Making Menopause and Weight Loss Go Together

A lot of women believe that menopause and weight loss are mutually exclusive. This is a fair assessment. So many people out there absolutely insist that women cannot possible lose weight while they are going through menopause. With all due respect, that is a total fallacy. It is a huge misconception and the idea is completely unfounded. Sometimes it seems easier to say something is impossible rather than actually trying. The truth of the matter is that while it might be difficult to lose weight during the stages of menopause, it is hardly impossible. Nothing is impossible once you set your mind to it. That being said, however, there are some close requirements and guidelines you need to follow in this case. There are more things to consider than you generally have to when you are trying to shed a few pounds before menopause.

One of the reasons it is so hard to lose weight during menopause – especially pre menopause, the stage directly preceding it – is because your weight gain is caused by hormones. Hormones, especially estrogen, are the bane of a menopausal woman's existence. Let's think about it for a second. Estrogen wreaks so much havoc, emotionally and physically, when your body starts producing less of it. Both your periods and your moods become irregular. You do gain weight and you also retain water. You have hot flashes and not sweats. You are exhausted all the time but insomnia makes it impossible to sleep. You are irritable, you may become depressed. On top of all of that, you can pretty much count on gaining weight. On average, women will gain about fifteen pounds during their menopausal years, at the very least. Worst of all, the entire shape of your body changes. Menopausal weight gain centers itself around your abdomen rather than your hips, thighs, and rear end. This creates an apple shape rather than the more normal pear shape.

All of those facts do make a lot of women think that they cannot possibly shed that weight. However, that is a really unhealthy way to look at things. All it does is give you a reason to not do anything. Do you realize that by doing nothing about this extra weight, you could wind up with abdominal obesity? Furthermore, an over excess of belly weight can lead to diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and heart disease.

No one wants that. What you have to do is not let the idea of fifteen extra pounds get to you. In the scheme of things, that is not a lot. You see, you will really only be putting on a pound a year, especially if you are careful. Unfortunately, not a lot of women are. They turn to comfort foods when mood swings, depression, irritability, and other typical menopausal symptoms get to them. You cannot do that!

You need to eat less unhealthy fats and fewer calories. When you do that and try to stay active, even if you only walk around the neighborhood a few times each week, then you will be doing more than maintaining your weight. You will also be alleviating all those mood swings and feelings of stress. You will be keeping yourself toned as well, which will make it easier to get your old body back when you reach post menopause.