The body works to combat this by preferentially storing estrogen in fat cells in the abdominal area, where the estrogen is easily accessible to help keep calcium in the bones. An increase in body fat during this time is normal and healthy for the body. Many women who have chronically dieted experience a large weight gain during this time. The more dieting a woman does, the more fat the body stores to protect itself. A woman's set-point weight is the weight where she can eat all foods moderately in response to her body's hunger and fullness signals, along with regular, moderate exercise.
Exercise is the key to weight management at any age, especially in mid-life.
Many women have substituted chronic dieting in place of exercise, resulting in a loss of muscle and bone and an increase in body fat. After obtaining approval from your physician, begin a program of walking, biking, swimming, dancing or some other activity for 20 minutes 3 days per week. The key is to pick an activity that is fun for you, and preferably something you can do with a partner. Women who exercise with a friend or spouse are more likely to maintain their program on a long-term basis. After a week or so at 20 minutes, increase your time spent exercising to 30 minutes, and then gradually over time increase to 45 minutes to one hour.