Listen to Episode 42 WTYL Podcast Stop Accepting Your weight Gain and Fight Back!
Midlife can be an exciting time, but it can also bring about some changes to our bodies, that can be hard to accept—one of those being weight gain. The problem occurs not when we gain the weight, but, when we begin to accept that this is just the way things must be.
As we get older, weight gain is a surety for most women. As we go through menopause, the loss of muscle and hormonal changes can result in a decrease in energy expenditures. “If you eat the same things and exercise the same amount as you did in your thirties, you could potentially still gain weight,” said Soltes. “Women don’t want to hear that, but it is biology.”
To combat weight gain, we must do two things. Exercise and watch what we eat. The American Heart Association and the CDC suggest that 150 minutes of moderate exercise can work wonders to help you lose weight, build muscle, and increase heart health. If working out for 30 minutes, all at once makes you cringe. Feel free to split it up into 15-minute increments.
The second thing you must tackle is the way you eat. No one was more surprised than I to realize that I could not eat the way I use to when I 35. I had five babies, three of them are only two years apart. I ate whatever I wanted, and after the babies came, started back to running, and the weight literally fell off.
All of that changed when menopause hit, suddenly my belly and knee fat exploded, and I went from a size 10 to an 18 in a matter of months.
A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion followed nearly 200 middle-aged women for three years, tracking eating patterns, overall health, and lifestyle. The researchers found women who did not change their eating habits as they aged were 138 percent more likely to put on about six pounds or more during midlife.
Eating healthy does not have to be overwhelming, watch your portions, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Which means cutting back on caramel latte’s, French fries, and chocolate milkshakes.
It is estimated that about 60% of American women are overweight, and 1/3 of these women are obese. Carrying that extra weight could mean join pain, strokes, diabetes, or heart disease, all of which could be detrimental to the lifestyles we want to lead.
Yes, our bodies change as we get older, but we do not have to become complacent and accept those changes, we can fight back with good nutrition and exercise. You are worth it.
Which one do you think it would be easier to start today, exercising for 30 minutes or eating healthier meals? Let us know in the comments.
With Love and Peace,
Renee
Whenever you are ready, here are two ways I can help you create the future you’ve always wanted:
Join the private Welcome To Your Life Midlife Made Easier Facebook group, a curated community exclusively for fun-loving midlife. Learn from and connect with other midlife women this is your village a safe place to vent your concerns and celebrate your wins. Click here to join (note: you must answer the questions to be considered).
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