One of the most vexing changes in menopause is a shift in body fat storage to the front and sides of the abdomen.
This menopause belly is a result of shifting hormones as well as a shift in how we move our bodies and eat. We have a decline in estrogen which causes fat cells in the abdominal area to store more fat. It may even reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.
Unfortunately, most women gain between five to ten pounds during the first decade after menopause and you don’t have to be a statistic!
Research shows that postmenopausal women have an increase in intraabdominal and trunk fat when compared to premenopausal women. This increase is linked to higher risk of high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol.
This shift is more than just a cosmetic issue.
The decline in hormones during and after menopause is just one part of menopause belly. For many women, their level of activity slows with age.
Many women do not reduce their caloric intake to match the lowered activity. The lower activity level, coupled with decline in muscle mass from less exercise, lowers the metabolic rate, leading to an increase in stored fat.
Basically we keep eating and we don’t burn it off at the same rate as before!
Although you don’t have much control over the hormonally induced body fat distribution, you can achieve a flatter tummy with the following tips.
But first, let me introduce myself.
My name is Tina McDermott, The Lazy Inspiration Chef, Speaker and Weight Loss Coach, and one of the founders of Menowave.
This is my love, my passion, my life to be here with you to help you live a life that is super healthy, full of vivaciousness and free from dis-ease and DIEts.
Back to the issue at hand with how to fix the menopausal belly.
It all comes down to the basics of health and wellness:
1. Drink your water (1/2 your body weight in ounces a day)
2. Eat organic whole foods the way that Mother Nature has provided them to us.
3. Take organic whole foods supplements including probiotics so your gut can flourish.
4. Exercise on a daily basis.
5. Stress reduction.
Love and hugs ~ Tina “Fixing Menopausal Belly” McDermott
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