Many women welcome "the change" or menopause, as it means no more monthly cramps or rushes to the store to buy feminine hygiene products. However, there are drawbacks that come with this inevitable stage of life. One of them is weight gain, which can make any woman feel self-conscious heading into the latter years of her life.
About 30 percent of women ages 50-59 are not only overweight, but obese. As the U.S. continues to grapple with the obesity epidemic, there are a number of factors that particularly impact menopausal women.
Estrogen, the primary hormone found in women, is known to regulate weight. Researchers have found that when lab mice were exposed to lower levels of estrogen, they were more likely to eat and less likely to exercise. Experts think that the same effect can be seen in women when estrogen levels drop following menopause.
Research also shows that many Americans fail to exercise as much as they should as they approach old age. Nearly 60 percent of older individuals do not receive the amount of daily physical activity they need and this can directly impact weight gain in menopausal women.
Although it can be difficult to stick to a rigorous exercise routine as your body starts to show signs of age, experts say that it can be especially beneficial in women going through menopause. Those who continue to exercise while going through the change can reduce their rate of developing osteoporosis. Similarly, physical activity can reduce the rate of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
Women who exercise regularly during menopause can also relieve anxiety and depression as well as keep their muscles strong. In time, this can improve overall health.
An easy way to incorporate exercise into your life is InterActive Exercise by Medi-Weightloss Clinics®. InterActive Exercise provides a full-body strength training workout that can be done anywhere, anytime. Along with InterActive Exercise, you also should consider low-impact cardio activities such as walking, swimming, tennis, dancing, or cycling. These are all effective ways to strengthen your heart and improve cardiovascular fitness.