How to Bust Through That Muffin Top

Look down and you see an added layer of fat in your lower belly… where did that come from?  How did that happen?  I never had that before…sound familiar?

As you followed the Amazing over 40 blog posts, you’ve learned about the hormonal fluctuations and bodily changes that occur with perimenopause and menopause.  During perimenopause, it’s like a hormonal roller coaster, with estrogen and progesterone levels plunging and surging to crazy levels.   In menopause, there are no more hormonal fluctuations, but a very low hormone levels lead to uncomfortable symptoms, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and of course, that muffin top!

Why does it happen?

As we age, our metabolism slows down.  To keep the same weight, we need to eat less and exercise more just to maintain our current weight.  To lose weight at this time can be incredibly challenging!  In addition with the loss of estrogen in menopause, there is a redistribution of fat from hips/thighs to the lower abdomen, thus creating the much loathed muffin top.

What can we do to help prevent this and/or lessen this?

Here are 4 tips:

1. Hydration - need to get rid of toxins that are stored in our fat cells.  Drink at least ½ of your bodyweight in ounces of water/day.  For example, If you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink approximately  70 ounces of water daily.  If you’re exercising, you'll need to add even more.
   
   
2. Stress Reduction- leads to increased cortisol and more fat storage and retention.  Reducing your stress level reduces cortisol levels and allows your body to shed that fat it is holding onto. Remember - stress and cortisol signal your body to think it is in a time of “famine” and holds onto fat as protection.
   
   
3. Weight Training/Cardio : Weight training will increase your muscle mass and ultimately your basal metabolic rate (BMR).  Doing cardio 3-4x/week of 45 min - 60 min intervals will help to burn and shed fat.
   
   
4. Reduce processed foods: These foods are loaded with preservatives - thus toxins to our bodies - and cause our fat cells to enrobe them and “protect” us.  By eliminating as much processed foods as possible, you will be able to store less toxins, have less fat cells and feel less bloated.

Want more information about how to Bust Through That Muffin Top?  

Join me on my Live Facebook Q & A on Thursday, August 25 at 5:30 pm PST/ 8:30 EST. Here’s the link!

-          In health and happiness