Losing weight during the menopause: how it works!

Menopause is a challenge for many women. When the hormone balance changes, it not only causes mood swings, but the body also undergoes some changes. In addition to occurring hot flashes (sweats) and sleep disorders, it can be extremely difficult, among other things, to prevent weight gain or lose a few kilos.

Why is losing weight during menopause so difficult?

During the menopause, on the one hand, the metabolism slows down, which slows down the fat loss. For another, does the body need less energy? the basal metabolic rate decreases. One of the reasons: Ovulation in women of childbearing age consumes around 300 calories a day, which disappear during menopause. And: Already between 30 and 35 years, the body starts to lose muscle mass, which we burn even fewer calories.

Despite the menopause decrease

Losing weight during menopause is not easy, but with a slight change in diet and some exercise quite possible. A diet is usually unnecessary for this? And you do not have to do without everything. These tips help with weight loss during menopause, so you can do without dieting and still have to worry about your weight:

1. Switch metabolism to turbo-gear

To stimulate the metabolism during the menopause, for example, it helps to eat spices while eating (see also: spices for losing weight). Especially chilli, ginger and black pepper heat the metabolism properly. But also citrus fruits like oranges and berries of all kinds have a positive effect on the metabolism.

2. Do not give up movement during menopause

Also indispensable: exercise. Although losing weight without sports is also a fundamental issue, what already lasts for a long time becomes almost impossible during menopause. At best, so you're looking for a sport that you really like (swimming or cycling, for example) and go to this regularly. Three times a week for 30 minutes usually enough for an effect.

3. Drain with nettle tea

Increased water retention occurs during menopause. And these unfortunately show up on the scales. In contrast, a cure with nettle tea helps: The plant helps flush out excess water. Do you drink two to three cups a day? but for a maximum of four weeks, so no habituation effect occurs.

4. Diet: Eat only light meals in the evening

In the evening, the metabolism and digestion have been working hard all day? now you should not burden them even more by eating unhealthy food. Finished products such as pizza are not only heavy in the stomach in the evening, they also make it difficult to burn fat. During the menopause, eat a lot more protein from dairy products, eggs, lean fish or meat, whole grains and vegetables and just do not keep a diet.

5. Sleep enough

The term beauty sleep is no coincidence: during sleep, our body regenerates. And also to lose weight, enough rest is essential! If we sleep about eight hours at night, we are less hungry the next day. Conversely, the feeling of satiety sets in later, when we have slept too little and we also get more cravings.

By the way: In our articles weight loss tips and weight loss without hunger you will find even more helpful tricks!