What's the Real Cause of MidLife Spread?

Ladies, when we hit our late 30’s, 40’s and into our 50’s, midlife weight gain is real and affects many of us. 
 
But beyond the typical concerns about what we look like, and our feelings around that, there is a much more important issue to consider. The fact that this type of fat gain is unhealthy! 

Now, let’s be clear. A little weight gain when we hit perimenopause is normal. Women will put on some weight as they transition from their childbearing years, into menopause. We believe this is an evolutionary adaptation to compensate for the lack of oestrogen from our ovaries, and to allow a process of some oestrogen being produced in our fat cells. 
 
However, I’m not talking about that little bit of natural weight gain, I’m talking about the unhealthy extra weight that many women find themselves gaining. 
 
There are many reasons for it, some of them are within our control, others are harder for us to control:
 

• Eating high carbohydrate diets, drinking alcohol and caffeine can all cause issues when we stop producing enough oestradiol. We are much more likely to become insulin resistant, which generally means weight gain for most of us. 

 

• When we stop producing oestradiol in our ovaries, this hormone which used to help regulate our metabolism and body weight is significantly reduced. 

 

• Stress is another one which can cause weight issues at this time of our life, and one which in the most part, is in our control (that’s another article for another day!). Chronically raised cortisol plays a big part in our weight gain in midlife. 

 
So that’s the bad news. What can you do about it? Well of course controlling carbohydrate intake is a first step we can all take, as well as cutting down on alcohol, sugary foods and caffeine. And stress reduction and management has to be part of the picture. Exercise (the right amount and right type) is crucial. 
 
And getting the right nutrients into your body is extremely helpful (without the right type and amount of nutrients, nothing works properly) so supplementing with the right supplements is hugely important. Hormone therapy can help some, but in all honesty, I am much more likely to want to look at natural solutions for you, before heading in that direction. And yes, there are many. 
 
If you’re in your mid 30’s, 40’s or early 50’s, and excess weight around your middle, hips and thighs is causing you concern about your health, there are things you can do about it. You don’t have to accept it. But you do have to take action! 
 
I offer both self-study, group and 1:1 programmes to help women to understand how their body works, what is actually going on during this incredible but often daunting time of life, and to empower them to make healthy changes. 
 
If you’d like to find out about any of these, book a no obligation free Discovery Call & Health Mot with me, where we’ll dive into what’s going on for you, and at the very least you’ll come away with some clear first steps to take. ​