Sneaky Weight Gain and Menopause - an article I wrote for Women's Health Week

Wow was so happy to contribute to this article published this week with Jean Hailes for Womens Health Week. Veiw the article here https://stories.jeanhailes.org.au/weight-gain-at-menopause/index.html.

You can also read my blog (full article) below

In this article published this week, I contributed by taking about my own experiences, and although I found that I seemed to have minimal symptoms of menopause, I have noticed a change of shape and weight sneaking up over time.

I also found the symptoms in generally more related to basic health and manageable when aware and knowledge of how to take better care of myself, which as an older mum with young kids, but it was hard mental and physically.

I've always had a healthy lifestyle, plus a Mirena for years between 40-50, so I believe this may have helped, along with healthier habits that manage weight gain, less stress on joints, adrenals and boost our mental health, for being a happier woman.

But lately, I've seen alot change, mainly due to being less active, a sitting job, not as much walking, less weight training and average sleep waking up a lot.

During covid I was fatigued and had more worry, helping with teens home school and mental health struggles.

General worry, unhelpful habits of staying up late and more recently enjoying summer nights with a nightly habit of a sneaky vodka or gin cruiser, is now visible and catching up with me.

And what about those "hot flushes" heh, I also notice if I have hot drinks, like coffee, tea, a wine - hot flushes appear, but not last long.

But I do the worst and worrying symptoms of perhaps going through menopause and being less fit, less healthy as previous years, would be the general fatigue, the racing heart palpitations which worsen with poor sleep.

And weight gain for me is unusual, I am a petite fit lady, have always loved weights and walking, so I can feel and see the difference, the thickening around waste and back, the awkward shape change, more visceral fat, lower self confidence has began to show, clothes not fitting and not feeling as attractive, as my regular clothes were not as flattering for me.

So, what I did instead -I've updated my wardrobe, bought new better fitting clothes, to fit comfortably, flowy, softer, feminine not so fitted now. But still feeling good over all.

I will say, raising a family as an older mum at 37 & 40, kept me distracted and not really noticed menopause that much, although I did not know anything about perimenopause or menopause, could have explained alot of mood issues and extreme fatigue at the time.

Now at 55 I am focused on my health, going back to lots of selfcare, back to basics, good nutrition, adding protein, good fats and supplements, meditation and weights, walking to maintain a healthy body, weight, mindset and improve my energy and heart health.

As also being a mum of teens struggling with mental health issues, can be a recipe for a tired, low moods, sometimes anxious woman, so it's important to stay fit and healthy to cope better overall with life's ups and downs, stay connected and have more fun, enjoy a healthy life.

I offer free 1:1 30 minute health reviews to see where your at and how I can help as a health coach guiding and helping you with easy improvements, to help make them happen.

You can find more help on my website about health women aging and living well https://www.leannevandeligt.com.au/

Or reply email lvandeligt@gmail.com or text 0412482358, follow, message via fb https://www.facebook.com/leannevandeligthealthcoach

Download - https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/uploads/images/0523_jh_fact_sheet_menopauseandweight_WEB.pdf