The pounds started piling on for me too when I went through menopause four years ago and I was already very overweight. I started working out 3x a week at Curves 2 years ago and that has helped me to firm up a lot. I lost about 15 lbs. in a year and a half without really changing my diet.
I started keeping a food log about six months ago and have lost another 16 lbs. since then. I find that keeping track of the amount of food I eat is the only way to keep me "honest". I'm losing just under a pound a week on 1500 to 1600 calories.
What ticked me off about the menopause weight gain was that it was all around my waist and stomach. I have always been heavy in the legs and hips, but at least I had a "waist" and a relatively flat stomach before the dreaded menopause!
I'm proof that it IS possible to lose the menopause weight, although it is harder to do than when I was younger. I'm hoping to reach my goal weight in a year's time.
Wishing you good luck in your weight loss efforts!