Menopause and Weight Gain
Just when you think the worst of the menopause symptoms are over, there is the menopause weight gain symptom to deal with. Weight gain begins primarily during perimenopause. It is estimated that a woman may gain a pound a year during this time.
There are many causes of menopausal weight gain and the following is beleived to be the main reasons:
*It is believed that hormone levels associated with menopause are a factor but may not the sole cause of weight gain. However, aging and lifestyle does play a major role in how your body changes over the course of time.
*Menopausal women tend to exercise less; eat more; and burn fewer calories. The result is a shift in the composition of your body which results in more fat and less muscle as your metabolism slows down.
*Genetics most definitely contribute to weight gain. If your parents are on the heavy side, chances are you or one of your siblings will inherit that particular body type as well.
While we all know that weight gain can cause health problems, excess weight gain during menopause increases the chance of developing serious conditions. Studies have shown that women who gain in excess of 20 pounds after menopause increase their breast cancer risk by nearly 20 percent. On the other hand, women who lose weight after menopause can reduce their risk of breast cancer by that much and more. It is estimated that women who lose 20 pounds after menopause reduce their breast cancer risk by as much as 23 percent.
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In order to maintain a healthy body and reduce the risk of weight gain after menopause, you need to maintain proper balanced diet combined with regular exercise. Exercise increases the metabolism, which allows you to burn fat. In addition, strength training exercises increase muscle mass, which not only boost your metabolism but strengthens your bones as well.
While everyone knows the benefits of a proper diet, it has also been established that as you age you require less than 200 calories a day to maintain your weight. This applies to women in their mid to late 40’s. Thus, if you begin to establish and maintain a healthy diet with the onset of perimenopause, it is more likely you will not gain as much weight when you are in a full menopausal stage.
We all have to deal with the changes in our bodies as we age; there is no escaping that fact. As we get older; parts of our body will sag; shrink, and expand. Perhaps the trick is to not worry about what you can’t control, but to control the things you can. Menopause and weight gain can be managed and controlled and you will live a long productive healthy life.
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