His and Her Health

Anyone noticing their weight shifting to different areas of the body? A little sagging here, some shrinking there, more weight in the.... ahem... "middle region"? Me too. Well, the average amount of weight gain during the menopause transition is 5 pounds. I'm keeping this in mind before basking in the brown gravy tomorrow.

It's Turkey Day and I usually get lost in the tryptophan haze, quickly forgetting everything I know about dieting and eating healthy.

But this year's different. I'm going to take it easy, eat less and keep in mind what this holiday is really about... giving Thanks.
I wish everyone a safe, fun and healthy holiday.

If you haven't started cooking yet or want some tips to bring to the table, here's an article for you:
Let's Talk Turkey: http://www.redhotmamas.org/newsletters/newsletter_200711.htm#A1

Many women notice their hourglass shapes that they once had shifts and they develop a more apple shaped appearance as their weight shifts to the center of their body. A lot of this is due to lack of exercise and consuming more calories than needed. Lower estrogen levels at menopause may also trigger the redistribution of fat. it's important to maintain a healthy weight. You don't have to quit eating, just be cognizant of the size of your portions of food you are eating. The best way to control weight is through portion control and watching your calorie intake. To lost weight, you should discuss with your doctor a plan. Oftentimes, he/she will recommend consuming 1200 to 1400 calories per day and exercising to keep you fit. Watch your alcohol intake and limit it to no more than 3 drinks per week. Alcohol adds extra calories, as well as extra weight. I suggest having lots of vegetables and fruits at hand to nibble on - carrots, celery and lettuce. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I prepare sugar free gelatin with sugar free whipped cream for dessert. I also avoid heavy salad dressings and use one tablespoon of olive oil on my salads. In essence, the secret is to eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables and lots of protein. And avoid those quick weight loss diets, which may cause you to lose weight fast, but gain it back even faster.

National Women's Health Week started yesterday (Mother's Day) and continues throughout the week. They have an 8 week WOMAN Challenge I'm going to participate in. It is free and challenges women across the nation to take 10,000 steps (or 30 minutes) of moderate activity most days of the week. There are a lot of other perks to joining the challenge that the Office of Women's Health Provides.

This sounds like something I can do to become more active and not kill myself trying! Is anyone interested in starting a team or joining the challenge with me? Are there any Red Hot Mamas Walking Groups that are joining? Here's the website:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/woman/

Also, there will be more information in the May issue of The Menopause Minute Newsletter.