Ladies, let’s talk about menopause and weight gain! As we approach this stage of life, we often feel like our bodies betray us. Suddenly, we’re gaining weight without even looking at a cake! But fear not; there are ways to combat this.
First and foremost, we need to understand the facts. The average woman will gain 1.5 pounds per year after menopause. This is due to lower levels of progesterone and estradiol, which impact our metabolism and increase muscle breakdown and insulin resistance. But don’t despair; there’s a lot we can do to mitigate these changes.
One important thing to consider is our macros. We need to change what we eat and when we eat it. Many women continue to eat like they did when they were 18, but our bodies change as we age. We’re also less physically active, contributing to muscle loss and a slower metabolism. We can maintain muscle mass and increase our strength by incorporating weight training into our routines.
But it’s not just about what we eat. We also need to reconsider our relationship with alcohol. Sorry to be a buzzkill, but alcohol is a potent neurotoxin and highly inflammatory. It can damage our memory center and increase our risk of cognitive decline and dementia. And when combined with HRT, it can raise our estrogen levels and increase our cancer risk. So, if you drink, do it sparingly and choose organic or biodynamic options.
Last but not least, we need to manage our stress better. We become less stress-resilient as we lose progesterone and become more sensitive to cortisol. This can lead to issues with sleep and cortisol levels. High cortisol levels can also lead to more adiposity around the abdomen, so it’s essential to prioritize stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, or therapy. And speaking of sleep, getting seven to eight hours a night is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Now, I promised a personal story to illustrate the impact of this topic, so here it is. My dear friend Helen went through menopause a few years ago, and she noticed she was gaining weight despite eating healthy and exercising regularly. She didn’t understand what was happening and felt like giving up. But, after speaking with her doctor, making some changes to her macros, and incorporating more weight training, she started seeing results. Not only did she lose weight, but she also felt more robust and more resilient. And once she started prioritizing stress management and getting enough sleep, she felt she had a handle on things.
So, ladies, don’t despair. Menopause and weight gain may seem inevitable, but there are things we can do to mitigate the changes. By changing what we eat, incorporating weight training, reconsidering our relationship with alcohol, and managing stress and sleep, we can control our bodies and health. Let’s embrace this stage of life and show it who’s boss!
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Summary of Transcript:
The video discusses weight gain in menopause and perimenopause and provides three essential factors to consider in managing it. They are first understanding that women will gain five to eight percent of their body weight in the first two years after menopause, with an average weight gain of 1.5 pounds per year, due to lowered progesterone and estradiol, which impact metabolic rate and increased insulin resistance. Secondly, changing eating habits and lifting weights can help mitigate these changes and combat muscle and strength loss. Lastly, changing the relationship with alcohol and managing stress, particularly as the loss of progesterone impacts stress resilience, can also contribute to weight gain. The video emphasizes the importance of factoring in these changes during the menopause and perimenopause phases.
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Summary of Description:
In a video by Cynthia Thurlow, the connection between hormone levels, particularly estradiol, and weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is discussed. Understanding the impact of fluctuating hormonal levels can help explain why maintaining a healthy weight becomes more challenging during this stage of life. The video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice.
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Source Description
Are you experiencing weight gain during perimenopause or menopause?
In today’s video, I dive into the connection between hormone levels, particularly estradiol, and weight gain during perimenopause and menopause.
Understanding the impact of fluctuating hormonal levels can help explain why maintaining a healthy weight becomes more challenging during this stage of life.
Tune in today and let me know your thoughts!
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This video is for educational and informational purposes and is solely a self-help tool. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat health problems or illnesses without consulting your medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your medical practitioner and mental health provider about your specific health situation.
