Weight Gain
When women go through the menopause, fat starts to be stored differently around the body. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for muscle mass/strength and fat distribution – so when testosterone reduces in perimenoapsue we become less efficient at burning calories and more likely to gain fat around our bellies.
The increase in cortisol (your stress hormone) also causes an increase in the hunger hormone ghrelin – so you may be prone to eat more.
Magnificent Menopause No 1. tip for reducing weight gain: Fasting
I use an easy fasting protocol that keeps me trim. But it does need guidance to succeed without stress!
Cutting out gluten and alcohol make a big difference and are easier places to start. We covered points on how to reduce alcohol in the Hot Flush section so let’s focus on gluten.
Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye so is often found in things like bread, pasta, cakes and pastries. Consuming these kinds of foods can lead to weight gain simply because they are often refined (white rather than wholemeal) and have a high calorie content. People also tend to consume more carbs (like a big plate of pasta and with a bit of bolognese or a big pizza with a few vegetables) rather than large portions of protein or fibre that help to balance out the impact of refined carbs.
So the calorie content alone can contribute to weight gain. However a significant percentage of the population are sensitive to gluten whether they realise it or not and this leads to ongoing inflammation which is a significant contributor to belly fat.
Try my Life Changing Grain Free loaf. Best toasted with melted butter!
How else can I help?
Menopause symptoms affect many of us dramatically. Both physically and emotionally it can have a significant impact on anything from relationships, work, family life, hobbies and most fundamentally your sense of self.
However, it can truly be the most powerful and liberating time of your life. It may seem impossible to believe right now, but trust me - you can use its challenges to fuel your personal, physical and spiritual growth during this next phase of life.
From Nutritional Protocols, Yoga and Qigong, Menopause Coaching and Workplace Training, I can offer step by step guidance to steer you through menopause’s choppy waters.
First Watch my Menopause Masterclass and after that you will be directed to a booking page where you can Book a 20 minute Free Discovery Call and tell me what is going on for you.
If you would like to find out more and take the next step check the links below.
What to do next?
Join my Facebook Group where you can access a community of people going through the menopause transition.
Sign up to the newsletter for my latest articles about menopause nutrition, movement and more.
Visit the Natural Menopause Method website page to find out more about the work I do to help women navigate their menopause journey.
If you are struggling with symptoms at work or you would like to improve the conversations and provisions around menopause in your workplace then visit the Menopause in the Workplace page where you can find information about the packages and presentations I offer.
The symptom quiz has been designed for women going through perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause. It is not a substitute for advice provided by your general practitioner or other healthcare provider. You should not take any action based on the content of this quiz and its results or top tips, without first seeking medical advice.