Page 48 • The HERALD • 24th October 2024 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Health, Beauty & Wellbeing Karen 07590 516009 Thursdays 7am & 9am St John’s Church Hall, Hythe CHIROPODY/PODIATRY 07895 691290 Kerry Grassick BSc (Hons) Podiatry MRCPod KG PODIATRY First Floor, South Street Shopping Centre, Hythe SO45 6EB * LIFT ACCESS * Email: kerrythepodiatrist@gmail.com www.zoejphoenix.com Menopause Practitioner Hypnotherapist, Mindset Coach Book for a FREE menopause consultation Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email: editor@herald-publishing .co.uk Why Do We Get the Menopause Middle Spread? by Zoë Phoenix, Mindset Coach, Hypnotherapist, HypnoMenopause® Practitioner Weight gain during menopause is very common, and in the UK, it’s estimated that around 60-70% of women experience some degree of weight gain during this phase of life. e exact gures can vary based on factors like lifestyle, genetics, and overall health. Menopausal weight gain typically centres around the abdomen, sometimes referred to as “middle-age spread,” and is in uenced by a combination of hormonal changes (like reduced oestrogen), aging, and lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity levels. Many women also experience a slowdown in metabolism during menopause, which can further contribute to weight gain. Managing weight at this stage can be challenging but focusing on a balanced diet, strength training, and maintaining an active lifestyle can help o set some of these changes. Once we enter perimenopause this is a crucial time when we need to really look at some signi cant lifestyle changes; even if we eat well normally, exercise well and generally have balance of health and tness, women do still nd that weight can gradually start to sneak on, and this is when we need to do things di erently as what used to work for us no longer will! We need a di erent diet and a di erent exercise regime to maintain the body we are used to. Say NO to low or NO fat foods! Yes! Many low-fat or no-fat foods are o en packed with added sugars, arti cial ingredients, and preservatives to make up for the lack of avour and texture, and what we now call UPF (Ultra Processed Food), this abundance of sugar can lead to insulin resistance, and it is one of the causes for more people becoming overweight over the past few years. Insulin is a key hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When you eat carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose (sugar), which enters your bloodstream. In response, insulin is released to “escort” this glucose into your cells, where it’s used for energy. e more sugar dense the meal, the greater insulin is released; when there is too much insulin a tra c jam e ect of insulin is created in your cells, your cells then refuse to use glucose for fuel, and they literally stop responding to insulin and say NO! When this happens and your cells can no longer successfully use insulin as a hormone to escort the sugar from your food into your cells, not only will you experience a depletion in energy, but they will store the unused glucose and sugar as fat! and in women it is generally stored around our middle area. erefore, if you follow an eating regime or diet that does not manage your insulin response you are being set up for failure! You also pose the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic issues. Say YES to fats!! Healthy fats are essential for hormone regulation, brain function, and overall well-being—especially for women during menopause. Instead of avoiding fats, focus on incorporating healthy sources like avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty sh. ese provide essential fatty acids that support heart health, improve mood, and even help manage weight! Managing insulin sensitivity is crucial, especially during menopause, as hormonal change impact how the body processes sugar. erefore, balanced meals, high protein meals and foods rich in phytoestrogens as well as taking in regular exercise (the right exercise), alongside stress management can all help keep insulin levels in check, and in term keep the middle age spread away. Sign up to my Menopause mailing list to receive a Free Stress Hypnosis Track and be noti ed of Menopause events & o ers by scanning the QR code. ROVING RAMBLERS If you like to walk, go along and join Roving Ramblers for their twice monthly walks. ey meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, starting at 10am for a 2 to 2½ hour walk. Walks are open to everyone and are a good opportunity to meet new friends, take a friend along or even take your dog with you to enjoy the walk. eir next walks take place: Wednesday 13th November meet at Cadmans Pool car park; Wednesday 27th November meet at Acres Down car park, Wednesday 11th December meet at Fritham car park and Wednesday 8th January meet at Deerleap car park, co ee at e Happy Cheese. For more details call Phil Butter eld on: 023 8084 5684 or: 07708 582285 or by emailing: cedaro ythe@btinternet.com
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