weight gain in midlife women

Mirjam Mahler

app

dryly announces:
"At this rate
you will never reach
goal."

goal
random number
rigid, unrealistic, unachievable
she places hands on
belly

belly
curves softly
active midlife woman
not meant to be
flat

flat
only once
after mom died
she got compliments for
figure

figure
finally achieved
compliments she hated
unhappiness ate away at
body

body
performs capably
carried her babies
runs, swims, cycles, lives
healthy

healthy
aging well
carries, performs, pleases
living a full life
proud

The Science

This poem is written as an elfchen chain. An elfchen is an eleven word poem in five lines (word / two words / now three words / this time four words / word). Elf is the German word for the number 11 and „chen“ means tiny or wee. 

As a midlife woman who also deals with a thyroid condition, I know of the struggles many women are facing with their weight. Avoiding weight gain seems to be an impossible enterprise and menopause brings with it additional challenges. Medical research is contradictory and methods like Keto or intermittent fasting, usually tested on men or younger women, are often not effective for women in midlife because of the complex effects of hormonal changes on the body. Declining estrogen levels may lower the metabolic rate and impair the utilisation of starches and blood sugar. These, in addition to diminishing muscle mass associated with aging, will overwhelm the simple mathematical algorithm „calories in calories out“ used in most weight loss apps and diet recommendations. This formula may lead to weight loss in men, but will only lead to frustration for many midlife women.

A healthy body image and a lifestyle which incorporates regular physical activity and nutritional adjustments aimed at avoiding weight gain and reducing the symptoms of menopause (hot flushes... ) seems to be a more sustainable approach for women in midlife. 

The Poet

Mirjam Mahler (she/her) writes poems and stories. She finds great joy in reading the words from others and in helping others find their words. She was born in Berlin, Germany, raised in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, attended university in Santa Barbara, California, USA and in Barcelona and is now living in Ulm in the south of Germany. She offers workshops to introduce others to the short form poetry she loves. She also hosts four book clubs in two languages. She can be found on Instagram @mirjamwrites and at mirjamwrites.com