At menopause, many women experience weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Contributors to weight gain at menopause include declining oestrogen levels, age-related loss of muscle tissue and lifestyle factors such as diet and lack of exercise.
After this age, hormonal changes take place in both men and women. Women go through perimenopause and menopause and the fat storage tendencies shift. They gain more hard abdominal fat due to lower testosterone and estrogen levels and men gain more soft fat.
You may notice weight gain during menopause changes your body in different ways—for example, your face looks fuller or your belly is softer than it used to be. The weight you've gained in your abdomen during menopause will usually feel fleshy and thick, and you might notice some "rolls" of fat.
Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body.
Hormonal fluctuations in menopause can cause bloating and your body to reabsorb and retain excess water. You may find that bloating only happens after your meals or that it may have nothing to do with food. Menopause symptoms such as stress and fatigue may contribute to abdominal symptoms like bloating.
Start with a mix of moderate and vigorous exercise to burn off menopausal weight gain. Your routine should include aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, bicycling, and running, as well as resistance or strength training. “What you want to employ now is high-intensity interval training (HIIT),” Dr. Peeke says.
A combination of diet and exercise may help symptoms. A person can perform exercises that burn fat, such as running, walking, and other aerobic activity. Reducing the calories a person consumes can also help.
More and more women are now choosing to undergo tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedures to combat the changes seen with menopause. However, this procedure isn't just about aesthetics. A tummy tuck can also correct functional problems, such as the loosening of abdominal muscles that occurs with pregnancy.
Fortunately, trying to achieve a slim, sexy stomach is not a lost cause. You can blast away that fat and regain your health and your figure by gradually but proactively making changes to your diet and lifestyle. If you want to fight belly fat after 40, here are seven important tips you need to try!
Sudden weight gain is a common side effect of menopause. As women enter their 40s and 50s there is a tendency to gain weight. While this weight gain can sometimes be attributed to lifestyle factors, it's also often linked to hormonal changes in perimenopause.
“It is possible to overcome hormonal changes, particularly in women with perimenopausal belly fat or menopausal weight gain,” explains Registered Dietician, Lon Ben-Asher from the Pritikin Center.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
At menopause, many women experience weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Contributors to weight gain at menopause include declining oestrogen levels, age-related loss of muscle tissue and lifestyle factors such as diet and lack of exercise.
How Estrogen Replacement Therapy Can Help with Belly Fat During Menopause. Recent studies show that menopausal women on hormone therapy tend to have less body fat, especially visceral belly fat. Because estrogen affects how your body distributes fat, low estrogen levels can contribute to gaining fat in your belly area.
Avoid super starchy foods, processed foods, and refined sugar. So there you have it, friends. There is no miracle cure for reducing belly fat. Eating well, moving our bodies, and reducing stress all seem to be the ticket to keeping it in check.
Bloating is a common symptom leading up to menopause and during menopause itself. Hormonal fluctuations are the most common cause of bloating, but other factors can play a role as well. Fortunately, most bouts of bloating tend to resolve quickly with lifestyle changes and medicinal therapies.
Perimenopausal bloating occurs in the stomach and other body parts, lasting from a few hours to several days. Typically, bloating happens during the day and can potentially continue throughout menopause.