Taming the Meno-pudge

Taming the Meno-pudge

You weren’t told of that bit of a tummy you would gain? No? Well, it’s perfectly natural for this to happen at menopause, it’s a bit like the puppy fat of puberty.  Not an excuse to gain more weight but a healthful sign that things are changing.

The sciency bit

That extra fat, especially around our waist giving that lovely ‘barrel’ shape, is for a good biological reason. It provides reserves from which we can produce oestrogen when our ovaries retire. This is scientifically proven.

However, do not let this time in your life be an excuse for gaining weight and becoming obese. This ‘belly fat’ does cause negative health issues. I like to describe ‘overfattness’ around the tummy as another hormonal producing ‘organ’. Anyone male or female with this apple shape has an increased risk of diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  You see high levels of oestrogen can cause this to happen.

The lack of testosterone at menopause can trigger excess fat in the upper arms causing the ‘bingo-wings’. Progesterone levels start to fluctuate in our thirties and then the oestrogen at peri –menopausal time. People say that menopause is an oestrogen dominant time but- it really is that you are not producing enough progesterone to balance the oestrogen.

What to do?

• Accept that for a while you will have a little pudge belly and that when the hormones level out to their post-menopausal balance that will ease.
• Really look after your diet and exercise regime.
• Make the time for you.
• Get your fresh fruit and vegetables, water, high fibre carbs, oily fish and lean meat into your diet. Plan your shopping to make sure there is a tasty healthy snack when you need it -after all, you are hormonal and a woman who needs chocolate needs it NOW but choose high-quality dark chocolate.
• Aim to reduce alcohol intake to below the recommended daily amount -it contains empty calories and can increase the hot flushes.  If you need calming reach for magnesium nature’s wonderful tranquillizer, or Nervoheel a homeopathic product to ease tension and anxiety.
• Walk of the crazy mood swings get outside where possible and this also helps your quality of sleep.
• My clients and I have found using ear seeds on the auricular points for menopause especially those horrendous hot flushes and sweats, a very successful natural help and one you can use at home. I always have these packs in stock.
• Alkalizing your body is a great way to buffer the changes and for this, I use Guna basic a brilliant mixture of magnesium, herbs and minerals which taken at night really help to get you asleep and reduce the carbohydrate cravings.
• And I absolutely love Profem a combination of minerals, vitamins, herbs and probiotics all in one food supplement. It really helps for those periods when the night sweats are heightened.
• The system of medicine I prescribe Physiological Regulation Medicine, works without negative side effects, really helps balance those imbalances.

Read more here https://livewellclinic.co.uk/physiological-regulating-medicine-prm/

You can stay trim through the menopause -be kind to yourself and remember at live Well Clinic we are happy to advise and help.