Buckle up my friend, because we’re talking all things menopause today. Menopause weight gain, belly bloat, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and, most importantly, what to do about it. I’ve invited Esther Blum on with me - She is an Integrative Dietitian and Menopause Expert. In the past 27 years she has helped thousands of women master menopause through nutrition, hormones and self-advocacy.

Esther is the bestselling author of See ya later, Ovulator, and she’s known as Gwyneth Paltrow’s menopause mentor and recognized by Forbes for helping women thrive through menopause. She has appeared on the Today Show, Good Day NY and is frequently quoted in goop, Well + Good, Forbes, Time Magazine, The New York Post, The Los Angeles Times, In Style, Bazaar, Self, Fitness, and Marie Claire… so needless to say, I think we’re in for a treat. Let’s jump in.

Highlight from this interview…

Hey Esther, welcome to the podcast! I have been tasked by many of the listeners of this show to have you help them get to the bottom of their menopause belly. And we’re definitely going to get to that and even weight gain during menopause, but first I feel menopause is one of those topics that women instantly think it either really applies to them and they want to know all there is to know, or it doesn’t apply at all and they’re not interested.

• So to set the records straight, who is this conversation for? (not just women who are going through menopause… I’m almost 40, so menopause could still be a couple years away, but let me tell you - I want to do what I can NOW to be physically and mentally prepared for “the change”.)
• Do you ever get annoyed when it’s referred to as “the change”? It seems like menopause has been in that “unmentionable” category for so long that we have to talk about it in cryptic ways or be embarrassed about it. What are your thoughts on this?

OK, let’s talk shop -

• One of the biggest questions women have is “how do I know if I’ve started perimenopause”? What are the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and then eventually menopause?
• Should women do a hormonal baseline testing? Which tests should they do, and will these tests actually tell them if they’re in perimenopause?
• I think one of the BIGGEST frustrations of this season of life is the hormonal weight gain, especially in the belly area. Why do we tend to gain weight during menopause, and why in our bellies? Is there anything that we can do about it?
• What about hormone replacement therapy - I’ve heard of many people that are vehemently against any kind of hormone replacement therapy, but what are your thoughts on this, and maybe you could talk us through some of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy? What are the best types of hormone replacement therapy? Do women need to wait till menopause to begin hormone replacement therapy?
• When it comes to nutrition, what is the most important piece of eating advice for a peri/menopausal woman to consider? Do you recommend supplements?
• How about fitness and exercise. What are the best exercises menopausal women can do to feel energized and happy?
• One more question for you: How can women wrap their brains around the fact that menopause is not the end of a strong and healthy life as a woman? There is this general sense of dread about it, but how can we shift that thinking in our minds?
• Where can we go to grab some of your resources and learn more from you?

Esther, we had a blast with you today, and I personally am so grateful to have you on and have this open and honest conversation. And if I feel that way, I know every woman listening feels that same way, too. Thank you so much!

More Resources

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www.estherblum.com

www.instagram.com/gorgeousesther

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