Menopause and Weight Gain

The process of menopause can be difficult. The transition years can be associated with erratic, heavy, and irregular periods. However, even the completion of menopause (12 continuous months without a period) can be associated with certain side effects, including weight gain. Gaining weight as you age is normal. Weight gain is commonly associated with menopause as it is noted that the normal maintenance of weight becomes more difficult. This weight gain is typically noted to be located around the abdomen, in contrast to weight gain around the thighs or hips.

1. Less Exercise: As women age, the daily amounts of exercise tend to decrease. This can lead to an overall weight gain if the proper changes are not made to lifestyle and dietary habits to compensate for these changes in exercise. Exercise is an important part of an overall general good health for life. The addition of daily exercise to your routine may be all that is needed to control your weight gain.
2. Increased Food Intake: Menopausal women tend to eat more food, increasing their overall calorie intake. Calories that are not burned are converted to fat and stored. Increasing your overall calorie intake, without making the proper compensation through exercise or healthy eating habits, can lead to weight gain.
3. Hormone Levels: Menopause is responsible for changing the amounts of hormones produced by the body. The body will naturally decrease the production of both estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes have many effects on the body, including on the body’s natural ability to lose weight.
4. Biologically Burning Fewer Calories: As you age, your daily calorie intake needs decrease. This is true because in the majority of older adults, fat beings to replace muscle. Biologically, muscle is necessary for the burning of calories. Biologically, fat is responsible for the storing of calories. By replacing muscle with fat, you are biologically decreasing the body’s ability to burn calories. The process of replacing fat with muscle is also known as a slowing of metabolic function. A slower metabolism means that your body naturally burns less calories.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight through Menopause

Just because weight gain is common in menopausal women does not mean it is inevitable. It is possible to control your weight gain. This can be done in a variety of manners including; eating less, controlling portion sizes, increasing overall amounts of exercise, and being aware of your weight.

Menopause and Weight Loss

If you have already completed the process of menopause (12 months without the presence of a period) and have gained weight, it is possible to lose the weight you have gained. Weight loss does take time; it will not come off overnight. Weight loss does take effort; it does not usually come off easily. There are a variety of ways in which you can slowly lose the weight gained including; eat healthy foods that are low in calories, making healthy substitutions, and exercising more.

Get a jump start on your personal weight loss program today.

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menopause-weight-gain/HQ01076
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/01076.html
http://www.fda.gov/womens/menopause/