If you're a menopausal woman, you're probably fighting the battle of the bulge. Your pants and skirts don't fit anymore and you can forget about wearing your favorite jeans.

A study found that women gain an average of 12-15 pounds during this phase of life. In addition, there is a shift in body configuration from pear-shaped to apple-shaped. There is also a five percent decrease in metabolic rate per decade. Adding to all of this is bloating which is a very common menopausal symptom.

Menopausal women may eat and exercise exactly as before but still can’t seem to maintain their weight. As you enter the early stages of menopause, maintaining weight becomes more and more difficult, and losing weight becomes almost impossible. This is because of the fluctuation in your hormones.

Don’t blame the menopause period for your weight gain problems. And don't worry since you're not doomed to a life of oversized clothes. Food choices and activity levels have more to do with it.

Tasting the soup you're making for lunch, two extra crackers while preparing dinner or a large scoop of ice cream while watching TV all add up to unwanted calories and pounds. Eliminate unnecessary eating and you will loose hundreds of calories.

Restaurant portions are always huge. Split the entree with a friend, or order an appetizer or lunch sized portion. Baked potato is more filling and provides more nutritional value than French fries

To manage your weight after menopause, try to eat a low fat and high fiber diet. Have regular and sustained aerobic exercise; this will give your metabolism a boost. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity everyday.

Build up and maintain your muscle mass with strength training such as weight training or weight bearing exercise like walking and bicycling. Find exercise or physical activities you really enjoy, and perhaps seek a buddy to work out with. It can be easier to motivate yourself to continue fitness activities with the support of a friend.

Sadly, crash diets won’t help you loose those unwanted pounds. Your body responds to reduced energy supply by using muscle tissue as fuel. This means you are likely to put on more weight when you start eating normally again.

In order to combat weight gain during menopause, take sensible steps towards maintaining a healthy weight. This means a balanced and sensible diet rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat and calories. By supplying your body with the nutrients it needs, cravings can be better controlled

When thin and young is the standard of beauty, any menopausal woman might find it difficult to maintain a positive self image as she sees herself becoming a thick-waisted, silver-haired lady. You can regain self-esteem by having a healthy lifestyle. There are supplements like Zalestra that are designed to help menopausal and pre-menopausal women lose weight. Check www.zalestra.com and find out how you can regain confidence.