We've all heard it before... Weight gain is a common side effect of menopause.

One thing we hear very often in our studio is that women who are experiencing menopause or perimenopause find they either are gaining weight, or that it's nearly impossible to lose body weight. And typically, most women automatically think that their hormones are to blame. And while this may be mostly true, we also hear that nearly all of these ladies who have recently had their hormone levels checked, report that their doctors have found their levels to fall within a normal hormone range for their age.

So what exactly is causing weight gain for menopausal women if their hormone levels are considered normal? Let's help break it down for you....

Women can gain weight even when their hormones are within a normal range due to several factors that go beyond hormonal imbalance. These include:

1. Metabolic Slowdown: As women age, their metabolism naturally slows down. A slower metabolism means that the body burns fewer calories at rest, leading to easier weight gain even without changes in diet or activity levels.
2. Loss of Muscle Mass: With aging, particularly during and after menopause, women tend to lose muscle mass. Since muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, losing muscle lowers the body’s calorie-burning capacity, making it easier to gain weight.
3. Insulin Resistance: As women get older, their sensitivity to insulin can decrease, even if hormones are normal. This reduced sensitivity can lead to more fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.
4. Changes in Lifestyle and Activity Levels: Aging often comes with changes in physical activity and lifestyle. Reduced exercise, higher stress, or sleep disturbances, which are common in midlife, can all contribute to weight gain.
5. Fat Distribution: Even without hormonal imbalances, aging can lead to changes in how fat is distributed in the body. More fat tends to accumulate around the midsection as women age, which is harder to lose.

Are you ready for the GOOD news?

Red Light Therapy is proven to help aging women, and women who are experiencing menopause to lose weight in a healthy way, and usually much quicker than they would with diet and exercise alone. How does it work?

Red light therapy (RLT) can support weight loss for menopausal women by addressing various challenges associated with this life stage. First, RLT may boost cellular energy production by increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), enhancing metabolism and fat-burning capabilities, which is especially helpful as metabolic rates tend to slow during menopause. It also improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the tendency for fat storage around the abdomen—a common issue due to age-related insulin resistance. Additionally, RLT reduces inflammation, aiding the body in recovery and promoting more efficient fat metabolism. Another benefit is its role in supporting muscle recovery and retention, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than fat, and preserving muscle helps sustain a higher metabolic rate. Lastly, RLT stimulates the lymphatic system, enhancing the removal of toxins and improving the body's ability to process and eliminate fat. Together, these effects can help mitigate menopausal weight gain and support a healthier body composition.

If you believe you are experiencing age-related weight gain, or if you feel that this new phase in your life is prohibiting you from losing unwanted body fat, speak to our team about your concerns. Our team will give you our best tips and tricks to using RLT to reduce and reverse menopausal weight gain. When you feel like your body is failing you, let us help you get back to feeling, and looking like yourself.