Menopause and Weight Gain: Oh No!!

Just when you think the worst is over, that is all of the symptoms and pain you have gone through during menopause; there is another component which reveals itself. Weight gain begins primarily during perimenopause. It is estimated that a woman may gain a pound a year during this time. Are menopause and weight gain synonymous? Let’s explore this topic to find an answer.

It is believed that hormone levels associated with menopause are 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. The reasons are that 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. It is no surprise that 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.

In order to maintain a healthy body and reduce the risk of weight gain after menopause, a proper diet regimen combined with exercise is the answer. 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.

Anyone who is on a diet and exercise program knows this to be true. It doesn’t need to be reiterated. However, for purposes of this particular subject, it needs to be emphasized.

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; there is no escaping that fact. The ugly truth is 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.

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