Women tend to spend a lot of their lives comparing themselves to others. You may do so as well, thinking of them as models of what you want to be. You may have had years of struggle to accept your body the way it is, knowing that your thighs are going to be bigger or your arms will have that jiggly effect. Once you’ve finally made peace with yourself, you hit perimenopause with all of its daily challenges, including headaches, hot flashes, and the dreaded weight gain. While it is common and is an excellent way for your body to adapt to new hormone levels, weight loss is still a possibility as well.
The Cause
Every person is unique, and each one of you will experience different challenges when it comes to shedding pounds or gaining them. However, there are some common situations where gaining pounds is a possibility. Hormones and fat cells are part of a complex network that is responsible for heat regulation, digestion, appetite, detoxification, and metabolism. During perimenopause, that network may go a little haywire, leading to hot flashes and food cravings.
What To Do
The best thing you can do is continue going to your doctor, taking prescribed medications, and try to ensure that all those links and all points of the body’s network are right. It may also mean changing your diet or trying a medical weight loss program.
Nutritionists can help you determine what foods you should be eating, as well as which ones you should try to avoid. If you already know you won’t make it without sweets or an after-dinner soda, they’ll work with you to incorporate your favorites, modifying sizes and portions to keep you on track. They may also recommend exercise or other medical treatments, including medications and injections.
