Here’s the truth: the “eat less, exercise more” approach often falls short during the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause
Many women in midlife find themselves frustrated with a number on the scale that keeps creeping up, despite their best efforts. Weight gain and body composition changes are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Body composition refers to the breakdown of your body weight into muscle mass, fat mass, and bone mass. Muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat mass, so the higher your muscle percentage, the higher your metabolism. This is why the number on the scale might not tell the whole story. You could gain muscle and lose fat, resulting in a higher weight but a healthier, more metabolically active body.
During menopause, declining estrogen levels can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in visceral fat (the dangerous fat stored deep in the belly). This not only contributes to weight gain but also raises your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke.
While being thin might seem like a health goal, it’s not always the case. “Skinny fat” people can have the same health risks as those who are overweight, even though they look thin. This is because they have too much body fat, especially visceral fat, and not enough muscle mass.
Visceral fat, which is stored deep within the abdomen, can be harmful to your health.
To stay healthy, it’s important to focus on overall body composition, not just weight. A healthy balance of fat and muscle is essential for long-term well-being. Having enough muscle mass can help you stay strong, mobile, and healthy as you age.
I have qualifications in training Peri & Menopausal Women and I myself am going through perimenopause!
With our InBody scale in studio, we review critical markers such as visceral and body fat mass along with muscle and bone mass, and the data generated informs our nutritional and exercise recommendations. The InBody scale allows us to monitor progress.
