For a lot of women who are 50 years old and above, gaining weight and menopause seem as if they are interlaced. It’s not unusual that they start gaining weight during this time of their lives. There’s also a propensity to gain weight at the abdominal area unlike their earlier years when weight gained was generally concentrated on the area of the hips.

Hormonal changes seem to have an effect on this. At menopause, apart from a woman’s monthly menstruation period ending, her body produces lower levels of estrogen, a female hormone responsible for the ovulation process. Studies show that low estrogen causes weight gain in animals and it may likely be the reason why women’s bodies change shape, as well. During childbearing age, women store fat in the lower body. But after menopause, they store it in the areas around the abdomen.

In addition, they tend to have slight atrophy of their muscles and additional fat as they age, and experience a reduction in their rate of metabolism. Thus, if they do not adjust their consumption patterns, their weight would more than likely increase.

Estrogen hormone therapy is usually recommended to contain menopausal symptoms. It often surprises women to discover that therapy using the hormone is not the cause of any big gains in weight. A few women do get bloated and retain water during the earlier stage of therapy but it is only for a short period. Additionally, the women do not accumulate any fat.

One of the ways hormone therapy aids in reducing risk of heart disease is thru the alteration of the deposition of fat in the abdominal area.

If you feel you are gaining too much weight at menopause, here are a few things you can do to help improve your situation.

-Eat a low-fat diet along with plenty of fiber. Also, avoid sugar.

-Exercising often is highly recommended. We are often not as active when we grow older. Exercising moderately for 20-30 minutes everyday enhances your physical and mental health.

-Keep your muscles active. The muscles in your legs can be exercised when you walk or cycle, and the muscles in your arms and upper body can be exercised by using weights.

-You have to learn to accept that all your bodily changes is just a fact of life. If you’ve got a thick midsection and slim legs, but you’re not actually overweight, that’s okay.

Visit your doctor prior to starting a diet programme. This is necessary if you experience any current health problems. You can also ask for advice on weight gain and menopause and how to address any problems that may arise.

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