Beat Menopause Weight Gain Interview

Wendy Lawson, author of Menopause - The Blog

Wendy Lawson started her blog when she was in her fifties, when, she said, she was 'tired of feeling terrible, and needing some answers'.

If that sounds like you, you need to visit Menopause - The Blog because Wendy keeps a close eye on what's going on in the world of menopause research, as well as providing guest interviews, book reviews and her own thoughts and musings about life during the menopausal years.

We're delighted that she's agreed to talk to us at Beat Menopause Weight Gain - Wendy, thanks for taking the time for this interview.

First of all - did you find the answers you were looking for when you began your blog?

Wendy Lawson The answer is yes and no. Yes, there's a lot of information - tons of it in fact - that is available on the net, in books, and from our doctors. But it wasn't long before I felt overwhelmed and confused by the volume of contradictory and often biased advice I was seeing.

For example, who should we believe when some medical experts tell us to have no fear about HRT, while others say don't get near it? And while some advocate natural remedies, they just don't work for some women. I finally found a doctor who has an integrative medicine practice - that is, someone who takes a holistic approach to well-being. She helped me find just the right combination of remedies (diet, supplements, hormones) that worked for me.

A while back you mentioned in your blog that a vegan diet and increased exercise had helped you shed weight that had crept on around your middle. Do you still use that strategy to maintain your preferred weight?

Wendy Lawson When I wrote that piece, I was on a vegan diet and yes, I did lose weight. But that diet was hard for me to sustain and later - perhaps two years later, I started to gain menopausal weight rapidly, even though nothing changed in my diet.

Recently, my physician recommended that I try an elimination diet for just a few months. It's not for weight -loss specifically, but the extra pounds just peeled off as a result of eliminating dairy, wheat, soy and corn products. I have to say that I feel so much better that I pretty much stick to it now.

Could you pick out one or two key pieces of health information to share with our readers - what are the most important things women can be doing to safeguard and enhance their longterm wellbeing during and after menopause?

Wendy Lawson From everything I've read, I've concluded that there are three things we can do to feel better now and that contribute to healthy aging:

The first is get a good night's sleep. I know it isn't as easy as it sounds, but sleep deprivation causes a cascade of health problems including abdominal weight gain. If you lick this problem, a lot of other health complaints will vanish.

Exercise is another biggy. In addition to the fact that it improves our disposition, there has been so much recent research showing how beneficial it is to our cardiovascular, brain and joint health. (And it helps promote good sleep too!)

A good, balanced diet that keeps your blood-sugar on an even keel throughout the day will make you feel better and help you control your weight.

Finally, I urge women to work with a medical professional who specializes in integrative and holistic medicine. Make them part of your very own health and wellness 'posse' that includes a fitness trainer, or a massage therapist -- anyone that can coach you to optimum health. So much of what we do - or don't do- at this stage of our lives is going to impact how well we age. So be good to yourself now.

Thanks for your time Wendy, and for sharing your thoughts about weight gain in menopause. You can read more of Wendy's views at her blog Menopause - The Blog. Thanks again Wendy, and keep on blogging!