Menopause belly fat is something we think about more often during menopause. It's hard not to think about it when we see how our body is changing rapidly into something we really didn't wanted. So, what can we do about it?
True, many women pack on menopause belly fat as they go through this phase of their lives. Research studies abound that try to determine the exact cause for this increase in menopausal fat. However, you need to know that no direct correlation between menopause and menopausal belly fat has been found and not all women are afflicted with menopausal fat during this time.
Researchers found that because of hormonal changes, the body is more likely to pack on extra pounds. Fat is a producer of the hormone estrogen. As menopause progresses and the levels of estrogen taper off, the fat cells are encouraged to multiply, in an attempt to balance the estrogen needs of the body. Quite a catch-22! This is the reason weight gain is associated with menopause.
But estrogen is only a minor player in this menopause belly fat game. Recent research has discovered that the levels of cortisol in the body, as well as adrenaline, have just as much to do with menopausal belly fat gain than any other hormone.
Cortisol is a stress hormone. When periods of stress have long affected the body, cortisol kicks in to calm things down. Adrenaline is the "fight or flight" hormone that keeps us in a state of preparedness. Both of these hormones are in increased levels in a woman's body during menopause. Adrenaline make us hungry for carbs, to quickly replenish energy stores in preparedness for the next stressful event. Cortisol slows us down. So, more eating of the wrong kinds of foods and a metabolism that has slowed its fat-burning efforts all lead to one thing: menopause belly fat. What a double whammy!
So, can you blame menopause belly fat on menopause? Yes and No. It's just as easy to get your hormones out of balance at other times of your life with excessive stress levels. It's just a sure thing at menopause.
Is menopause belly fat inevitable? No. Your lifestyle choices will also directly affect your chances of gaining menopausal fat. Of course, that's true at other times of life, as well. In fact, lifestyle choices are the more likely culprit of menopause belly fat that menopause itself.
So menopausal fat is not inevitable and is wholly avoidable. Whether or not you gain menopause belly fat is completely up to you. A slowed metabolism can be revved up with regular physical activity of moderate intensity. A walk around the block, three or four times a week would suffice to get your metabolism started. Exchanging vegetables and lean meats for carbohydrates is a much healthier choice for your energy needs. It isn't even that hard to do.
Is it Possible For a Woman Over 50 to Lose Menopause Belly Fat?
Some women think menopause belly fat is unavoidable during the process of menopause. The hormones fluctuate wildly, the body changes where it stores fat and for these reasons, it easy to see why so many people think menopause is synonymous with menopause belly fat. But nothing could be further from reality.True, many women pack on menopause belly fat as they go through this phase of their lives. Research studies abound that try to determine the exact cause for this increase in menopausal fat. However, you need to know that no direct correlation between menopause and menopausal belly fat has been found and not all women are afflicted with menopausal fat during this time.
Researchers found that because of hormonal changes, the body is more likely to pack on extra pounds. Fat is a producer of the hormone estrogen. As menopause progresses and the levels of estrogen taper off, the fat cells are encouraged to multiply, in an attempt to balance the estrogen needs of the body. Quite a catch-22! This is the reason weight gain is associated with menopause.
But estrogen is only a minor player in this menopause belly fat game. Recent research has discovered that the levels of cortisol in the body, as well as adrenaline, have just as much to do with menopausal belly fat gain than any other hormone.
Cortisol is a stress hormone. When periods of stress have long affected the body, cortisol kicks in to calm things down. Adrenaline is the "fight or flight" hormone that keeps us in a state of preparedness. Both of these hormones are in increased levels in a woman's body during menopause. Adrenaline make us hungry for carbs, to quickly replenish energy stores in preparedness for the next stressful event. Cortisol slows us down. So, more eating of the wrong kinds of foods and a metabolism that has slowed its fat-burning efforts all lead to one thing: menopause belly fat. What a double whammy!
So, can you blame menopause belly fat on menopause? Yes and No. It's just as easy to get your hormones out of balance at other times of your life with excessive stress levels. It's just a sure thing at menopause.
Is menopause belly fat inevitable? No. Your lifestyle choices will also directly affect your chances of gaining menopausal fat. Of course, that's true at other times of life, as well. In fact, lifestyle choices are the more likely culprit of menopause belly fat that menopause itself.
So menopausal fat is not inevitable and is wholly avoidable. Whether or not you gain menopause belly fat is completely up to you. A slowed metabolism can be revved up with regular physical activity of moderate intensity. A walk around the block, three or four times a week would suffice to get your metabolism started. Exchanging vegetables and lean meats for carbohydrates is a much healthier choice for your energy needs. It isn't even that hard to do.
So, to sum up, if you are concerned about menopausal fat during menopause, don't be. Take into account that you are in control of your life, make a few necessary lifestyle changes and menopause belly fat will be nonexistent for you.
To make adjustments to your diet is the first step you have to take so one day you can say goodbye to menopause belly fat forever.
Find the best way to lose weight during menopause!
To make adjustments to your diet is the first step you have to take so one day you can say goodbye to menopause belly fat forever.
Find the best way to lose weight during menopause!
