It is well known that every woman will eventually go through menopause. Menopause indicates the end of a phase of life in a woman and introduces them to the next phase.
It is the end of menstruation and is a completely natural part of the aging process. Once menopause hits, a woman is no longer able to become pregnant which is a breath of fresh air for some women but a depressing thought for others. Also, there are lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in their bodies.
While the typical age for menopause is fifty-two, it can happen anywhere between the ages of forty-two and fifty-six. A woman can confidently say that she has begun her journey of menopause if she has gone an entire year without a menstrual cycle.
While there are benefits to this life change, there is the issue of weight gain that a lot of women experience. This of course, makes them anything but happy but there are things that could be done to help the weight gain situation out.
Weight gain is almost bound to happen due to hormonal changes. To what degree though will be different from person to person. Aside from the common changes in hormones, there are also some lifestyle issues that you must have in mind.
Those who had no trouble eating their favorite comfort foods a year ago may notice that their unhealthy lifestyle is truly taking the toll on their bodies now that menopause has taken residence in their life. The best thing to do to prevent weight gain during menopause is to adapt healthy eating habits and stick with them.
Of course, you may still experience some weight gain and if that happens then you can do a lot to drop the extra pounds and get back in shape. While it is easy to say that the weight gain should be prevented, it is not always that easy. If you have found yourself gaining twenty pounds or more it is extremely important you get on the ball and do something about it.
If you gain excessive weight you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, lower back problems, diabetes, lung and heart problems and knees and joint problems. This are all serious issues, that’s why it is extremely important to make sure that you are doing everything possible to get the weight off and keep it off.
You must begin to keep track of your calorie intake. Not all calories are created equal and you need to make sure you know where the calories are coming from. Carrots are going to give you better health then a bunch of red meat. Be certain you are getting sufficient exercise, as well as closely watching what you eat. Performing aerobic exercises and stretches is an excellent way to begin.
Once you get into a routine you can start to include weight training which will allow you to burn fat and build muscle. Whether it is running, walking, or yoga, as long as you are in motion, you are heading in the right direction. Even after you stop weight training, you can continue with a healthy life style and keep your weight in control, just never forget that your eating and exercise habits must remain healthy.