Menopause And Weight Gain
Out of all the possible symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause, the number one most dreaded is weight gain.
Daily, I hear my patients tell me “I’m not sure what else I can possibly do to stop the weight gain. I eat the same and I exercise the same as I have my entire life”.
So what gives?
Warning, I won’t give a magic pill here, but thee are my thoughts on the matter.
Muscle mass declines with age. Muscle burns energy more efficiently than fat tissue, thus, larger body size accompanies a decline in muscle.
To offset this decline in muscle mass, you may need to move and eat differently than you have in the past. This typically entails increasing protein and engaging in resistance exercise (weight lifting/anything that squeezes the muscles and makes them sore). Note: aerobic exercise is great for heart health and mood, but if you really want to target that weight, focus on resistance exercise.
Try not to get stuck on what your previous body was like — you may have a different body moving into menopause, and a different metabolic rate. Embrace this and lean into it.
While I grew up in a time where a certain body image was THE ONLY correct body to have, I have much admiration for the younger generations of today. They can teach us a lot about body positivity and health at any size and shape.
Eat organic, cook/eat most meals at home. Eating out guarantees eating inflammatory oils and additives that you cannot control. Inflammation will often lead to weight gain.
Antidepressants are known for causing weight gain. I don’t mean to discourage this medication if it works for you. But do realize it could be part of the equation.
I often find that if we can consider weight loss a goal, but NOT the main focus of our treatment plans, we end up accomplishing healthy weight loss as a side effect of improved health.
A very important point here — it is MUCH healthier to go through peri-menopause and into menopause with some “cushion” as opposed to being underweight. This protects the bones and brain.
My most important point here — your body is innately intelligent. It knows that estrogen (which has over 400 various functions) is important for brain, bone, immune, cardiovascular, nervous system, skin, and mental health. While the majority of estrogen is produced by ovaries, this production ceases at menopause. Because we are living longer than our ancestors, we are outpacing our estrogen production.
Part 2 of my most important point — is there a backup method to create estrogen? Why yes! I’m so glad you asked. A small portion is made by the adrenal glands and rest is converted from testosterone through an enzyme called aromatase.
Part 3 of my most important point: Aromatase is most active in fat tissue, especially fat around the abdomen. While you are peeved at your body for creating a belly overnight, your body was brilliant in that it created a secondary source of estrogen for you. Note: Estrogen and or testosterone replacement can offset some of this belly weight for many women.
Now put on those shorts, put on that swimsuit, show off that beach body, and give thanks to your body’s innate intelligence!
💕
Dr. Laura Neville