Skipping meals or not eating enough calories
This is one of the most important things you can avoid during perimenopause or menopause.
- Skipping meals can lead to thyroid dysfunction which leads to health issues and fat gain.
- Leads to fatigue
- Increases mood swings
- Slows your metabolism
- Increases risk of insulin resistance
- Increases stress and inflammation
- Increases visceral fat storage, the dangerous fat in your abdomen, which leads to increased risk of heart attack or cancer
- Increase waistline
- Reduce muscle mass
- Decreased bone strength
- Get less than 6 hours sleep per night
Sleep is vital to help your body rest, recover and rebuild. When you are not getting enough sleep, you are increasing your risk of illness, diseases such as heart attack, cancer, diabetes and other metabolic syndrome associated diseases.
- Consume simple carbohydrates or sugars
Simple carbohydrates and sugars have been linked to increased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes during perimenopause and menopause.
They have also been shown to increase hot flushes and night sweats.
Carbohydrates and simple sugars also increase your waistline due to the increased fat storage in your abdomen.
Increased waistline has been linked to increase risk of Metabolic Syndrome.
- Drink 1-2 serves of alcohol per day
A 5-year study of over 21,000 post-menopausal women in Denmark has proven that women who drink 1-2 serves of alcohol per day increase their risk of breast cancer.
- Live a sedentary life
As women enter perimenopause and beyond the reduced hormones reduce bone density. Therefore, it is vital for women at this age to be participating in exercise to help increase muscle mass, which in turns increases bone strength. This reduces risk of osteoporosis.
Exercise also induces the production of endorphins and serotonin, hormones which improve your mood and mindset, so help reduce mood swings.
What are you going to start avoiding from today?
- Coach Terri
