Many women have difficulty controlling menopause symptoms.Photo:Getty
Getty
Typically, women gain 1.5 lbs. a year as they transition tomenopause,and weight gain can begin seven to 10 years before the onset (which, on average, happens at age 51).
Changes in estrogen duringperimenopauseslow metabolism, and fat redistributes to the belly region, so maintaining an active lifestyle is critical, says Dr. Monica Christmas, director of University of Chicago’s Menopause Program and the Center for Women’s Integrated Health.
“We change as we age, but think, ‘How can I be my best possible self ?’ ” says Dr. Christmas. “Be meticulous about how you fuel your body and intentional about how you move your body.”
Why do women often gain weight in menopause?
“The fluctuation in hormones during menopause not only triggers changes in metabolism but also to mood. You may feel more irritable, anxious, depressed,” says Dr. Christmas. “People say, ‘I don’t have energy.’ If your metabolism slows, and you have less energy to exercise, that leads to weight gain.”
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Paulina Porizkova has spoken out about menopause.Craig Barritt/Getty
Craig Barritt/Getty
If it’s just a few pounds, why is it a health issue?
Can hormone replacement therapy help?
Gabrielle Union has openly discussed going through menopause.Gotham/GC Images
Gotham/GC Images
Are weight-loss drugs a solution?
“They can be appropriate for people that have already made the healthy lifestyle choices — they’re exercising regularly, they’re eating well but still haven’t reached their goals, or if they have other medical issues like diabetes. But most of those medications you have to take forever, otherwise the weight comes back, especially if you haven’t changed anything else.”
What’s the best way to control weight gain?
“If we compare our 50-year-old selves to our 25-year-old selves, we’re never going to win. I tell people, ‘Let’s be our healthiest selves.’ Do something you enjoy every day so it’s sustainable. Ten minutes of exercise is better than no minutes. And weight gain doesn’t happen forever. It’s usually the couple years right before periods stop and a couple years after, and then it plateaus. It doesn’t keep going up and up.”
source: people.com
