4 Simple Cures For Post Menopausal Weight Gain

Among the many changes that come with menopause, weight gain is one of the most prominent ones. This weight gain generally occurs around your midsection and is also called meno-pot or middle-age spread. The problem with this weight gain is not just the tummy-Pudge, but the increased health risks it brings along. According to Mayo Clinic, this increased midsection fat results in higher risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s dementia, and high blood pressure in women.

This weight gain is pretty common, but that does not mean it is inevitable. With proper understanding of the causes of this weight gain, you can certainly avoid those unwanted extra pounds.

Causes Of Post Menopausal Weight Gain:

Most people think of this kind of weight gain solely as an unavoidable symptom of menopause, as something that will just happen because you are going through your transition. But ladies, that is not the truth! Yes, weight gain happens during menopause, but it can be avoided. Here are the causes that contribute to this weight gain.

1. Hormones:

Hormonal imbalance is one of the most important causes of menopausal weight gain. What happens during menopause is that our estrogen and progesterone levels decrease to a great extent with the cessation of egg production in our body. But since these hormones are required for many other important functions, our body seeks out other ways to produce these hormones. So the accumulation of fat around our abdomen during peri-menopause is our body’s stress response to the insufficient amount of estrogen.

2. Ageing:

With increasing age, our body starts losing the muscles, which leads to increased fat. Our metabolism rate decreases with age too, which means decreased rate of calorie burning. Moreover, most elderly women tend to do lesser physical exercise and activity which results in weight gain too.

How to Lose Weight After Menopause:

Since there is not just one factor responsible for weight gain during menopause, you cannot avoid or get rid of the extra pounds successfully until you approach the problem from all angles. You have to treat all the causes that result in menopausal weight gain. Here is what you can do:

1. Hormone Balancing Therapy:

Go for it! So many women shy away from such treatments, especially Indian women. We have a habit of just accepting everything and suffering mutely. But, those days are over when you just suffered in silence and forgo all good things in life! Hormone Balancing Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy are procedures, which deal with the loss of sex hormones during menopause. Go to your doctor for consultation.

2. Exercise:

Yes, you are getting older. But that doesn’t mean you can’t move your body a little! Get up and exercise. Seriously! A large percentage of elderly people are not active enough and this leads to so many health problems. So, go for a morning walk, join a gym, do any physical activity that you like and just keep moving.

3. Diet:

Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Getting older does not mean you can’t eat those dry fruits or that you don’t need the proteins. You need these and more. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Ask your doctor for the supplements you need to take. Take care of your body and nourish it. The key is not to eat less but eat healthy.

4. Sleep:

As we grow older, our sleep hours seem to just take a nose dive! And with menopause, a number of sleep disorders come to haunt us. You feel fatigued, exhausted, tired and downright moody all the time. Blame it on lack of sleep. So make sure you get a good night’s sleep daily.

5. Stress:

Menopause brings with it increased levels of stress. And, this stress contributes to those extra pounds. Join a yoga class, do meditation, enjoy yourself, and do anything that is a stress-buster for you.

Remember, menopause is not the end of life and happiness. Fight back and show it who owns your body, who is the boss! All you need to do is a little work to avoid that weight gain after menopause and the problems which come with it.

Do you know any other ways on how to lose weight after menopause? Share with us, right below in the comments section.

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