While it may seem like the deck is stacked against you if you’re considering weight loss after menopause, research has shown that healthy eating habits and exercise can help. Shedding pounds is hard for anyone, whether they’re in their 20s, 30s, or 60s. Once you’ve lost it and are a healthy size, you still have to maintain to keep on track.
The problem for older women is that they are usually less active when they get older. They tend to sit and watch their grandchildren play rather than play with them, or sleep. If they’re retired, it can be even tougher to stay active.
Natural Decline
Weight loss after menopause can be harder because women can see a natural decline in energy levels, along with a lower metabolic rate while resting, and an increase in appetite. This trifecta can be detrimental to shedding those pounds or maintaining your current size. For example, you’re not going to want to work out if you don’t have the energy, and your body burns fewer calories while at rest. To top it all, your appetite is out of control, and you feel hungry all the time.
What You Can Do
While studies may have proven that exercise and diet are all you need, keeping up with a routine can be hard, especially if it restricted your favorite foods (pastas, bread, sweets, etc.) Instead, you may want to consider using a nutritionist or a medical weight loss program for women after menopause. They will determine your dietary requirements based on your activity and lifestyle. If that isn’t enough, they may be able to offer more help, including injections that can help burn fat or medications that can speed up the metabolism.