Hormone replacement therapy is sometimes prescribed for women after natural or surgically induced menopause. Hormone replacement therapy is especially likely to be recommended for women who go through menopause prematurely. The Mayo Clinic reports that short-term hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, may reduce the risks of osteoporosis, heart disease and colorectal cancer. However, it may also increase the risk of stroke, blood clots and abnormal mammograms. Many women do gain weight during menopause, which they may want to lose to further reduce their risks of heart disease and diabetes.
Step 1
Eat a well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it takes 3,500 calories to gain or lose a pound, and you can safely lose one to two pounds each week. This means you need to cut 500 to 1,000 calories every day, which you can achieve by making small changes. Choose lower fat alternatives, limit fast food and high-calorie beverages such as soda, and eat smaller portions.
Step 2
Exercise more. The National Institutes of Health, NIH, recommends at least 150 minutes, or 2 1/2 hours, of moderate intensity aerobic exercise weekly. The NIH also recommends resistance or weight training at least twice a week. Light weight training will not cause you to build bulky muscles, but will help your body burn more calories.
Step 3
Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water every day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking enough water is important to weight loss because inadequate water intake can cause the kidneys to retain water, causing bloating and water-weight gain. Water can also help suppress your appetite.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask your doctor to run blood tests checking your thyroid function; an imbalance of thyroid hormones could result in weight gain.
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