Last month I spoke at a Menopause Conference and I asked one big question:
**Is it menopause or is it aging?**
Let’s talk about it.....
You didn’t suddenly gain weight because you turned 40.
Midlife fat gain is usually a *muscle* problem, not an age problem.
Beginning as early as our 30s, we start to lose muscle at a rate of approximately 3 to 5 percent per decade.
After the age of 60, that rate often accelerates, with some individuals losing around 1 percent of their muscle mass each year.
This process is slow and silent. It creeps in gradually.
When we lose muscle:
• Blood sugar control worsens
• Insulin sensitivity tanks
• Fat storage ramps up
• Energy becomes unstable
And the solution is not:
✖️ more dieting
✖️ more cardio
✖️ shrinking yourself into nothing
The solution is:
**Progressive, structured strength training** that is designed to *build* muscle.
Not random workouts.
Not avoiding progressive overload because it feels scary.
And it has to be consistent. Long term. Non negotiable.
"Muscle drives glucose disposal, nutrient partitioning, metabolic resilience, and visceral fat reduction. It is the engine of your metabolism."
If you care about long term health, stop trying to get smaller.
**Build. More. Muscle.**
Because building it is hard.
Losing it is easy.
Lifestyle changes are the foundation of weight management at every stage of life.
You need to lift weights.
Oh and you don’t need a “menopause program.”
What you need is a barbell or dumbbells in your hands, along with a solid workout plan tailored to your goals, fitness level, and lifestyle. Your plan should be flexible and adaptable, and you should have a support system—like a coach or a community—that believes in your health and fitness, just like in any other phase of life.
If you are struggling with your workouts and need direction, please don’t hesitate to reach out. This is my zone of genius.
Love, Deanna
Here I am talking about my favourite subject in the world- building muscle. :)
