I am a 50 year old perimenopausal woman with 20 pounds to lose. I hired a personal trainer for 3 times a week , 90 min. a session for 28 weeks. She had me on a low fat 1400 calories a week diet. I lost 20 inches and 7 pounds. I was exhausted and sore all the time and finally quit when my knees and hips were too painful to workout any more. I continued on the trainers diet but cut to 1000 to 1200 cals. In 2 months my joint pain went away but I gained all the weight back and some of the inches. Then I joined CUrves gym since its billed as an injury free workout that works. I've been doing it for 18 weeks ---lost a few inches but no weight. I followed the curves diet plan for 6 weeks. now I'm doing lo-carb. Still need to lose 20 pounds. I have unpredictable and usually very heavy periods once for three months straight. though I went 2 months without a period once. My Dr. says my iron count is now very low and wants me on a supplement. Could this be the reason I have not been able to lose weight and gain tone?