Menopause is a difficult time for any woman because of the symptoms that are brought on by the decreasing progesterone and estrogen levels in the body.
One of the more troublesome results of these reduced levels of progesterone and estrogen is the additional weight that begins to gather around the thighs and the abdomen.
This weight is more than just a mere nuisance; it is also a detriment to our health. Excess weight around the belly and abdomen increases our risk for developing high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, high cholesterol and even some forms of cancer.
For these reasons, it is a wise move to try to control this new weight gain.
What Causes Weight Gain during Menopause?
At this point in our lives there are several factors that affect our metabolism.
· We begin to be less active than we were at a younger age because our energy levels have begun to fall with the levels of estrogen and progesterone in our bodies.
· We are still eating the same amount of calories as we did a few years ago; however, at this stage we need calories, especially those calories that come from sugars and fats.
· Stress, anxiety, depression and habits such as smoking are often changed at this point causing more stress and in turn more desire for foods we find comforting.
· Fluid retention can also cause us to appear and feel fuller.
· Genetics also play a part in a woman’s weight now just as it has at any other part of her life.
How We Can Help it Go Away?
While this weight can seem as if it is an insurmountable problem, the truth is as simple or as difficult as it was before menopause.
You are sure to have heard that proper diet and exercise do wonders to maintain your weight and health and there is no time at which this point is truer.
Talk with your doctor about what you are currently doing about diet and exercise and see what sort advice they give to improve it to suit your current weight issues.
Getting the right amount of exercise when you are beginning to feel less and less like being active can be hard but it’s more than worth the effort.
Because you are dealing with a different amount of energy, you will likely need to break up your periods of exercise.
Taking a half an hour walk in the morning and again in the late afternoon or evening about 6 hours before you settle in for bed can do a great deal to help.
If you already do this, try adding something new like Pilates or simple aerobic or yoga exercises to break up the boredom and add a little more intensity to your workout.
Diet changes that can help with this involve eating less of the things we refer to as comfort foods such as caffeinated drinks (soda, coffee, and tea), high fats and sugars.
Once this is done we can focus more on things like fresh fruit and veggies with fiber, and lean meats like chicken and fish. Remember that at times some of the simplest foods are also the tastiest.
You can have plain yogurt with your favorite fresh fruit stirred into it for example or lots of lovely fresh salads for lunch and dinner.
Never assume that salad is dull. There are a thousand different variations on how to make salad. Get creative. Now is the best time to experiment and enjoy!
Also check out this bestselling natural diet helper made of Garcinia Cambogia and green coffee bean.