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If you are nearing perimenopause and you’ve started to gain weight without significantly changing anything in your lifestyle, you may be wondering what’s going on with your body.The perimenopausal process can start at any time from the age of 38 and may take 2-10 years. During this transitional time, the body is often exposed to quite dramatic hormonal fluctuations, particularly progesterone early on. If you haven't changed your diet or exercise routine, but extra pounds still find a way to creep in anyway, it can be frustrating and demoralising.
Besides symptoms of a menstrual and neurological nature, this can often be a period when weight is gained. This weight gain is often unexpected and can drive a woman to despair as the extra thickening around the middle seems resistant to previously successful weight loss measures.
You may be surprised to know that sudden weight gain is not unusual. In fact many women experienced can gain two to five pounds in this period of their lives. So, why does this sudden and unexpected weight gain occur?
Frankly, the rules have all changed!
One of the main reasons is the onset of insulin resistance which in turn compromises metabolic flexibility. Simply put, it has a marked effect on our blood sugar economy which induces:
These symptoms are often ameliorated by dietary adjustments that include adequate amounts of protein, and green carbohydrates with a strong Mediterranean influence. The metabolism needs to be recalibrated to increase the body's efficiency at burning fat. Dietary rotation at this time is ask of great value.
Perimenopause is considered a time susceptible to tipping points. Underlying anxiety is often exacerbated during perimenopause which in turn increases cortisol which then contributes to truncal weight gain.
Thyroid conditions also increase and may have been lying dormant or be a very mild issue. As is the case with the onset of thyroid conditions postpartum, perimenopause is also a potential trigger compromising thyroid function and thus leading eventually to weight gain.
As you can see from the myriad of things that could be contributing to this weight gain, perimenopausal weight gain is often multifaceted. There isn't a magic bullet or pill that will take care of everything. Working with a practitioner who understands your health history and can monitor how you respond to small dietary adjustments can help you to manage your weight effectively. Additionally, they can help you to understand how your altered hormonal profile responds to diet, exercise and other lifestyle inputs and empower you to make different choices that in the long run will help you to lose the weight and keep it off.
Diane Pascoe, has three decades of experience helping her patients to overcome and manage chronic fatigue, stress and anxiety, low mood, and weight loss, with a particular focus feeling good in every way and enjoying the journey of getting to that point.
