Stubborn menopause weight? How I kickstarted my weight loss finally!

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares her journey of overcoming menopause-related weight gain, which she found resistant to traditional dieting and exercise. She discovered that her previous weight loss strategies were ineffective due to hormonal changes and adopted seven key changes: increasing calorie intake moderately, focusing on whole foods, reducing exercise intensity, managing cortisol levels, improving sleep, taking a liquid collagen supplement, and addressing gut health. These adjustments have helped her shed stubborn weight and regain control over her health.

Takeaways

• 🔄 Menopause can cause weight gain, especially around the middle, due to hormonal changes.
• 🍽️ Traditional weight loss methods like calorie counting and exercise may not work as effectively during menopause.
• 🌟 Accepting that under-eating can slow metabolism and lead to weight gain is crucial for weight loss.
• 🥗 Focusing on the quality of food intake, including whole plant foods, can help reduce inflammation and support weight loss.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Adjusting exercise routines to avoid over-exertion and stress on the body is beneficial for weight management.
• 📉 Managing cortisol levels is key to reducing belly fat and improving weight loss outcomes.
• 💤 Addressing sleep issues can improve weight loss efforts, as poor sleep can increase cortisol and decrease fat burning.
• 🥤 Taking a liquid collagen supplement can aid in weight loss by improving joint health, supporting fat metabolism, and boosting muscle mass.
• 🌿 Improving gut health through pre- and probiotics can assist in weight loss by reducing inflammation and preventing weight gain.
• 🎯 Setting realistic weight loss goals and making gradual changes can lead to a successful and sustainable weight loss journey.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is addressing the challenge of losing weight during menopause, particularly the stubborn weight gain around the middle.

Why did the speaker's weight start to increase?

The speaker's weight started to increase due to hormonal shifts during perimenopause, which led to a rise in cortisol levels causing weight gain, primarily around the middle.

What was the speaker's initial approach to weight loss that didn't work?

The speaker initially tried to lose weight by lowering her calorie intake and increasing exercise, but this approach did not yield results.

What was the first change the speaker made to kick-start her weight loss?

The first change the speaker made was to increase her calorie intake to a level that would create a minor calorie deficit, as under-eating was lowering her metabolism.

How did the speaker change her diet to support weight loss?

The speaker shifted to whole, plant-based foods that are high in fiber, adequate in protein, and include small amounts of healthy fats, while avoiding processed foods and chocolate.

Why did the speaker reduce her exercise intensity?

The speaker reduced her exercise intensity because over-exercising was causing stress to her body, increasing inflammation, and raising cortisol levels, which were hindering weight loss.

What role does cortisol play in weight gain during menopause?

High cortisol levels contribute to belly fat, including unhealthy visceral fat, and insulin resistance, both of which impede weight loss during menopause.

How does sleep affect the speaker's ability to lose weight?

Poor sleep acts as a stressor on the body, leading to high cortisol levels, and decreases the body's use of fat for energy, making adequate sleep crucial for weight loss.

Why did the speaker start taking a liquid collagen supplement?

The speaker started taking a liquid collagen supplement to restore and strengthen her joints, aid in fat metabolism, boost muscle mass for extra calorie burning, and change how the body stores fat.

How is gut health related to weight loss according to the speaker?

Gut health is related to weight loss because an unhealthy microbiome can increase inflammation, cause weight gain, and contribute to metabolic disease. The speaker takes prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy gut.

What is the speaker's current progress towards her weight loss goal?

The speaker is about a third of the way to her goal weight and is feeling encouraged and motivated by the progress she has made after being stuck for years.