We all have heard about the inevitability of death and taxes and yet there is one other inevitable event, for women anyway. Around the age of 40-50, females have a change taking place in their lives and bodies that is known as menopause. Hormones begin to shift and the levels change, which brings about some exciting and empowering events.

This is a natural phenomenon and it happens as you are no longer able to bear children and move into a bright new time of life. You will begin to experience power surges, great depth of feeling and excess weight.

It may seem a bit unfair to have to deal with excess pounds on top of all of the other symptoms, but, it is true. One reason that menopause causes weight gain is that the estrogen levels start to decrease that this time.

While one third of women between 45 and 50 years of old will again at least five pounds, according to most reliable studies, menopausal women will gain between 10 and 15 pounds. Fewer than 50 per cent of all women studied were able to avoid weight gain during menopause, and only then through rigorous dieting.

Since increased pounds can also raise the danger for several diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure caused by increase in weight it is advisable that this be managed or avoided. You need to exercise to keep a healthy weight and females need to do both cadio and weights to maintain proper weight.

If you’re a woman in the age range for menopause, your diet should be nutrient-rich and well balanced. Women should be eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and calcium containing foods on a daily basis even before menopause symptoms occur.

Vitamins, minerals, and healthy foods are key ingredients to a healthy future and you will even be able to diminish many menopausal symptoms if you adjust your diet properly.

Some foods you should avoid are: sugar, processed foods, salt, edamame (soybeans), soy based products like tofu.

When you add these healthy foods to a more active lifestyle, you will be able to sail through the months of menopause. The second half of your life can well be the best years because you will have transformed yourself and become even stronger, healthier, and more radiant than ever.

Foods that should be in your Diet: Vitamins A, D, C and E, Vitamins and supplements that include B-12, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, fiber, phytoestrogens, and isoflavones; skim or fat-free milk; cottage cheese; yogurt; leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli; seafood, especially fish; whole-wheat cereals and breads.

When you bring a new healthy diet and exercise program into your life you can meet those menopausal months with a bright smile. Many of those annoying symptoms can be decreased or eliminated and you can sail through this normal transition in style. With increased activity and natural, whole foods it is possible to make this new time in your life the best and most productive years of all.

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