The menopause is a very stressful time. Just ask any woman who has been through or is experiencing the menopause. Not only are your hormones going crazy but your body is going through huge changes physically and mentally. One of the unfortunate side effects of this is weight gain during menopause.
You may have noticed from as early on as your mid thirties that you were putting on weight more easily in comparison to earlier stages in your life. This is a result of the very early stages of menopause. You may notice that any weight gained will tend to go straight to your mid-section and trying to shift this unwanted weight can seem almost impossible!
You are not alone however. Most women experience menopausal weight gain but many of them do not fully understand why this time in their lives causes unwanted fat to accumulate. Most commonly changes in hormones get the blame, however there are many factors that contribute to this change in body shape including the ageing process and changing lifestyles.
Exercising less
As we age our metabolism slows down and as a result we can feel sluggish and lack energy. Therefore women who are over the age of 35 will tend to exercise less than their younger peers. It is a well known fact however that energy creates energy and the converse is also true. Therefore if you exercise less you will actually have less energy and feel even more sluggish and as a result the weight will seem to pile on.
Eating more
It's simple, the more we eat the more we need to work to burn off the extra calories. If these calories are not burned off through an active lifestyle and exercise then they will be converted into fat by our bodies. Women who are approaching the menopausal stage tend to eat more than they would have done at earlier stages of their life. Try to cut portion sizes by using smaller plates and eating slowly so your brain can accurately signal to your body when you are full. There is also a strong link between alcoholic drinks and weight gain. Women who are trying to avoid menopausal weight gain should consider decreasing their alcoholic consumption by at least half.
Eating the wrong type of foods
Even if you don't consume large portions, you may still be putting on weight due to eating the incorrect foods. In order to limit any weight gain and to keep your body as healthy as possible try to eat a diet based around healthy, nutrient packed foods. Eat as much fresh produce as you can as this will be high in vitamin and mineral content which is important at this stage in your life. You are best to avoid those foods that have been processed or are high in sugars and starches. By cutting out these foods you will not only keep the weight off but you will great within yourself.
Less calories burned
As we get older our bodies naturally start to replace muscle with fat. As muscle burns more calories than fat does, the more fat we have in our bodies the fewer calories we will burn. As a result, a vicious circle sets in and metabolism slows right down and weight starts to pile on.
Stress
The menopause is a very stressful time for any woman. Hormone levels are going wild and this can cause bouts of depression, mood swings and unhappiness. At such times, many women will reach for something high in sugar or starch to try and combat these feelings and provide comfort. Unfortunately eating these foods will not only encourage weight gain but will leave you feeling more irritable and low.
Weight gain at any time in your life can be stressful but at a time when you are going through the menopause it can be extremely depressing and cause many women real emotional strain. Unfortunately, weight gain does not only impact on you psychologically but can have serious consequences to your health.
Putting on too much weight can cause a strain on your heart, liver lungs and kidneys. It can also increase your risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. And in some cases, research has shown that putting on more than 20 lbs of weight during the menopause increases a women's chance of breast cancer by 20%. However losing weight after menopause can greatly reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Now that you understand the factors that affect your weight gain you should look for ways that will help you tackle these problem areas.
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Diane Moncur (Etta), has written a complimentary report on menopausal weight issues and how to tackle them. To download this complimentary report instantly visit
http://www.mpa.think-yourself-thin.com
