Thursday, January 29, 2009

Reasons Why Women Gain Weight During Menopause

By Ricardo d Argence

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 an entirely usual part of the course of aging and is the end of menstruation. After this, a woman cannot get pregnant, which is a relief for some but is very depressing for others. It's also common to present a lower level of estrogen and progesterone.

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 advantages of this changing phase in life, there is the issue of gaining weight which many women experience. To keep out the weight gain situation, there are certain things that any woman should know.

Due to hormonal changes, weight gain is almost bound to happen. To what degree though will vary from person to person. But above and beyond the typical hormonal changes, there is also the issue of lifestyle that comes into play.

One may realize that, although they had no problems eating their favorite foods, about a year back, now, with the onset of menopause, that very same unhealthy lifestyle would be taking a toll on their bodies. Preventing weight gain during menopause should be done by changing to healthier eating habits and sticking 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.

It is extremely important to make sure that you are doing everything possible to get the weight off and keep it off. Because, when you gain excessive weight, you have a much higher risk of developing diabetes, knees and joint problems, and lower back, lung and heart problems. Even breast cancer is a possibility.

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.

After you get into the swing of things, you can add in some weight training to help burn fat and build some muscle mass. Whether it is running, walking, or yoga, as long as you are in motion, you are heading in the right direction. It is also important to make sure that you are continuing with your healthy eating and exercise habits even after you drop the weight so that you can continue a healthy lifestyle that will keep the weight off for good. - 15438

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