Questions on Menopause and Weight Gain

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from Audrey asking some good questions on menopause and weight gain. I don't have any answers for her, but I was hoping that some of our readers -- particularly the older women -- might be able to offer some advice and insight. Here's her e-mail:

Thanks for your great website, I just found out about it through my personal trainer. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction regarding my particular issue.

I have been paleo for a couple of years now with the exception of full fat greek yogurt (the only dairy in my diet). I am 48 and have been engaged in weight training (superslow) for 6 years and recently added kettle bells and sandbag workouts to my exercise routine. My carbs are less than 75/day, my protein intake is about 100 grams a day. All fascinating stuff! I am 5'7" and 140. My "I feel great" weight is 130" (I have a small frame). I was on a course of poison (synthetic progestin) a couple of years ago which threw me into menopause. I was being treated for uterine lining problems. I gained 10 lbs on the progestin and discontinued it after 3 months. I have been menopausal for 6 months.

I have had 8 blood tests in the last year. Thanks to paleo I have wicked, ridiculously good HDL (121--I kid you not), very low LDL and triglycerides. I am postmenopausal, have normal thyroid and cortisol levels. With the use of D3 I have bumped up that number to 70. I am very healthy and take no medications, just a truck load of supplements.

I am taking topical bio identical progesterone. I have varied my caloric intake (paleo, so no grains, legumes, sugar or pasta, just fruit, meat, eggs, and veggies) from 1000 cal/day to 2,000 cal/day, cut out dairy, wine and caffeine all in an attempt to lose this 10 lbs. I can't move it. I have been trying for 2 years and I cannot budge the weight.

Are there any resources you can recommend for paleo women in menopause and their particular issues? I feel like I am 5 months pregnant and have investigated every option I can in a desperate attempt to lose these 10lbs. My doctors (one is an ayurvedic practioner) are not impressed with my complaints and think I am being neurotic for wanting to get rid this tire of fat around my waist.

I simply want to feel like myself again.

I have read every book on the subject of menopause, weight loss and nutrition (the most recent is The Female Brain Gone Insane). I still feel like I am missing something because not only am I not losing weight, it's creeping upwards.

Any thoughts or suggestions you might have will be greatly appreciated.

Thoughts? Post them in the comments!