Dear Ellen,
I am in my 50’s and never had a weight problem before. Now I do! How do you handle menopausal weight gain?
Sincerely, …Frustrated
Dear Frustrated,
You are not alone – many women find that during perimenopause and menopause they suddenly become a member of the sisterhood of the shrinking pants!
I hope you are going to good menopause specialist. If not, I have a Menopause Specialist Directory on my website. These specialists have been recommended by the sisterhood! If you can’t find a specialist that has been recommend in your neighborhood then read these helpful tips on how to find a specialist and hormone happiness! You can also go to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and The North American Menopause Society and check out their list of specialists.
Ask your specialist to make sure you are dealing with menopausal symptoms and not weight gain due to a thyroid condition such as Hashimotos Disease.
Many women find that once they get their hormones balanced that can pull out those clothes in their closets that have been collecting dust. One UT Southwestern Medical Center study shows that estrogen receptors in the brain help regulate appetite food, energy expenditure, and body weight. So when estrogen levels take a nosedive during perimenopause and menopause, hunger increases, the metabolism slows, and fat starts hanging out around the waist.
Check out these helpful blogs: Fight Menopausal Weight Gain and Easing Menopausal Symptoms with Food. Personally, I am a huge proponent of Weight Watchers. I found Weight Watchers to be amazing! I thought I was eating very healthy, but WW totally changed my eating style and my body! My husband and I did a couple years ago together online (we never went to a meeting) and we have still kept off our weight!
Excess weight can even contribute to other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes so it is good that you want to get this nipped in the bud! In addition, many women find that cutting back on their alcohol intake can help tremendously. So if you are used to having glass of wine or two, maybe cut back a bit and see if that helps. Moderate exercise can help, but extreme exercise can contribute to a hormonal imbalance. Take a look a this blog for a few more pointers: Ease Menopausal Symptoms with Exercise.
Good Luck! Keep me posted!
Remember: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!
Ellen
