Menopause and Weight Gain

Menopause often leads to an unexplained weight gain. Find out why and get your body back in balance.

When a woman reaches menopause, physiological changes may lead to an unexplained weight gain, specifically in the hips and abdominal area. Menopause occurs when a woman stops ovulating, and due to this, the hormones estrogen and progesterone may be affected.

These specific hormones play an important role in the oxidation of fat, or otherwise known as lipolysis. A decrease in these hormonal levels could ultimately effect the way that fat oxidation occurs within the body.

With your natural hormonal levels being affected, menopause can be thought of as a system that throws your body ‘off balance'. Simply going on crash diets and starving yourself is not going to solve the problem. You need to get to the root of the problem. A visit to your doctor or homeopath could help answer many of your questions.

As a menopausal woman, it is vitally important to continue with regular exercise and incorporate both weight training and cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine. Even thirty minutes a day can prove to be beneficial to your health and fitness level, and may also contribute to an improved self esteem.

A low fat, high fiber diet can also positively contribute to weight management in menopausal women.