Myths about menopause and weight loss

Three things I hear from middle-age women…

1) Every women gains weight after forty so I just have to accept it.

2) I’ve tried everything to battle this stubborn weight and nothing works so I am done trying.

3) My mother had uncontrollable weight gain so it will be the same for me.

All of these statements are false. These are myths people tell themselves and convince themselves to believe. So stop doing it!

The truth is you don’t have to accept it, stay stuck or have your mother’s menopause.

Here are the facts…

Do genetics matter?

Your genetics may impact the timing of when you experience menopause. However, genetics don’t play a big factor in symptoms such as weight gain. So, just because your mom had a difficult experience with the transition doesn’t mean you necessarily will too. Keep in mind, your nutrition, lifestyle and environment play a HUGE part too.

Why do women gain weight during menopause? You are not alone!

Between the onset of perimenopause through menopause most women gain weight. In fact, 90% of women between the ages of 38-65 gain an average of 10-15 pounds. Unfortunately, It’s much harder to take off and lands mostly around the mid-section.

Menopause weight gain occurs because our bodies produce less estrogen and progesterone. The reduction of these hormones slows down metabolism, changes how we regulate our appetite and decreases our energy levels.

Unfortunately, you can’t eat a ton of junk over the weekend and work it off during the week like many of us used to be able to do. Research supports healthy eating and lifestyle habits may help you avoid/reduce weight gain and belly fat and alleviate other symptoms.

Simply cleaning up your diet and exercising will help. I know first hand!!

Clean up you diet

Eat a balance of real, whole and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, nuts and beans) and healthy fats (salmon, avocados, olive oil).

Unhealthy eating habits can only lead to additional weight gain and increase the symptoms you may be experiencing from menopause.

Avoid/limit processed foods, foods packed with sugar, as well as alcohol and caffeine. Not only will these foods promote cravings and weight gain, they also raise blood sugar levels that can interact with stress hormones and estrogen levels and make other symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia even worse.

Exercise

As you age, your metabolism slows down. This causes muscle mass to decrease and body fat to increase. It burns more energy to move muscle around than fat. So, as your metabolism slows and fewer calories are expended, cardio alone is no longer enough to fend off excess weight gain. Strength training becomes a necessary form of physical activity. Plus, exercise naturally helps to reduce stress and improve your mood.

Are you ready to…

Balance your hormones and boost your metabolism so you can lose and keep off weight, re-energize and feel and look happy, healthy and confident without dieting? JOIN US.