Talking to most women over the age of 50, it's easy to see that menopause and weight gain are associated with their experience. Weight gain is very common at this time and may be due to lifestyle changes, but even if you gain weight, you tend to gain weight in different parts of your body, especially in your abdomen. The reason is not explained. When we were young, we tended to focus on the waist.
The truth is that the process is not fully understood, but hormonal changes affect it. During menopause, women stop ovulation, end their monthly menstruation, and produce much less estrogen, the female hormone that causes ovulation. Low estrogen levels have been shown to lead to weight gain in animals, which is why our bodies change shape. Women of childbearing age store fat in the lower body, but after menopause they store it in the abdomen, just like men. This leads to an increased risk of heart disease.
At the same time, both men and women tend to turn muscle into fat as they age, slowing metabolism. This means that you can gain weight if you don't adjust your diet. People in their 60s don't need as many calories as people in their 40s.
Hormone therapy with estrogen may be prescribed to control menopausal symptoms. Many women may be surprised to find that studies have shown that hormone therapy does not cause weight gain. Some women experience bloating and fluid retention in the early stages of hormone therapy, which is usually temporary and does not increase fat. Hormone therapy can reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing changes in body fat accumulation around the abdomen and lowering cholesterol levels. However, some studies have linked hormone therapy to an increased risk of breast cancer.
If you notice that you are gaining weight during menopause, there are several ways to stop it.
-Eat a healthy, low-fat, high-fiber diet and avoid sugar.
-Regular exercise.
Physical activity naturally decreases with age. Work is often physically less burdensome; there are no children to chase; we don't take very active vacations and slow things down. Moderate physical activity for 30 minutes daily helps offset the effects.
-Maintain your strength and mass.
Use weights for the arm muscles and walking or cycling for the legs.
-Accept changes in body shape.
If you're not overweight but just have a thick waist and thin legs, that's fine.
If you are in good health or have low fitness levels, consult your doctor before starting an exercise program. Your doctor can also help you with the symptoms of menopause and weight gain.
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