Menopause Weight Gain - 4 Tips For Losing Belly Fat After Menopause

As we age it seems to take even longer to burn fat the way we could when we were in our early twenties. This is particularly true for women who are trying to lose weight after menopause. The metabolism slows down and so does losing the excess pounds that have accumulated over the years. Chances are you need to lose 10 pounds or more and are at a loss as to how to get started.

It's common for women to have weight gain after menopause, particularly in the stomach. A pouch develops in the lower belly. The great news is, burning the fat in this area is possible with the right methods. Below are five tips for shedding that stubborn belly fat.

Tip 1 - Avoid the foods that cause weight gain such as refined carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, white rice, white potatoes, and baked goods. These foods taste great and are much too easy to eat an excess of. When these carbohydrates aren't burned, they are stored as fat. Eating them regularly makes it possible to put on extra weight over a period of time. It's best to cut back or eliminate these types of carbs all together. A better method of eating is "clean eating" such as lean meats, fresh vegetables, and fruit - basically avoid processed foods.

Tip 2 - Get strong. Strength training builds lean muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. Muscles also burn calories at rest. This doesn't mean you need to pump iron like a world-class bodybuilder. Moderate strength training can help build muscle and burn fat.

Tip 3 - Do more effective cardio. If you like to walk as a form of exercise, incorporate short bursts of running or sprinting as well. This is known as interval training or circuit training. The same can be done while strength training. Try jumping rope or doing jumping jacks in between your weight lifting sets.

Tip 4 - Eat the larger portions of your calories during the day. Our metabolism is working best during the day so it's best to eat a bulk of our calories during this time. In the evening, eat a light meal.

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as spot reduction. Therefore, focusing solely on exercises for your abdominal muscles will have little effect on how much weight you lose. Our diets determine how much we lose compared to any form of exercise. However, a good workout program complements a healthy eating plan and makes losing weight much easier.