As a 49 year old women, I have gained 21 lbs. in the last 6 months or so…. As a person hitting the menopause stages in life… Do I need to change cardio routines? Is there certain exercises I need to key on more than others? Is there a change in foods to watch? I can never receive a straight answer not even from a Personal Trainer. Thank you, Kris K. [via Ask Questions]
Menopause weight gain Since menopause is a complicated process that involves a complex interaction between important hormones in your body – you should consult with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet and or exercise.
I am not a doctor and I do not know your medical history, but as far as the menopause weight gain goes – it is pretty normal to gain some weight at the beginning or during the menopause. I would not worry about it too much, except that gaining 21 pounds seems a bit excessive. Ask your doctor about it!
The menopause weight gain is tricky. Where did this weight come from? Is it mostly water weight? It could be – if it is mostly water – it will probably go away on its own. Have you gained weight because your hormones are going crazy? Perhaps. You see, when it comes to the menopause weight gain there could be many reasons for it, all of which sound plausible. Again, ask your doctor, he or she knows your history, and should be able to diagnose it properly.
As for changing your cardio routines or focusing on certain exercises, I do not think you need to make any changes. I mean, if you feel good and do not have a problem doing the same routines with the same intensity, you do not need to change anything. If, on the other hand, you feel tired and drained after your workout, you need to reduce the intensity of the exercise – if that does not help – reduce the time of your workout as well.
Sometimes, less is more. You should feel refreshed and energized after your workout. If you do not feel that, if you feel as if you just unloaded a truck full of 50-pound potato bags or something, you are doing too much exercise.
Menopause diet The menopause diet question is not as tricky as the menopause weight gain. Why? Because you can never go wrong eating healthy, menopause or not. Although a lot has been written about the menopause diet, in reality, the menopause diet is largely a myth. What do I mean by this?
Some experts claim that the menopause diet has to contain certain foods that can help lessen the effects of menopause. Unfortunately, there is very little evidence for such claims. So in my opinion, it is best to focus on eating a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and some whole grains.