7 Tips To Help You Avoid Menopausal Weight Gain

If you are in menopause, or getting there you may have noticed that it is easier to gain weight and a lot harder to lose it than it was when you were younger. At this time of your life your hormones are shifting, estrogen is decreasing and progesterone levels may drop to almost non-existent. So for many women, the joys of not having a monthly period are overshadowed by the weight gain and other symptoms like hot flashes which may also go with this time of life. Fortunately there are things you can do and steps you can take to help you stay healthy and slim.

Consider Natural Progesterone Cream

For good health women need to have a balance between estrogen and progesterone. Amongst other things, estrogen promotes weight gain while progesterone promotes weight loss. As menopause approaches levels of both hormones decrease, but progesterone often decreases significantly more than estrogen. The result is estrogen dominance syndrome, a term coined by the late John Lee, MD. Dr. Lee encouraged women to use natural progesterone cream as a way to promote hormonal balance and help prevent the weight gain associated with menopause. Consult your doctor before using new supplements or remedies.

Add Green Supplements to Your Diet

Our world is full of toxins, many we encounter daily in the air, in our personal care products and in our food. Many of these toxins,often referred to as endocrine disruptors, mimic the effect of estrogen in our bodies exacerbating estrogen dominance. Green products such as spirulina and chlorella can help you detoxify.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is critical for weight loss, and the older we get the more important it is. If it's been awhile since you've exercised, start slow and work up to at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Not only will this help with weight loss but it will help prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

Maintain a Healthy Thyroid

The thyroid can be affected by the endocrine disrupting chemicals so pervasive in our environment. Read the labels on your personal care products and only use products that are organic and free of chemicals. Similarly avoid BPA found in plastic bottles, food can liners and food wrappers. Dr. Lee's work suggests that women who use progesterone cream may also benefit their thyroid.

Choose Fat Burning Foods

Increase the number of fat burning foods in your diet. Some good examples are green tea as well as green foods such as chlorella. Broccoli is another good choice as is coconut oil. One study found you could lose up to 36 pounds in a year just by switching to coconut oil.

Reduce Your Intake of Fructose

Reduce your intake of fructose found in fruits and prepared foods and beverages many of which are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Studies show fructose may increase insulin resistance and reduce glucose tolerance. It is also associated with higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides

Avoid Acid Forming Foods

Highly acid forming foods like sugar, coffee, artificial sweeteners, meat and dairy products, alcohol and most oils, except coconut can promote weight gain. Limit acid forming foods to less than 20% of your total diet and focus on fresh vegetables and fruits. Too much acid in your body promotes insulin resistance, depriving your cells of the fuel they need. Fearing starvation, your body starts to store fat...definitely not what you want when your goal is to lose weight.

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