Meno Belly Question

[Sunswiped]

Does anyone have a meno belly that literally looks like a third trimester pregnancy belly?

Yes!! It's so bad.

Yes ! I’m fairly small everywhere else , so it’s really noticeable, plus I have adenomyosis which contributes.

YES 😭

I was planning on coming on here and having a massive sobfest, but you beat me to it.

How come I am 54, run 20K a week, do heavy all over body weights 3 x a week, play a sport, do Pilates, eat healthily and have really toned arms, legs and chest but then I am wearing a barrel on straps around my torso? Plus I am 1.5 stone overweight, constantly despite running bloody all the time.

I have a fat back, love handles, and yes, look like I am 7 months pregnant.

There must be something that can be done about this.

Someone come along and please tell us what to do to get rid of some of it.

We aren’t looking to have a flat tummy and get a belly piercing, we just don’t want to look like Barbamamma.

@TakeAnOldBagShopping Don't shoot me I'm the messenger...but weight loss is 80% food and 20% exercise.

Post meno, body fat distribution changes. It goes to the belly.
That's a well known fact.

The fact is that you're eating more than you're expending with exercise.

I know this isn't what you want to hear!

There was a similar thread here a few weeks ago. That poster was 'brave enough' to list what she ate and it was clear that she was just eating too much (even though she thought it was 'healthy'.) There were lots of replies, pointing out she was eating XYZ, which were either too much, or just not helping with weight loss.

However, there is a caveat- sadly, there was a thread like this a few years back on 'meno belly' and the poster discovered she had ovarian cancer. So any bloating or other symptoms that aren't normal for you need investigation.

@TakeAnOldBagShopping I think too much running is counter productive as it raises cortisol . More weights, rest and sleep. Walking? Maybe revisit your diet . It is shit though I agree. I’ve had to reduce my calories

I’ve always been up and down on my weight. However, I would go on a diet, and it would drop off.

From 50, even when I did my usual diets I would lose 1/2 stone then it wouldn’t budge.

It’s also the boobs. They are now massive (FF’s)

After my summer holiday I’m going on a diet. I do eat too much, and drink a lot of wine.

I can’t give up running. I’d rather be overweight. I’m in a club, have made loads of new friends, and exercising saved me when I was in a really bad peri meno place.

Yes. I'm changing my diet which is helping as are Pilates and core strengthing exercises.

And yes I carry a lot on my boobs too. I'm an H cup, if I could lose those I'd be at my ideal body weight.

There was a similar thread here a few weeks ago. That poster was 'brave enough' to list what she ate and it was clear that she was just eating too much (even though she thought it was 'healthy'.) There were lots of replies, pointing out she was eating XYZ, which were either too much, or just not helping with weight loss.

Was that my post? My calories for the day were 1500, a woman needs approximately 2000 to maintain her weight. Post menopause you need under 2000 to maintain. And I didn't "think" it was healthy, it was healthy. The macros and nutrition were balanced which is more important than calories.

Today's meals for example:
150g Skyr
80g frozen fruit
25g seeds

Small avocado
1 celery stick
85g radishes
4 cherry tomatoes
5 pickled onions
100g cucumber
10g feta

Chicken stir-fry
1tbsp soy sauce
0.5 red pepper
20g cornflour
1tsp garlic puree
1tsp ginger puree
1tbsp sesame oil
1 cup spring onions
Egg noodles

Snacks
1 banana
1 apple

Only on Mumsnet is this too much food and unhealthy.

16/8 fasting has and is having a patience impact on mine. Plus regular walking and yoga. If in doubt of fasting it’s worth looking at the science.

I have one and I hate it.

I have a personal trainer, he’s given me a meal plan and I follow it religiously. I go to the gym 3 times a week, Pilates once a week and tennis once a week. My calories are in deficit and the bloody thing still won’t budge.

I’m going on a bucket list holiday next February and want to be all toned and svelte in my bikini - the rest of me is getting there but it’s so disheartening

Hey, hold on!

You're quoting me but I'm pretty sure that you weren't that poster.

The poster who I was referring to posted before you and her daily food intake was very different to yours.

You did have your own thread but (correct me if it's wrong) you didn't want to list your food when someone suggested that (fair enough, of course.)

The 2000cals a day is bunkum because everyone is different. That figure comes from the 1950s when people were more active, few had cars, etc etc. It's never been recalculated.

People can work out their own BMR and see what they need.

No. I listed my food in the thread. The list in this thread is a direct quote from that one.

@TakeAnOldBagShopping yes so get what you mean about the running. It is great for mood. The problem is it raises cortisol and for me, makes me crave carbs. I actually put on weight when I up my running as the carb monster goes mad. Not sure what the solution is. I’d cut out alcohol and try intermittent fasting.

I agree that 2000 is too much. I burn around 1700 on a day and I average over 1200 steps. So to lose weight I’d have to go to around 1500 or less.

Over 12000 steps that should read.

Hmm, might have to look at the intermittent fasting. My menopausal friend swears by it, and she is looking very slim.

Depends on how many calories that all adds up to.

No eating between 6pm - 10am.
1200 Calorie intake.
12k steps per day.

This is proving more and more to be untrue. Calories in vs calories out is definitely too simplistic.

I think fasting/TRE is meant to help, but the menopausal body just seems determined to hold onto midriff fat for dear life. You will lose it from everywhere else. Also heard that fruit should be kept to a minimum as it turns so readily to glucose and stored as fat.

Most women's metabolism decreases as they age and this further exacerbates if you have an unhealthy lifestyle. It's depressing as it makes you feel ugly.
https://blog.damiva.com/will-you-gain-weight-in-menopause-heres-what-to-know-and-how-to-prevent-it/

I have never struggled with my weight, even post pregnancy I was one of those annoying people who would just snap back into shape after a few weeks with very little effort. Now I have put on a stone out of no where, have a belly that I never had before and just can't shift it. Really getting me down to the point that I am considering giving up alcohol 🍷 as a last resort to ditch unnecessary calories.

Looks like a great diet x

Try giving up sugary foods - biscuits, chocolate, cake, jam, etc. it's making a difference for me, waistline-wise.