5 reasons you gain weight during menopause

Weight gain is part and parcel of menopause for as many as 90% of women going through the transition. It’s universally understood that aging makes you increasingly prone to putting on a few pounds, however, this isn’t inevitable.

Studies have found that women at this time of life can add as much as 15 pounds to their body weight, if they don’t look after the signs and symptoms properly. It is more likely to be found at the abdomen as your body shape is slowly lost. The long-term risks of excessive weight gain are well documented and no more or less dangerous than weight gain at any age. The first thing to do is understand the reasons why you gain weight during menopause, and then you can start to rectify the problem.

5 problems that lead to weight gain

Lack of sleep

Sleeping problems are a huge problem to your daily productivity. A serious reduction in good sleeping time can, in turn, lead to weight gain. The reasons for this are simple, if you feel tired then you are more likely to struggle with stress. When people are stressed they look to comfort foods or change their daily habits.

Tiredness and fatigue can lead to many other menopausal symptoms so always look to get at least eight hours each night. A top tip is to develop rituals for bedtime so that you can get in to a routine of good habits.

Increased stress

A domino effect of many menopausal signs and symptoms, stress is one of the worst things for the body and mind. In society, we are always pushed and strived to do more things and do them better, on a daily basis. Our emotions and mood can be changed when this happens.

Food and alcohol are sometimes seen as the solution. They can help in moderation but the temporary fix doesn’t go to solve the actual problem. Maintain solid levels for better daily performance, getting the right sleep, exercising properly and eating right can all help a great deal.

No exercise

Menopausal women exercise less than any other group of people, according to research. This can go a long way towards promoting weight gain, particularly when your muscle mass is decreasing through age and you need to address you body composition.

Many people take the view that without exercise, healthy eating is useless (and vice versa), and whilst this isn’t fully true, it is a fair relation for weight loss. Try to exercise for 30 minutes each day, anything from running to weight training.

A hormonal dominance

Those pesky hormones, the bane of your life during menopause, a prisoner in your own body – well, that might be a little far. But, a change in your hormones is the reason for the many signs and symptoms that come with menopause. You need to balance your hormones, and any dominance can lead to weight gain.

Bad eating habits

The natural reduction of the efficiency of your metabolism through aging and menopause leaves you more prone to gaining weight. This, combined with the other symptoms of the change can have a huge effect on your body. For this reason, your eating habits should be properly adapted to the situation.

More about weight gain during menopause

Whilst these are five reasons there are others. Medical conditions, medications and alcohol/smoking to name but three. The most important thing to realize is that you need a solid, healthy routine that allows you to sleep right, eat right, work right and exercise right. Click the following link for more information about weight gain treatments.

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