To think there must be a way to shift lower belly in your 40s?

[obser]

So historically I’m a size 8 to 10 with minimal effort on my part. I don’t drink and am not that into sugary things like cake but I have generally been able to eat what I want without putting on weight.

Here I am in my mid forties and I’m still not overweight according to the scales. But I have a wodge of abdominal fat, more lower than mid that is distorting in terms of clothes and that’s the main reason I want to shift it. For example I tried on trousers the other day where the smaller size fits everywhere except the waistband and on the larger size the waistband closes but they’re huge everywhere else. This happens ALL the time and I’m down to about two pairs of trousers that fit. I have no issue getting any other clothes to fit just this constant waistband issue.

AIBU to think there must be a way to target this? Do I need to go on an actual diet? Some kind of abdominal exercises? Has anyone managed this?

I do wish there was more research in to intermittent fasting and women, especially once we hit the perimenopause.

Have you tried HRT? I have read that one of the reasons abdominal weight fat becomes an issue for many women in peri is due to the changing hormone profile which moves weight accumulation from hips to belly. There's some speculation that this is because belly fat produces small quantities of estrogen. Unfortunately it is the hardest sort of fat to lose and the worst for your health, so it's definitely worth trying to get fitter overall, particularly building up muscle which helps to stay active and keep you metabolising fat.

Spanx?

Thanks all. I’m just over 5 feet so yes I suppose 5 lbs is quite a lot.

I’m not on hrt yet but it’s probably in my future I need to speak to my gp about it at some stage.

Dairy free plus Pilates has shifted mine in my Sixties.

Really?! Even 5lbs? That’s actually encouraging though because it means if I could lose that then my trousers might fit me.

Yes, honest. I once read a magazine article where 3 different women had each tried a different diet for a month. Two of the women had lost loads - 10-14 pounds - and looked noticeably slimmer in the face, legs and torso. The other woman had only lost 5lbs but her "pooch" had vanished! It made such a difference.

I've recently gone from 9st 1 to 9st 7, with all the festive eating, and my tummy is twice the size it was. It's all there. 😆

The first thing I notice when I start a diet is that my tummy gets flatter. So even losing half a stone in a healthy way (loads of veg, protein, water, etc) will sort you out.

I love the Scarsdale Diet for a short, sharp shock. I might do that in January. It resets your eating.

Good luck!

Intermittent fasting, cold water dipping, then something like Pilates / Yoga to help with posture and righting the ab muscles

Thanks @Arabelladrinkstea what is the cold water dipping and how might this help?

I’m encouraged by the thought that a relatively small number of lbs lost could make a real difference. Have waited until 11am for a carb free breakfast and am going to really rein it in over the next few weeks.

I’ve also put my fitness pal on my phone to try to record what I’m actually eating as I think tracking will help me resist snacking and push me to make better choices in what I’m eating.

I’d say, weightlifting, yoga & Pilates and a high fat, high protein diet it optimal for improving overall physique. If you can build some stronger abdominal muscles your stomach will look better even with some fat on it. But low calorie won’t help you achieve that

I’ve been dipping in the sea, rivers, lakes or even filling the Bath with cold water.

I did it for a start for the health benefits but even since I’ve been losing weight and haven't changed anything else!

Apparently it’s something to do with your metabolism.

@Jessie75

Carbs are not the enemy…. Junk is

This!

I’m a qualified PT, pre post natal qualified too. Turned 44 yesterday 😊 peri menopause in my mid 30’s - in best shape ever. No ‘diet’ - just expend more calories than I consume and eat carbs to fuel my workouts.

Whatever ‘diet’ you do it boils down to a calorie deficit.

If you are interested in finding out more or want tips / motivation feel free to pm me.

For me it's not effortless anymore but I'm the same shape as I was in my 20s and 30s. Pretty low carb - no bread especially and lots of yoga with Adrienne. I just east less and mindfully. I do a mental "is it actually worth the calories". And sometimes it is, sometimes not. Means I eat less crap and try to eat really nice food.

I do about an hour of yoga a day and at the moment have built up to this and I do her 12 min core every day which once you get used to it is "easy" and actually targets the lower belly - this

I'm late to yoga and it's been fairly life changing in fixing my terrible positive and the middle aged aches and pains that were Wally starting to creep in. And I've got a flat stomach without a sit up in sight.

At the age of 47, Im the same -size 8-10. Not into snacking, dont eat after 6pm (unless im put for a meal etc which is rarely)
But I have belly. My size 10 jeans give me 2 bellies, infact, anything i wear gives me 2. Size 12 is way too big.

Started pilates, i run and walk miles anyway, no idea what else to do

I find bread a killer actually. Not all carbs, but I definitely find that bread is something I eat mindlessly

Another one coming on to say intermittent fasting. I fast from 8 pm to 12 lunchtime the next day.

How active are you in general? I find running drops pounds fast.

I run a couple of times a week, same with Pilates and play tennis once a week.

I'm 45 and haven't succumbed to this issue yet but can see it on the horizon so doing everything I can to avoid it!

Two weeks off carbs and my stomach is flat as anything. I find running helps too.

I'm the same size as you but since I got married in September I have put at least 5lbs on and it's all in my belly and bum!

Not sure if anyone has already suggested this but a weighted exercise hula hoop will shift it. 20 mins a day three times a week in front of the tv works.

@BlueStargazer

Not sure if anyone has already suggested this but a weighted exercise hula hoop will shift it. 20 mins a day three times a week in front of the tv works.

ResultSport UK - The Original Weighted Hula Hoop Foam Padded Fitness Exercise Hoop 100cm extra wide https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002N1AX06/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcFR7JR49AE9J2H07D6B5Y

This is the one.

Combination of intermittent fasting abs keto.

And

Another one coming on to say intermittent fasting. I fast from 8 pm to 12 lunchtime the next day.

That has been my husband’s normal eating regime for years and it doesn’t help him lose weight. To lose weight he has to eat nothing at all every other day.

Planks, I do 3 mins straight arm every morning before my shower also a Pilates pose called the hundred for a minute. I don't drink in term time and try to run a marathon a month.

When I was 54 I joined the gym and had a personal trainer for a year. When I started my belly was huge, pregnant looking. By the time I was 55 my shape had completely changed., everyone commented and was dead pleased with myself, damn hard work and expensive and I just watched what I ate as well.

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Planks, I do 3 mins straight arm every morning before my shower also a Pilates pose called the hundred for a minute. I don't drink in term time and try to run a marathon a month.

Oh I like a plank! This seems like a good option as (although clearly tough) it doesn't take long! I think I can do 90 seconds