Weight gain during menopause: why it happens and how to reconcile with your body?

Ah, menopause… This friend who awakens in her fifties and settles into your body without asking permission. In her luggage, she often carries dozens of physical, metabolic, and psychological symptoms that we could all do without. 

Among them, weight gain during menopause, which can be difficult for some women to experience. Even though you haven't changed your diet or habits, you see your body changing… and you feel helpless. 

Guess what? It’s another story of hormones. 

From perimenopause, we strongly encourage you to maintain a gentle and benevolent relationship with your body. Why? First, because it has done nothing wrong: 100% of women go through menopause at some point in their lives (on average at 51 according to Inserm). 

Secondly, because weight gain is biologically explained and your body experiences it just as much as you do. According to a review by the IMS Society, women observe an average weight gain of 3 to 5 kg during menopause. But of course, that's just an average: there are as many menopauses as there are women. 

We’ll give you some tips to understand what’s happening during this period and how to manage weight gain well. 

How to explain weight gain during menopause? 

The hormonal rollercoaster of menopause

Menopause is a true hormonal transition. Levels of estrogen and progesterone gradually decrease, and this drop has repercussions on your entire body.

Why?
Because most of your organs are equipped with hormone receptors. When hormones act up, the whole body is affected.

Among the main metabolic changes observed:

• A progressive loss of muscle mass, sometimes referred to as “muscle wasting.” Beyond a certain threshold, we speak of sarcopenia, a common phenomenon after age 50.

• A slowing of basal metabolism, i.e., your body’s ability to efficiently use nutrients.

• Easier accumulation of fat mass, particularly in the abdominal area.
  
  

None of this has anything to do with a lack of willpower or a “poor lifestyle.” These are real biological adaptations, normal, documented, and important to know to stop feeling guilty.

Your body isn't betraying you: it's adapting to a new way of functioning.

New lifestyle habits during menopause 

During menopause, the pace changes. You may feel less inclined to move or to get up at 6 AM on a Sunday for a cool hike (we understand completely). The body also feels less comfortable, sometimes heavier, stiffer.

In addition to this:

• sleep disturbances,

• joint or musculoskeletal pain,

• more persistent fatigue.

Menopause is often experienced as a period of slowing down, or even withdrawal. However, and even if it may seem counterintuitive, movement becomes essential at this time. Not to "lose weight at all costs," but to preserve muscle mass, support joints, and limit certain pains.

It's not about doing more, but about doing things differently.

Loving your body during menopause: our best advice 

Weight gain during menopause: what if we stopped mistreating our bodies? 

First reflex to deconstruct: that of restrictive diets.
Deprivation, food elimination, strict rules… all of that is a big no, whatever your age, by the way. Don't believe in exercise programs that promise you a wasp waist in 3 weeks or a miracle diet that guarantees you -10 kilos thanks to ultra-chemical meal replacements.

Your body is already going through a period of hormonal vulnerability. Imposing additional stress (dietary or athletic) will only make things worse. Fighting against it is rarely the right strategy to regain harmony.

Instead, we suggest you cuddle it.

Give it what it really needs with a healthy diet:

• omega-3s,

• vitamins and minerals,

• good fats,

• sufficient hydration.

We don't want to see you starve yourself or exhaust yourself doing 20 hours of exercise a week. No guilt. No punishment. No self-flagellation.

Accepting that your body is in motion, in transformation, is already a huge step towards reconciliation.

Seeking out the right hormones 

Yes, we're going to talk about exercise again. But don't worry, not to preach to you.

Physical activity plays a key role during menopause:

• it helps to preserve muscle mass,

• it slows down the accumulation of fat mass,

• it protects bones and limits the risk of osteoporosis,

• and above all: it stimulates the production of endorphins and "good hormones."

You know, that feeling of satisfaction after a good session? That gentle pride, that well-being that settles in? Well, that's exactly what we're looking for.

Certain sports are particularly recommended during this period:

• Strength training sports: weightlifting, Pilates (Reformer or not), electrostimulation (EMS)...

• Weight-bearing sports: brisk walking, running, dancing, hiking, which are perfect for cardio and joints.

• Impact sports: CrossFit, jumping rope… excellent for muscles and heart, to be adapted according to your abilities, ideally with a coach at first.

Don't underestimate your body.
Menopause is not an illness, and its symptoms are not inevitable. You still have a lot of resources and capabilities.

Do dietary supplements for menopause work? 

Reclaiming your body also means taking care of it holistically.
Doing masks and taking hot baths is great… but sometimes, it's not enough, especially when the symptoms are very real. 

Whether you are on menopausal hormone therapy or not, a little boost can be welcome. Dietary supplements can support the hormonal system during this transition period.

They help to:

• avoid certain deficiencies,

• maintain energy,

• support the body in its new needs.
  

The key is to choose quality products, ideally from a French brand you trust. A simple gesture, but one whose effectiveness is now well documented. We have also formulated a 100% natural cure that contains all the minerals and nutrients you need, and a good dose of love. 

Reconciling with your body during menopause doesn't necessarily mean losing weight. It means learning to live with it, embracing its changes, listening to it instead of constraining it. Haven't you already spent decades trying to sculpt it? 

It's time to stop violent diets and unrealistic injunctions.
Menopause gives you the opportunity to move for your well-being, eat to nourish yourself, and sometimes… have fun with your body, as it is, here and now.

Because it's still yours. And it deserves, more than ever, your kindness.