The Real Skinny on Menopause Weight Gain

by Holly on January 15, 2012

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to settle back into the reality of menopause. Weight gain is common for everybody at this time of year. Between the cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, and Grandma’s fruitcake, we all tend to pack on more than a few uninvited pounds. And when we’re so busy filling our stockings and celebrating the season, it’s easy to push our healthy habits aside ‘til the new year.

Unfortunately, shedding those extra holiday pounds might only be half the battle.  As menopause approaches, our bodies begin to change. Some doctors and experts believe that weight gain during our 40’s and 50’s is just a natural part of the aging process. In fact, the average woman can gain up to a pound a year during this time. Sounds reasonable.  But why right now?

We all experience menopause differently. Chances are, though, your menopause weight gain may be caused by one of several factors, including:

  • Hormonal changes. Estrogen levels can cause fat to shift to the center of our bodies—belly, butt, and thighs. Not the most optimal distribution, but it happens.  Check out Magnolia Miller’s post on The Perimenopause Blog for more information.
  • Loss of muscle mass. As women age, there is a natural loss of muscle. We tend to be more sedentary and aren’t replacing the muscle. So it turns into fat.
  • Bad habits. We all have them. We make excuses, abandon the treadmill, and let our gym memberships lapse. And even if you’ve vowed never to make another New Year’s resolution, this really is a great time to get your life back on track.
  • Genetics. Look around. Did your mom or sisters gain a little weight when they hit menopause? Like it or not, you may be predisposed to doing the same.
  • Stress. Life happens. We become caregivers, go through divorce, or struggle financially. And when other menopause symptoms start to take over, it can all be a bit overwhelming.

Sure, you have no control over some of those factors. You can’t change your family tree or reverse the aging process. But you can take the steps necessary to manage menopause weight gain. First, visit your doctor. You always have to rule out other possibilities, including thyroid or other conditions. Next, take the time to better understand how menopause affects both your body and your mind. Knowledge is power.

Finally, take charge. Watch your portions, make healthy food choices, and incorporate some form of exercise in your daily activities. And don’t feel like you’ve got to train for a marathon. A daily walk or a class at the local yoga studio can be the perfect way to get started.

And if you’ve tried it all, but nothing seems to work, it helps to lean on other women for guidance and insight. Our menopause forum is a great place to connect, ask questions, and share your story. See you there.

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Has Menopause Changed You?

by Holly on December 4, 2011

Illustration by Sean McCabe

Menopause gets a lot of negative press. It’s not too often that you hear, “I’m so glad I’m in menopause. What a great experience this has been!” Usually, it’s the opposite. Between the hot flashes and mood swings, menopause can turn your world upside down.

But I recently ran across an article by Roseanne Barr. Yep, she’s in the news again and reflecting on her journey through menopause. I know what you’re thinking. People have very strong opinions about her, but this article was well written and had some great points. I could almost hear her voice while I was reading it.

Roseanne acknowledges that, while she was in menopause, it wasn’t very fun. Now that she’s on the other side, though, her life has changed for the better. She has more time for herself, is comfortable in her own skin, and knows what she wants out of life.

You know what? Good for her. Isn’t that what most of us are looking for?

So how do we find the silver lining in the dark clouds of menopause? We embrace the change. Because sometimes change is good. And as much as menopause affects us physically, it also makes a big impact mentally and emotionally.

Stop and take a look back at who you were five, ten, fifteen years ago. You probably see a very different person in the mirror. What’s changed? Your looks, your attitude and your perspective, your body? Or maybe you’re still in transition from the “old you” to the “new you.” Especially if hormones are currently wreaking havoc on your life.

Menopause is the body’s way of cleaning out the closet. We spend years cramming stuff in and hanging on to more than we should. Things get buried—feelings, baggage, useless crap. We convince ourselves that we’ll need all this stuff one day. We won’t. But it sits there until there’s no room left and we realize that things need to be different now. It can be scary. After all, who remembers what’s sitting at the bottom of your closet?

Keep the faith. There is often light at the end of a tunnel. And as Roseanne so eloquently put it, “Menopause is the victory lap over the curse of being born female!”

Has menopause changed your perspective on life? Join us in the menopause forum and tell us how.

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Ten Tips for Managing Menopause Stress Over the Holidays

November 18, 2011

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Yes, that means you. Even though you’d like to pretend you have all the time in the world, the holidays are upon us. No matter where you turn, the signs are there. Black Friday ads. Santa at the mall. The wacky neighbor with the reindeer on the roof. You [...]

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What Preventative Measures Do Women in Their 40s Need to Take to Maintain Heart Health?

November 5, 2011

This is a guest post by Ashley from Long Island Heart Associates. Many people regard heart disease as a condition mainly affecting men; however, heart disease kills more women than men every year. Heart disease is actually the number-one killer of women in the U.S. As caretakers, women frequently put others first, ignoring their own [...]

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Research, Science and Menopause

October 30, 2011

Guess what, ladies? Researchers are really starting to pay attention to women in menopause. During the past couple of months, several new studies from all over the world were published on various topics relating to menopause. Granted, most of these studies have taken place over the course of several years, so this isn’t something that [...]

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Massage Therapy for Menopause Symptoms

October 13, 2011

This is a guest post by Laurie Schnebly of Massage Envy Spa.  There are days when you feel great. Other days, you’re ready to snap at your best friend, turn every cluttered drawer upside down on the floor, and eat three giant chocolate bars in a row. We all react differently to the symptoms of [...]

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