You're mature. You're confident. You're fat. Okay, maybe you're not fat, but weight is starting to accumulate around your mid-section and no matter what you do, it's not going away. You've cut your caloric intake, you've started doing stomach crunches, you're parking further away from the entrance at work and you've even started taking walks through your neighborhood to burn some calories and lose this additional weight. Still, the pile of mush that overlaps your waistband remains. It's ugly and it jiggles, but it loves you and it's going nowhere. Why? These remedies worked just fine when you were younger, but they're not quite as effective now that you're approaching menopause.

There's a very good reason for the stubborn weight surrounding your abdomen. As a matter of fact, this explanation is quite simple ? it's your hormones. I know they've caused numerous problems for you from the day you started menstruating, but your hormones are not quite finished wreaking havoc just yet. You see, as you approach menopause your hormone levels have begun to decline drastically, thus causing the weight gain you're now experiencing. Many women become complacent and accept this gain in weight as just a normal part of the aging process. While this is certainly an option, it's not the only avenue that can ? or should ? be taken.

It's inevitable ? every woman approaching menopause is going to experience symptoms associated with declining hormone levels. As a matter of fact, the decrease in your estrogen level plays a significant role in the weight gain you're now noticing. You see, estrogen is the hormone which is responsible for causing monthly ovulation. Obviously, as you enter the menopausal years your estrogen level decreases, thus causing your body to eventually cease ovulating. Since your body is producing less estrogen it's only natural that it will look for other places from where to get needed estrogen. It just so happens that fat cells in your body are capable of producing estrogen, therefore, your body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels.

Unfortunately, you'll also experience a decrease in your level of testosterone. Why is this unfortunate? Well, testosterone is the hormone that helps your body to create lean muscle mass out of the calories you consume. As you may know, muscle burns more calories than fat cells do, which will contribute to increased metabolism. Obviously, your body burns more calories with a higher metabolic rate.

With the combination of a decrease in estrogen and testosterone levels working against you, you're now faced with a body determined to be a walking pile of fat. Is it the end of the world? Must you accept this terrible fate bestowed upon you? Absolutely not. Now that you know what's taking place inside your body, you're armed and ready with the tools you need to combat these changes, right? You're well aware of the significant role muscle plays to burn calories, so if you want to be lean and toned you'll need to build muscle to help your body burn calories.

You'll benefit tremendously by committing to a regular exercise regimen, which includes weight training to lose the extra weight you've gained. It's not rocket science; it's simple common sense ? build muscle, burn calories and keep the weight off. By making a few simple lifestyle changes you will reduce many of the menopausal symptoms you're experiencing and you'll begin to feel beautiful, youthful and energized once again.