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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:
Colinthedaxi · 09/05/2025 18:38

Can confirm I cut out the alcohol and it made NO difference. Currently having an Aperol Spritz in the sun and embracing being a little wider than before 🤣

Newgirls · 09/05/2025 18:12

One drink a fri night is ok surely. Three prob not.

Ohthatsabitshit · 09/05/2025 18:09

Maybe your body is supposed to be a different shape now🤷🏻‍♀️

EilishMcCandlish · 09/05/2025 18:02

Be glad if your only meno symptom is a bit of a belly. I am a raging psychopathic lunatic! I won't bore you with all my issues, suffice to say HRT has been a life changer!

Original poster
Fuckfacetime · 09/05/2025 16:45

noooooooo! But I really like drinking. Cold beers in the sun.

Yes I should work out my tdee. I don't have any menopause symptoms yet, apart from my periods mainly stopping. Not sure I can be bothered with the faff for HRT just for that.

OK plan:

Work out tdee
keep a food diary - maybe I am eating more than I think
do heavier weights
Cut back on drinks I am not noticing that I drinking.

GETTING OLD SUCKS

OP posts:
MagellanicPenguin · 09/05/2025 16:44

I found I needed to cut about 300 calories a day to stay thin in menopause. Not great and miss the days could eat cake everyday.

InternetRandoms · 09/05/2025 16:39

Work out your tdee. You need a lot less calories than you think!
Avoid alcohol, which is calorific, and too much sugar in general.

Studies have shown HRT can help. It can actually decrease waist circumference.

My tummy is flatter now than when I was slim throughout my earlier decades. I did have to get the the lower end of my bmi though.

50 getting a podgy belly - anyone avoided?
EilishMcCandlish · 09/05/2025 16:39

When you say you drink too much, do you mean total or frequency? I am 5'2", a couple of years older and have similar issues despite being fit.
I have found that limiting alcohol (and whacking great doses of Oestrogel!) has really helped.

Jackrussellsaremad · 09/05/2025 16:39

capybaraqueen · 09/05/2025 16:38

Not want you want to hear but it's 100% the booze. Simply from a sugar perspective....Look at how many calories/sugar you are consuming in a day/week month.

I stopped drinking 7 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for my health. I'm 49 this year and in the best shape of my life.

No one wants to hear this so apologies again 🤪

But what if you don't drink? I have about a unit a week!

capybaraqueen · 09/05/2025 16:38

Not want you want to hear but it's 100% the booze. Simply from a sugar perspective....Look at how many calories/sugar you are consuming in a day/week month.

I stopped drinking 7 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for my health. I'm 49 this year and in the best shape of my life.

No one wants to hear this so apologies again 🤪

MagellanicPenguin · 09/05/2025 16:34

I found going into menopause you need less calories than before to stay thin. The obvious thing from there would be to cut the alcohol out.

gamerchick · 09/05/2025 16:33

You don't really have a choice OP if you want to battle your body for those fat cells. They produce teeny traces of estrogen and your body won't give them up without a fight.

Or you can't get some stretchy wastebands and accept it.

Jackrussellsaremad · 09/05/2025 16:31

I'm in the same boat and I don't drink much. I fear it's age. Our bodies don't work the same way re weight loss as they used to. Watching this thread for any ideas!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 09/05/2025 16:29

I feel like you’ve answered your own question here.

Cut the alcohol out for a month and see if it goes.