It may seem to you that it is bizarre that these 2 symptoms are linked, or you maybe thinking 'well, that's just the menopause isn't it?'
Let me first say, yes it happens during this time that your body is going into hormonal flux, but it doesn't have to be so, it may be happening but it doesn't have to happen. Have I now got your attention?
Let's crack on with the reasons and then afterwards I'll tell you what you can do about it!
Reason 1 - Too much Sugar
You may already know this, and you may groan especially if you don't think you're eating much sugar, so what you need to know is simple carbohydrates are a root cause. Potatoes, rice, pasta, plus any processed foods/sauces, they break down into sugar. Also if you're having full sugar soft drinks/ alcohol too! The time of day is pretty important too, the closer you eat these things to going to bed the more affect they're going to have on you. The more sugar you eat, the more energy you create in your body, and as you get older the slower your digestion, so eating these things after 7pm means they're in your blood stream in the middle of the night, causing the sweats when the liver is trying to clean your blood between 1 and 3am, and you're not exercising so the liver metabolises the sugar into belly fat
Reason 2 - Your body is stressed (even if you don't realise it!)
We can't get away from the fact that the menopause change causes a stress on your adrenals, but what you can do is understand it and what you can do about it. A hormone called cortisol is readily released, every time adrenalin is. This hormone is looking for something to do and it combines with the sugar to make the stubborn belly fat, which isn't removed with upping your exercise regime.
Guess what? Upping exercise to try and reduce the belly fat puts more stress on your body and actually exacerbates the situation!
Reason 3 - In the Perimenopause without Progesterone, you become Estrogen rich
This is the 3rd part of belly fat, this excess estrogen combines with the cortisol and sugars to make the fat that sits around your organs. This is particular to the perimenopause and so why women notice this as they get into their 40s rather than at a later age.
Reason 4 - You're starved of Magnesium
Your body holds onto fat when it thinks it's in crisis and this happens now as that nasty cortisol also leeches all your nutrients, so you'll feel this as achy joints and muscles, tiredness, brain fog and overwhelm. Magnesium is a major cause of so many symptoms from restless legs to broken sleep, it helps to keep blood sugars in balance too. It's the #1 supplement to start taking now.
You have to put supplements in to your body to balance out the depletion caused by the nutrients that cortisol takes, grab my Quick Start supplements guide here.
Reason 5 - You're scared to eat fat, and don't get enough protein
What you eat can be easily tweaked, you just have to trust that it works. For years 'low fat' products have been on the shelves, but these contain more sugar. It's far better to have a full fat greek yoghurt that a low fat fruit yoghurt, just compare the carbs per 100g on the back!
We need good fats and good protein, to balance out blood sugars, stop cravings. and give your body the variety of nutrients that it needs. Eating full fat will not put on belly fat, in fact quite the opposite as without sugar there is nothing for the estrogen and cortisol to cling too.
Reason 6 - Your Gut Bacteria is in Crisis!
The healthier your gut the better it is at absorbing nutrients, and balancing out sugars and removing waste. If you bloat regularly this is a clear indicator (along with excess estrogen) that your gut needs help. A probiotic puts the good bacteria back in that you've lost, and prebiotic in the form of vegetables and fibre help the good bacteria flourish, and your digestion to become more efficient, and this will also boost your immunity, and improve your skin and sleep.
Get the best Probiotic for Women in the menopause here.
Reason 7 - Your liver needs a clean out
This is a biggie, you put a real load on our liver, and every night it has to clean your blood. The harder it works the hotter you get, and this is the root cause of night heat between 1 and 3am. You can help your liver not only by doing everything above but also detoxing it, think of it like a filter and your filter is clogged!
'7 Quick and Simple Tips to a Fabulous Menopause' really does contain the elements you need to get started on getting your symptoms resolved. You don't need to put up with ANY menopause symptoms, they are your body telling you that something is wrong and asking you to resolve it please. So don't ignore the symptoms, do something about them to set you on the path to a better health for now, your menopause transition and your life beyond. Now is the time to address your health, hoping it will 'go away in a few years' is not the way to a life of longevity and vitality. If your body is depleted of nutrients and health now, how will it get better if you don't introduce changes?
READY TO GET STARTED?
I have plenty of options to get you on the path back to health and to become symptom free!
The first thing to know that everything is baby steps, the more little things you do , the more accumulative the effect:
Book a free menopause clarity call – you can book in here.
Join 28 Days to a Happier and Healthier Menopause - Join the waitlist for news of the next session to run
If you'd like to get started on reading about how you can help yourself then 'Understanding Your Menopause' is my easy to read book with over 80 pages of information and practical solutions for you to implement.
Take this opportunity to combine my eBook with my new one 'Eating For Perimenopause and Beyond'. Change the way you eat to relieve symptoms of nights sweats, mood swings and the ever irritating belly fat!
Want to get started on Supplements? I have the starter list here.
If you’re suffering from hot flushes and night sweats right now and need support, then I have Blossom cream, designed especially for you to ease your symptoms now. A very specific blend of essential oils that ease the heat symptoms, and calm you down. Purchase here
Get started on one or all of these options and you WILL start noticing the benefits in just a couple of weeks. Your body maybe changing but it's asking you to help it, so start today to flourish in your menopause.
See you again soon, Andrea xo
