As you age and begin your journey through the stages of menopause, you’ll endure many symptoms. While vaginal dryness and painful intercourse can be eliminated by taking daily supplements, weight gain may seem inevitable and near impossible to halt.
This is where you’d be wrong. You don’t have to put on the pounds. As impossible as dropping the mass may seem, by simply paying attention to certain aspects of your life, you can reverse the weight gain and find confidence once again.
Cause of Menopausal Weight Gain
The hormonal changes you go through cause hot flashes and vaginal dryness, among many other side effects. While many women link weight gain to this change, the extra pounds are actually caused by your lifestyle as you age. Most women tend to increase the heaviness around their hips, thighs and abdomen.
As the years pass by, you begin to lose muscle mass and increase the amount of fat you carry. Your muscle mass helps increase the burn of calories. If you eat as usual and don’t increase your physical activity, it’ll be easier for the numbers on the scale to rise.
Genetics can also be a reason for your weight to shoot up. If your immediate relatives carry extra weigh, a healthy lifestyle will be an uphill battle for you. By not getting enough sleep or eating junk, you’ll be fighting the change in weight to no avail.
Risk
There are many risks that can be attributed to menopausal weight gain. You will actually be more prone to multiple types of cancer if you don’t try to control this area of your life. As if that weren’t enough, you will also be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Prevent Menopausal Weight Gain
You can prevent weight gain during menopause by sticking to the basics. Move more and exercise to increase your muscle mass and burn calories simultaneously. Do your best to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
Stay motivated by changing up the exercise you do every day. On the first day, run for twenty minutes. On day two, perhaps you can try some yoga. Finally, do your best to incorporate strength training throughout the week. This will help increase your muscle mass and halt your weight gain.
As one of the most dreaded parts of menopause, weight gain will be an extended battle for you. It’s within your power to eliminate vaginal dryness and painful intercourse; decreasing weight gain is within reach as well. Don’t let this part of life get you down, make changes to reach a healthier you.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/menopause-weight-gain-and-exercise-tips#1
https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/success-stories-weight-loss-after-menopause
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