How to Keep From Getting a Fat Belly During Menopause

Menopause and weight gain seem to be the dreaded duo, going hand in hand. It's not your imagination. You really have become thicker around the mid-section and it's not necessarily your fault or the result of anything that you have done or not done. Point your finger at the hormones that go haywire during peri-menopause and then almost disappear when you are in full menopause. They are the reason for your fat belly.

Things You'll Need

• Yoga mat
• Hand weights

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Instructions

Figure Out What's Going on

• 1

  Be aware that hormonal fluctuations that occur while going through peri-menopause leading into menopause will result in your weight shifting. You may not actually gain weight but find that you can no longer zip your pants because your midsection has become bigger. The fact is that your belly may be larger than it was prior to menopause whereas your legs and arms may be thinner. The weight has shifted to your mid region.

• 2

  Realize that you may be eating and exercising exactly the same as you were prior to menopause but you still seem to be gaining weight and can't control your belly, which seems to be getting bigger and bigger. This is typical when it comes to menopause, according to Epigee.org. Low levels of estrogen can result in weight gain and decreased levels of progesterone can cause water retention, which makes you bloat. Male hormones called androgens are precisely what causes the weight to accumulate in a menopausal woman's mid section. Rather than carrying your weight in your lower body, androgen causes the weight to plop right down in the middle.

• 3

  Understand that there isn't any magic bullet for avoiding the "middle age spread" or for getting rid of your fat belly but there are things you can do to minimize the belly fat. You simply cannot eat as much as you used to because your metabolism has slowed down. Keep that in mind. Do not drink too much alcohol or caffeine or smoke because all of these factors contribute to water retention.

• 4

  Avoid refined sugars and eat vegetables and fruits because a balanced diet will not only help you fight the fat but will make you feel better.

• 5

  Realize that losing weight too quickly will backfire on you. The weight will return. If you are trying to lose weight, do it slowly.