The most overlooked reason you are gaining weight in PERIMENOPAUSE and how to change it. Specialist advice on safe weight loss over 40.
- Vera Prazak
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
It often feels like you woke up after 5-10 years of a dark era, 15kg heavier, unable to remember what happened, and how you got here.
Women who come to MENO Clinic with various pains, aches and full-body inflammation.
Frustrated with rapid weight gain.
Unable to sleep at night, surviving on coffee and snacks.
Trying diet after diet, more cardio, HIIT, weight lifting and nothing works.
Asking WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? Why can't you lose weight over 40?
Perimenopause sneaks up on us when we expect it the least.
Sudden onset of anxiety, mood swings, rage, those itchy ears, and occasional hot flush at night, but the most frustrating thing is our pants, which no matter what we do, are getting tighter and tighter.
The one thing that is certain in perimenopause is hormonal changes.
That affects EVERYTHING that goes on in your body.
Let me help you understand what’s really going on, and mainly, what you can start doing today - no equipment or props needed to help you manage more than just your weight, but to improve your health for the years to come.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW!
As early as the late 30s, this marks the beginning of Perimenopause for some women.
Hormonal changes affect more than our reproductive system, causing a plethora of symptoms that may last for decades or longer.
Estrogen and progesterone play a detrimental role in our health and well-being. Managing body inflammation, heart and brain health, the elasticity of skin and veins, balancing cholesterol, and glucose, helping with insulin response and maintaining muscle tissue and bone mass, not even talking about libido and good mood.
So what should we do when our ovaries begin to say goodbye to easy fun years and are preparing for retirement?
THE ZONE OF CHAOS
First of all, don’t let anyone dismiss how you are feeling and what you are experiencing.
Every woman’s journey through perimenopause is different.
And menopause is so much more than hot flashes and loss of period.
First, our progesterone levels go down - affecting our sleep, we are becoming anxious, ragey women who we can’t even recognise and whose relief comes with the first day of the period.
Our jeans are getting tighter, and you are questioning every life choice you make.
Then our periods become heavier, unpredictable, we feel achy, tired, unable to sleep, and all of a sudden our belly is poking up a bit more.
Loss of estrogen plays a big role in fat storage, metabolism and overall health. Raising levels of LDL (the Bad) cholesterol worsens insulin response and increases levels of blood sugar. Our bellies are bloated due to changes in our gut microbiome. Our body focuses on creating an extra organ to help with estrogen production - the visceral/belly fat - to make up for the lack due to the retiring ovaries.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAFELY LOSE WEIGHT IN PERIMENOPAUSE
Here’s a thing: we cannot force our ovaries to make more Estrogen, but we can support our body in this transition and glide through menopause with a smile.
Three things you need to focus on:
Inflammation - lack of estrogen, increased amount of belly fat, and changed microbiome are, alongside stress main reasons our body is in pain, retains water, bloats and stores more fat. Therefore, the one thing to focus on is an anti-inflammatory diet. Having plenty of nutrients, consistency and balance in meals throughout the day. Helps to balance our blood sugar levels, supports good insulin response, lowers levels of LDL cholesterol and maintains good gut health.
Stress - you can eat as much as you like, but if you are a stressed-out ball of anxiety, you will have a hard time seeing things through. No need to meditate or pick up early morning journaling. Focus on what makes you happy. Rest more, sleep enough, eat well, do something for fun and set good boundaries with family and friends.
Mobility - The right movement is the key. If you don’t eat and can’t sleep, adding a lot of high-intensity training will only make things worse. I watch women quit hours at the gym, engaging in low-intensity activity like walking, hiking, yoga or pilates, and their bodies change rapidly. (Read my other article on how I lost 2 sizes in 4 months just by walking)
ARE YOU ON THE SAME PATH?
One thing that all women who come to MENO Clinic have in common is the lack of understanding of what’s happening to their bodies.
And how to go from here.
Let us help you to get to know where your body is, how you can support it and how quickly turn this feeling of frustration, pain and discomfort into a feeling of control, joy, happiness and becoming yourself again.
Start by BOOKING a FREE Consultation to help you navigate this path with ease and grace. HERE
