After women reach the age of 40, their physical functions gradually deteriorate, especially during menopause. Fluctuations in estrogen levels make them sensitive, prone to weight gain from small amounts of food, and weight gain in middle age becomes a concern for many women.
Take Ms. Li, for example, at 46 years old, she excels both in family and career, appearing successful as a core leader in the business field. However, recently she noticed visible belly fat, even tight clothing in summer, which surprised her. Ms. Li used to have no trouble gaining weight, ate as she pleased, and never expected weight management in middle age to become a new challenge.
Faced with weight changes, Ms. Li considered losing weight, but her friends believed her current weight was within a normal range and didn’t require intentional weight loss. This made her wonder if there are fixed standards for weight loss.
Exploring the ideal weight for women in their forties during menopause, using Ms. Li as an example, her weight fell within the standard range even after gaining weight, indicating she doesn’t need to lose weight at present. Also, a simple weight assessment rule is to subtract 105 from height (in centimeters), with the result and a 10% fluctuation range considered as the standard. By this calculation, Ms. Li’s standard weight should be in a reasonable range, whereas previously she was considered underweight.
The risks of obesity should not be ignored, including cardiovascular diseases, as fat accumulation can cause blood to thicken, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes; increased burden on bones, particularly leading to knee and hip joint wear and tear, causing pain or fractures; mental health impact, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even menopausal depression.
Therefore, maintaining an appropriate weight is crucial. Suggestions include measures like utilizing technology to monitor food calories, balancing the diet; using cool-toned tableware to reduce appetite; doing gentle stretching exercises every night to promote sleep and improve metabolism.
In conclusion, weight gain during menopause in women should not be overly concerning, as long as it falls within a healthy range. If indeed overweight, it is essential to acknowledge the dangers of obesity and manage weight scientifically and reasonably by adjusting lifestyle habits.
