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All You Need To Know About Menopausal Weight Gain And Tips To Get Rid Of It

After menopause, women also experience a change in their body shape, especially around their waist and abdomen.

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Menopausal weight gain can increase stress and anxiety

Story Highlights

Menopause and weight gain... the two may seem to go hand in hand. In most menopausal women, weight gain becomes inevitable, even though they are consuming the same amount of calories as earlier. After menopause, women also experience a change in their body shape, especially around their waist and abdomen. This transformation affects many women psychologically as well. It can cause increased amount of stress, anxiety and depression as well. To get rid of this weight gain, there are many lifestyle changes that you need to inculcate in life.

Reasons for menopausal weight gain

1. Hormonal changes in the body are the primary reason for menopausal weight gain. However, aging and genetic factors can also contribute to this gain in weight.

2. Also, women feel less active than before. There is a decrease in the muscle mass and muscle turn into fat.

3. There is a decline in the rate at which you use energy during exercising. This means that menopausal women need to invest more time in exercising, along with exercising with more intensity.

4. With menopause, the body's metabolism rate also changes. The body holds on to the fat more than it used to pre-menopause.

5. Menopausal women often experience stress which leads to production of cortisol hormone. High cortisol levels can increase weight around the waist.

6. Lack of exercise, eating unhealthy and lack of sleep are other reasons for weight gain after menopause.

Also read: You Can Enjoy Pain Free Sex Post Menopause: Here's How

Exercising after menopause

1. Weight gain after menopause will be less if you are more active.

2. Apart from weight loss, exercising reduces risks of osteoporosis and various cardiovascular diseases.

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3. Exercising regularly keeps your joints and muscles strong.

4. It improves overall health and relieves from depression and anxiety.

Also read: Did You Know Men Too Go Through Menopause? Know All About The Male Menopause​

Here are the exercises you should do after menopause

1. Strength training and weight training can be considered good exercises after menopause. They improve metabolism and build muscle mass. Doing exercises on machines, exercises with dumbbells and yoga can all be helpful to prevent menopausal weight gain.

2. Aerobic exercises which are of a lower intensity can also be helpful to get rid of menopausal gain in weight.

3. And above all, it is more important to be active than just exercising. Activities like going for a walk, gardening or playing with your grandchildren will help you be more active. 

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