If women are more likely than men to set resolutions at the start of the new year, why is it that they are less likely to achieve them? And what can be done to change this? Let's find out!
New Year's Resolutions + Menopause
If the majority of your clients are women, it is likely that menopause is a key factor in many of their day to day lives. As the new year begins, their resolutions will probably be related to physical and mental health and wellbeing. Menopause symptoms are often actively managed by lasting changes in lifestyle, exercise and diet. Therefore, the new year is the perfect time for menopausal women to stick to their health related goals, for a happier, healthier future.
However, it can be difficult to push past the detrimental effects that menopause has on the mind and the body, and it can seem impossible to take actions to feel good again. This is particularly true if clients are disheartened by their changing appearance and have less confidence as a result.
Menopause Changes
Menopause symptoms combined with the ageing process can result in a rapidly changing appearance around the age that perimenopause begins. Clients will feel a multitude of feelings that come with not recognising their own reflection in the mirror. A lack of collagen can cause the skin to become less supple, with a crepey texture. Elasticity also decreases, minimising the skin’s ability to bounce back as it once did. On top of all this, the skin will begin to sag, potentially causing jowls and under eye bags to become more prominent. These changes in appearance are also affected by the decreased bone density and loss of muscle mass that occur with perimenopause. While these symptoms may seem overwhelming, with the correct knowledge and treatments menopausal clients can work with their body to stay looking and feeling great.
Weight Gain
Fluctuating hormones during perimenopause can contribute to weight gain for many women as processes within the body change. This can play a part in the reduced confidence many menopausal women have, as weight distribution also changes with hormones, often resulting in weight gain around the abdomen area. The body begins to burn calories differently during peri-menopause and beyond too, with a greater percentage of fat stored than before. In addition to all of this, muscle mass is lost at approximately 1% per year after the age of 40. As muscle is metabolically active, it helps the body burn energy even when sitting down. Less muscle mass reduces this metabolic activity, further contributing to the potential of weight gain. We've got lots of tips on how you can make the changes in metabolism work for you in the next email!
Insulin Resistance
Fewer calories burned and weight gain is often linked to insulin resistance. On the approach to menopause, the body has greater difficulty dealing with high amounts of carbohydrates, resulting in many common symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, sugar crashes, afternoon slumps, difficulty concentrating and carb cravings. Insulin is a major hormone, and can have detrimental effects on the already fluctuating minor hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Insulin resistance is also linked to diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, putting menopausal women at greater risk of developing these diseases. Fortunately, with some simple swaps you can continue eating the foods you enjoy and avoid these symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
You do not have to worry - insulin levels and weight gain, as well as many other menopause symptoms, can be influenced and managed by lifestyle changes. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining healthy habits, such as skincare, can make all of the difference.