Banish The Menopause Belly
You’ve probably heard of “menopause belly…” that dreaded extra flab that tends to hang onto your midsection after the age of 45. After this time, belly fat often develops around the midsection due to the huge drop in estrogen that occurs during menopause. But getting rid of belly fat isn’t just about vanity — the extra weight around your tummy triggers greater amounts of inflammation, putting your body at an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.
As the years go by, the type of workouts that are best for your body also change. In fact, long workouts at high intensity can actually raise cortisol levels, and have a negative impact on not only your health, but also on your hormones. Cortisol is a hormone triggered by stress, whether physical or emotional. So the longer you workout at a high intensity, the more stress you’re applying to your body, which causes your body to release more cortisol. And, an imbalance of this hormone can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and even belly fat. It goes without saying, but the rule here is to aim to release stress from your life…not add more! And your exercise regime shouldn’t feel like a source of stress.
The secret to keeping your cortisol levels in check AND banishing the menopause belly is as simple as four little letters – HIIT. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is the key to getting results in less time. Research shows that three shorter HIIT workouts each week is as effective as five longer moderate workouts.
Interval training refers to the extra energy and intensity added to a workout, usually in quick spurts. Say you’re jogging along at a moderate, comfortable pace, but then for the next 30 seconds, you run at a full sprint before dropping back into a comfortable pace (called a recovery period). Then you repeat the pattern for several minutes.
That short burst of extra effort is an interval, and while it doesn’t last very long, it creates amazing results – for your waistline, your health, and your hormones.
That translates to less exercise but the same results!
Start banishing the “menopause belly” today with the 4-minute interval training clip below:
