Menopause is unavoidable for any women but some of the conditions associated with it is something that can be controlled and taken care of. Weight gain is one of the most difficult conditions for many women to accept and most women would suffer from it after menopause. What makes it a matter of much concern is the fact that it occurs even though there may be no changes in our eating habits.
Menopause slows down metabolism rate as well as there is loss of muscle mass thus resulting in weight gain. It is believed that approximately 90% of the menopausal women experience some amount of weight gain. This weight gain could not only affect a woman’s self-esteem and self-image, but weight gain can usher in a host of health concerns that put a woman at risk of developing life-threatening conditions.
Menopause brings about a lot of hormonal changes in a woman’s body which affect almost every aspect of how the body functions. Awareness of these changes gives you the power to conquer menopausal weight gain. The average age at which a woman experiences or goes through menopause is 50.5; however a woman can detect changes in her body in her early 40s.
After you enter menopause and start gaining pounds you should never attempt to go on a crash diet. This could lead you to deprive yourself of the necessary nutrition that is required during this phase of your life. This could result in your body going into starvation mode. Consulting a person who has been through menopause would be a wise decision as they would be able to give you proper guidance. Since a woman goes through a lot of hormonal changes which affects her emotionally as well menopause weight loss could be very tricky subject. Have a healthy diet and you could also try out some aerobic exercises that will help reduce weight and keep you mentally and physically fit. Include these exercises cardiovascular endurance, strength training (muscular endurance) and flexibility. Cardio exercises are good for the heart where as strength training increases bone density. The main benefit of menopausal weight loss is that it reduces risks associated with many health problems lurking in your future. Reduce your calorie intake as your metabolism rate is slow, hence it will be difficult to burn the fats fast. By limiting your fatty foods intake to 20-30% of your daily calorie intake you would be more energetic to do more physical activities. Like sports, dancing, gardening, or any physical activity like cleaning and arranging the house could also help in loosing those extra pounds you put on. There is no bullet proof jacket to this problem of weight gain as you age; however by maintaining a healthy diet you can achieve a healthy weight.
