Women in their 50s told the weight loss habit really 'makes a difference' during menopause

Woman walking / Woman measuring slim waist

Finding exercise you enjoy can help create a good routine during menopause

GETTY
Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 08/07/2024

- 11:13

Updated: 08/07/2024

- 14:05

Weight loss becomes more difficult as we age and it is particularly difficult to burn fat around perimenopause

There are many barriers to weight loss, including slowing metabolisms as we get older or when going through menopause.

Speaking to GB News, an expert shared how to add more movement into your routine, ultimately burning more calories and promoting fat loss.


Discussing the best way to "lose weight and stay healthy" over the age of 50, Balanced Body education director Joy Puleo shared advice.

She said adding more movement in is key, so finding ways of doing this that you find "fun" will be easier to do more regularly.

Person exercising Anyway you move your body contributes to weight loss GETTY

The expert told GB News: "We spend a lot of time getting prescriptive, but finding ways that work for you, that move you, literally, and that you enjoy engaging in - that is a recipe for program adherence and the creation of habits that will make a difference.

"From tango to boxing and everything in between, put yourself first and set time to create movement opportunities that you enjoy.

"This is what will train the body, soothe the mind and feed the soul."

Dropping estrogen and progesterone levels during perimenopause change the metabolism, which means the body starts to burn fat more slowly.

Moving regularly is a good way to speed up the metabolism, so finding an enjoyable way to do this can help with weight loss and fat-burning.

Joy explained balance and muscle tone start to drop from the age of 30, "but sharply decline during the menopausal years".

The more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body will burn even while resting, so it is good to add strength training into your routine.

The expert added: "Pick up the weights. Strength training is a necessity to keep muscle tone in primary powerful muscles (think quads, glutes, hamstrings, pecs, biceps, triceps, and shoulders).

Woman planking in class

Regularly movement boosts the metabolism

GETTY

"If you do not have weights, you can use body weight. Adding walking lunges or some basic squats will work the legs quite effectively.

"As for the upper body, countertop push-ups and triceps dips off the stairs are good places to start."

Not sure where to start with working out? An expert shared five exercises that can be done at home for a full body workout.

They recommended squats, push-ups, planks, mountain climbers and chair twists for a full workout.

You may like