Menopause: Stopping the Middle Age Spread

Many women notice that as they get older they experience weight gain and have more difficulty with weight loss. Menopausal hormonal changes make some women gain more weight around their abdomen as opposed to their thighs and hips. In addition to menopause, genetic and lifestyle factors can contribute to the middle age spread.

Weight gain after menopause can cause serious havoc on your health. Not only does it increase the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, but type 2 diabetes as well. These conditions can lead to an increase in the risk of stroke or heart disease. Excess weight can also lead to an increase in some types of cancers like breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Because excess weight gain after menopause can increase your risk of adverse health issues, it’s important to lose the excess weight. One alternative to consider is medical weight loss surgery in Ocala, Florida. If you’re not a candidate for weight loss surgery, it’s important to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity and dietary changes to prevent menopausal weight gain or reduce what has already appeared. Losing weight is ultimately a two-step process:

• Increase physical activity — Both aerobic and strength training exercises will help you shed excess pounds by burning calories. You’ll also gain muscle by being more physically active, which is important because muscle burns calories more efficiently than fat.
• Consume less calories — During your 50s, you need to consume about 200 calories per day less than you did in your 30s or 40s in order to maintain your current weight. Eat healthier by consuming fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.