Perimenopause
and Weight Gain - How to Maintain an Ideal Body Weight During Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the harbinger of news that
life cannot always be a sweet 16. Lifestyle changes are inevitable, more so
when the hormonal imbalances have just set in, one is still trying to
grapple with the realization that old age is fast beckoning. It hits one
between the ribs, and may almost seem like an unwelcome guest who has dared
to crash a happy party. Hormones are balanced no more. Your ovaries become
sluggish and the production of hormone estrogen starts dropping gradually.
These changes are almost imperceptible at first, until you notice that you
are highly irritable and getting agitated easily. Or that you are having
problems remembering things, forgetfulness is always lurking at the
corners of your mind ready to spring forward and take control. You might
probably put it down to stress due to that added work load, or the fight you
just had with your significant other. Anxiety seems to be taking hold
of you, you are anxious for no reason.
Your life suddenly seems to be spinning
out of control. Or is it... Aren't you coming down with something, feeling
alternately hot and cold? Oh that fight, that was just because he had the
nerve to tell you that you were getting fat... Wait a minute, is he having
an affair with someone else to dare to think about you like that?
Oh the nerve of it... though come to think of
it, haven't you really put on a few pounds? You couldn't zip up your
favorite jeans the other day, they had grown a tad too tight. Oh that,
that's because you have not been very good at exercising lately... then it
hits you, could it be the onset of the dreaded mid life crisis ... the
menopause or perimenopause as it is officially called. Yikes!!!
Though symptoms of perimenopause may
vary from person to person, yet weight gain especially around the
mid-section i.e. waist and thighs is one of the commonly present symptoms of
perimenopause that creeps up unannounced. It is just another indicator that
your body is out of tune due to hormonal imbalances. This results in slowing
down of your body metabolism. And of course with the accompanied stress,
anxiety, irritability, mood swings, cravings etc, your eating habits and
exercise habits have not been helping very much either.
How to combat perimenopause weight gain:
Yes, if you are prone to weight gain
during perimenopause, you have to combat it almost on a war footing. There
are 3 important elements you have to pay attention to:
1. Diet - Proper food and nutrition during
perimenopause is essential. Besides the regular food guidelines established
by the health authorities, You also have to include, natural foods such as
soy, flax that help in balancing your estrogen levels. As well as natural or
herbal supplements with the right kind of essential nutrients that need to
be replenished in your body.
2. Healthy exercise - you need to establish a
regular healthy exercise routine that is just right for you.
3. You need to find a drug free system to
manage your stress, anxiety, depression or mood swings easily and
effectively. A lot of women find relaxation, meditation or other self help
therapies useful at this stage of their lives.
Here are some more articles you need to read
on managing your weight gain during perimenopause:
How to Combat perimenopause weight gain -
articles you need to read:
Here are some recommended self help products that
will Provide You with Natural Menopause Relief:
Get More peri-menopause information and Tips For
Menopausal Relief :
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