Adrenal Fatigue and Weight Gain: Is This You?

For most Women menopause can hit hard, and our self-image can be dramatically affected.

Suddenly we feel like our whole world has shifted. We feel alone and overwhelmed with raging symptoms that keep us awake at night and affect our mood during the day. We avoid looking in the mirror as our body shape has shifted and for perhaps the first time or yet again, weight gain has become an ongoing frustration.

What may we not realize is that our body could be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue! So, no matter how hard we exercise and follow a healthy lifestyle our body weight will not shift.

As we age and transition through menopause, supporting the adrenal glands should become a priority. Unfortunately, no one tells us this and so the struggle begins as we desperately seek answers to our worst symptoms. 

Besides weight gain, here is the adrenal fatigue check list:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Muscle tension and pain
• Sleep problems
• Weight gain
• Memory and concentration impairment

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include being tired, poor sleep, salt, and sugar cravings, and needing stimulants like caffeine to get through the day.  Yet they can also can occur as part of a normal, busy life.

Most women in menopause will struggle with low energy and excessive fatigue. It is like a light switch that is suddenly turned off and we must reach for that extra cup of coffee or afternoon carbohydrate to push through our tasks at hand. Adrenal fatigue will set in firmly to different degrees depending on a woman’s ability to manage stress, the inner balance of her hormones, and the energy of her immediate environment, the intimate circle of family and friends around her.

Stress and our overwhelming responsibility to manage day-to-day life often leaves women unprepared for menopause, too depleted to take on its unpredictable adventures. Before you know it, our worst fears are realized as other symptoms of menopause start to appear (weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, night sweats, hot flashes, lower libido, etc.) impacting our wellbeing, self-image, and state of mind.

So how do we begin to release the unwanted weight?

As challenging as it may be, I always encourage women to start working on their self-care and putting themselves first. It starts by finding time to be quiet and tranquil to assess your stress levels and work towards making some adjustments in your routines.

If weight release is top of your list during menopause, we should consider embracing all the pieces:

Stress management, lifestyle modification, exercise and top of the list balancing your hormones!

Perhaps it starts with the Avita Sampler Kit!