Understanding Mid-Life Weight Gain in Women.

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Article Title: Understanding Mid-Life Weight Gain in Women.

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Please consider this free-reprint article written by:

Kamau Austin

© Copyright 2005 Kamau Austin DBA AdPro Media Sales

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Understanding Mid-Life Weight Gain in Women.

Copyright © 2005 Kamau Austin,

DBA AdPro Media Sales

http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

Are you finding that your favorite jeans are feeling a bit

tight? Notice a bit more spread around your mid-section?

Welcome to middle age. If you are between the ages of 35-55

you're probably going through the stage right before menopause

known as peri-menopause.

This transitional stage is characterized by a decrease in the

hormones that allow a woman to have a baby. As we move out of

the reproductive phase of life we tend to gain weight. The

weight gain of middle age is different from the way we may have

gained weight before.

As younger women, we probably gained weight in the hips, butt,

and thighs. The weight gain of middle age situates itself in

the tummy area. And doctor's have found that weight that is

located the mid-section puts us at a greater risk for other

diseases that tend to arrive with middle age.

Many women decide to do something about the gradual weight gain

associated with middle age because of how they look, But there

is an increased risk of both type-2 diabetes and heart disease

for people who carry their excess weight in their midsection.

There is general agreement among health care professionals that

health risks increase as weight goes up.

Causes of weight gain in Middle age can include:

- Reduction in physical activity: Middle aged women tend to

exercise less than younger women. This may be due to the

multiple demands on their time. During this time of life women

may find themselves responsible for both children, spouses and

in many cases their aging parents. Sandwiched between competing

responsibilities, a lot of middle aged women find that they have

little time to really take good care of themselves. Sometimes

an exercise program is among the first things that we give up

when pressed for time.

- Overeating: Stress from the many demands of modern life

cause a lot of women to seek solace in food. Without even

noticing we can start to see food as a reward during times when

we don't have the time to seek rewards in more productive ways.

Busy schedules cause us to skip meals and then we allow

ourselves to get famished and eat the first thing that is

available; often, over-processed, fattening fast food.

- Slower metabolism: As we age the number of calories needed

to support our weight decreases. We can actually gain weight

while virtually eating the same number of calories as we've

always eaten. And the less active we are the fewer calories it

takes to sustain our weight. Because muscle burns more calories

than fat, people who are less active have less muscle mass and

therefore need fewer calories to maintain their weight.

On the average women who are pre-menopausal gain an average of

1.5 lbs per year in the years leading up to menopause even

without increasing their caloric intake.

How to lose weight. There are a few simple steps you can do

that will, over time, cause a dramatic reduction in your weight.

Of course before undertaking a major change in your diet or

exercise level you should talk it over with your health care

provider.

- Increase your physical activity: Exercising regularly will

help you to keep your weight under control. Exercise does so

much for us health wise, in addition to making us feel good.

Two types of exercise are needed to help control weight.

- Aerobic exercise increases your metabolic rate which means

that your body will process the food you take in more

efficiently. You can actually eat the same amount of food and

lose weight. Aerobic exercise helps you burn fat as well, so

your body will have more toned appearance.

- Strength training increases your muscle mass, and also raises

your metabolism and strengthens your bones. Since our bones

tend to weaken as we age strength training has brings added

benefits to middle aged women in the form of protection against

osteoporosis.

- Eat healthy: You may find that changing to a diet lower in

fats and bad carbohydrates will help you lose weight. Good lean

protein and fresh vegetables provide a solid base for a healthy

body.

- The right supplements. If You experience the above symptoms

look into supplements like Zalestra™. Its maker claims it is a

specifically formulated supplement for pre-menopausal women

struggling with weight gain and changing hormones. Zalestra™

also purports to relieve menopausal symptoms, increases energy

and enhances your mood. For more information on Zalestra™ go to

http://www.bodestore.com/zalestra.html

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Kamau Austin and McIntyre are health and fitness

enthusiasts and advocates. They write on a regular basis on

timeless health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog.

See more useful health and fitness news and tips at...

http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm