to be fucked off that I can't get rid of my belly! Is this it now I'm 46???

[soupdragon321]

So,, I'm a fairly fit individual. Have done yoga and pilates four times a week for nearly ten years. Have been running 5k 3-4 times a week for over eight months. And yet, I have not lost a single lb or inch from my waistline. I am getting seriously pissed off and I can only think that this is simply down to the fact that at 46, my body is just not going to do what I want it to because it's in early menopause and the 'thickening' of the waist is a real thing! Don't we women have enough shit to deal with! My weight has gradually increased over the past year to over 7lbs more it previously was. It seems so bloody unfair that despite all the exercise and healthy eating, I'm never going to have the body I'd like. Yes, maybe all the exercise is preventing me from being even BIGGER at my current age then i would be if I did nothing, (yeah, great, work your ass off just to stay the same which is more than you were originally! How depressing!!) but it feels that once you're over 40, unless you are genetically blessed, or choose to literally starve yourself (and life is far too short for that), then you just have to suck it up. ARGH!!! Rant over, just wanting to see if anyone else feels the same.

@VanGoghsDog

Because it IS still basic maths. It’s just that your TDEE at 20 will be different to your TDEE at 40.

It’s calories in v calories out - basic maths 🤷‍♀️

What sort of Pilates are you doing?

@soupdragon my PT advised me to cut down (not out!) my carbs and only eat them if I had earned them. I was like you, eating healthily, porridge for breakfast, sandwich or wrap for lunch, healthy evening meal but still chunky round the middle. Apparently, in our 40s, us ladies are really lucky and any excess carbs that our body doesn't use immediately get stored around our middle!! How lucky are we!!!

I was very sceptical but followed his advice, limited myself to porridge with water at breakfast (I gym at 5am), cut out carbs after that except those from vegetables and lo and behold my chunkiness reduced. My weight didn't but my tummy did. Now I rarely eat pasta or rice and if I do, I have one spoonful not the three handfuls that I was before, I don't have mashed potatoes, rarely eat jackets and limit myself to 150g of new potatoes at a time.

I'm still not losing weight (but there's a whole other backstory to that) but with the carb control my stomach is staying less pronounced

Someone told me that the middle-aged belly is an oestrogen pouch. I can't believe you're overweight if you eat like that and exercise so much, OP - are you?

Urgh yes I totally get it. though I have to say I haven't been making as much effort as you - I do swimming and weights, but it's hard to find time to go regularly so most of my exercise is just brisk walking. And I don't drink much but do find it hard to cut out carbs.

However I do know that I used to be able to just eat a bit less and lose any extra weight that had crept on in a few weeks. Now, it doesn't work and hasn't for a few years (I'm 49 now) so I'm now a bit overweight with large, flabby belly. I HATE it - I'm used to being pear-shaped with a big bum, but a smaller waist. I don't want to lose my waist as then I'll just be barrel-shaped!

I do like weights and would do that every day if I wasn't so busy. I joined a gym and asked for an induction - a staff member showed me how to do everything and gave me an exercise plan. I use weights machines, kettlebells and I also like bodypump classes were you lift a barbell to music. So I would recommend all that.

But tbh I will prob also eventually ask the GP for HRT.

@ soupdragon

This does not tag the OP who is not called soupdragon!

I was thinking this last year, and pretty resigned to it. Then I had to go on a low-fat low-carb diet for a couple of months (health reasons) and was practically skeletal by the end of it. So it was in fact the biscuits rather than my age!

@soupdragon sorry about that! I wasn't concentrating properly and tagged the wrong soupdragon.

Should have tagged @soupdragon321 [blush}

No worries. As it happens, I've turned the tagging thing off so I don't get notifications.

This could get confusing though 😂

Soupdragon I'd get a trainer at the gym to write a programme for you and help you with technique, form is very important, especially with free weights. Pay for a couple of sessions if necessary and then have a check in session again every 4-6 weeks to update the programme, check your form etc.

I’m early 40s but my stomach is the bane of my life, always has been since I am an apple shape. However low carb high fat has really helped me get to a 30w and I’m not hungry anymore which is great. I lift heavy as well.
I’m thick waisted - I’ve never been below 28 even when skeletal. Bloody apple shapes. We do have decent legs but the bloody stomach!
Diet Doctor has some good advice.

I was like you, am early 40s, fairly fit, lots of cardio. Slim but with a post 2dc belly! A year ago I started weight training- it has literally changed my shape! My stomach is the flattest it’s been and I have (albeit small) actual abs!! Less cardio, more weight training! If you’re a member of a gym book a session with the pt to show you what to do. Basically, lots of weighted lunges/ squats and lifting. I alternate arms and legs and using your core really tones the tummy. I do much less cardio now but am way fitter. Go figure!

You said....

Porridge for breakfast sandwich for lunch...

Then you said...

I love carbs too but try not to eat them too often

That’s a LOT of carbs without any others you eat all day.

Why don’t you have a look at BIWI’s Bootcamp Threads? She’s lovely & there are lots of people who will help you with understanding low carb. Dr John Briffa ‘Escape The Diet’ is a good read too.

I second Siameasy about Diet Doctor - they have some great low-carb recipes.

Starting weights, reducing carbs and increasing protein has done it for me.

I find that fizzy pop and beige carbs noticeably give me a flabby belly.

Weight training and nutrition - take a look at StrongLifts 5x5 (website), Nerd Fitness (website) or StrongCurves (book).

Nerd Fitness had a great, free, pdf of 10 levels for improving nutrition that I loved. Once you complete a level, you move up to the next one. I think you have to sign up.

SoupDragon I wondered why you’d added the 321 after all of these years! I soon realised it wasn’t you, but others will definitely wonder what’s going on when your posts don’t reflect your long history of posting 🤔😖 it could get very confusing.

Seconding for LC Bootcamp

If you're not actually weighting and measuring portions and tracking calories, start doing so. The easiest way to do so, along with energy expenditures, is with an app on your phone. I use Loseit and really like it, another one called My Fitness Pal is also very popular.

It's insanely easy to underestimate your calorie consumption. If, for example, there's mayonnaise in your tuna salad it''s a calorie bomb that you might not have been counting.

I'm a firm believer in the idea that you get what you measure. If you can afford the splurge and have an iPhone consider getting an Apple Watch. It's absolutely brilliant at activity tracking and motivating you to do more.

Good luck.

I was going to suggest it was your flapjacks that might be an issue until I realised it wasn’t flapjack Queen soupdragon

My flapjacks are virtually calorie and fat free.

I know I'm boring but I lost my stomach and 3 stone with the Paul Mackenna way of eating (I Can Make You THin). A silly name, because I'm slim now which is what I wanted it suits me. No extra exercise or counting calories, or eating diet food. BUT you must eat when you're hungry and eat mindfully; no screens or throwing food down your throat standing up !

You learn to be aware of your body because you must stop eating when your body registers it's full. I have maintained with it for years.

OP Ask at your gym for a couple of 1:1 personal trainer sessions (you'll probably have to pay though)! to help you get started on the equipment and targeted exercises.

Also need to cut down on starchy simple carbs (my love & downfall) and up lean protein (fish, prawns, lean meat) plus up non-starchy veg. I love roasted veg with a little rapeseed oil and spices with baked salmon or prawns.

Also are/were you apple shaped? I've lost almost three stones and have lost inches and weight (including,at last back fat!) but still trying hard to lose weight/inches clinging round my tummy. Look up Visceral Fat. Good luck with the battle! 🌹

I must have been using the wrong recipe then!!

If it is visceral fat which is causing it, I found that the 5:2 intermittent fasting made a huge difference to my belly flatness.