has been absolutely insane since I had my hysterectomy over five years ago and I believe the crazy journey will continue at least a few more years. And from the emails and messages I get, I know I’m not alone.

Think about it. Every piece of our body is there for a reason. There will be trying times when any of it is removed suddenly. Before my hysterectomy, all I kept hearing was you’re going to gain weight. You’re going to have mood swings. You’re going to have hot flashes and night flashes. For me, those things were true. Many of us deal with the same issues due to hysterectomy or menopause.

But all that aside, I was consumed with trying to keep the weight off. The more I allowed it to consume me, the worst it became. I needed to let it go and put my focus elsewhere to allow the healing to continue. That is what I eventually did.

What I learned by failing at losing weight after my hysterectomy.

It took one doctor’s visit to do that. When my doctor told me that my blood pressure was up over 30 points and with my family history of heart disease, I knew that’s where I needed to focus. Immediately.

I did try a few quick fix weight loss plans. One was keto that did work short term but not long term for me. One size does not fit all and you have to find what works for you. Keto works for many but not for me. Click here to read: Why I don’t do Keto anymore.

Completely taking the focus off weight loss and instead focusing on heart health is what I needed to do to push forward. The weight loss has been a side bonus and as of this morning, I’m down 14 pounds. 14 SLOW pounds but 14 pounds nonetheless.

How did I do it? With the following simple adjustments:

  • I stopped focusing on weight loss and focused instead of getting back to feeling like myself. My normal, happy optimistic self.
  • Somewhere along the line, my body decided it no longer liked beef or pork. Matter of fact, the last time I ate a burger, I was sick the rest of the day. I now follow what I call a Paleotarian type of nutrition program. I’m 80-85% vegetarian with eggs as my protein. When I do eat meat which is rarely, I’ve done a complete 180 and now prefer shrimp and fish. You can read more here: Good Food? Bad Food?
  • Drink the water my body needs. We need to make sure we drink half our body weight, in ounces, of water daily. I now use a 30 ounce stainless steel bottle to keep track of my water. This is the one I use: 30 ounces stainless steel water bottle.
  • Eat three balanced meals daily. I don’t think my body needs five meals per day but you should test it to see how it works for you. As an example, I have my protein shake in the morning which is a meal replacement shake (this is what I drink: Protein Powder I’ve switched to pea protein – no tummy issues and it keeps me FULL); tomato cucumber salad, 2 hard-boiled eggs with a piece of fruit for lunch and for dinner, generally chicken with a salad. Very simple. But this is important. I don’t tell myself I can’t have something. If I want shrimp and grits while out for lunch or dinner, I have it.
  • Exercise. By far I think that two exercise programs have clearly assisted with my weight loss. Tabata which is a HIIT workout with circuits that are 20 seconds high intensity work followed by 10 seconds rest. The second exercise? Yoga. I teach a Gentle Flow Yoga class three times a week. I do offer private online classes. Message me if you can’t find a location.

The hardest part to be honest? Getting started. What I tell my clients is to simply pick one of the five things above and start it tomorrow.

Doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. If you pick water, starting tomorrow you will make sure you drink half your body weight in ounces before you go to bed.

I’m here for you at any time. Reach out. You GOT this!

p.s. A simple change with huge benefits that literally costs pennies. Also be sure to read my product review on the supplement I’ve been taking about a month and seeing fantastic results in my belly. Thank goodness! You can read it here: Are carbs causing me to gain weight? or get more information on the supplement here:

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10 things i do to stay on track with weight loss goals how to stay fit over 50

10 things I do to stay on track with my weight loss goals after 50.

It’s been several years now since my hysterectomy and I’m closer to 60 now than 50. I’m definitely still on a learning curve when it comes to my weight loss goals and journey especially since my hysterectomy. I’ve since learned that moving forward with the thought that I will easily reach AND maintain my goal is a better plan of action than obsessing over the scale. When I focus too much on the minute details, it becomes frustrating for me.

This thinking has also helped many folks that I work with. It brings a positive spin to our journey instead of the negative connotation that dieting has. These 10 things are what I do daily to stay on track with my weight loss goals. Hope they help you too.

Reach your weight loss goals.

  • Focus on the positive versus the negative. Tell yourself you will easily reach AND maintain your goal weight. The mind hears everything the body tells it.
  • Weigh yourself once a week, no more than twice. I do this not so much to see if I’ve lost weight but more so that I know I’m moving in the direction I want to go.
  • Drink half your body weight of water in OUNCES daily. This is number two for a reason. Water is CRUCIAL for a healthy body but equally important is that it helps us feel full. When I’m full, I don’t feel the urge for sweets or snacks.
  • Fill half your plate with veggies no matter what meal you’re eating including breakfast. Veggies are very filling and a must in all nutrition programs. For breakfast, my go may be a protein shake (this is the one I drink on days I’m teaching classes in the morning: Protein Shake) or on days I’m home, it’s generally eggs with spinach and sliced tomatoes.
  • Eliminate as many processed carbs as possible from your diet such as bread, pasta, bagels, etc. My rule of thumb is if it’s not naturally grown, don’t eat it. As far as I know, there aren’t any bagel farms in the world.
  • No dairy. I know what you’re thinking. You have to have your milk, cheese and yogurt. But you know what? We now have so many great options including almond or cashew milk or creamer, you won’t miss it. Plus the biggest take away for me? I’m not as bloated. Can you say WINNING?
  • If you can’t resist it, get it out of the house. If I eat one jelly bean I’m going to eat the bag of jelly beans. Every time I walk by that bag I’ll be grabbing a handful then before you know it, the bag is empty and I feel like crap. That old saying out of sight out of mind works.
  • If you are a grazer, work with it. Keep healthy snacks such as nuts or veggies handy to easily snack on throughout the day. Be sure to drink a full glass of water every time you snack.
  • Exercise. Get up and get moving. Exercise is as much for the mind as it is for the body. It keeps me calm and focused as well as in shape – both heart healthy as muscle strength.
  • Sleep. People really underestimate the importance of sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to many issues including weight gain. Turn off the tv or phone and climb in bed 30 minutes earlier tonight. You’ll feel better tomorrow.

Now that you’ve read my list of 10 things I do to stay on track, ask yourself how hard it would be for you to do the same? If 10 seem overwhelming, begin with two to three then build from there. You GOT this!

To your health,

Denise