Menopause and Weight Gain -
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But although it is fairly easy for a woman to lose weight in her twenties and thirties, losing excess pounds in her forties and fifties is an entirely different proposition!
If you're like I was, that change took you by surprise. When I was young, whenever my mother went on a diet, I went on a "see food" diet with my Dad...Whenever we saw food we ate it!
We had a lot of fun with it, but Mom never saw the humor in it.
Then I reached my mid forties, and I left the "see food" diet behind. I no longer ate whatever I saw, but the pounds still began to accumulate. By the time I was in my early fifties, I was twenty pounds heavier then I had ever been before.
I was not technically obese. My body mass index never went above 26, but in spite of that fact, I weighed enough that I was uncomfortable. And most of the excess weight was around my waist, in my hips, and in my thighs.
There have been two times in my life I've gained twenty to thirty pounds. The first was during my freshman year of college, and the second was during the first five years after menopause. The first episode didn't bother me much. I figured it was part of becoming a woman, but the second was a different story. I went on a six week mission trip, and came back looking like I was expecting. I had entirely lost my waistline!
My friends informed me that this was a normal part of aging, and seemed to think there was nothing that could be done about it, but I was too uncomfortable to let it go at that.
I began to search for answers.
I found that menopause weight gain is not a necessary menopause symptom... Not everyone gains weight as she goes through menopause. However it is a common menopause symptom.
Causes of Menopause Weight Gain
Menopause and weight gain happen together for several different reasons.The first is that more body fat allows the body to make estrogens after the ovaries stop making them at menopause. So a few extra pounds added around menopause are not a health risk, and may actually protect against osteoporosis and heart disease.
But, if you gain more than a few pounds, it will heighten your risk of breast cancer, so if that's the case, do work to overcome this menopause symptom.
The second is a condition known as estrogen dominance. Weight gain caused by estrogen dominance usually occurs mostly in the waist, hips, and thighs. When this hormonal imbalance is the cause of weight gain, losing weight can be almost impossible until the underlying hormonal imbalance is treated.
The third cause is xenohormones. If that term is new to you, don't be surprised. It was new to me as well, when I started exploring how I could separate menopause and weight gain. To save time and space, I will only explain briefly what they are, but if you'd like more information I'd recommend you read What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause (TM): The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance
Basically, xenohormones are man made chemicals that have hormonal effects on our bodies. We all come in contact with them every day from such things as:
One of the most common ways that women are exposed to solvents and the resultant health problems they produce, is through fingernail polish and polish remover.
Exposure to xenohormones will cause the same type of weight gain as does estrogen dominance because it also creates hormonal imbalances in our bodies.
Solutions -
Breaking the Menopause and Weight Gain Link
The easiest way to break the menopause and weight gain link is to re-establish hormonal balance in your body. The best way to do this is by finding a doctor who will do saliva testing of your hormone levels, and then help you establish hormonal balance by supplementing with the hormones you specifically need.If that isn't possible, you can probably deal with the problem equally effectively by reading the pages on this site about estrogen, progesterone, and natural progesterone cream.
By supplementing with progesterone cream I lost three inches from around my waist during the first week I used it. Needless to say, I was excited.
However, if you still want to do additional research, or would like more detailed scientific explanations I'd recommend you read the book I mentioned earlier. The authors do a wonderful job of detailing all of the science that makes this a wise way to balance your hormone levels.
If you've corrected your hormonal balance, but are still struggling with weight gain, I've already written about two different methods that should help anyone lose weight.
One involves adding a supplement to your diet called Irvingia. For more information please follow the preceding link.
Additionally, Dr. Lark has developed a weight loss program for women that will also enable you to overcome the problem with key supplements and vitamins.
A final method that has worked for me is a program called Calorie King. It basically enables you to track your calories and your exercise on an ongoing basis to achieve your own personal weight goals. I've been using it for the last month and I've already lost about 12 pounds. I'd like to lose another 13 to 15 pounds before I change my goals from weight loss to weight maintenance.
Conclusion
Menopause and weight gain are not inseparable. Even though you have entered menopause weight control is possible.The easiest way to achieve weight loss is a three pronged approach. First balance your hormones by adding a natural progesterone cream, then balance your food intake with regular exercise to achieve a healthy weight. Finally, consider other supplements such as those Dr. Lark recommends if the preceding steps have still left you with excess weight you want to shed.
Separating menopause and weight gain will enable you to focus your life on new horizons, without being hindered by your weight.
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