The Inevitable
Change is inevitable. Whether it’s a change in seasons, a job change, or the change of life – also known as menopause – change is one of life’s constants. Each change requires adjustment – a tweak or maybe more. When the seasons change, we change our wardrobe and how we control the climate in our homes. When we change jobs, we learn new technologies, about new coworkers, and grow personally. When our bodies change through menopause, the changes seem to come out of nowhere. Suddenly we can’t sleep, have hot flashes or night sweats, and, seemingly, gain weight overnight. Our bodies, which may have been our functional friend for many years, suddenly become unfamiliar and we don’t know how to take care of them. We may be surprised by this new stage of life, but we can make the changes needed to enjoy good health and fitness.
Why We Gain Weight During Menopause
Many changes occur during perimenopause and menopause. Some of them are unpleasant but manageable like that unsightly chin hair, while others involve changes that can affect our overall health like weight gain. There are several reasons why we gain weight during menopause:
- Increased insulin resistance
- Our metabolism slows down
- Loss of lean muscle and muscle mass
- Hormonal changes which cause weight gain
- Poor or inadequate sleep
- Stress
Given these challenges, which all occur simply because our bodies change as we age, we need to be proactive in managing our weight.
How GLP-1 Medications Can Help With Menopausal Weight Gain
GLP-1 medications are invaluable in managing weight. These medications are a relatively new way to medically support weight loss, but have proven very successful. GLP-1 medications are so named because they mimic a hormone called GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide 1. GLP-1 medications are also known as GLP-1 agonists because they, like the hormone they’re named after, help increase the amount of insulin released after we eat. Both the hormone and the medication help regulate blood sugar.
GLP-1 agonists are successful in helping control weight because they:
- Reduce feelings of hunger
- Help the user feel full faster
- Increase the length of time the user feels full
- Manage blood sugar levels which reduces feelings of hunger
GLP-1 agonists are highly effective as part of a menopausal weight loss regime, which should also include:
- Eating well (perhaps a Mediterranean or low-carb diet)
- Combining both strength training and cardiovascular exercise
- Finding ways to consistently manage stress, which causes abdominal weight gain especially after menopause
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
- Getting restful sleep which helps decrease the hunger hormone (ghrelin) and increase the hormone that makes you feel full (leptin)
The combination of medication and lifestyle modifications are highly effective in managing menopausal weight gain.
Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss
Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss can provide you with a medically supported weight loss plan and supplement recommendations to help you through perimenopause and menopause. We currently work with people in Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, and Nebraska via telehealth appointments. Contact us at (504) 414-5328 so we can provide you with the support you need in the comfort and privacy of your own home. We look forward to helping you live your best life through menopause and beyond.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
