There’s no question that after menopause, your periods stop and your hormones change; you might even gain a few pounds. But that doesn’t mean you have to bemoan the changes and throw away your hard-won fashion slimness. It’s still possible to lose weight after menopause, and it’s a great idea to start planning now so you can achieve your weight loss goals successfully.
The Facts
As you know, menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation as a result of ovarian follicle depletion. Hormones play a huge role in your overall wellbeing, so this is certainly a natural and permanent change for your body.
Many women gain weight after menopause due to the changing hormones and lack of activity, but that doesn’t mean your body image has to take a hit. In fact, you might not even recognise yourself in the mirror anymore! Menopause is a key event in a woman’s life, but it doesn’t have to be associated with feelings of inadequacy. You’re still the same person you were before, and that’s a compliment.
How to plan your post-menopausal diet
If you’re determined to lose weight after menopause, there are a few things you need to do. First, realise that the transition will be harder than you’d anticipated. So, it might take you longer than you’d like to lose the extra pounds.
Second, it’s important to get support from family and friends. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the changes going on in your body, and it’s normal to feel a little insecure about your new shape. Having people around you who care and are willing to listen is the best way to get through the transition. Even if they can’t help with the diet portion of the plan, at least they can give you moral support.
Third, try as much as possible to stay on a diet that’s good for your health. That way, you’ll make the transition as smooth as possible and end up benefiting from the changes rather than suffering from them. You don’t need to overhaul your diet completely, but it’s important to remember that certain foods are healthier than others when it comes to aiding weight loss.
Eat What You Want & Need
It’s important to enjoy your food but you also need to be aware of how much you’re eating. If you want to lose weight, you don’t need to deprive yourself of food; you just need to eat less than you normally do. Some women think that the way to lose weight is to completely cut out certain foods, such as bread and pasta. While it’s certainly possible to live on a diet composed entirely of fruits and vegetables, those foods are not the most nutritious options available to you. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that in an effort to lose weight, people are eating less of those foods and more of the quick-and-easy options such as pizza and burgers. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to eat what you want but you also need to eat what you need. Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar, and make eating healthier top of mind. You’ll start losing weight more easily once you start feeling better.
Get Active
A great way to lose weight after menopause is to get some form of exercise. Even if it’s just a workout with a friend once a week, it’s beneficial for your health. It gets your blood pumping and prevents you from eating too much. If you can find a comfortable and pleasant activity that you enjoy, then you’re more likely to stick with it – especially if you want to lose weight. It’s important to find an activity that makes you feel good and proud of yourself. If you want to get back in shape, start by looking into any weight loss classes or workshops that your local gym might have offered. Many universities now offer a Bachelor of Exercise Science, so if you meet the qualifications, then you can look into further studies in the field. Just remember to get a good nights sleep and eat healthily.
Menopause isn’t a bed of roses, but it doesn’t have to be associated with feelings of inadequacy. Hormone changes can bring with them a whole host of physical and emotional side effects that make you feel a little different. But that’s all part of being a woman. You’re still the same person you were before, and that’s something to be proud of.