Best Way To Lose Weight Fast During Menopause

Menopause refers to the change in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycles cease, and she is no longer “fertile” (producing eggs). As normal hormone production continues to decline during perimenopause and menopause, a variety of troublesome symptoms may start to occur, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and more.

But no side-effect of menopause is more frustrating than weight gain. Eventually the hot flashes and mood fluctuations will go away – but most women are stuck for the rest of their lives with the unwanted weight gain that accompanies menopause.

And weight gain is much more than just a cosmetic issue! Weight gain not only dramatically decreases a woman’s self-esteem, it also can significantly increase her risk for virtually every major chronic disease, including: heart disease, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer.

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In this article Austin, TX menopause and hormone expert Dr. Ruthie Harper explains what causes weight gain during menopause – and how you can effectively prevent new weight gain and lose those unwanted pounds.

Menopause results in rapid changes in a woman’s reproductive / sex hormone levels, including estrogen and testosterone. And these hormones play a key role in how the body both burns “calories” and stores fat.

During menopause estrogen levels decline, which decreases the rate with which the body “burns” and converts stored energy (fat). Simply put, low estrogen levels slow down the metabolism, which increases fat storage on the body.

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Additionally, lower estrogen levels result in less fat breakdown, which results in further fat accumulation and weight gain. And, if the balance between estrogen and testosterone gets out of balance, an excess of androgens (male hormones) can increase the risk of obesity.

Finally, to compound the problem, the levels of the hormone leptin – which signal the brain to feel “full” after eating – also drop. So, women actually do feel hungrier as a result of menopause, which leads to eating more.

Frustratingly, in addition to weight gain, fat distribution also shifts in the perimenopausal woman as well. So, waist circumference (“belly fat”) also increases disproportionately in women after menopause at a greater rate.

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The good news is that Austin, TX medical weight loss expert Dr. Ruthie Harper offers several safe, effective and 100% natural methods of improving weight loss after menopause. Even better, every weight loss plan is customized to each woman’s individual lifestyle, body metabolism, hormone levels and fat loss needs.

One way to avoid weight gain after menopause is to modify the type of physical activity you perform, in order to maintain or build lean body mass and optimize hormones. Dr. Harper has designed specific exercise regimens specifically for post-menopausal woman to help offset the increase of fat and decrease of muscle mass that accompanies aging.

Certain non-impact exercises such as spinning, cycling and rowing can help reduce total fat mass, and decrease waist circumference, belly fat, and BMI. And, adding a form of training called HIIT (high intensity interval training) has been shown to be more beneficial than aerobic exercise in the post-menopausal woman.

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Resistance training and twice-weekly yoga have also been shown to help menopausal women increase metabolism, decrease belly fat and gain muscle mass.

Menopause is linked to insomnia, which studies have shown leads to increased hunger, a bigger appetite and lower fat burning. Dr. Harper can prescribe natural supplements including melatonin, 5-HTP, and GABA that are customized in our office, to ensure you get the quality and quantity of sleep you need to prevent post-menopausal weight gain.

Decreases in female hormones can cause increased insulin levels as well as insulin resistance – which can increase body fat and make losing weight more difficult. Dr. Harper can test your blood to identify your dietary deficiencies – and then rebalance your macronutrients (the amount of carbohydrate, fat and protein) to help you take off weight and keep it off.

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An eating program (not a diet) will be recommended and customized for each woman, that is carefully designed after measuring the patient’s unique individual blood chemistry and hormone levels.

Hormonal imbalance is one of the main reasons for weight gain and fat accumulation after menopause. So, to be truly effective, a fully personalized and integrative postmenopausal weight management program also needs to include diagnosis, replacement and balancing of any hormone deficiencies or imbalances.

Dr. Harper offers 100% natural bio-identical hormone replacement at her Austin, TX practice. Unlike synthetic lab-created hormones, these are 100% naturally derived and identical in structure to human hormones. As a result, the body will recognize, use and metabolize them properly – without the dangerous side-effects of synthetic hormones.

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After thorough and comprehensive blood testing, Dr. Harper will customize a bioidentical hormone regimen designed just for you, based on your unique hormone levels and deficiencies. Unlike one-size-fits-all prescription hormones (with standard dosages that may not fit your needs), BHRT therapy is specifically formulated and compounded in dosages that are tailored to each patient on an individual basis.

Dr. Harper’s is nationally recognized as one of the most experienced bioidentical hormone replacement doctors in the country. She specializes in treating women during all stages of life, with a special focus on women in perimenopause and menopause – having helped more than 10, 000 patients in her 20 plus years of integrative and holistic medical practice.

If you live in the greater Austin, TX area and are frustrated and discouraged by the weight gain of menopause, Dr. Harper can help you get your body and your life back – with a caring, comprehensive, natural, and integrative approach to wellness and weight loss that is personalized just for you.

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Dr. Harper founded Ruthie Harper MD, her internationally recognized practice in Austin, Texas, in 1999. Since that time, she has consulted with more than 10, 000 patients and offers the latest services and techniques in health and wellness in the medical division of her practice, as well as non-surgical rejuvenation and skincare in the cosmetic portion of her practice. Her ongoing success serving the health and beauty industries is based primarily on her innovative integration of research, nutritional science, advanced functional testing, and advanced aesthetics.If you are in peri-menopause or full blown menopause then you understand what a challenge it can be to lose weight during this time of life. You know that all the normal things you do to lose weight, like cutting out sugar and bread and exercising more, are no longer working. You feel like you losing the battle and you can’t understand why. Your body feels almost alien… like you don’t have control over it anymore. No one seems to know anything about this… not even your doctor who likely gives you the old, “

1) Declining estrogen means you store visceral fat around your stomach. Hence the spare tire that magically appears. I could no longer button my jeans (

Everyone is different and everyone has different symptoms and issues. There are 35 symptoms of menopause…everything from hot flashes to weight gain to heart palpitations. I’m going to walk you through MY journey. This is what worked for me. You should always consult your doctor before taking anything and make sure you get a plan that will work best for you and your body.

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The first thing I did was schedule an appointment to see a hormone specialist who recommended a TON of bloodwork to get a full and complete picture. This is how I found out I also have mild hypothyroidism which leads to weight gain as well.

Hormone replacement therapy is NOT for everyone. You should consult with your doctor about the risks. It is especially risky for women who have had cancer or are at risk genetically of getting cancer.

I take Liothyronine for my thyroid, Progesterone and Estrogen are the two hormones that I take. Progesertone is a compounded hormone that I take orally once daily. Estrogen is administered by patch and I apply a new patch once a week.

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There are some other things you can take to help with the symptoms you are experiencing and keep you healthy. Talk to your doctor about Vitamin D, Omega 3, B-Complex, Adrenal Essence, Evening Primrose Oil, etc. For a full list of supplements that help with the symptoms of menopause be sure to read this post. 

Again, consult with your doctor first. You may even want to hire a nutritionist who specializes in menopausal women. If you hire a “regular” nutritionist, you might hear the same “eat less” mantra.

In the past, I have tried Intermittent Fasting, KETO, and of course my normal go-to of giving up sugar and carbs. IF (Intermittent Fasting) didn’t move the needle. I got really tired of the KETO foods after three months, which you can read more about here. And, my typical go-to’s were no longer working as I mentioned above.

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To lose my 15 pounds I gave up a TON of things. I basically became vegan with the exception of eggs.  I ditched sugar, gluten, dairy, meat and alcohol.  I followed the plant-based, vegan diet for 6 months and that helped me lose 10 pounds.

Recently, I started incorporating meat back into my diet. I am still mostly dairy and gluten-free. I