Many of our clients come to us wanting to drop 2+ dress sizes by summer but find the road to get there; a challenge. The unique challenges of menopause weight loss call for a specialized approach, tailored to the changing needs of women’s bodies during this time.
However, the journey to weight loss during menopause can often feel like an uphill battle. Often, traditional dieting and exercise methods that worked in their 20s and 30s no longer yield results.
At the heart of this challenge lies a common scenario: countless women resorting to baggy tops and elasticated waistbands, their wardrobes filled with clothes they can no longer wear, leading to frustration and a decline in self-confidence.
But there’s hope. With the right guidance, it is entirely possible to turn this around, regain confidence, and feel amazing in all your clothes again.
In this blog, we delve into the transformative journey of menopause weight loss, guided by insights from out Fit Over 40 Private Coaching that has helped over 6,500 women.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about losing weight around menopause in the run-up to summer, from hormonal considerations to lifestyle changes, all designed to help you drop 2 dress sizes by summer.
7 Steps To Drop 2+ Dress Sizes By Summer Around Menopause
1. Understanding Hormonal Changes: The Foundation of Menopause Weight Loss
Menopause brings about profound hormonal changes that can start 5-10 years before the cessation of menstruation, significantly impacting weight. These changes include a heightened stress response, fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen levels, joint aches, and metabolic adjustments.
Such shifts can make it frustratingly easy to gain weight, particularly around the midsection, and challenging to lose it.
Solution: Embrace a fitness and dietary approach tailored specifically for women over 40. This means selecting strategies that align with your hormonal landscape, not against it. A menopause weight loss private coach can be invaluable in crafting a personalized plan that respects your body’s needs during this transformative period.
2. Exercise That Works With Your Changing Body Around Menopause
The adage of “eat less, move more” loses its efficacy as women approach menopause. The sensitivity to stress, a hallmark of this life stage, means that traditional forms of exercise like HIIT, running, and spinning may do more harm than good by over-stressing the body and exacerbating weight gain.
Solution: Low-Impact Strength Training (LIST) emerges as the exercise of choice for women over 40. This method involves controlled weight lifting that builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and shapes the body without overwhelming it.
Just 30 minutes, three times a week can lead to significant improvements, helping women drop 1-2 dress sizes in as little as 12 weeks.
3. The Diet Makeover For Menopause Weight Loss
The festive season often leads to a lapse in dietary discipline for many, with bad habits hard to break as cravings for sugar, alcohol, and other treats take hold. This cycle of craving and consumption can be particularly detrimental during menopause, further complicating weight loss efforts.
Solution: A strategic Diet Makeover can reset your eating habits. By eliminating Wheat, Alcohol, Dairy, and Sugar (WADS) for 1-2 weeks, you can significantly reduce calorie intake and cravings. These foods not only disrupt hormonal balance but are often linked to intolerances that many are unaware of, making their elimination a powerful step towards menopause weight loss.
4. Increasing Activity Through Steps
A sedentary lifestyle is a common challenge among high achievers with desk-bound jobs. Low daily step counts mean that the body burns fewer calories, making weight loss even more difficult.
Solution: With the weather slowly improving, it is going to become much easier to increase your step counts every day. Incrementally increasing your daily steps can have a significant impact on your caloric expenditure. Adding just 5,000 extra steps a day can burn an additional 200 calories, aiding in steady weight loss without the need for drastic dietary restrictions.
5. The Crucial Role of Sleep in Weight Management Around Menopause
Sleep deprivation can sabotage weight loss by disrupting the balance of appetite-regulating hormones, leading to increased hunger and a propensity for weight gain.
Solution: Prioritizing sleep and aiming for 7-8 hours a night can rebalance these hormones, reduce cravings, and support your weight loss journey. Strategies to improve sleep include optimizing your sleep environment, managing caffeine intake, and ensuring a balanced diet.
6. Embracing Accountability for Sustained Success
Going it alone in your weight loss journey can be a recipe for frustration and failure. Without accountability, it’s too easy to fall back into old habits after a tough day or week.
Solution: Engaging with a menopause weight loss private coach provides the accountability and support needed to navigate challenges and celebrate successes. This external perspective can offer motivation, advice, and the occasional tough love necessary to keep you moving forward.
7. Finding Strength in Community
The influence of your immediate social circle cannot be underestimated. Surrounding yourself with individuals who share your health and fitness goals can profoundly impact your behaviour and self-perception.
A Success Story: Jo’s Journey
Jo, a 56-year-old leadership coach, shares her transformative experience with a tailored menopause weight loss program. After years of struggling with gradual weight gain and the frustration of not fitting into her favourite clothes, Jo turned her life around. Through dedicated coaching, a strategic exercise regimen, and dietary changes, she not only lost weight but also rediscovered her confidence and vitality, dropping to a size she hadn’t been since her 30s.
Wear What You Want To By Summer
Menopause doesn’t have to be a period of weight gain and lost confidence. With the right strategies, support, and mindset, it’s possible to achieve your weight loss goals and feel great in your skin. Use all of the above tips to lose weight and drop 1-2 dress sizes by the summer.
- Download our free guide: Click here to get actionable tips on how to lose weight during menopause.
- Sign up for our free training: Sign up here to learn how to finally achieve results that last.
- Learn more about our Fit Over 40 Programme: Click here to discover how we can help you lose 1-2 dress sizes in 12 weeks.