Are you finding that your
favorite jeans are feeling
a bit tight? Notice a bit
more spread around your mid-section?
Welcome to middle age. If
you are between the ages of
35-55 you're probably going
through the stage right before
menopause known as peri-menopause.
This transitional stage is
characterized by a decrease
in the hormones that allow
a woman to have a baby. As
we move out of the reproductive
phase of life we tend to gain
weight. The weight gain of
middle age is different from
the way we may have gained
weight before.
As younger women, we probably
gained weight in the hips,
butt, and thighs. The weight
gain of middle age situates
itself in the tummy area.
And doctor's have found that
weight that is located the
mid-section puts us at a greater
risk for other diseases that
tend to arrive with middle
age.
Many women decide to do something
about the gradual weight gain
associated with middle age
because of how they look,
But there is an increased
risk of both type-2 diabetes
and heart disease for people
who carry their excess weight
in their midsection. There
is general agreement among
health care professionals
that health risks increase
as weight goes up.
Causes of weight gain in Middle
age can include:
- Reduction in physical activity:
Middle aged women tend to
exercise less than younger
women. This may be due to
the multiple demands on their
time. During this time of
life women may find themselves
responsible for both children,
spouses and in many cases
their aging parents. Sandwiched
between competing responsibilities,
a lot of middle aged women
find that they have little
time to really take good care
of themselves. Sometimes an
exercise program is among
the first things that we give
up when pressed for time.
- Overeating: Stress from
the many demands of modern
life cause a lot of women
to seek solace in food. Without
even noticing we can start
to see food as a reward during
times when we don't have the
time to seek rewards in more
productive ways. Busy schedules
cause us to skip meals and
then we allow ourselves to
get famished and eat the first
thing that is available; often,
over-processed, fattening
fast food.
- Slower metabolism: As we
age the number of calories
needed to support our weight
decreases. We can actually
gain weight while virtually
eating the same number of
calories as we've always eaten.
And the less active we are
the fewer calories it takes
to sustain our weight. Because
muscle burns more calories
than fat, people who are less
active have less muscle mass
and therefore need fewer calories
to maintain their weight.
On the average women who are
pre-menopausal gain an average
of 1.5 lbs per year in the
years leading up to menopause
even without increasing their
caloric intake.
How to lose weight. There
are a few simple steps you
can do that will, over time,
cause a dramatic reduction
in your weight. Of course
before undertaking a major
change in your diet or exercise
level you should talk it over
with your health care provider.
- Increase your physical activity:
Exercising regularly will
help you to keep your weight
under control. Exercise does
so much for us health wise,
in addition to making us feel
good. Two types of exercise
are needed to help control
weight.
- Aerobic exercise increases
your metabolic rate which
means that your body will
process the food you take
in more efficiently. You can
actually eat the same amount
of food and lose weight. Aerobic
exercise helps you burn fat
as well, so your body will
have more toned appearance.
- Strength training increases
your muscle mass, and also
raises your metabolism and
strengthens your bones. Since
our bones tend to weaken as
we age strength training has
brings added benefits to middle
aged women in the form of
protection against osteoporosis.
- Eat healthy: You may find
that changing to a diet lower
in fats and bad carbohydrates
will help you lose weight.
Good lean protein and fresh
vegetables provide a solid
base for a healthy body.
- The right supplements. If
You experience the above symptoms
look into supplements like
Zalestra™. Its maker
claims it is a specifically
formulated supplement for
pre-menopausal women struggling
with weight gain and changing
hormones. Zalestra™
also purports to relieve menopausal
symptoms, increases energy
and enhances your mood. For
more information on Zalestra™
go to http://www.bodestore.com/zalestra.html.
About the author:
Stephanie McIntyre and Kamau
Austin are health and fitness
enthusiasts and advocates.
They write on a regular basis
on timeless health and fitness
tips at the Fit After Forty
Blog. See more useful health
and fitness news and tips
at... http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm
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