{"id":4231,"date":"2021-03-19T15:46:50","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/?p=4231"},"modified":"2026-10-16T14:22:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T14:22:32","slug":"why-women-gain-weight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/why-women-gain-weight\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Women Gain Weight: The Top 15 Reasons"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re wondering why women gain weight, you’re not alone, as nearly 74%<\/a> of adults are overweight or obese.<\/p>\n

If you weigh more than you’d like to, understanding why women gain weight and how to avoid this phenomenon is important.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that many women are overweight or obese and tend to gain weight as they age \u2013 especially over 40.<\/p>\n

However, weight gain after 40 and beyond isn’t inevitable with the right knowledge, healthy eating plans, and exercise programs in place.<\/p>\n

Knowing more about the main reasons why women gain weight, and what to do about it, can help you maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime.<\/p>\n

How much weight can you lose in a month? Find out the TRUTH here<\/a>!<\/em><\/h3>\n

\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

GET YOUR FREE\r\u201cFIT MOM\u201d JUMPSTART\r(MEAL PLAN + WORKOUT)\r<\/h2>\r\r\r

Let us show you how you can start losing weight this week! We'll email you our free meal plan & workout + email coaching.<\/p>\r\rYES! GET MY FREE PLAN <\/i><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

GET YOUR FREE
\u201cFIT MOM\u201d JUMPSTART
(MEAL PLAN + WORKOUT)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

Common Places Women Gain Weight<\/h2>\n

As women age, they often gain weight in their abdomen, hips, breasts, thighs, or arms.<\/p>\n

Where you store the most fat depends on your genetics, but women tend to naturally have more body fat than men.<\/p>\n

Men usually store excess fat in their abdominal area.<\/p>\n

As you drop weight and body fat, you will likely lose fat all over your body \u2013 especially in places you store the most fat (thighs, hips, abdomen, etc.).<\/p>\n

Spot reduction is difficult, though increasing cardiovascular exercise and building muscle mass can help.<\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Join Fit Mother For Life<\/em> \u2014 The #1 Fitness Community For Busy Moms 40+<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJOIN NOW \u00bb<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Top 15 Reasons Why Women Gain Weight<\/h2>\n

Some of the top reasons why women gain weight with age are as follows:<\/p>\n

Reduced Muscle Mass<\/h3>\n

With increased age often comes decreases in muscle mass, which can lower your body’s metabolism and increase your risk of weight gain.<\/p>\n

But just because you’re over 40 doesn’t mean muscle loss is inevitable.<\/p>\n

If you haven’t already done so, consider adding strength training exercises to your usual workout routine.<\/p>\n

Try Fit Mother Project weight lifting workouts<\/a>, which you can complete from the comfort of your home.<\/p>\n

Purchase dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, or use your own body weight as resistance (push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, planks, etc.) to boost muscle mass and your metabolism.<\/p>\n

Doing so can help prevent weight gain in women over time.<\/p>\n

Hormone Changes<\/h3>\n

Hormone changes in women are common, especially over 40.<\/p>\n

Your body might produce less estrogen, which can affect your body’s metabolism and your risk of weight gain.<\/p>\n

If you have low estrogen levels<\/a>, consider foods or drinks rich in phytoestrogens<\/a>, which are compounds similar to the estrogen your body produces.<\/p>\n

Examples of such foods include soybeans, tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk, flax seeds, and sesame seeds.<\/p>\n

You might take vitamin D or other dietary supplements as directed by your doctor.<\/p>\n

They may suggest you try hormone replacement therapy if needed to balance hormone levels.<\/p>\n

Estrogen therapy for women might include pills, skin patches, creams, gels, or sprays.<\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Join Fit Mother For Life<\/em> \u2014 The #1 Fitness Community For Busy Moms 40+<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJOIN NOW \u00bb<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding<\/h3>\n

It’s well-known that pregnancy is a common reason why women gain weight and body fat, but you may have questions about how breastfeeding affects weight loss and body fat storage.<\/p>\n

While breastfeeding may help you lose weight and calories, it can cause some women to hold on to fat stores.<\/p>\n

The composition of breast milk is rich in fat, and your body needs fat stores to produce enough milk to feed your baby.<\/p>\n

Prolactin, sometimes referred to as a fat-storing hormone<\/a>, helps stimulate milk production in breastfeeding women.<\/p>\n

But don’t get discouraged if your body holds on to some of its fat stores when you’re nursing, as the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby are endless and you can still gradually move toward an ideal body weight.<\/p>\n

Too Much Sitting Down<\/h3>\n

Sitting down most of the day is all too common, especially if you have a desk job.<\/p>\n

But studies show<\/a> that sitting down more than 9-10 hours per day can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions compared with sitting down just 5 hours (or less) per day.<\/p>\n

Avoiding sitting down whenever possible.<\/p>\n

If this isn’t an option because you have a desk job, consider a sit-stand desk at work, increase your activities of daily living, or boost the number of minutes you exercise.<\/p>\n

Take walking or stair climbing breaks throughout the day \u2013 even if it’s just for 5 minutes each time.<\/p>\n

Is sitting the new smoking? Learn about the negative effects of sitting and how to reverse them!<\/em><\/p>\n