Confronting obesity after 40 years: how to lose weight with menopause

The problem of excess weight worries not only young girls, but also women after 40 years. As women grow older, the female body undergoes many changes: the onset of menstruation, preparation for childbearing, becoming a mother. After childbirth and breastfeeding, numerous jumps in hormones and physiological stress (associated with pregnancy), the body also changes and the appearance is not always pleasing to the woman. The appearance of treacherous folds on the back, sagging belly, flabby skin on the hands indicates the passage of the natural process of development of the female body. The subject of this article is the reasons for gaining excess weight after 40-50 years, as well as ways to lose weight during menopause.

Why do women gain weight rapidly after 40: causes of obesity

The main reason why a woman gets better after 40-45 years is hormonal changes with the onset of menopause. Menopause gradually adjusts the body to another wave of vital activity, which is associated with the cessation of the functioning of the reproductive system. And one of the signs of menopause is considered to be a slight or significant accumulation of fat mass in places characteristic of the female body (hips, abdomen, back). For some ladies, menopause occurs after 40 years and is considered early, for others – this phase comes after 45-50 years. In any case, the activity of sex hormones can affect appetite, metabolic rate and fat burning. Usually a woman with the onset of menopause gains from 5 to 10 kg, 0.5 kg every 6 months. If there is an early menopause,

Which hormones are to blame for rapid weight gain

• Estrogen – one of the sex hormones that decreases rapidly during menopause. As estrogen decreases, ovulation stops in the ovaries. Therefore, the body turns on defense mechanisms and accumulates adipose tissue to compensate for the lack of estrogen. Adipose tissue contains aromatase – enzyme needed to convert androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) to estrogens (estradiol and estrone).
Progesterone – hormone produced during pregnancy. Since the reproductive function gradually fades away with the onset of menopause, the amount of progesterone also falls, which responds to the accumulation of excess fluid in the early stages, and then excess fat.
• The symptoms of menopause are such that a woman begins to feel heaviness in her legs and a slight "swimming" of her body – This is excess water that provokes swelling. It should be disposed of immediately to prevent further growth of the fat layer.
Androgens – male sex hormones, which, with a decrease in female hormones, begin to predominate in the body and provoke an increase in the abdomen and hips.

In addition to hormonal imbalance, other factors also influence the problem of excess weight, which should not be excluded from the list of enemies that need to be fought. Therefore, before looking for an answer to the question of how to lose weight during menopause, you should clearly know what provokes weight gains during this period.

Other causes of rapid weight gain

Insulin resistance – this is a common problem of the menopause, when the female body does not perceive the activity of insulin and there is an accumulation of calories and excess weight.
1. Insulin sensitivity requires treatment, otherwise it can lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Cortisol belly – the effect of stress and the predominance of the stress hormone – cortisol invariably leads to fat gain. Resistance to nervous tension decreases and frequent releases of cortisol into the blood slow down metabolism and activate appetite. Under the influence of this hormone, blood sugar rises excessively, and reduced susceptibility to insulin inhibits its breakdown and fat accumulates very quickly.

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Cortisol belly: why it appears and how to get rid of stress fat

How to lose weight with menopause: ways to maintain harmony

Medical research today shows that it is very difficult for a woman to deal with hormonal disorders and rapid weight gain on her own, and in some cases it is impossible without the help of specialists: endocrinologists, nutritionists, gynecologists and others. How to lose weight during menopause, prevent the development of diabetes and obesity? Estet-portal.com recommends being examined by an endocrinologist to find out which hormone predominates, by a gastroenterologist – are there any problems with the intestines and metabolism, a nutritionist – for the correct selection of the diet.

Flushing during menopause, heavy sweating, skin redness, urinary incontinence – this is only a small part of the symptoms that are so unpleasant for women during this period. To combat the symptoms of menopause, start with a visit to the doctor, who will prescribe a drug that can reduce these symptoms and improve your general condition.

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Ways to lose weight with menopause:

How an endocrinologist can help: examines the thyroid gland for disorders, finds out the degree of hormone activity and, if necessary, advises drugs to stabilize their production.
How a gastroenterologist can help: disruption of the stomach and intestines can provoke an increase in extra pounds, so timely clarification of the problem can prevent a subsequent deterioration in the condition. Stabilization of the intestines is important for a woman after 40 years. The diet and diet will help adjust the nutritionist.
How a nutritionist can help: he will advise you on how to lose weight during menopause with the help of a properly selected diet, tell you what you can eat and what it is better to refuse for a slim figure.

What every woman can do to lose weight during menopause:

ensure proper healthy sleep for at least 8 hours a day;
eat foods that burn fat (eggplants, bell peppers, strawberries, saffron, cinnamon, ginger, cabbage, apples);
set up a meal regimen: obligatory breakfast and dinner so that the stomach is not empty before bedtime (dinner should be light – fruits, vegetable salad, hard cheese), exclude sweet snacks and replace with fruit treats once or twice a day;
use herbal teas instead of coffee (with the addition of chamomile, milk thistle, psyllium);
do not follow strict diets, otherwise calories will be stored with a vengeance, weight gain will be much greater;
do not miss the opportunity to visit the gym to ensure physical activity.

Read also:

Slender figure at any age: training after 40

Please note that excessive weight may be the result of more than just leaking  natural processes, such as menopausal syndrome, but also be a serious indicator of health problems and a sign of the onset of serious diseases. Read more about diseases that people get better from in the article "

Causes of being overweight: 9 diseases that people get better from". Before you change your habitual lifestyle, go through an examination and find out the true reason for weight gain.