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Original poster

50 getting a podgy belly - anyone avoided?

64 replies

Fuckfacetime · 09/05/2025 12:28

So I do loads of good stuff.

Regular cardio & weights - everyday
walk loads
low carb - no bread or cakes
sleep and drink loads of water
no UPFs, one meal a day cooked from scratch
low stress life

BUT I am still developing a squashy tummy. This is an issue as I am 5 foot tall and my trousers are getting too tight! If you knew the pain of trousers shopping when short with a big arse you'd be worried too. Usually I am a size 10. Been stable for about 10 years. I do drink too much, but I like drinking and don't want to cut back. It's my only bad habit.

Is it age? Is it laziness? Can I stop it? Help !!!!!

OP posts:
TessTickle0 · 10/05/2025 20:22

Hi i am probably the same as you, the weight is going on my belly and it looks bloated.
I exercise lots and do eat healthy meals mainly.
I love wine and wont stop drinking, the sun sure does make me want to drink more.
Sadly i do think its the wine, I could be thinner and miserable without drinking, so I put up with a bit of podge

Gymbunny2025 · 10/05/2025 20:10

Newgirls · 10/05/2025 10:33

I guess that adds up to 6-8000 cals a week? Like eating 10 mars bars? Halving that would help a lot for sure

Am I reading this right? An extra 1000 calories a day?! How are you a size 10 in the first place OP 😂

Sofasloth · 10/05/2025 19:43

From all I've read about peri and menopause it's all about reducing calories because your body just doesn't need as much anymore. So wherever you're getting them you possibly need to cut calories. Maybe track everything very very closely for a week and see if your estimation is accurate.

Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 10/05/2025 19:33

Um can we go back to the tummy ?! This is not alcohol support area

OP posts:
AlphaApple · 10/05/2025 19:31

You don’t think a bottle of whisky a week is that much? Blimey.

Where did you learn to normalise such heavy drinking?

Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 10/05/2025 18:52

Maybe I should edit my op

50 and drinks fucktonne. Anyone else who has managed to avoid the podge….:

OP posts:
Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 10/05/2025 18:51

Yes @AlphaApple but a litre of whisky a week doesn’t seem that much really.

I do dry Jan and do lose weight then. But my drinking hasn’t increased in the last ten years but waistline has, esp in the last six months, at the same time my periods kinda stopped.

OP posts:
AlphaApple · 10/05/2025 12:21

When you said you drink too much I wasn’t expecting harmful levels given everything else you do. 40 units is a lot. That’s the equivalent of a litre bottle of whisky a week. Your jeans being too tight is the least of your worries. Cirrhosis is a bigger concern!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 10/05/2025 12:07

When I was late 20’s I’d have one bottle of wine a week, I gave up and lost half a stone in weeks. I’m now 47, had a traumatic few weeks drank most nights a glass of wine and put 9lbs on.

So Monday night was my last drink and we’ll see what I weigh after a month off.

mamakoukla · 10/05/2025 12:02

What helped? Portion size, limiting snacking, no alcohol or no more than 2 units per week, sleep, and ensuring I was eating enough ie don’t starve to lose weight. General good habits?

Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 10/05/2025 11:51

Yeah so I used to drink more and be a lot thinner. So if it’s the booze it’s my body holding on to the fat.

my ribs and hips have got bigger I think …… I think it is my age.

but the plan is the same
tdee
cur down on booze (I do dry Jan)
more exercise
less non booze calories
give in a buy a 12 !

sigh…..

but then next year it will be a 14. Need to stop it now

OP posts:
andtheworldrollson · 10/05/2025 11:36

The belly weight is alcohol not menopause
well done on being honest with yourself on that - it’s hard

TennisWithDeborah · 10/05/2025 11:30

Cutting down on alcohol helped me with weight loss, along with intermittent fasting 16:8.

However, I had an obese BMI, unlike you.

I guess that it’s pointless to eschew bread but drink 40 units. I’m genuinely not meaning to sound spiteful because I know how hard it is at perimenopause (I’m 3 years your senior).

I think that unless you’re obese with associated health risks when arguably there’s a real need/responsibility to lose weight, you need to decide whether or not you alter your lifestyle to fit into your pre-peri clothes. Only you can make that choice.

Hallywally · 10/05/2025 11:28

Our body shape definitely changes as we age. I’m a life long yo yo dieter and I’ve looked at pictures of myself when much fatter but much younger and my figure was far more hourglass. Clearly defined much smaller waist, flatter stomach and weight carried on my boobs and hips. I’m now size 10/12 in my mid 40s. Struggle to shift belly weight, my waist has widened and my boobs are proportionally smaller. It’s unfortunate but it is what it is.

Enterthewolves · 10/05/2025 11:24

40units is a lot. I have recently started a new job in a public health team and the more I learn about alcohol the worse it sounds! I also like a drink and will not stop totally but have cut down massively - and it is impacting my weight and skin for the better. You could do an alcohol audit to see what your drinking is like as far as risk goes drinkcoach.org.uk

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 10/05/2025 11:15

I think the maximum safe limit in the uk is 14 or 21 so your way over.

If you had an ultrasound on your liver it would show inflammation from the alcohol. A blood test would likely be fine as livers literally soldier on until they fail.

A bottle of wine is 800 calories.

Newgirls · 10/05/2025 10:33

I guess that adds up to 6-8000 cals a week? Like eating 10 mars bars? Halving that would help a lot for sure

Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 10/05/2025 10:25

Ok so I was worried about how much I was drinking so used an app to total it all up. It’s about 40 units a week. I do try to have two / three days off a week but a sunny day will see me drinks a pint and a half, couple glasses of white, couple glasses of red. Not big glasses, but still.

also I am five foot so there is no where to hide !

re changing shape yes, it might just be that. I am keeping my waist so far with exercise. Maybe I just have to buy bigger trousers and work on maintaining.

and agreed am v lucky it’s my only menopause symptom so far, apart from a few night sweats

OP posts:
andtheworldrollson · 10/05/2025 08:12

How much alcohol?

I am older and do less exercise - weights and cardio once or twice a week ( lots of walking thought ) and eat more carbs, meals and snacks sone of which are UPF and don’t have a problem so something slightly off

eurochick · 10/05/2025 08:04

The hormonal changes of menopause change how and where we store fat. I have had a shapely waist all my adult life but now have a thicker middle and have just had to replace all my jeans. It’s shit.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 10/05/2025 07:58

It’s not just the calories, alcohol triggers inflammation so we retain fluids.

Countrylife2002 · 10/05/2025 07:30

This is encouraging as I eat bread and sometimes cake (although don’t drink) and it sounds like there’s no point giving up the bread 😁

AlphaApple · 10/05/2025 07:30

Also, embrace wearing skirts!

AlphaApple · 10/05/2025 07:29

Are you on HRT? My treatment definitely helped with weight management.

But yeah, it’s the beer. Sorry!

capybaraqueen · 10/05/2025 04:53

jackrussellsaremad I couldn't say without knowing how much you move (calories out) and how much you consume (calories in). This is really all it comes down to.

Yes if you're having one gin and slim a week (100 calories) it's unlikely to be making an impact but the OP is saying she drinks daily and then says she loves beers in the sun. Sugar and calorie loaded.

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