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Weight Gain

Weight gain is probably one of the most unpleasant side effects of menopause. Everything else can be treated and hopefully will eventually stop or go away. Weight gain can stick with us long term or even for the rest of our lives, so it’s important that we get a hold on it soon and head it off before it beats us!

Weight gain can be common if we have a hormonal imbalance. Because our bodies are making less of the hormone estrogen, our hormones become imbalanced. Most women gain weight as they age anyway. When women hit their 40s and 50s it can be very difficult to maintain our normal weight. It can be difficult to lose weight and you may notice an increase in bulge around your middle.

Some of the basic causes of weight gain are similar to causes for weight gain any other time in our lives. Women in menopause tend to be more tired and relaxed and may not be getting enough physical activity.

Menopausal women also may eat more. If you’re eating more and not getting enough physical activity, you’re bound to gain weight.

As your body makes less estrogen, it also burns fewer calories. This means more calories turn into fat. As we age, we naturally replace muscle we used to have with fat. The only way to combat this is to stay active and eat a healthy well balanced diet.

Some recent studies show that weight gain after menopause may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. The same goes for the opposite of losing weight after menopause. This can cut down the risk of breast cancer.

Increase your physical activity and reduce the amount of calories you’re taking in. Just reducing your caloric intake by 250 calories a day will allow you to lose half a pound a week. If you can try to fit in 30 to 45 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking or swimming) four or five days a week. 3500 calories is a pound, so if you can manage to cut back and burn 3500 calories a week, you can easily lose one pound a week.

When our bodies experience hormonal changes, weight gain can be a side effect. This may leave us frustrated, scared and depressed. No woman wants to gain weight, I don’t care who she is. And if the weight we’re gaining is coming on suddenly or we’re not sure why, it can be very scary.

Join some groups or rent or buy a workout video. Grab up an exercise partner that you can take walks with. I used to walk with a neighbor of mine and also with one of my sisters and these were some of the fun times I had while effectively losing weight. You should be attempting to walk 10,000 steps a day and can keep track of how much you walk with a pedometer. Increasing your daily steps can also make a huge difference.

Tags: Menopause, Weight gain

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