Menopause And Weight Gain
Menopause is bad enough to go through, but to add
menopause and weight gain together just makes this process all the more
worrisome. Many women who are in there thirties and forties have noticed a
change in their weight. It is typical to start gaining a bit more, especially
in the tummy area. But how can this be associated with menopause when you are
still having regular periods?
There is a hormone that affects our menstrual cycle and
that hormone is Estrogen. This is also the female sex hormone as testosterone
is the sex hormone for men. It is because of this hormone that you ovulate, but
during the menopausal years, this hormone begins to drop. It is this hormone
that seems to have the biggest connection with menopause and weight gain.
Ovaries will stop producing the estrogen your body is
looking for, so it will begin to look in different places to get it. Fat cells
can produce estrogen, therefore, your body works harder to turn those calories
into fat in order to produce more estrogen.
Another hormone is called Androgen. This is responsible
for sending this new fat that we are making to our middle section. Have you
ever heard of the term "middle age spread"? Well, now you know where
it came from.
You will also have a drop in your testosterone levels
during the menopause years. Even though this is a male hormone, women have it
as well. This is the hormone that affects your ability to create lean muscle
mass. This in turn affects your metabolism, the more muscle mass you have, and
the more calories you can burn. Now you are producing less testosterone, so you
have less muscle mass. This is also your enemy when it comes to storing more
fat and burning fewer calories. So much to look forward, don't' you think?
Okay, I am kidding on that one, but in reality, this is something that we do
have to look forward to as it will happen eventually.
This is the reason women who are experiencing menopause
and weight gain, will benefit so much from a good exercise routine. When you
realize that menopause and weight gain go hand in hand, you will be more likely
to plan for it and be prepared. Build muscle and help burn those calories.
Menopause may be annoying but there are many benefits as well.
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