As a registered dietitian and menopause nutrition expert, I have, and continue, to live through bodily changes caused by menopause and aging. Though women tend to accumulate more fat in the abdominal region with perimenopause, fat does not move from the hips and thighs. Rather, so-called belly fat accumulates when you eat calories in excess of your needs. Also, not all belly fat is visceral fat. Aging plays a big role in midlife weight gain. We lose lean muscle tissue with age and only about 50% of that is skeletal muscle that we can work to maintain and increase. Strength training is not optional at this stage of life, for women or men. Moving more during the day (not as exercise) is also critical for weight management. We sit way more than we used to as we get older. Moving more is good for the body.
This is so helpful. Altering the mindset and developing a sense of gratitude for what we are still capable of is important but also so easy to lose sight of. The other seemingly unanswerable question for me is, why does everything hurt now? Menopause brought me chronic pain, too.
As a registered dietitian and menopause nutrition expert, I have, and continue, to live through bodily changes caused by menopause and aging. Though women tend to accumulate more fat in the abdominal region with perimenopause, fat does not move from the hips and thighs. Rather, so-called belly fat accumulates when you eat calories in excess of your needs. Also, not all belly fat is visceral fat. Aging plays a big role in midlife weight gain. We lose lean muscle tissue with age and only about 50% of that is skeletal muscle that we can work to maintain and increase. Strength training is not optional at this stage of life, for women or men. Moving more during the day (not as exercise) is also critical for weight management. We sit way more than we used to as we get older. Moving more is good for the body.
This is so helpful. Altering the mindset and developing a sense of gratitude for what we are still capable of is important but also so easy to lose sight of. The other seemingly unanswerable question for me is, why does everything hurt now? Menopause brought me chronic pain, too.
I wholeheartedly agree with all as it completely makes sense and resonates. Thank you 🙏🏽
"Old rules in a linen wrapper" - I loved this.
Good explanation, but I genuinely wonder why I have gained more weight around my middle than a friend who is at the same stage in life?
Different body different chemistry makeup!