How to avoid menopausal weight gain?

Menopause doesn't necessarily lead to weight gain

but the hormonal shifts underlying this change of life definitely affect body fat distribution.

Weight tends to shift out of the hips and thighs to the abdomen

turning some "pear shaped" women into "apples."

I've read that the average woman puts on two to five pounds during the menopausal transition

but I know that many women complain of greater gains

Part of this problem has to do with issues that are unrelated to menopause.

First of all, as we get older, we need fewer calories because there's a shift from

lean muscle mass to fat and a consequent slowdown in metabolism.

If you want to maintain your weight as you get older and avoid menopause weight gain

you have to cut back your food intake by about 200 calories per day

this applies to men as well as women.


The other part of the equation is exercise.

Ample evidence suggests that regular exercise prevents menopause weight gain.

And at this time of life exercise is particularly important for a number of other reasons:

weight bearing exercise such as walking can keep your bones and heart strong and

also lower your risk of breast cancer.

Regular physical activity may also help reduce hot flashes, counter depression

sharpen your thinking, and promote good sleep.