Stomach fat - getting me down, how can I adjust exercise to burn?

[AbsolutelyCreamCrackered]

Some background to issue:

I am 53 and in good health. I think I am menopausal because 4 years ago I had very serious peri-menopausal symptoms and I was given the mirena coil to shut down my cycle. Because of this, I don't know what is going on there.

4 months ago I set myself the challenge of doing 7 workouts a week. I have to do things like this, or I lack motivation. For 3 months (month 4 was mostly away) I mostly did;

Body pump x 2
Cardio - running/ cross fit x 2
yoga x 2
1 other from above or YIN Yoga is I was too tired and to stretch it all out.

4 months later and I am feeling a lot fitter. My legs, and arms have toned up and my boobs now are slightly more north than they were before. I tried to diet, lost 10 pounds, and then it refused to budge. I have noticed this as I get older. It doesn't want to come off. I now literally have zero cellulite on my legs, and I am looking more defined.

Now the main issue. I seem to have core strength, but of my god, I have no waist line. It is 29". I look pregnant. I have a massive layer of fat going all the way up to the bottom of my boobs. It is hideous. I am now box shaped.

I am passed ever having a flat stomach. I'd just like to lose a couple of inches of this fat so I go in a bit in the middle. It's horrible.

I'm now doing 6 work outs a week. I am doing more running than I was before. 5K twice a week, working up to 10K, 2 or 3 times a week.

I've worked so hard, but this stomach fat is making me depressed. I am sending clothes back because they don't fit round the middle.

Moving forward is there anything I can change in my fitness routine to have some impact on burning middle fat? My DH says we eat crap but we really don't. I eat healthily compared to most.

The menopause causes belly fat to be laid down because those fat cells there help oestrogen levels, which menopause has impacted. It is very hard to fight. You have to cut carbs and replace with veg. Also intermittent fasting will help - fasting for 16 hours in 24 and eating only 2 meals during the remaining 8 hours (eg 10am-6pm or 11am-7pm). The first meal ought to contain something like eggs. And do weights. It's an uphill struggle as the "waist thickening" is part of menopause. Often, people you see on TV with a good body at this age will not only be doing all of the above, they will also be on HRT.

Sorry if mentioned already but have a read of The Glucose Goddess. I think blood sugar control gets poorer as we age. I also agree with PP about moving onto heavier weights, you sound ready for it. After a couple of weeks I'd lost an inch on my waist - barbell squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts.

I only lasted 8 minutes into that 35 minute video. i don't think it said anything about weight-lifting being the best exercise to make fat tummies away.

Defo not a 29 waist. It is 36", just measured it.

Boobs 34FF, waist 36", hips 40" and I'm only 5 ft 3.

I'm not looking to get it down to an 8-pack. I just want to feel less blughhhhh round the middle. Clothes don't fit.

Without wanting to cause alarm, do you have any symptoms that could cause you to think there is an underlying medical problem? Feeling bloated, indigestion, bowel problems, abdominal pain etc.?

If you are active and your diet is good then it could be either hormonal or a medical problem. Do get checked out.

If you have £££ to throw at the problem then I would suggest a personal trainer and/or Bioprint.