It’s Not You…
Some women think their middle-age weight and shape changes are the result of childbirth. Actually, the menopausal 10-pack some of us now carry has little to do with that. You tend to get it whether you have given birth or not! Sorry, but that’s the GOOD news. Go ahead and blame a few gray hairs on your progeny, but your avoidance of turning sideways when wearing a straight skirt? That rounded profile will happen whether you’ve had children or not. (And they tried to slip it past us, but allow me to point out that although we can’t “spot reduce,” we can now “spot gain!” Boo! Hiss! Denial, denial, denial! To whom do I write my scathing letter of angst?)
So if that was the good news, what’s the bad news? Well, you know the parts of a woman’s body often described as “pert?” In middle age, they become victims of the Great Estrogen Escape. According to www.healthline.com, “Aging Changes in the Breast” by April Kahn: “One of the main causes of aging changes in the breasts is a natural decline of the female reproductive hormone estrogen. This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin to become dry, making it less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and develop a stretched and saggy appearance.” Or, as described in “Breast Changes — Should I Be Concerned” at www.bidmc.org:“[During menopause] …your hormone levels drop and your breast tissue becomes less dense and more fatty.”
Or, in laywomen’s terms, breasts go from a taut salute to saggy bags of jiggle. Great. Just great. Are you kidding me? Firmness fades. Gravity wins. Will exercising the supporting muscles return your breasts to their former glory? It will help, of course, but aging is inexorable. Why even put this wretched information in print? To spare you any self-blame or shame and to reveal that some experiences have nothing to do with your will-power or your commitment to looking great.
After the age of 45, losing weight is tough because, according to Dr. Bravata of Stanford University, “The reality is that if you eat and exercise the same amount, you’ll still put on weight in peri-menopause and menopause.” Sorry, but this means that even if you are a wise food consumer and consistent exerciser, you’ll have to step it up in both areas to counteract your lower metabolism.
It gets worse.
Seattle health coach Jennifer Lovejoy explains, “Women have a lower metabolism after menopause, and the lack of estrogen also may cause cravings for carbs and fats.” I’ve heard of stacking the deck, but this is ridiculous! Women get a lower metabolism at the exact time they’re programmed to crave carbs and fats?! Remember Ann-Margaret warbling, “How Lovely to be a Woman” in the musical “Bye-Bye Birdie”? In instances like this, I beg to differ. Well, we can succumb to despair or we can adjust. (Or we can dunk an entire package of Oreos in a glass of milk. Wait — no! Don’t do that!) Why am I imparting all this depressing information? Because I want you to know it’s not YOU; it’s the global feminine experience. It’s not your imagination or your fault. “The Change” means our eating and exercise habits will also have to change, just to maintain the status quo. To improve the status quo, they’ll have to change even more! Is this just the most unfair thing ever? Yes. But none of us is alone in this. Even model goddess Christie Brinkley says she is amazed at how much more effort she must expend to maintain what she has always had. And as for the “girls” ~ here’s a special hint because I love you guys: Go to www.shopcoobie.com and check out what many consider to be the most comfortable bra on planet Earth.
