Nutrition and Weight Loss - The Role Of Menopause
Nutrition and weight loss go together like a hand and glove, except when you are a woman over 40 and approaching perimenopause. At that time there is a new twist in the standard weight loss plan. In a nutshell, both of them appear to be impossible to attain! You quickly notice that your mid-section is growing with pure fat, and you may have changed nothing in your diet or exercise program. If you are unprepared for this metamorphosis, fasten your seatbelt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. CeeCee had a total hysterectomy at age 44. Because the ovaries were also removed, she was placed on hormone replacement medication. She was fine. No problems. She went on a healthy diet and weight loss program and lost 50 pounds. She maintained the weight loss until age 54. That’s when her physician advised her to discontinue the HRT because of the negative side effects per recent studies at that time. She followed orders and stopped the medication. About a year later, she began to notice a gradual but steady weight gain. In the past, she was able to reverse it by fasting for 24 hours. This did not work any more. She began an intensive nutrition and weight loss plan with strenuous exercising, to no avail. Long story short, she regained all of the 50 pounds. She was forced to stop trying so hard and search for an explanation. She did nothing to cause the weight gain and powerless to change it. Her body appeared to be mysteriously fighting against her. In truth, it’s all about the changes in body chemistry, metabolism and hormone levels – all related to perimenopause and menopause. (perimenopause is the time just before and after menopause). There was nothing she could do but accept this situation, try to eat a nutritious diet and lose weight with moderate exercise and strength training. You see, the cause of her weight gain was a reduction of estrogen (hormone) as soon as her HRT was discontinued. This lead to full-blown menopause which included hot flashes. In her sixties, she is still living with menopause, but knowledge is power. She lost 8 pounds of the 50, but that’s all. And that’s o.k. She believes that if she continues her solid nutrition and weight loss plan with moderate exercise, eventually the weight will come off, because menopause does not last forever. I think she’s right. Back to top of Nutrition and Weight Loss - The Role Of Menopause
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